US09497212B2

Systems and methods for detecting malicious resources by analyzing communication between multiple resources coupled to a network are provided. According to one embodiment, a method is performed for client reputation monitoring. A monitoring unit within a network observes activities relating to multiple monitored devices within the network. For each observed activity, the monitoring unit assigns a score to the observed activity based upon a policy of multiple polices established within the monitoring unit. For each of the monitored devices, the monitoring unit maintains a current reputation score for the monitored device based upon the score and a historical score associated with the monitored device. The monitoring unit classifies one of the monitored devices as potentially being a malicious resource based upon its current reputation score.
US09497210B2

A method includes assessing a trustworthiness level of a user computer by communication between the user computer and a first server. A record indicating the trustworthiness level is sent from the first server to the user computer, for storage by the user computer. A request is sent from the user computer to a second server, different from the first server, for a service to be provided to the user computer by the second server. The record is provided from the user computer to the second server by communicating between the user computer and the second server. At the second server, the trustworthiness level is extracted from the record, and the requested service is conditionally allowed to be provided to the user computer depending on the extracted trustworthiness level.
US09497202B1

Embodiments of the present invention may involve a method, system, and computer program product for controlling privacy in a face recognition application. A computer may receive an input including a face recognition query and a digital image of a face. The computer may identify a target user associated with a facial signature in a first database based at least in part on a statistical correlation between a detected facial signature and one or more facial signatures in the first database. The computer may extract a profile of the target user from a second database. The profile of the target user may include one or more privacy preferences. The computer may generate a customized profile of the target user. The customized profile may omit one or more elements of the profile of the target user based on the one or more privacy preferences and/or a current context.
US09497200B2

A system, a method, and a computer program product for managing network configuration by a controller. A request to connect a device to a network is received. The network is accessed by the device by a port. The controller determines the device to be authorized to connect to the network. The controller configures the port in response to determining the device as an authorized device to connect to the network. The controller configures the port according to a first set of parameters. The first set of parameters regulate communication of the device on the network. After configuring the port, the controller monitors a set of communications. The controller monitors the set of communications for an error. By monitoring the set of communications, the controller determines whether the port meets network specifications.
US09497198B2

A method for allowing or denying, by an appliance, access to a resource by an application on a client via a virtual private network connection includes basing the decision to allow or deny access on identification of the application. The appliance intercepts a request from an application on a client on a first network to access via a virtual private network connection a resource on a second network. The appliance identifies the application and associates with the intercepted request an authorization policy based on the identity of the application. The appliance determines, using the authorization policy and the identity of the application, to either allow or deny access by the application to the resource.
US09497197B2

Systems and methods for secure resource access and network communication are provided. A plurality of policies are received on a client device, each policy comprising a respective resource and a respective permission for a respective action that can be performed by a user of the client device in regards to the resource. A first application, which is configured to store data in an encrypted repository on the client device, receives a request to open a resource. The first application determines that one of the policies prohibits access by the resource to the encrypted repository and, based thereon, selects a different second application to open the resource that does not have access to the encrypted repository. The second application then opens the resource.
US09497195B2

A system includes a first device configured to provide a first service usable by a first user, a second device configured to provide a second service usable by a second user, and a third device configured to include a memory and a processor coupled to the memory. The processor is configured to receive a first instruction from the first user, the first instruction for disclosing information about the first service to the second user, transmit authentication information to the second user based on the reception of the first instruction, and disclose information collected from the first service to the second user when receiving an access using the authentication information from the second user.
US09497194B2

Protection of resources hosted on enterprise systems. In an embodiment, an enterprise system receives a request from a portable device to download a resource, and in response formulates multiple security actions and associated conditions for the requested resource. The enterprise system sends the requested resource, the security actions and the conditions to the portable device. The portable device determines whether each condition is satisfied and performs the security actions associated with the conditions determined to have been satisfied. Due to the ability to send multiple security actions and associated conditions, better control in protection and retention of downloaded resources is obtained.
US09497190B2

An information processing apparatus holds a first script for acquiring authentication information stored in an external apparatus, and acquires authentication information as a result of causing the first script to execute in an execution step in a case where a second script is included in the received screen information, and displays an input screen in a state in which the authentication information acquired is set.
US09497184B2

A “trusted service” establishes a trust relationship with an identity provider and interacts with the identity provider over a trusted connection. The trusted service acquires a token from the identity provider for a given user (or set of users) without having to present the user's credentials. The trusted service then uses this token (e.g., directly, by invoking an API, by acquiring another token, or the like) to access and obtain a cloud service on a user's behalf even in the user's absence. This approach enables background services to perform operations within a hosted session (e.g., via OAuth-based APIs) without presenting user credentials or even having the user present.
US09497178B2

Embodiments of the present invention relate to generating challenge response sets utilizing semantic web technology. In response to detecting an authentication session for a user, a computing device generates a first challenge question that is semantically related to a second challenge question previously responded to by the user, wherein the authentication session seeks to validate an identification of the user. The computing device determines whether a response to the challenge question by the user is valid. In response to determining that the response to the challenge question by the user was valid, the computing device generates a third challenge question or a notification that the response to the challenge question validates the identification of the user.
US09497176B2

Disclosed is a technique to enable a user equipment at a remote place to perform local IP access to a locally-accessible network with simpler procedure and such a configuration while achieving the efficiency of costs and facility. According to the technique, a network (LIA-PDN 161) capable of dealing with a local IP access by a user equipment (UE 101) is placed on a core network 141. When the UE establishes a PDN connection with the LIA-PDN, the UE simultaneously transmits information concerning the LIA domain network 111 as well, to which the UE wants a local IP access. On the basis of this information, the LIA-PDN establishes a PDN connection with the LIA domain network, and the LIA-PDN transfers a packet, whereby the UE can access the LIA domain network via these PDN connections.
US09497169B2

A method and system for providing selective protection of data exchanged between user equipment (UE) and network is disclosed. The selective protection is applied to a packet, a bearer or an access point name for secure exchange of data between the UE and the network. The network decides to apply selective protection based on configuration of network, configuration of UE, load in the network, battery power availability of UE, type of application running on UE. Further, the UE can request for selective protection based on the type of application running on UE and the battery level availability of the UE. The selective protection is either enabled or disabled dynamically by the network. Further, various mechanisms for applying selective protection for each bearer, each packet and each Access Point Name (APN) are disclosed. Additionally, the method for identifying a secured and a non secured bearer has also been disclosed.
US09497166B2

Methods and systems for an intelligent network protection gateway (NPG) and network architecture are provided. According to one embodiment, a firewall provides network-layer protection to internal hosts against unauthorized access by hosts of an external network by performing network address translation (NAT) processing of Internet Protocol (IP) addresses. The firewall also provides application-layer protection on behalf of the internal hosts and supports Voice over IP (VoIP) services by actively processing signaling protocols associated with VoIP sessions. An external VoIP interface of the firewall receives incoming VoIP packets having associated therewith an indication regarding a VoIP port of external interface. The packets are directed to an appropriate internal host by the firewall performing port address forwarding based on a mapping of VoIP ports to private addresses of the internal hosts.
US09497165B2

According to one exemplary embodiment, a method for load balancing between a virtual component within a virtual environment and a Host Intrusion Prevention System (HIPS) is provided. The method may include receiving a trusted connection table from the HIPS, wherein the trusted connection table contains a plurality of trusted connection information. The method may also include receiving a network packet from a virtual switch, wherein the network packet has a plurality of connection information. The method may then include determining if the plurality of connection information matches the plurality of trusted connection information. The method may further include sending the network packet to a destination based on determining that the plurality of connection information matches the plurality of trusted connection information. The method may include sending the network packet to the HIPS based on determining that the plurality of connection information does not match the plurality of trusted connection information.
US09497164B2

A method of redirecting traffic on a network includes receiving a subscriber request to use a parental control service, assigning to the subscriber's access device an Internet protocol (IP) address from a block of addresses reserved for the service, receiving a transaction, determining that the transaction is from an address in the block, and redirecting the transaction to a parental control device on the network. A network-based parental control system includes an access device for an account that uses a parental control service, a dynamic host configuration protocol server that assigns to the access device an IP address from a block of addresses reserved for the parental control service, a parental control policy device, and a router that receives a transaction from the access device, determines that the transaction is from an address in the block, and redirects the transaction to the parental control policy device.
US09497157B2

An e-mail system is disclosed that overcomes many deficiencies of, but is backward compatible with, existing e-mail systems. Embodiments of the system may include various features, including but not limited to: (1) secure transfer of e-mail messages, without the need for users to replace existing e-mail clients or to change e-mail addresses; (2) tracking of all actions performed in connection with an e-mail transmission; (3) the ability for a recipient to view information about an e-mail message, optionally including information about how other addressees have responded to it, before deciding whether to retrieve the e-mail message; (4) the aggregation of entire e-mail conversations into a single threaded view; (5) the ability to include both private and public messages in a single e-mail communication; (6) sender control over downstream actions performed in connection with an e-mail message; (7) flexible control over cryptographic methods used to encrypt emails messages for storage.
US09497156B2

Disclosed in some examples are methods, systems and machine readable medium for recommending an out-of-network communication by determining a set of potential recommended members of a social networking service based upon one or more recommendation criteria. In some examples the recommendation criteria may include: a profile similarity to a previous target of an out-of-network communication, a degree of correspondence between an interest and intent of the sending member, and a likelihood of response.
US09497153B2

Methods and apparatus related to associating a segment of an electronic message with one or more segment addressees. One or more message addressees of an electronic message may be identified, the one or more message addressees identifying at least one recipient of the electronic message. A segment of the electronic message may be identified via one or more processors. One or more segment addressees may be determined from the at least one recipient, the one or more segment addressees identifying an addressee for the identified segment. One or more aspects of the segment may be associated with the one or more segment addressees. An indication pertaining to the one or more aspects of the segment may be provided to the one or more segment addressees.
US09497152B2

A communication application creates a team mailbox integrating messages from an email repository and documents from a content management store (CMS). The application enables an administrator to define and manage members of the team mailbox with varying privilege status for accessing the team mailbox. Content such as aggregated messages and associated documents are displayed through a unified view to standardize ease of access. The members are enabled to receive messages sent to the team mailbox by others. Policies inherited from email repository, CMS, and/or third party policy providers are enforced within the team mailbox.
US09497151B2

The present disclosure provides for an optimization framework that optimizes the amount of information persisted in a policy session using rule introspection. In one embodiment, the optimization framework receives a message, where the message includes an attribute, and the attribute includes an attribute name and an attribute value. The optimization framework consults a mapping table to determine persistence behavior associated with the attribute name. The optimization framework persists the attribute in a rule field cache, according to the persistence behavior. In one embodiment, the persistence behavior includes a persistence type, a persistence mode, and/or custom persistence logic, which specify how the attribute should be persisted. In one embodiment, the optimization framework also provides for performing rule introspection and rule evaluation of decision rules.
US09497150B2

A system provides a conversation construct for the routing of external communications to a party within an entity. Internal interactions of individuals in the entity may be associated by a server system with the conversation construct. Messages may be associated with interactions that may have as participants less than all participants of a conversation construct. An interaction may be a backchannel interaction and exclude one or more participants of a parent interaction. Interactions may be grouped into sequences that likewise may have a limited set of participants. A sequence may have a state associated therewith used by the entity to track progress in achieving an objective. A conversation construct and the sequences and interactions thereof may be presented in an interface to a user that includes those portions of the conversation construct for which the user is a participant.
US09497147B2

Systems, methods, and computer readable storage mediums for providing message services from a server are described. In some embodiments, a server stores an attachment associated with a communication. The server sends the communication to a client device, with a representation of the attachment type that includes an indication of the attachment's native file type. The server receives a request from the client device to view the attachment in the client device. The server retrieves the attachment in response to the request and transcodes the attachment from the attachment's native file type to a viewable file type configured to display in the client device. The viewable file type is determined by the server based on metadata received from the client device. The server transmits at least a portion of the attachment in the viewable file type to the client device for display. Other embodiments are also described.
US09497140B2

An approach for autonomous multi-node network configuration and self-awareness is provided. In the approach, a network switch receives a configuration of a switch port group. The switch port group comprises ports configured for a cloud cluster, the cloud cluster comprises nodes, and respective ones of the nodes are connected to respective ones of the ports. In the approach, the network switch receives from one of the nodes a request for information of the switch port group, and sends to the one of the nodes the information of the switch port group. In the approach, the information of the switch port group is stored by the one of the nodes, used by the one of the nodes to assign IP and VLAN addresses to the nodes in the cloud cluster, and used by the one of the nodes to establish a topology of the cloud cluster.
US09497138B2

A tenant comprising one or more users receives services from a cloud computing system (“CCS”). The CCS determines when a tenant is not using any services, and if so, the CCS initiates a tenant suspension process. The tenant suspension process involves suspending various asynchronous computing processes for the tenant, which execute otherwise execute even if no users of the tenant are currently accessing the CCS. After a period of non-use of the CCS, the tenant is suspended. The tenant is returned to an active state automatically when a user of the tenant logs-on to receive services.
US09497136B1

A management console application provides a dashboard which centralizes data from and access to one or more other applications. In a specific implementation, the dashboard displays resource utilization and tracking data generated by a first application, an application execution map generated by a second application that identifies the resources on which a third application is executing, or both.
US09497126B2

A communication device includes a packet-length table, a transmitter, a receiver, and a table update unit. The packet-length table stores, in association with an identifier of a network, a length of a packet to be transmitted to a device belonging to the network. The transmitter obtains a length of a packet associated with a network to which a destination device belongs, and transmits a packet whose length is equal to or less than the obtained length of a packet. The receiver receives a message when a length of the packet transmitted to the destination device is greater than a length of a packet that is able to be transmitted to a network included in a route leading to the destination device. The message indicates a maximum packet length. The table update unit updates a packet length associated with a network including the destination device to the maximum packet length.
US09497124B1

A computer-implemented method for load balancing multicast traffic may include (1) identifying a plurality of switches that include at least a first switch that is connected to a second switch by a first path and a second path, (2) calculating a plurality of multicast distribution trees for distributing multicast traffic among the plurality of switches that includes (i) a first tree that includes the first path and whose root is different than the root of a second tree and (ii) the second tree that includes the second path, (3) receiving a plurality of multicast packets ingress to the plurality of switches at the first switch, and (4) using at least two of the plurality of multicast distribution trees to transmit the plurality of multicast packets from the first switch to the second switch. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.
US09497123B2

In one embodiment, a method for load balancing in a software-define networking (SDN) system includes, upon receiving a packet, determining whether a matching entry for the packet in a server distribution table contains both a current and new server selection. If the matching entry contains both, it is determined whether there is a matching entry for the packet in a transient flow table, where the transient flow table maintains server selections when at least one of the plurality of servers is reconfigured. Upon determining that there is no matching entry for the packet in the transient flow table, the method determines whether the packet is a first packet of a traffic flow. If the packet is the first packet of a traffic flow, the packet is forwarded according to the new server selection of the matching entry in the server distribution table, and the transient flow table is updated.
US09497117B2

A packet processor provides for rule matching of packets in a network architecture. The packet processor includes a lookup cluster complex having a number of lookup engines and respective on-chip memory units. The on-chip memory stores rules for matching against packet data. A lookup front-end receives lookup requests from a host, and processes these lookup requests to generate key requests for forwarding to the lookup engines. As a result of the rule matching, the lookup engine returns a response message indicating whether a match is found. The lookup front-end further processes the response message and provides a corresponding response to the host.
US09497113B2

Routers split and share routing information among several routers within a group of routers acting as a single border router in an Internet protocol (IP) network, each router comprising a routing table. A router of the group selects routes in the routing table of the router; requests other routers of the group to replace, in their routing tables, each selected route with the router as next hop; associates parts of-non selected routes, each one with another router of the group; and removes and replaces, in the routing table, each-non selected route associated with a router of the group by the associated router as next hop.
US09497111B2

A method for communication link for an access network device. The access network device comprises: a node server, an access switch, and a terminal. The method comprises: the node server requesting for a protocol packet on the basis of a service initiated by the source terminal; acquiring a piece of communication link information of the current service, and the communication link information comprises a piece of communication port information for the node server and the access switch involved in the current service; on the basis of the communication port information for the node server, the node server setting up within an internal data packet address table the port directed by the data packet of the current service; on the basis of the communication port information for the access switch, transmitting to the corresponding accessing switch a port configuration command; on the basis of the port configuration command, the accessing switch setting up the port directed by the data packet of the current service within an internal data packet address table. By means of the present invention, the stability of a transmission channel is ensured, thereby avoiding delays for multimedia services.
US09497109B2

One embodiment disclosed relates to a method of configuring a traffic-associated path through a switching mesh. A source switch receives a request to associate a type of traffic to a specified path. The source switch is located at the beginning of the path. A path tag is allocated to the path. The path through the mesh is built, and the association between the type of traffic and the allocated path tag is programmed. Other embodiments are also disclosed.
US09497102B2

Systems and methods for control and triggering of machine to machine (M2M) devices (e.g., smart meters). More specifically how to allow an M2M service provider (e.g., utility company) to use an operator's network to communicate with the M2M device connected with a UE/GW associated with the operator's network. The M2M service provider may receive identification of the UE/GW, but not for the M2M device. By transmitting an identifier for the M2M device along with an identifier for the UE/GW, the network operator may define establish and maintain a communication path specific to M2M devices. Similar techniques may be incorporated to allow the M2M service provider to locate and trigger the M2M device.
US09497098B2

One exemplary embodiment is directed to a system comprising a plurality of connector assemblies. Each of the connector assemblies is configured to read information stored on or in physical communication media that is connected to the ports of the respective connector assembly. The system further comprises an aggregation point communicatively coupled to the plurality of connector assemblies. The aggregation point is configured to automatically discover the connector assemblies and cause each of the connector assemblies to send to the aggregation point at least some of the information read from the physical communication media that is connected to the ports of the respective connector assemblies. The aggregation point is configured to store at least some of the information sent by the connector assemblies to the aggregation point. A reliable packet-based communication protocol is used by the aggregation point to monitor events occurring at at least one connector assembly.
US09497096B2

A method, system and computer program product for dynamically controlling a tracing of messages. A header (referred to herein as the “trace header”) is placed in a message by a sending application, where the trace header includes a structure for storing fields of data for defining tracing operations. Once the message with the trace header is received by a message broker after being sent by the sending application, the message broker will analyze the fields of the trace header and perform the appropriate tracing operation in response to the information provided in the trace header. Through the use of the trace header, the tracing overhead can be minimized as well as a faster diagnosis of the problem (e.g., errors while processing the messages through a message flow of the message broker) can be provided since less data will be needed to be analyzed.
US09497090B2

Examples to determine media impressions are disclosed. An example method includes determining an exposure of first media, wherein the exposure occurs after a cookie identifier is received at a computing device, wherein the cookie identifier is received from a database proprietor, determining a first panelist identifier associated with the exposure based on the cookie identifier, determining a second panelist identifier associated with the exposure based on a determination of a user identity by a panelist meter associated with the computing device, determining an adjustment factor by comparing the first panelist identifier and the second panelist identifier, determining a number of impressions of second media from data logged by the database proprietor, the data logged in response to requests transmitted to the database proprietor in response to clients accessing the second media, and applying the adjustment factor to the number of impressions to determine an adjusted number of impressions.
US09497082B2

Various exemplary embodiments relate to a method performed by a network policy node. The method may include: translating a policy into a plurality of rule objects, the policy including an applicability condition and one or more action rules; generating a selection rule table based on the applicability condition of one or more policies; generating an action rule table from the one or more action rules of an applicable policy, an action rule including an action condition and an action path; determining a set of applicable policies by evaluating the selection rule table using a rules engine; and selecting an action path by evaluating the action rule table using the rules engine. Various exemplary embodiments relate to a network policy node including a scanner that generates rules objects and rule tables based on one or more policies, a context information storage, and a rules engine that evaluates rule tables.
US09497079B2

Performing operations on nodes of distributed computer networks. A request to upgrade a first acceleration node in a computer network is identified. A second acceleration node that is linked to the first acceleration node is identified. A bypass link to the second acceleration node from the first acceleration node is established. The bypass link is configured to transmit new connections received for handling by the first acceleration node to the second acceleration node for handling by the second acceleration node during upgrading of the first acceleration node. Upon establishing the bypass link, the first acceleration node is upgraded in response to identifying the request.
US09497057B2

The present invention relates to a method for performing channel sounding by means of an access point (AP) in a wireless LAN system. The method includes the steps of transmitting a null data packet announcement (NDPA) frame to notify that an NDP is to be transmitted, transmitting the NDP, and receiving a feedback frame from a station (STA). The NDP includes a signal field. The signal field of the NDP is transmitted through two orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbols. One of the two OFDM symbols is a repeated OFDM symbol signifying that the other is repeated.
US09497053B2

A central access network unit comprising a processor configured to assign a plurality of upstream training blocks from an upstream OFDM symbol to a plurality of downstream network units, wherein the OFDM symbol comprises a plurality of pilot subcarriers equally spaced across an upstream RF spectrum in a pre-determined time interval, and wherein each upstream training block comprises a different subset of the pilot subcarriers that are non-consecutive and situated across the upstream RF spectrum, and generate one or more messages comprising assignments of the upstream training blocks, and a transmitter coupled to the processor and configured to transmit the messages to the plurality of downstream network units via a network, wherein the messages instruct at least one of the plurality of downstream network units to transmit a modulated pre-determined sequence at the pilot subcarriers corresponding to the upstream training block assigned to the downstream network unit.
US09497047B2

A method includes configuring a first sounding channel to be an uplink sounding slot. The uplink sounding slot has at least one OFDM symbol in an uplink sub-frame in order to carry UL-SRSs corresponding to at least one transmit beam of a first set of transmit beams in a first sounding channel set of sub-bands. The first sounding channel set of sub-bands includes sub-bands that cover a first data bandwidth. The method includes transmitting, to an MS, a first UL sounding configuration message that sets a sounding sub-band bitmap value to a maximum specifiable value and indicates UL-SRS placement in the first sounding channel set of sub-bands. The method includes, receiving through the first sounding channel set of sub-bands from the MS, the UL-SRSs corresponding to at least the one transmit beam of the first set of transmit beams for channel estimation over the first data bandwidth.
US09497043B2

A home base station system and method for managing data caching. The home base station system includes: a plurality of home base stations used to provide wireless communication to at least one mobile terminal, wherein the plurality of home base stations are connected to a wide area network via a local area network, and wherein the plurality of home base stations are interconnected via a local area network; and a server, wherein the server is connected to the plurality of home base stations via the local area network, and wherein the server is used to manage caching of data in a home base station system.
US09497040B1

Techniques are described for providing managed virtual computer networks that have a configured logical network topology with virtual networking devices, such as by a network-accessible configurable network service, with corresponding networking functionality provided for communications between multiple computing nodes of the virtual computer network by emulating functionality that would be provided by the virtual networking devices if they were physically present. In some situations, the networking functionality provided for a managed computer network of a client includes receiving routing communications directed to the virtual networking devices, and using included routing information to identify and initiate external actions whose effects are not related to how network communications between computing nodes of the managed computer network are configured to be routed or otherwise forwarded through the managed computer network, such as external actions that affect devices that are not part of the managed computer network, or other types of external actions.
US09497031B2

Provided is a technique for building a green architecture for achieving efficient power saving in a Layer-2 network, the technique having: a packet collection process (S01) for collecting all broadcast packets communicated within the network and extracting packet information; a MAC-IP history generation process (S02) for generating MIPT with the latest timestamp from the packet information; an access analysis process (S03) for counting, on the basis of information about the MIPT, the number of packets per category of {SMAC, DMAC} in each time slot having a certain interval, and generating a MAcT; an L2 switch port analysis process (S04) for generating an MDMAcT on the basis of information about the MAcT; a green architecture building process (S05) for generating a GMDMAcT in which a port connection configuration of the MDMAcT has been updated; and a visualization process (S06) for displaying information about the GMDMAcT.
US09497021B2

Device for generating a message authentication code for authenticating a message, wherein the message is divided in blocks (M) with a specified block length, the device comprising a generating unit for generating the message authentication code based on a message by using a block cipher algorithm, and an encrypting unit for performing an exclusive disjunction on the last block with a first key (K1, K2) and for performing an exclusive disjunction on the first and/or the last block additionally with a second key (K3, K4) for generating the message authentication code.
US09497010B2

A method and apparatus for configuring a control channel between a first transceiver and a second transceiver in a communication system are provided. The method includes generating, by the first transceiver, a signaling message including information for the control channel; transmitting, by the first transceiver, the signaling message including information for the control channel to the second transceiver; generating, by the first transceiver, the control channel based on the information for the control channel; and transmitting, by the first transceiver, the generated control channel to the second transceiver, wherein the information for the control channel includes resource assignment information, reference signal information, and information related to at least one of a localized type and a distributed type.
US09497002B2

Certain aspects of the present disclosure provide techniques for a user equipment (UE) to efficiently provide feedback regarding preferred beams to a base station (BS) that transmits with different beams from different elevations. The techniques generally involve the BS transmitting first reference signals transmitted, using a plurality of elevation beams. The UE selects at least one preferred elevation beam based on the first reference signals and feeds this back to the BS. The BS transmits second reference signals using the preferred elevation beam and a plurality of azimuthal ports. The UE provides a second stage channel feedback to the base station, based on the second reference signals.
US09496999B2

A method and apparatus for resource allocation in a multi-carrier wireless communication system enables transmission using smaller resource units and achieves efficient transmission of data channels with very low data rates, scheduling a greater number of user equipments without additional control channel overhead while maintaining compatibility with the resource allocation scheme of legacy user equipments. Thus, one cell controls a larger number of user equipments. In addition, as multiple user equipments are scheduled using a single control channel, resource efficiency is increased.
US09496998B2

The embodiments of the present invention provide a method, apparatus, and system. The method comprises: sending, by a centralized processing node, control information containing address information of a service ERRU and the transmission mode of ERRUs to the ERRUs in a COMP set; receiving the compressed uplink COMP frequency domain data sent by the service ERRU according to the transmission mode, wherein the compressed uplink COMP frequency domain data are data obtained by the service ERRU by compressing the original uplink COMP frequency domain data sent by the non-service ERRUs and the original uplink COMP frequency domain data of the service ERRU, and receiving the original uplink COMP frequency domain data sent by at least one ERRU according to the transmission mode. In the present invention, the data are compressed to reduce the uplink transmission flow between the ERRUs in the COMP set and the centralized processing node.
US09496997B2

A method and apparatus for performing channel measurement in a wireless communication system are disclosed. A method for performing channel measurement by a user equipment (UE) in a wireless communication system supporting carrier aggregation (CA) and coordinated Multi-point transmission and reception (CoMP) includes: receiving information on a channel state information—reference signal (CSI-RS) resource set (hereinafter referred to as CRMS (CoMP resource management set)) for measuring CSI-RS—based received power from serving evolved NodeB (eNB); measuring a received power for the CSI-RS resources contained in the CRMS; and transmitting the measured received power to the serving eNB, wherein the CRMS is independently configured for each of the plurality of component carriers (CCs) capable of being aggregated in the carrier aggregation (CA).
US09496990B2

A method of remapping Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ) timeline in Time Division Duplex (TDD) uplink-downlink (UL-DL) reconfiguration, for a communication device in a wireless communication system is disclosed. The method includes being reconfigured from a first TDD UL-DL configuration in a first radio frame to a second TDD UL-DL configuration in a second radio frame, determining a TDD UL-DL reference configuration according to UL subframe allocations of the first and second TDD UL-DL configurations in the first radio frame, and performing HARQ processes of the first TDD UL-DL configuration according to a HARQ timeline of the TDD UL-DL reference configuration during the first and second radio frames.
US09496988B2

A base station for use in a wireless network, wherein the base station transmits in a downlink to a plurality of subscriber stations using a plurality of antennas according to a multiple input, multiple-output (MIMO) protocol. During a first downlink subframe, the base station operates in single-user MIMO mode in which the base station transmits a first data subpacket to a first subscriber station using a first antenna and transmits a second data subpacket to the first subscriber station using a second antenna. During a second downlink subframe following the first downlink subframe, the base station operates in multi-user MIMO mode in which the base station transmits a third data subpacket to the first subscriber station using the first antenna and transmits a fourth data subpacket to a second subscriber station using the second antenna.
US09496987B2

A process, a computer program product, and a computer system for redelivering a subset of messages in a packet to a receiver application are provided. The present invention enables the partially received packet to be delivered to the application layer (LLM) and allow LLM to decide whether it has to request for full packet retransmission or partial retransmission of the packet. The present invention allows the LLM of the receiver to generate a PNACK (partial negative-acknowledgement) based on the subset of the messages consumed from within the partial packet. The present invention allows the LLM of the transmitter to process the PNACK, to regenerate a new packet from the original packet to contain only a subset of the messages, and to send this new packet to the receiver who has generated the PNACK.
US09496984B2

Method and arrangement in a mobile terminal for predicting future data communication performance of transmissions between a base station and the mobile terminal. The base station and the mobile terminal are comprised in a wireless communication system. The method comprises receiving information from the base station, concerning the relation between distribution characteristics and the performance of established data communications via the base station, comparing the own distribution characteristics of the mobile terminal with the received information, determining the own predicted data communication performance based on the made comparison between the own distribution characteristics and the received information, and displaying the determined own predicted data communication performance on a display of the mobile terminal. Also, a method and arrangement in a base station for assisting a mobile terminal in predicting future data communication performance of transmissions is comprised.
US09496983B2

Systems and methods for using ad hoc networks in cooperation with service provider networks. Multi-network devices communicate with each other as peers in an ad hoc network while each accessing a service provider network. The multi-network devices may each receive the same real-time multimedia stream, be it broadcast or unicast, while sharing stream parity information. The peers may take corrective action to maintain uninterrupted playback of the real-time multimedia stream with no or minimal loss in perceived quality. The peers may further cooperate to facilitate bandwidth and power optimization, fast channel switching, and real-time mobile traffic and network analysis, displays and alerts.
US09496981B2

A system is provided for securing information residing on a circuit (e.g., processor). In particular, a system and method is provided for masking electromagnetic interference (EMI) emissions emitting from a circuit using a random noise generator in combination with a low noise amplifier and antenna. The random number generator matches a frequency of a circuit to be protected, and generates a random signal to be superimposed on data. The low noise amplifier receives the random signal from the random number generator, and an antenna receives the random signal from the low noise amplifier and transmits the random signal to mask the data of the circuit to be protected.
US09496980B2

A method of adding a transceiver including a transmitter and a receiver to an optical network. The transceiver is controlled to enable the receiver while maintaining the transmitter in a disabled state. The receiver detects a presence of an optical signal at a first wavelength. If an optical signal at the first wavelength is not present, the transmitter is enabled. Responsive to detection that an optical signal at the first wavelength is present: a feature of the optical signal, and a match condition between the detected feature and a predetermined feature are detected. The transmitter is enabled responsive to detection of the match condition.
US09496971B2

Techniques are provided that may be implemented in various methods, apparatuses and articles of manufacture for use by one or more electronic devices to support proximity services for a mobile device. In an example implementation, a computing device may determine whether a first mobile device and a second mobile device are each operatively provisioned to make use of a common proximity service, use a first procedure to determine whether a state of near proximity exists between at least two mobile devices, use a second procedure to determine whether a state of proximity exists between the at least two mobile devices, and initiate notification of a user and/or an application of at least one of the mobile devices in response to one or more of such determinations.
US09496970B2

A method and apparatus of handling in-device co-existence interference in a multi-radio environment are provided. The method includes measuring an adjacent band interference value indicating an amount of adjacent band interference in a Long Term Evolution (LTE) band associated with an LTE radio entity prior to switching the LTE radio entity to an active state from an inactive state, comparing the adjacent band interference value with a predetermined threshold value, and reporting in-device co-existence interference in the LTE band to an evolved Node B (eNB) according to an outcome of the comparing of the adjacent band interference value with the predetermined threshold value.
US09496961B2

A technique relates to a superchannel. Laser cavities include a first laser cavity, a next laser cavity, through a last laser cavity. Modulators include a first modulator, a next modulator, through a last modulator, each having a direct input, an add port, and an output. A concatenated arrangement of the laser cavities is configured to form the superchannel, which includes the last laser cavity coupled to the direct input of the last modulator, and the output of the last modulator coupled to the add port of the next modulator. The arrangement includes the next laser cavity coupled to direct input of the next modulator, and the output of the next modulator coupled to add port of first modulator, along with the first laser cavity coupled to direct input of the first modulator, and the output of first modulator coupled to input of a multiplexer, thus forming the superchannel into multiplexer.
US09496960B2

Integrated performance monitoring (PM); optical layer operations, administration, maintenance, and provisioning (OAM&P); alarming; amplification, and the like is described in optical transceivers, such as multi-source agreement (MSA)-defined modules. A pluggable optical transceiver defined by an MSA agreement can include advanced integrated functions for carrier-grade operation which preserves the existing MSA specifications allowing the pluggable optical transceiver to operate with any compliant MSA host device with advanced features and functionality, such as Forward Error Correction (FEC), framing, and OAM&P directly on the pluggable optical transceiver. The advanced integrated can be implemented by the pluggable optical transceiver separate and independent from the host device.
US09496956B2

A system and method for removing radio frequency emissions from an electronic device. The system comprises collectors for collection of the radio frequency signals, combiners for combining the signals to produce a combined signal, fiber optic transmitter for up-converting the combined radio frequency signals to an optical wave length signal, optical fiber for directing the optical signal, and a termination device for terminating the optical signal.
US09496950B2

Disclosed are an apparatus for transmitting and receiving control information for a relay node and a method thereof. The relay node for receiving control information in a wireless communication system comprises: a receiving module for receiving through higher layer signaling from a base station the information on a resource block (RB) which the relay node should search to receive the control information; a processor for detecting the control information from the first RB by blind-decoding at least one received RB which should be searched; and a receiving module for receiving through the first RB from the base station the control information detected by the processor.
US09496946B2

A system and method for improving efficiency of satellite communications is described. In one embodiment, multiple return links are associated with a single forward link to reduce communications costs.
US09496939B2

A node (28) of a radio access network (20) communicates over a radio interface (32) with a wireless terminal (30). The node (28) comprises a transmitter (34) and a controller (40). The transmitter (34) selectively operates in plural multiple input multiple output (MIMO) modes for downlink transmission over the radio interface (32). The controller (40) uses both a terminal speed value and a throughput value to make a determination when to switch between the plural multiple input multiple output (MIMO) modes for communicating with the wireless terminal. The plural MIMO modes comprise a first mode and a second mode. In the first mode open loop MIMO operates with cyclical diversity delay. In the second mode open loop MIMO operates without cyclical diversity delay. Although operating in open loop MIMO, advantages such as those of closed loop MIMO are realized.
US09496938B2

A method for configurable spatial channel information feedback in wireless communication systems is disclosed including receiving, at the wireless communication device, transmission from a plurality of antennas, receiving an indication of a feedback mode for feeding back spatial channel information that is based on correlations among at least some of the plurality of antennas, decomposing a correlation matrix representative of the correlations among at least some of the plurality of antennas into at least two Kronecker components, and feeding back parameters representative of the Kronecker components according to the feedback mode indicated.
US09496935B1

An apparatus and method are provided. The apparatus includes a receiver configured to receive a signal; a serving signal cancellation function block connected to the receiver and configured to remove a serving signal from the received signal to provide a residual signal; a blind detection of interference rank function block connected to the serving signal cancellation function block and configured to determine a rank of the residual signal, wherein the rank is one of a first rank and a second rank; and a precoding matrix index determination function block connected to the blind detection of interference rank function block and configured to determine a precoding matrix index based on the rank.
US09496930B2

A system is provided comprising a single wireless cell configured to operate in a packet-switched cellular network, the single wireless cell including: a first transmission point with a multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) capability; a second transmission point with a MIMO capability; and third circuitry in communication with first circuitry of the first transmission point and second circuitry of the second transmission point. The single wireless cell is configured such that the first transmission point cooperates with the second transmission point in connection with a first transmission to a MIMO-capable portable wireless device, for improving the first transmission. The single wireless cell is further configured for: receiving first information from the first MIMO-capable portable wireless device; receiving second information from the first MIMO-capable portable wireless device; altering at least one aspect of the first transmission; and transmitting data in connection with the first transmission to the first MIMO-capable portable wireless device.
US09496925B2

Example method, apparatus, and computer program product embodiments are disclosed to enable remote wireless powering and control of an electronic device. Example embodiments of the invention include a method comprising the steps of detecting received power in a wireless power receiver of a device; determining to turn on the device in response to detecting the power; and sending information through a control interface to cause an information processing operation to be performed.
US09496916B2

A semiconductor device, includes a clock and data recovery unit to which a receive signal is inputted and which extracts, based on an operation clock signal, a clock signal and a data signal from the receive signal, a frequency error adjusting unit which generates a frequency error signal indicating a frequency error between the clock signal extracted from the receive signal and the operation clock signal, an operation clock generation unit which controls, based on the frequency error signal, a frequency of the operation clock signal, and a Spread Spectrum Clock Generator (SSCG) unit which varies the frequency of the operation clock signal by the SSCG unit based on the frequency error signal.
US09496915B2

An apparatus and method for use with a shared access communication channel is disclosed. A wireless network device receives signals and recovers data from a first plurality of subscriber units and a second plurality of subscriber units in a time interval. Received signals from the first plurality of subscriber units are distinguishable by having unique pseudo noise (PN) sequence with respect to others of the first plurality of subscriber units. Received signals the second plurality of subscriber units are distinguishable by a unique orthogonal sequence with respect to others of the second plurality of subscriber units. Received signals are distinguished between the first and second plurality of subscriber units based on detection of an orthogonal sequence present only in the received signals from the second plurality of subscriber units.
US09496913B2

Disclosed are systems and methods for improving isolation between transmit and receive radio-frequency (RF) signals. In some embodiments, a system can be implemented for isolating RF signals during Tx and Rx operations. The system can include a Tx path and an Rx path, with the Tx path having a filter. In some embodiments, the Tx path can include a power amplifier having a plurality of interstages and an output stage, and the filter can be implemented at one of the interstages and before the output stage. The system can further include first and second antennas connected respectively to the Tx and Rx paths. The Tx path, the Rx path, and/or the first and second antennas can be configured to yield a desired level of isolation between the RF signal in the Tx and Tx paths.
US09496902B2

Provided herein are apparatus and methods for reconfigurable directional couplers in an RF transceiver. Reconfigurable directional couplers can be reconfigured and designed to provide high directivity using configurable capacitors to effect a mutual coupling and using lumped components or delay lines to effect a phase shift. Depending on the embodiment, the reconfigurable directional coupler can include capacitors, inductors, and switching components. The coupler can be designed for multi-band operation with an adjustable coupling factor conducive to semiconductor process integration. The coupler can have variable phase shifters to achieve a desired level of directivity in the coupler.
US09496900B2

A transmitter comprises a symbol mapper operable to map a frame of bits to a frame of symbols, where the symbols correspond to a determined modulation scheme, and circuitry operable to convert the frame of symbols to a physical layer signal and transmit the physical layer signal onto a communication medium. The circuitry is operable to process the physical layer signal such that a first portion of the physical layer signal is a first type of signal (e.g., a linear signal and/or non-ISC signal) and a second portion of the physical layer signal is a second type of signal (e.g., nonlinear signal and/or ISC signal). The first portion of the physical layer signal may comprise a header, a preamble, and/or a payload of the frame. The second portion of the physical layer signal may comprise a header, a preamble, and/or a payload of the frame.
US09496898B2

An architecture defining functional and technical perimeters to be complied with between two subsystems termed “baseband” and “radio frequency,” and to a generic physical interconnection pattern between baseband and radio frequency, which, under nominal operation, does not require physical signals specific to the design of one or other of the baseband and radio frequency subsystems, and which is not associated with a particular physical implementation solution. The architecture uses an exchange protocol which travels over the generic interface, meeting the real-time constraints of the transmission systems and using a time stamped messaging system.
US09496896B2

A low density parity check (LDPC) encoder, an LDPC decoder, and an LDPC encoding method are disclosed. The LDPC encoder includes first memory, second memory, and a processor. The first memory stores an LDPC codeword having a length of 64800 and a code rate of 5/15. The second memory is initialized to 0. The processor generates the LDPC codeword corresponding to information bits by performing accumulation with respect to the second memory using a sequence corresponding to a parity check matrix (PCM).
US09496892B2

Apparatus for reducing the volumes occupied by data, comprising: (1) a source systems data profiler and extractor subsystem, (2) a stage 1 data reduction subsystem (2), (3) a stage 2 data reduction persistent homology machine (3), (4) a stage 3 data reduction holographic producer (4). The apparatus uses information density holography to reduce the data volumes and may be used in many applications including cybernetic control in spacecraft, autonomous vehicles and manufacturing plant robotics.
US09496879B1

Methods, apparatus, and systems for data communication over a multi-wire, multi-phase interface are disclosed. A method of data communication includes configuring a clock recovery circuit to provide a first clock signal that includes a pulse for each symbol transmitted on the interface, where symbols are transmitted on the interface at a first frequency, adjusting a loop delay of the clock recovery circuit to modify the first clock to have a second frequency that is no more than half the first frequency, where the clock recovery circuit generates a pulse in the first clock signal for a first of an integer number of symbols and suppresses pulse generation for other symbols in the integer number of symbols, configuring a clock generation circuit to provide a second clock signal, and capturing symbols from the interface using the first clock signal and the second clock signal.
US09496878B2

A phase-locked loop includes a phase detection unit configured to compare the phase of a feedback clock with the phase of an input clock, a clock generation unit configured to adjust the frequency of a first clock based on a result of the comparison of the phase detection unit, a first division unit configured to generate an output clock by dividing the first clock at a first division ratio in test mode and generate the output clock by dividing the first clock at a second division ratio that is lower than the first division ratio in normal mode, and a second division unit configured to generate the feedback clock by dividing the output clock.
US09496874B2

Provided is a receiver circuit which receives an input signal. A first restriction circuit provides a first reference voltage or an input signal higher than the first reference voltage to a first node. A second restriction circuit provides a second reference voltage or the input signal lower than the second reference voltage to a second node. A first PMOS transistor pulls up an output node based on a voltage of the first node, and a first NMOS transistor pulls down the output node based on a voltage of the second node. A second PMOS transistor is connected between the output node and the first PMOS transistor, and a second NMOS transistor is connected between the output node and the first NMOS transistor. At least one compensation resistor is connected between a power supply voltage and the first PMOS transistor or between the first NMOS transistor and a ground.
US09496873B2

In one embodiment, a method for increasing speed of a differential input pair. The method comprises applying a first boost current to a first input of the differential input pair during a transition of a first signal applied to the first input; storing the first boost current; ending the application of the first boost current in response to the stored first boost current exceeding a first threshold; applying a second boost current to a second input of the differential input pair during a transition of a second signal applied to the second input; storing the second boost current; and ending the application of the second boost current in response to the stored second boost current exceeding a second threshold.
US09496869B2

An object of the present invention is to provide a slave station that may not deteriorate even when a switch is placed in a vertical direction and that may replace only the worn switch with new one in low costs thereby having user-friendliness. The slave station according to the present invention comprises the switch. The switch comprising a flexible cylindrical member bendable in any directions and the flexible cylindrical member being detachably attached to a housing composed of a body, a rigid rod member attached to a free end of the flexible cylindrical member, a flexible rod member extending from a base end of the rigid rod member toward the base end of the flexible cylindrical member through the inside of the flexible cylindrical member, and a guiding member comprising a insertion opening for inserting and holding the flexible rod member, the guiding member allowing movement in a direction to the shaft line of the flexible cylindrical member. A detecting portion element is formed at the end of the flexible rod member protruded from the opening of the guiding member. The detecting portion element comprises an electrostatic substance and a magnetic metal substance. The detecting portion element comprises a reflective surface on the end surface or a side surface of the flexible rod member.
US09496867B2

Embodiments relate to Hall-controlled switch devices. In an embodiment, a Hall switch and a load switch are integrated in a single integrated circuit device. Embodiments can provide load switching and optional simultaneous logic signaling, for example to update a microcontroller or electronic control unit (ECU), while reducing space and complexity and thereby cost.
US09496862B2

A switching arrangement for triggering a semiconductor switching element with a first electrode, a second electrode and a control electrode includes: a pulse generator for generating a control voltage input signal; a bias voltage capacitor; a first electrical resistor electrically connected in series with the bias voltage capacitor between first and second terminals of the pulse generator, wherein the control electrode is electrically connected to the bias voltage capacitor and the first electrical resistor, and the first electrode is electrically connected to the pulse generator and the first electrical resistor; and an additional capacitor connected in series to the pulse generator, the first electrical resistor, and the bias voltage capacitor.
US09496857B2

A driving circuit for driving half bridge connected electrically controlled power switches with a near zero interlock delay time between on-states of the power switches, wherein the driving circuit is configured to receive an input signal and to generate: —a first drive signal being adapted to switch a first power switch between the on and off state, —a second drive signal being adapted to switch a second power switch between the on and off state, wherein the signal curve of the first drive signal generated in response to a rising and falling edge of said input signal is mirrored with respect to the signal curve of the second drive signal along a time axis of a mirroring voltage value within a transition time, wherein the mirroring voltage value is adjusted such to be within the cutoff region of the power switches.
US09496850B2

A digital signal is processed by splitting it into at least two frequency subbands and the two subband signals are downsampled. A filter is applied in at least one of the subband signals. At least one of the phase and magnitude of the subband filtered signals is matched in the transition frequency band between the two subbands.
US09496841B2

An apparatus including a recording system for recording at least sound, the recording system including a microphone; a distance input adapted to have an initial distance between a source of the sound and the apparatus entered into the apparatus; and a controller connected to the microphone. The controller is configured to determine a suggested distance for a better sound recording by the recording system based, at least partially, on the initial distance input into the distance input.
US09496839B2

The disclosed apparatus extracts particular instrument sounds included in music in real time during music reproduction. The audio processing section 12 has an attack decision section 42 that decides attack positions of the bass drum sounds in audio signals, a bass drum sounds decision section 43 that decides sound periods of the bass drum in the audio signals, and a bass drum sounds extraction section 44 that extracts bass drum sounds using a time varying type filter for the attack positions and an adaptive type filter for the sound periods.
US09496838B2

An envelope tracking amplifier for a transmitter has a voltage mapping linearly related to the square of the amplitude of the baseband signal.
US09496833B2

Apparatus and methods for multi-channel autozero and chopper amplifiers are provided herein. In certain configurations, an amplifier includes at least three channels that operate using multiple phases, including at least a non-inverting chop phase, an inverting chop phase, and an autozero phase. The amplifier further includes an autozero and chopping timing control circuit, which at least partially interleaves or staggers timing of the channels' phases. For example, in certain configurations, when one or more of the channels are being autozeroed at a certain time instance, at least some of the remaining channels operate in the non-inverting chop phase or the inverting chop phase.
US09496828B2

An envelope tracking power supply has a multiple-output DC/DC converter, having an alternating current generating portion and a full rectifying portion. The alternating current generating portion to receive an input voltage and operate at zero voltage switching. A full rectifying portion includes at least one secondary winding and one voltage doubler output. each having a first transistor, and a second transistor, used as rectifier devices to allow currents to flow bi-directionally and sink and source the currents from and to output capacitors to keep their voltage balance. A switch bank selects a desired voltage from series connected capacitors and connects it to an output filter. The switch bank receives an envelope tracking command from the voltage selector and provides a step voltage to the output. The output voltage is changed at switching speed to track a high bandwidth envelope signal.
US09496826B2

A TIA converts an input current into a output voltage. The TIA includes a feedback circuit that controls a bypass current to be extracted from the input current. The feedback circuit includes: a filter that passes low frequency components of the output voltage; a voltage shifter which includes a current source and converts an output signal of the filter into a first shift signal with a time constant; a voltage shifter which includes a current source, and converts a first threshold reference into a second shift signal with another time constant; a comparator which generates a control signal to control the bypass circuit by comparing the first shift signal with the second shift signal; and a comparator which controls the time constant by comparing the control signal with a second threshold reference.
US09496820B2

Photovoltaic mounting systems having sealant injection system are provided herein. Such sealant injection systems provide directional control and containment of sealant flow providing improved sealing of roof penetrations of a mounted roof anchor. Such systems can include an anchor having a base and mechanical fastener and a sealant injection package, which includes a collapsible sealant injection reservoir and is adapted to provide directionally controlled release and containment of sealant upon tightening of the mechanical fastener into the roof surface. Such systems can include a sealant carrier that fits into an underside cavity of the anchor base and isolates the sealant injection package from anchoring load paths. The carrier can also define a flow path and sealant area in an underside recessed portion defining a cavity between the carrier and roof surface to provide a more uniform consistent sealant flow to form a chemical flashing about any roof penetration.
US09496811B2

The present disclosure provides a device and a method for driving a motor that demonstrates low noise and/or low vibration. A pulse-modulated control pulse signal S2 is generated by a driving signal generation portion 310 at each phase. A driving voltage VU˜VW, with duty cycle corresponding to the control pulse signal S2 and being inserted with specific idle time is applied to coils LU˜LW at each phase. A current phase detection signal S3 indicating a phase of the current IL flowing through the coil LU is generated by the current phase detection portion 330 at a specific phase (the phase U) corresponding to the control pulse signal S2 according to a pulse width of a terminal voltage VU at one end of the coil LU of the phase U.
US09496802B2

An inverter device includes a three-phase inverter, which has switching elements, and a controller, which is programmed to perform two-phase modulation control on switching of the switching elements between an ON state and an OFF state. The controller computes the power factor of a load. The controller determines whether or not the computed power factor is less than a preset threshold value. If the computed power factor is greater than or equal to the threshold value, the controller performs a phase shift to shift the central time point of an ON period or an OFF period for two phases other than a stop phase in the two-phase modulation control by 180 degrees, and if the computed power factor is less than the threshold value, the controller supplies the switching elements with ON and OFF control commands to perform the two-phase modulation control without performing the phase shift.
US09496792B2

A controller used in a multi-phase switching converter, including: a bias current generator that generates a plurality of bias current signals; a temperature balance modulating circuit that generates a plurality of on time signals based on the plurality of the bias current signals; and a logic circuit that generates a plurality of control signals based on the plurality of on time signals. The plurality of the control signals is used to control a plurality of switching circuits of the multi-phase switching converter.
US09496791B2

Methods, devices, and circuits are disclosed for a multiphase buck converter with dynamic phase firing that moderates phase output current. In one example, a method includes evaluating a current of a first phase output of the multiphase buck converter. The method further includes, in response to the current of the first phase output not being higher than a current threshold, applying one or more pulses from a first duty cycle signal to the first phase output. The method further includes, in response to the current of the first phase output being higher than the current threshold, applying one or more pulses from the first duty cycle signal to a second phase output.
US09496788B2

A multi-phase boost converter with phase self-detection and a detecting circuit thereof are provided. The multi-phase boost converter comprises M switching circuits, a capacitor, a control circuit and a detecting circuit. Each switching circuit has an input end and an output end. N inductors are coupled in parallel between the input ends and an input voltage. The output ends are coupled to an output voltage. The control circuit controls the conduction status of the switching circuits according to a feedback voltage corresponding to the output voltage. The detecting circuit coupled between the input ends and the control circuit detects the conduction status between the input voltage and each of the input ends, for outputting a first control signal. The control circuit controlled by the first control signal selectively controls at least one of the switching circuits. N is a positive integer less than or equal to M.
US09496782B2

A disclosed power supply includes a power factor correction circuit including a switch, an inductor having a first terminal connected to an input voltage, and a second terminal connected to the switch, a storage capacitor and a load, a value of the inductor selected to operate the power factor correction circuit in discontinuous conduction mode, and a controller programmed to operate the switch to increase a power factor of the power supply. The switching frequency of the switch is periodically adjusted to reduce electromagnetic interference.
US09496781B2

A soft start circuit for a switching converter, the soft start circuit has an internal soft start voltage generating circuit, an amplifier circuit and a buffer circuit, the internal soft start voltage generating circuit provides an internal soft start voltage, the amplifier circuit has a first input terminal receiving the internal soft start voltage, a second input terminal receiving a soft start reference signal and an output terminal, the buffer circuit has an input terminal coupled to the output terminal of the amplifier circuit and an output terminal providing the soft start reference signal. An external soft start capacitor coupled to the output terminal of the amplifier circuit is charged to provide an external soft start voltage, and the soft start reference signal is provided based on the internal soft start voltage and the external soft start voltage.
US09496780B2

A DC-to-DC converter includes a transformer including a primary transformer coil connected to a power input terminal; a secondary transformer coil connected to a power output terminal; a switching circuit including a first sense circuit that detects a voltage condition of the transformer, the voltage received at the first sense circuit being used to regulate the duty cycle of the switch and to initiate a hiccup mode that dissipates power in the primary and/or secondary windings when the voltage condition detected at the first sense circuit indicates an overload of the transformer; a second sense circuit that detects an over-current condition at the switch and/or primary winding; and a further feedback path connected between the second sense circuit and the first sense circuit that provides a second signal to the first sense circuit to boost the first signal when an overload is detected, and to initiate the hiccup mode.
US09496774B2

According to one embodiment, a rotor is configured by a rotor core and magnetic poles. Two or more types of permanent magnets are used such that each product of coercivity and thickness in the magnetization direction becomes different. A stator is located outside the rotor with air gap therebetween and configured by an armature core winding. At least one permanent magnet is magnetized by a magnetic field by a current of the armature winding to change a magnetic flux content thereof irreversibly. A short circuited coil is provided to surround a magnetic path portion of the other permanent magnet excluding the magnet changed irreversibly and a portion adjacent to the other permanent magnet where the magnetic flux leaks. A short-circuit current is generated in the short circuited coil by the magnetic flux generated by conducting a magnetization current to the winding. A magnetic field is generated by the short-circuit current.
US09496769B2

A battery apparatus comprises a bicycle crank axle having a first end, a second end, and a hollow portion. The first end of the bicycle crank axle is configured to attach to a first bicycle crank arm, the second end of the bicycle crank axle is configured to attach to a second bicycle crank arm, and a power source is disposed within the hollow portion. The power source is configured to provide operating power to an electrical component disposed in the first bicycle crank arm, and the power source is configured to provide operating power to an electrical component disposed in the second bicycle crank arm. The hollow portion opens through the first end of the bicycle crank axle so that the power source is detachable through the first end of the crank axle.
US09496766B2

This bowl (10) for an induction motor intended to be housed in the hollow body of a substantially longitudinal actuator for winding/unwinding sheets, screens, blinds or roller shutters, comprises an outer skirt (12) and an inner skirt (13), the outer skirt (12) and the inner skirt (13) defining, between them, a space (14) intended to receive a lead-out of a stator of the induction motor. Moreover, the inner skirt (13) is capable of being deformed in such a way as to restrict the space (14) between the inner skirt (13) and the outer skirt (12) in order to allow the insertion into the inner skirt (13) of means of supporting a rotor assembly.
US09496764B2

A brush holder (100) for an electric motor (12a; 12b), having a brush holder main body (20) which has a passage opening (25) for an armature shaft to pass through, having a first receiving region (37) for fastening a printed circuit board (35), on which electrical or electronic components are mounted, to the brush holder main body (20), wherein the first receiving region (37) extends as far as into a region between an outer boundary (23, 24) of the brush holder main body (20) and the passage opening (25), and wherein the first receiving region (37) for the printed circuit board (35) is designed to arrange the printed circuit board (35) on the brush holder main body (20) at least substantially perpendicularly to the plane of the brush holder main body (20), and having components (26, 33) which are arranged on the brush holder main body (20) and which are mechanically and/or electrically connected at least indirectly to the printed circuit board (35).
US09496759B2

A rotor of an interior permanent magnet motor includes a rotor core; permanent magnet insertion holes formed in an outer circumferential portion of the rotor core along a circumferential direction; a permanent-magnet end-portion air gap formed in each of both end portions of each permanent magnet insertion hole; a permanent magnet inserted in each permanent magnet insertion hole; and slits formed in an outer circumferential core portion on an outer side in a radial direction with respect to each permanent magnet insertion hole, wherein a width of a core present between the permanent-magnet end-portion air gap and the slit and a width of a core present between the slits are such that a width of a core gradually increases as the core is closer to a magnet pole center from the interpolar line.
US09496756B2

A method of assembling an electrical machine having an axis of rotation is provided. The method includes aligning a plurality of laminations that each includes a slot and coupling a plurality of keys to the plurality of laminations. The method also includes moving the plurality of keys from a first position to a second position to facilitate coupling together the plurality of laminations, and indexing the plurality of keys to facilitate forming at least one planar surface that is positioned orthogonal to the axis of rotation.
US09496751B2

A vehicle may include an electric machine, a traction battery, and a solar panel array. The vehicle may further include circuitry electrically connected with the battery and array. The circuitry may include at least one switch configured to close when activated by a calibrated maximum holding power to permit energy to flow from the array to the battery.
US09496740B2

New power output control systems are provided that maintain optimal voltage, current, and other electrical characteristics. In some aspects of the invention, a lagging or deteriorated power supply aspect is at least partially replaced to avoid limitations while the output of a specialized, stronger aspect is altered and addressed to supply the resulting power, voltage, current charge or other gap.
US09496738B2

Embodiments include a modular battery charger having a main charging source and is configured to include at least one additional charging source that can be an auxiliary charging source or an external charging source. The additional charging sources can be added as modules to augment the total charging current that can be provided to a rechargeable battery. The modular battery charger can selectively enable or disable the additional charging sources while controlling the output current of the main charging source to adjust the charging current provided to a rechargeable battery.
US09496729B2

A battery including a housing that contains at least one cell, a current limiter and a control circuit. When a device is first connected to the battery, the control circuit actuates the current limiter so that only a current limited voltage is sourced to the device. This current limited signal only supplies sufficient current for energizing a circuit internal to the device. This current limited signal is not able to power the device. The control circuit waits to receive if the powered on device transmits a recognition code. If the recognition code is received, the control circuit sources current to from the cell to the device along a path that bypasses the current limiter. This current, not being current limited is able to power the components internal to the connected device.
US09496725B2

A control apparatus includes: a target value obtaining unit obtaining a total target value of power to be discharged from storage batteries; an SOH obtaining unit obtain information on a state of health for each of the storage batteries; a charge control unit determining how the power of the total target value is divided among and discharged from each of the storage battery. The charge control unit (i) compares the state of health of a first storage battery and the state of health of a second storage battery, and, in the case where the state of health of the second storage battery is higher than the state of health of the first storage battery, (ii) discharges from the second storage battery second power lower than first power which is discharged from the first storage battery.
US09496723B2

A battery system includes multiple battery cells having multiple cell voltages, and a balancing module. The battery module coupled to multiple battery cells and configured to specify a first voltage threshold according to an amount of a charging current supplied to the battery cells in constant current charging mode, and to initiate a balance check of the battery cells if the first voltage threshold is not satisfied by a cell voltage of the plurality of cell voltages.
US09496716B2

An islanding detection apparatus minimizes a reduction in power quality and detects islanding when distributed generations are operated in parallel. Also, another islanding detection apparatus for parallel distributed generations synchronizes parallel distributed generations by periodically applying a reactive current at a half cycle. Further, another islanding detection apparatus for parallel distributed generations easily synchronizes parallel distributed generations even when inverters installed in the respective distributed generations are fabricated through different makers.
US09496712B1

An electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection device to manage leakage current can, in response to a power good (PGOOD) signal, draw the gate terminal of an ESD clamp device to a voltage below ground. The device also drives an inverted copy of the PGOOD signal to a gated inverter, which can inhibit the gated inverter output from drawing the ESD clamp device gate terminal to ground. The ESD protection device also includes the ESD clamp device to, in response to the gate terminal of the ESD clamp device being drawn to a bias voltage less than ground, allow a leakage current to flow through the ESD clamp device that is less than a leakage current allowed to flow in response to the ESD clamp device gate terminal being drawn to ground.
US09496710B2

A solid state circuit for performing rapid shutdown of a photovoltaic power generation system includes a pair of high voltage power transistors connected between a photovoltaic array and a pair of high voltage lines that function to supply power generated by the photovoltaic array to a DC to AC inverter. The solid state circuit further includes a control circuit configured so that when the photovoltaic power generation system operates under normal conditions, the control circuit maintains the pair of high voltage power transistors in the on state so that power produced by the photovoltaic array can be transmitted to the DC to AC inverter through the pair of high voltage lines. The control circuit is further configured so that upon receiving a rapid shutdown command, the control circuit turns off the pair of high voltage power transistors to thereby electrically disconnect the photovoltaic array from the pair of power lines.
US09496708B2

An isolation circuit is coupled between motor driver half bridge circuits and an electric motor. A motor controller circuit supplies motor drive signals to the motor driver half bridge circuits. The isolation circuit includes transistors coupled in series with the motor windings. Low to medium power diodes are coupled between a reference voltage source and control terminals of the transistors.
US09496697B1

A roof top junction box to protect wiring systems and a roof top from water leakages. The junction box includes a storage unit and an enclosure. A mounting component is fastened at an internal storage area of the storage unit to secure a terminal component thereon. Threaded screw elements are aligned in at least two of a plurality of screw hole channels utilizing a first sealing gaskets, a plurality of rubber washers and a plurality of press fit flutes. The plurality of threaded screw elements is affixed at a flashing member attached to the roof top. A compression ring and a multithreaded flute are aligned at a bottom conduit port in the storage unit. A conduit is inserted through the bottom conduit port and an opening at the flashing member to connect the conduit with at least one wiring system of a building.
US09496691B2

A universal load control module may include a power supply that operates over a wide voltage range, a microcontroller, and one or more functional control blocks. A functional control block may include a dimmer circuit for controlling a lighting load that provides reverse phase cut mode dimming, forward phase cut mode dimming, and hybrid phase cut mode dimming, as well as thermal protection. One or more universal control modules may be housed in a cabinet that include a cabinet control module. The cabinet may include additional thermal protection measures.
US09496689B2

A frame profile for a switchgear cabinet rack has two profile sides perpendicular to one another forming outer sides of the rack, and being in the form of a hollow-profile section. The profile sides transition into one another via transition sections that are perpendicular thereto and a connecting web without formation of an outer edge. The profile sides are adjoined, facing away from the transition sections, by first profile sections which are respectively perpendicular and parallel to the associated profile sides. At least the perpendicular or the parallel first profile sections have a row of fastening receptacles. The perpendicular first profile sections are adjoined by two profile sections which transition into an at least partially rounded contour section, the second profile sections each form with the contour section an undercut of the contour section on the outer side of the profile, and the frame profile encloses a coherent hollow chamber.
US09496680B2

A semiconductor laser device can include an insulating single crystal SiC having a first surface, a second surface, and micropipes having openings in the first surface and the second surface. A conductive base can be provided on a side of the first surface of the single crystal SiC, and a semiconductor laser element can be provided on a side of the second surface of the single crystal SiC. An insulating member can be formed in the micropipes.
US09496679B2

The invention relates to a packaging structure for a laser diode, comprising an electrically insulated, heat-conducting board having an electronic circuit thereon; a laser diode chip mounted on the electronic circuit of the electrically insulated, heat-conducting board and having an anode and a cathode, respectively connected to an external soldering pad for external electrical connections; and a heat-conducting base installed on a surface of the electrically insulated, heat-conducting board to conduct the heat generated by the laser diode chip to the heat-conducting base through the electrically insulated, heat-conducting board, wherein the laser diode chip emits the light from an edge of the electrically insulated, heat-conducting board and the area of a faying plane between the electrically insulated, heat-conducting board and the heat-conducting base is adjusted depending on the power requirements of the laser diode, and the area of the faying plane is from 6 to 5,000 mm2.
US09496671B2

A scissors-type crimping tool for crimping a female contact onto an electrical conductor, comprising a planar base member having body and first lever portions; an annular crimping die member connected for rotation between die-open and die-crimping positions relative to the base member body portion; a toggle link arrangement connecting a second lever for pivotal movement relative to the base member body portion; and a cascade spring arrangement operable by the toggle arrangement from a non-stressed condition to a stressed caged condition during initial movement of the second lever in the closed direction, and to a stressed condition during further movement of the second lever, thereby to afford processing of different cross-sections of ferrules and conductors in the crimping die, and to apply the force of the stressed cascade spring arrangement to the crimping die member during the final stage of the crimping operation.
US09496668B1

An electronic device may have a rigid support structure to which electrical components are mounted. The rigid support structure may be an electronic device housing structure such as a housing wall having openings that receive the electrical components. The electrical components may have electrical component connectors. A printed circuit board may be used to convey signals for the electrical components. Connectors may be mounted to the printed circuit board. Lateral shift accommodation structures may be formed between the electrical component connectors and the electrical components or in the vicinity of the connectors on the printed circuit to allow the connectors on the printed circuit to mate with the electrical component connectors of the rigidly mounted electrical components.
US09496663B2

A transmission module assembly comprises a cover and an electrical connector received in the cover. The cover includes a body defining a receiving cavity and a mating section extending forwardly from the body. The connector includes an insulating elongated housing and a number of terminals retained in the housing. Each terminal includes an engaging portion extending forwardly beyond the body into the mating section, a tail portion extending upwardly beyond the housing and a connecting portion retained in the housing. There is a gap between the body and the housing for pouring sealant thereinto. A tuber is defined between the housing and the body, and a pair of stoppers positioned at the body abut forwardly against two lateral sides of the housing in an elongated direction, which can prevent the housing from deforming when temperature changes.
US09496662B2

A flappable plug connector and a complementary receptacle connector are provided wherein the plug connector defining a mating tongue, is made with a pair of insert molding housings which are associated with the contacts thereof, commonly sandwiching a paddle card therebetween with a pair of power contacts exposed on two opposite lateral sides to form a sub-assembly. The corresponding receptacle connector defines a receiving cavity to receive the mating tongue of the plug connector. The plug connector defines a V-Bus clip surrounding the mating tongue for power transfer and the receptacle connector includes a pair of deflectable power contacts by two sides of the receiving cavity.
US09496655B1

A high-frequency electronic connector includes an insulating main body, a terminal module and a metal shielding plate. The insulating main body includes a matching portion and a mounting portion. The terminal module includes signal terminals and grounding terminals. Each of the signal terminals and the grounding terminals has a docking portion, a main body portion, and a trailing portion. The docking portions extend out of the matching portion and are aligned in two opposite rows. The trailing portions extend out of the mounting portion. The main body portions are fixed on the insulating main body. The main body portion of each of the grounding terminals has a notch. The metal shielding plate is disposed at the notches and electrically connected with the grounding terminals. The metal shielding plate is located between the two opposite rows of the signal terminals.
US09496650B1

A connector module adapted to be connected to a connection interface is provided. The connector module includes a main body, a connection component and at least one protrusion component. The connection component is disposed at the main body. The protrusion component is disposed at the main body. The protrusion component is adapted to receive an external force to move along a first direction, so as to change relative positions of the connection component and the protrusion component such that the connection component is adapted to be plugged into the connection interface along a second direction. The first direction is opposite to the second direction.
US09496642B1

A charging connector includes: a main body defining a contact surface; at least one magnetic unit disposed inside the main body; a circuit board disposed in the main body, wherein the magnetic unit is located adjacent to the contact surface of the main body; and two metal coupling members disposed within the main body for electrically coupled with the circuit board in such a manner that a specific section of the metal coupling members is exposed to an exterior of the contact surface of the main body.
US09496638B1

A connector with high contact density includes interior casing, first contact set, exterior casing, second contact set, and conducting element. The interior casing has a plug portion and a first slope. The first contact set is disposed in the first slope of the interior casing, and the first contact set has a plurality of first contact points. A containing space is formed inside the exterior casing, and the containing space is formed with a second slope, a second contact set is disposed in the second slope and has a plurality of second contact points. A conducting element includes an insulating main body and connecting terminals. The connecting terminals are disposed in the insulating main body and exposed to the exterior and interior of the insulating main body. The plug portion inserts into the containing space, so the first contact points contact the second contact points by the connecting terminals.
US09496629B2

A structure of a socket contact that can establish connection with high connection reliability just by inserting core wire of a cable is provided. In the structure of a socket contact for connecting a core wire of a cable by insertion thereof, the socket contact includes a terminal contact for establishing electric connection with the core wire, and an elastic contact. The terminal contact has a contact portion for coming into contact with a side part of the core wire, and regulators erected on both sides of the contact portion in a width direction. The elastic contact has a retainer and a pusher for the core wire that are opposite to the contact portion of the terminal contact.
US09496626B2

A two-gang insulation displacement connector with enhanced electrically connectivity and a method of making the two-gang insulation displacement connector with the insulation displacement connector having a first gang of wire engaging blades having at least two sets of wire engaging blades, which are laterally spaced from each other, and a second gang of wire engaging blades with at least two sets of wire engaging blades with a base of each set of the wire engaging blades in the first gang having a link connecting to a base of each of a set of wire engaging blades in the second gang so that insertion of an insulation covered wire into wire engaging blades of each of gangs forms multiple electrical connections between the wire engaging blades of each gang of the wire engaging blades. In one embodiment the two-gang connector is located in a cover with the open ends of the wire engaging member extending outward for engagement with a housing having a blade guide so that the bringing the cover into engagement with the housing brings the electrical wires into contact with each other while maintaining the gangs in a spaced condition. The cover may include cross protrusions for engagement with cover engagement channels in the housing for locking the cover to the housing. The housing may include axial rails to maintain the cover in axial alignment as the cover and the housing are brought to a closed condition around a set of wires extending into a set of side ports in the housing.
US09496617B2

An apparatus includes a printed circuit board having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface. The apparatus includes a surface launcher of a dielectric resonator antenna (DRA). The surface launcher is coupled to the first surface of the printed circuit board. A metal structure is coupled to the first surface and configured to direct a portion of a wave of the DRA through the second surface.
US09496614B2

An antenna system is provided, including a first antenna, a second antenna, a ground plane, and a resonant isolator coupled to the first and second antennas. Each of the antennas is configured to be a capacitively-coupled compound loop antenna, and the resonant isolator is configured to provide isolation between the two antennas at resonance. The two antennas may be symmetrical or asymmetrical and include a first element that emits a magnetic field and a second element that generates an electrical field that is orthogonal to the magnetic field. The radiating element of the second element may be capacitively coupled to the remainder of the second element. The resonate isolator may be comprised of a single conductive element or two conductive elements that are capacitively coupled.
US09496611B2

Systems and methods for utilizing two or more phased arrays to coherently receive and/or transmit waveforms to one or more directions. The method includes applying a first and a second coherent processing to two or more sets of signal portions received or transmitted by corresponding two or more phased arrays. In reception mode, the first coherent processing includes converting the sets of signal portions received into corresponding sets of directional signals, by applying coherent integrations to each set signals portions such that each of the resulting directional signals being indicative of the angular frequencies, amplitudes and phases of the received waveforms. In reception mode, the second coherent processing includes adjusting phases of respectively the sets of the directional signals according to spatial dispositions between their respective phased arrays and the angular frequencies of the directional signals, thereby generating a coherent set of directional signals.
US09496605B2

A transmission device for a near field communication (NFC) device includes a matching circuit, a connecting interface with a first width for connecting an operating circuit of the NFC device, a first transmission line electrically connected between an antenna of the NFC device and the matching circuit, and a second transmission line electrically connected between connecting interface and the matching circuit, including an increasing width portion and a constant width portion, wherein a width of the second transmission increases from the first width to a second width within the increasing width portion and keeps the second width within the constant width portion, wherein the second width is greater than and related to the first width.
US09496603B2

An electronic apparatus in one embodiment is brought to a tablet state, in which a first housing having antennas and a display unit is placed over a second housing having an electrically conductive member and allows input from the display unit. In the tablet state, a part of one of the antennas is over the electrically conductive member.
US09496601B1

A device is provided that includes (a) an antenna that includes at least one conductor, (b) a housing that includes an inner-upper surface and an inner-lower surface separated by a first distance, (c) a battery disposed within the housing, where a base surface of the battery is proximate to the inner-lower surface of the housing, where a first portion of the battery has a height, which is substantially equal to the first distance, and where a second portion of the battery is of lesser height than the first portion of the battery such that space exists between the second portion of the battery and the inner-upper surface of the housing, and (d) where the one conductor is arranged over the second portion of the battery in the space, such that the one conductor and the battery do not contact one another, and where, as arranged, the antenna is capable of a far-field communication.
US09496579B2

A fuel cell stack includes first and second membrane electrode assemblies and a metal bipolar plate interposed between the first and second membrane electrode assemblies. The bipolar plate comprises first and second metal sheets facing the first and second membrane electrode assemblies and is securely fastened by welds. There is a gas diffusion layer interposed and compressed between the first membrane electrode assembly and the bipolar plate. In the absence of compression on the gas diffusion layer, regions of the gas diffusion layer surrounding the welds have a thickness smaller by at least 5 μm relative to the average thickness of the gas diffusion layer. This is done so that the contact pressure of the gas diffusion layer with the bipolar plate in the area of the welds is lower than its average contact pressure with the bipolar plate.
US09496577B2

A self-burying microbial fuel cell can include a housing with conductive elements. An anode and cathode can be integrated into the housing at respective proximal and distal ends. A self-burying means for partially burying the microbial fuel cell in a submerged environment is included, so that the anode is buried but the cathode is exposed to the submerged environment can be included. The self-burying means can include omni-directional vibrating device located within the housing, a plurality of intake ports formed in the housing for a pump within the housing. The pump outputs into a longitudinal fluid conduit that extends through the housing and exits at the distal end of the housing. When the vibrating device activates at the same time as the pump, temporary slurry can be formed at the extreme distal end of the device, and the vibrating action causes the microbial fuel cell to become partially buried.
US09496576B2

The present invention relates to a thin and in principle unsupported solid oxide cell, comprising at least a porous anode layer, an electrolyte layer and a porous cathode layer, wherein the anode layer and the cathode layer comprise an electrolyte material, at least one metal and a catalyst material, and wherein the overall thickness of the thin reversible cell is about 150 μm or less, and to a method for producing same. The present invention also relates to a thin and in principle unsupported solid oxide cell, comprising at least a porous anode layer, an electrolyte layer and a porous cathode layer, wherein the anode layer and the cathode layer comprise an electrolyte material and a catalyst material, wherein the electrolyte material is doper zirconia, and wherein the overall thickness of the thin reversible cell is about 150 μm or less, and to a method for producing same. The present invention further provides a thin separation membrane, comprising at least a porous anode layer, a membrane layer comprising a mixed conducting material and a porous cathode layer, wherein the anode layer and the cathode layer comprise the mixed conducting material and a catalyst material, and wherein the overall thickness of the thin separation membrane is about 1050 μm or less.
US09496574B2

A fuel cell includes a membrane electrode assembly including an electrolyte membrane and catalyst layers joined on both sides of the electrolyte membrane and a pair of separators disposed at both sides of the membrane electrode assembly to respectively form gas flow spaces where two types of power generation gases flow. An electrically conductive porous substrate folded in a corrugated shape is disposed in at least one of the gas flow spaces defined on both sides of the membrane electrode assembly, and a gas flow space in which the electrically conductive porous substrate is disposed is divided into a plurality of gas flow paths substantially parallel to a flow direction of the power generation gases.
US09496568B2

Provided is a fuel cell including: a membrane electrode assembly (30) formed by joining an anode (32) to one surface of an electrolyte membrane (31) and joining a cathode (33) to another surface of the electrolyte membrane (31); a frame body (20) formed integrally with the membrane electrode assembly (30); and a pair of separators (40, 41) holding the membrane electrode assembly (30) and the frame body (20) therebetween. At least one pair of holding pieces (42, 43) holding the membrane electrode assembly (30) therebetween is formed in the pair of separators (40, 41). Positions of holding end portions (42a, 43a) of the pair of holding pieces (42, 43) are shifted from each other in a stacking direction of the fuel cell.
US09496567B2

An arrangement utilizing recirculation for high temperature fuel cell system, each fuel cell including an anode side, a cathode side, and an electrolyte between the anode side and the cathode side, wherein the fuel cell system can perform anode side recirculation flow of reactants. The arrangement can accomplish a recycle ratio of 70% or more for the recirculation flow, feed to the recirculation a feed-in flow, which can include substantially high oxygen content, the feed-in flow being 30% or less of entire flow, perform heat exchanging to provide substantially reduced low temperature conditions in the recirculation flow, perform catalytic partial oxidation in the recirculation flow to produce a substantially high amount of hydrogen for the recirculation flow in fuel cell system start-up or shutdown situations, and exhaust 30% or less of the entire flow from the anode side recirculation.
US09496564B2

A method for fabricating a metal electrode from seawater and generating electric power with the metal electrode comprises steps: using a seawater treatment apparatus to heat seawater to a first temperature of 100-120° C. to obtain concentrated seawater; guiding the concentrated seawater to a precipitation apparatus, and adding a precipitation agent to the concentrated seawater to obtain a first crystalline material comprising magnesium hydroxide; heating the first crystalline material to a second temperature of 600-1100° C. to obtain a second crystalline material comprising magnesium oxide; transporting the second crystalline material to a separation apparatus, adding a reducing agent to the second crystalline material, heating the second crystalline material to a third temperature of 1200-2400° C. to obtain magnesium metal; and using the metal magnesium as a first electrode, and letting an electrolyte react with the first electrode and a second electrode to form electrochemical reactions and output electric power.
US09496563B2

A slip sheet for a fuel cell stack that includes a plurality of spaced fluid channel support protrusions protruding from a main body, at portions which face fluid channel protrusions of a separator plate in such a manner that the spaced fluid channel support protrusions come into contact with the fluid channel protrusions of the separator plate.
US09496561B2

Provided is an electrode catalyst that can exhibit sufficient performance, is suitable for mass production, and is suitable for reducing production costs, even when containing a relatively high concentration of chlorine. The electrode catalyst has a core-shell structure including a support; a core part that is formed on the support; and a shell part that is formed so as to cover at least one portion of the surface of the core part. The electrode catalyst concurrently fulfills conditions expressed by the following formulae (1) and (2): (X1/M)≦1.2 . . . (1) (X2/M)≦47.0 . . . (2) (in the formula (1) and the formula (2), M represents an amount of substance (number of atoms) of one or more constituent metal elements of the shell part, X1 represents an amount of substance (number of atoms) of bromine (Br), and X2 represents an amount of substance (number of atoms) of chlorine (Cl)).
US09496559B2

A nanostructured anode of solid oxide fuel cell with high stability and high efficiency and a method for manufacturing the same are revealed. This anode comprising a porous permeable metal substrate, a diffusion barrier layer and a nano-composite film is formed by atmospheric plasma spray. The nano-composite film includes a plurality of metal nanoparticles, a plurality of metal oxide nanoparticles, and a plurality of gas pores that are connected to form nano gas channels. The metal nanoparticles are connected to form a 3-dimensional network that conducts electrons, while the metal oxide nanoparticles are connected to form a 3-dimensional network that conducts oxygen ions. The network formed by metal oxide nanoparticles has certain strength to separate metal nanoparticles and prevent aggregation or agglomeration of the metal nanoparticles. Thus this anode can be applied to a solid oxide fuel cell operating in the intermediate temperatures (600˜800° C.) with high stability and high efficiency.
US09496551B2

The present invention relates to lithium manganate particles having a primary particle diameter of not less than 1 μm and an average particle diameter (D50) of not less than 2 μm and not more than 10 μm as measured by a particle size distribution meter, and forming particles having substantially a single phase, which have a composition represented by the following chemical formula: Li1+xMn2−x−yY1yO4+Y2 where Y1 is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Ni, Co, Mg, Fe, Al, Cr and Ti; Y2 is at least one element constituting a sintering aid having a melting point of not higher than 800° C., x and y satisfy 0.03≦x≦0.15 and 0.05≦y≦0.20, respectively, and Y2 is present in an amount of 0.1 to 2.5 mol % based on Mn; the Y1 element being dispersed within the respective particles, and an X-ray diffraction intensity ratio of I(400)/I(111) of the particles being not less than 38% and an X-ray diffraction intensity ratio of I(440)/I(111) thereof being not less than 18%.
US09496541B2

An accumulator device includes: an outer container with mutually overlapped outer films bonded air-tightly to each other at a bonding portion formed along respective outer peripheral edge portions; an electrode unit accommodated inside the outer container and including positive and negative electrode sheets stacked one on another with a separator disposed therebetween, the positive and negative electrode sheets each including a current collector on which an electrode layer is formed; positive and negative electrode terminals provided to protrude from inside the outer container to outside through the bonding portion; and an electrolytic solution injected in the outer container. The positive electrode terminal includes an aluminum terminal substrate and a nickel-plating coating formed on a surface of an outer end portion of the terminal substrate located outside the outer container; an inner edge of the nickel-plating coating is located within the bonding portion.
US09496534B2

A separator includes a substrate layer and a porous surface layer that is provided on at least one major surface of the substrate layer and contains a first particle, a second particle, and a resin material. The surface layer includes a first region configured by the first particle and a second region configured by the second particle and the resin material.
US09496527B2

The present invention relates to a vacuum deposition device that includes a film forming chamber and a series of discharge circuit which evaporates the film forming materials and discharges the evaporated film forming materials toward a substrate. The discharge circuit is constituted of: evaporating parts, a manifold group; a film forming material discharge part; and a shutter member. In the film forming material discharge part, discharge openings which are communicated with manifold portions are distributed. Flow restrictions are provided in the vicinity of open ends of the discharge openings. Open areas of the flow restrictions differ from each other for the respective manifold portions. Consideration is taken such that the film forming materials which are formed into layers having similar film thicknesses are filled into the evaporating parts belonging to the same group.
US09496521B2

Opal glass compositions and devices incorporating opal glass compositions are described herein. The compositions solve problems associated with the use of opal glasses as light-scattering layers in electroluminescent devices, such as organic light-emitting diodes. In particular, embodiments solve the problem of high light absorption within the opal glass layer as well as the problem of an insufficiently high refractive index that results in poor light collection by the layer. Particular devices comprise light-emitting diodes incorporating light scattering layers formed of high-index opal glasses of high light scattering power that exhibit minimal light attenuation through light absorption within the matrix phases of the glasses.
US09496518B2

An organic light-emitting display apparatus includes a substrate; a display unit which defines an active area on the substrate and includes a thin film transistor and an organic light-emitting device electrically connected to each other; and an encapsulation layer disposed on a top surface and a side surface of the display unit, the encapsulation layer including at least a first inorganic layer, a first organic layer, and a second inorganic layer that are sequentially stacked, and the first organic layer covers the first inorganic layer.
US09496516B2

In order to achieve the increased efficiency of an organic light-emitting element, there is a need to reduce the influence of non-radiative recombination of electron-hole pairs except for surface plasmon polariton excitation, to convert most of exciton energy into visible light, and to tremendously improve the luminous efficiency of the organic light-emitting element. An organic light-emitting element according to the present invention includes a reflective electrode, a transparent electrode, and a light-emitting layer placed between the reflective electrode and the transparent electrode, and the organic light-emitting element is configured so that the light-emitting layer contains a host and a first dopant, and for the first dopant, one of the vertical component and horizontal component of the average value for transition dipole moments with respect to a substrate surface is larger than the other of the components.
US09496515B2

Provided is an organic light emitting diode that is highly efficient and has a long lifespan. The organic light emitting diode includes a carbazole-based compound for improving light emission efficiency. In certain embodiments an electron transport layer can include an anthraces-based compound. The organic light emitting diode may be included in a flat display diode including a thin film transistor (TFT).
US09496514B2

The disclosure provides an organic light-emitting device, a fabrication method thereof, and a display device. The organic light-emitting device comprises an anode layer, a cathode layer, and an organic function layer disposed between the anode layer and the cathode layer. The organic function layer comprises a light-emitting layer. The light-emitting layer comprises a first sub light-emitting layer and a second sub light-emitting layer disposed adjacent to each other, the first sub light-emitting layer is provided on an anode layer side and the second sub light-emitting layer is provided on a cathode layer side. The first sub light-emitting layer and the second sub light-emitting layer have a substantially same energy band difference, and one of the first sub light-emitting layer and the second sub light-emitting layer is capable of absorbing light emitted by the other of the first sub light-emitting layer and the second sub light-emitting layer to achieve stimulated emission.
US09496512B2

An organic intermediate layer is used in a photosensitive component for increasing the limit frequency of the component, preferably in the range of low radiation intensities. The photosensitive component is in particular a diode having a photoactive organic semiconductor layer, a first and a second electrode. An organic intermediate layer is arranged between the photoactive semiconductor layer and at least one of the electrodes. The organic intermediate layer is in particular a charge-blocking layer.
US09496504B2

The present invention relates to compounds of the formula (1) which are suitable for use in electronic devices, in particular organic electroluminescent devices, and to electronic devices which contain these compounds.
US09496499B2

The invention concerns an organic light-emitting diode comprising a lower electrode (2) and an upper electrode (8), an electroluminescent organic layer (5), and at least one doped organic layer (3; 7) in contact with one of said electrodes. The invention is characterized in that the doping is carried out using an alkaline-earth element or lanthanide, and the diode is heat-treated at temperature preferably not less than 60° C. for more than one hour. The invention enables the lighting performance of the diode to be considerably improved.
US09496498B2

A method of manufacturing an organic light-emitting diode display includes disposing a first electrode on a substrate on which a plurality of transistors is disposed, disposing a pixel definition layer on the substrate to cover a part of the first electrode, disposing a solvent layer on the first electrode, disposing an organic layer on the pixel definition layer and the solvent layer, removing the solvent layer and disposing a second electrode on the organic layer.
US09496482B2

An actuator includes a vibrating piezoelectric element and a holding section configured to hold the piezoelectric element. The holding section includes a first supporting section arranged on a vibrating surface of the piezoelectric element and arranged on one side of the piezoelectric element and a second supporting section arranged on the other side of the piezoelectric element.
US09496481B2

A controlling device for a vibration type actuator includes an AC voltage generating unit in which at least one of parameters, namely a frequency, an amplitude, and a phase of an AC voltage for use in applying an excitation force to a vibrating member, is settable; a measuring unit which measures some physical quantities caused by a vibration of the vibrating member; a variation imparting unit which imparts a predetermined variation to at least one of the parameters of the AC voltage; a frequency-response characteristic measuring unit which finds a frequency-response characteristic of at least one predetermined frequency between a first signal according to the variation and a second signal according to the measured physical quantity; and a frequency controlling unit which controls the frequency of the AC voltage according to the frequency-response characteristic.
US09496479B2

There is provided a vibrator including: a housing having an internal space; an elastic member including a housing fixed part fixed to the housing, a piezoelectric element mounted part disposed so as to face the housing fixed part, and a weight body installed part disposed adjacent to the housing fixed part; a piezoelectric element fixed to the piezoelectric element mounted part; and a weight body fixed to the weight body installed part, wherein the elastic member has a closed curve shape.
US09496468B2

The present invention aims to provide a curable resin composition which gives a cured product having a low linear expansion coefficient. The curable resin composition of the present invention contains, as essential components, (A) an organic compound having at least two carbon-carbon double bonds reactive with SiH groups per molecule, (B) a compound containing at least two SiH groups per molecule, (C) a hydrosilylation catalyst, (D) a silicone compound having at least one carbon-carbon double bond reactive with a SiH group per molecule, and (E) an inorganic filler.
US09496467B2

An optoelectronic component is specified. According to at least one embodiment of the invention, the optoelectronic component comprises a housing (20) and a radiation-emitting or radiation-receiving semiconductor chip (10) arranged in the housing (20). Furthermore, the component comprises an optical element (50), which contains a polymer material comprising a silicone. The silicone contains at least 40% by weight of cyclic siloxanes, and at least 40% of the silicon atoms of the cyclic siloxanes are crosslinked with a further silicon atom of the silicon via alkylene and/or alkylarylene groups.
US09496462B2

An optoelectronic semiconductor chip includes a number of active elements arranged at a distance from one another. A carrier is arranged transversely of the active elements. The active elements each have a main axis that extends perpendicularly to the carrier and are oriented parallel to one another. A converter material surrounds the active elements on circumferential faces. The converter material includes a conversion substance or a conversion substance and a matrix material. The active elements each have a central core region that is enclosed by at least two layers such that an active layer encloses the core region and a cover layer encloses the active layer. The core region is formed with a first semiconductor material. The active layer includes a light-emitting material. The cover layer is formed with a second semiconductor material and can have a layer thickness between 0.1 nm and 100 n.
US09496460B2

Provided are a light emitting device, an electrode structure, a light emitting device package, and a lighting system. The light emitting device includes a light emitting structure layer comprising a first semiconductor layer, a second semiconductor layer, and an active layer. An electrode disposed on a top surface of the first semiconductor layer, a first layer includes a transmittive oxide material between the top surface of the first semiconductor layer and the electrode, and a second layer disposed is disposed between the first layer and the electrode, wherein the first layer is formed in a different material from the second layer, wherein the electrode comprises a lower portion connected to the first semiconductor layer and an upper portion on a top surface of the second layer.
US09496459B2

A semiconductor light emitting element includes: an n-type cladding layer containing n-type impurities (Si); a light emitting layer laminated on the n-type cladding layer; and a semiconductor layer containing a p-type cladding layer containing p-type impurities (Mg) and laminated on the light emitting layer. The light emitting layer has a multiple quantum well structure including first to fifth barrier layers and first to fourth well layers, and one well layer is sandwiched by two barrier layers. The thickness of the p-type cladding layer 161 is set at less than 3-times the thickness of each of the first to fourth well layer.
US09496450B2

A method for manufacturing a photoelectric conversion device, comprising: a first step of forming a buffer layer on a light absorption layer containing a group I-III-VI compound or a group I-II-IV-VI compound; and a second step of bringing a surface of the buffer layer into contact with a first solution containing sulfide ions or hydrogen sulfide ions.
US09496441B2

Disclosed herein is a solar cell module support assembly including a solar cell module and a frame supporting the solar cell module, a drive motor and a power transmission unit transmitting power of the drive motor so as to support frame and change disposition angle and disposition direction of the frame, a motion conversion unit to convert rotating motion of the power transmission unit into rotating motion and vertical motion of the frame, first connection support units connecting upper and lower portions of the rear surface of the frame, and second connection support units connecting the first connection support units to the motion conversion unit.
US09496438B2

A sheet for a photovoltaic cell is provided. The sheet for a photovoltaic cell has excellent heat resistance, lightfastness, weather resistance, moisture resistance and insulating properties, and may improve light condensing efficiency when applied to a photovoltaic module.
US09496432B2

The present invention is related to a method for forming a metal silicide layer on a textured silicon substrate surface. The method includes providing a metal layer on a textured silicon substrate and performing a pulsed laser annealing step providing at least one UV laser pulse with a laser fluence in the range between 0.1 J/cm2 and 1.5 J/cm2 and with a laser pulse duration in the range between 1 ns and 10 ms. Then, the method includes converting at least part of the metal layer into a metal silicide layer. In addition, the present invention is related to the use of such a method in a process for fabricating a photovoltaic cell, wherein the dielectric layer is a surface passivation layer, or wherein the dielectric layer is an antireflection coating.
US09496423B2

A light converter for the photovoltaic conversion of light, having a support, a first semiconductor body, and a second semiconductor body. A first surface and a second surface are designed as receiving surfaces for light. An electrically conductive connector having a first arm and a second arm is provided, and the first arm is arranged on the first surface and interconnected with the first surface, and the second arm is arranged below the second rear surface and interconnected with the second rear surface. The second arm is at least partially embedded in a conductive material, the conductive material being arranged between the second rear surface and a second conductive track, and the second conductive track is formed as part of the support.
US09496421B2

A silicon carbide device includes at least one power electrode on a surface thereof, a solderable contract formed on the power electrode, and at least one passivation layer that surrounds the solderable contact but is spaced from the solderable contract, thereby forming a gap.
US09496420B2

A method for fabricating a diode is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes forming a Schottky contact on an epitaxial layer of silicon carbide (SiC) and annealing the Schottky contact at a temperature in the range of 300° C. to 700° C. The Schottky contact is formed of a layer of molybdenum.
US09496402B2

A method includes forming an opening in a dielectric to reveal a protruding semiconductor fin, forming a gate dielectric on sidewalls and a top surface of the protruding semiconductor fin, and forming a conductive diffusion barrier layer over the gate dielectric. The conductive diffusion barrier layer extends into the opening. The method further includes forming a silicon layer over the conductive diffusion barrier layer and extending into the opening, and performing a dry etch on the silicon layer to remove horizontal portions and vertical portions of the silicon layer. After the dry etch, a conductive layer is formed over the conductive diffusion barrier layer and extending into the opening.
US09496399B2

A method including patterning a continuous fin having a first segment and a second segment in a semiconductor layer, the first segment is arranged at an angle relative to the second line segment, and forming a first gate and a second gate substantially parallel to each other, the first gate substantially covering sides and a top of a portion of the first segment of the continuous fin, the second gate substantially covering sides and a top of a portion of the second segment of the continuous fin.
US09496391B2

In one general aspect, an apparatus can include a semiconductor region, and a trench defined within the semiconductor region. The trench can have a depth aligned along a vertical axis and have a length aligned along a longitudinal axis orthogonal to the vertical axis. The trench can have a first portion of the length included in a termination region of the semiconductor region and can have a second portion of the length included in an active region of the semiconductor region.
US09496389B2

A semiconductor device includes at least one gate electrode on a substrate structure, at least one drain region doped with impurities of a first conductivity type, a first well region doped with impurities of the first conductivity type under the at least one drain region, and at least one source region doped with impurities of the first conductivity type. The device also includes a first barrier impurity region and a second barrier impurity region. The first barrier impurity region is doped with impurities of the first conductivity type and electrically insulating upper and lower portions of the substrate structure from each other. The second barrier impurity region is doped with impurities of a second conductivity type. A portion of the second barrier impurity region has an uneven shape and overlaps the at least one drain region.
US09496388B2

A trench MOSFET device includes a semiconductor layer of a first doping type. MOS transistor cells are in a body region of a second doping type in the semiconductor layer. The transistor cells include a first cell type including a first trench providing a first gate electrode or the first gate electrode is on the semiconductor surface between the first trench and a second trench, and a first source region is formed in the body region. The first gate electrode is electrically isolated from the first source region. A second cell type has a third trench providing a second gate electrode or the second gate electrode is on the semiconductor surface between the third trench and a fourth trench, and a second source region is in the body region. An electrically conductive member directly connects the second gate electrode, first source region and second source region together.
US09496384B2

The present invention provides a semiconductor device that can achieve both low on-resistance and high withstand voltage, while reducing the device size, improving the manufacturing yield, and reducing the cost. The semiconductor device 1 includes a substrate 5, an epitaxial layer 6 formed on the substrate 5 and formed with a gate trench 11, a gate insulating film 17 formed on the side surface 14 and the bottom surface 15 of the gate trench 11, a gate electrode 20 embedded in the gate trench 11 and opposed to the epitaxial layer 6 with the gate insulating film 17 therebetween, and a source layer 25, a channel layer 26, and a drift layer 27 formed in this order from a first surface to a second surface of the epitaxial layer 6, in which the on-resistance Ron represented by a variable “y” and the withstand voltage Vb represented by a variable “x” functionally satisfy the following relational expression (1): y≦9×10−7x2−0.0004x+0.7001  (1).
US09496379B2

A method for fabricating a semiconductor device comprises forming a fin in a layer of III-V compound semiconductor material on a silicon-on-insulator substrate; forming a semiconductor extension on the fin, the semiconductor extension comprising a III-V compound semiconductor material that is different from a material forming the fin in the III-V compound semiconductor layer; forming a dummy gate structure and a spacer across and perpendicular to the fin; forming a source/drain layer on a top surface of the substrate adjacent to the dummy gate structure; planarizing the source/drain layer; removing the dummy gate structure to expose a portion of the semiconductor extension on the fin; removing the exposed portion of the semiconductor extension; etching the semiconductor extension to undercut the spacer; and forming a replacement gate structure in place of the removed dummy gate structure and removed exposed portion of the semiconductor extension.
US09496377B2

Fabrication methods, device structures, and design structures for a bipolar junction transistor. An intrinsic base layer is formed on a semiconductor substrate, an etch stop layer is formed on the intrinsic base layer, and an extrinsic base layer is formed on the etch stop layer. A trench is formed that penetrates through the extrinsic base layer to the etch stop layer. The trench is formed by etching the extrinsic base layer selective to the etch stop layer. The first trench is extended through the etch stop layer to the intrinsic base layer by etching the etch stop layer selective to the intrinsic base layer. After the trench is extended through the etch stop layer, an emitter is formed using the trench.
US09496351B2

A method for processing a semiconductor carrier is provided, the method including: providing a semiconductor carrier including a doped substrate region and a device region disposed over a first side of the doped substrate region, the device region including at least part of one or more electrical devices; and implanting ions into the doped substrate region to form a gettering region in the doped substrate region of the semiconductor carrier.
US09496348B2

The method for doping a GaN-base semiconductor to fabricate a p-n junction includes a first step consisting in providing a substrate including a GaN-base semiconductor material layer covered by a silicon-base mask. The method includes a second step of performing implantation of impurities in the mask so as to transfer additional dopant impurities of Si type by diffusion from the mask to the semiconductor material layer to form an n-type area adjacent to a p-type area. Configured heat treatment is then performed to activate the dopant impurities and the additional dopant impurities.
US09496346B2

A silicon carbide device includes a silicon carbide substrate, an inorganic passivation layer structure and a molding material layer. The inorganic passivation layer structure laterally covers at least partly a main surface of the silicon carbide substrate and the molding material layer is arranged adjacent to the inorganic passivation layer structure.
US09496345B2

The present invention provides a semiconductor structure which includes at least a p-type silicon carbide single crystal layer having an α-type crystal structure, containing aluminum at impurity concentration of 1×1019 cm−3 or higher, and having thickness of 50 μm or greater. Further provided is a method for producing the semiconductor structure of the present invention which method includes at least epitaxial growth step of introducing silicon carbide source and aluminum source and epitaxially growing p-type silicon carbide single crystal layer over a base layer made of silicon carbide single crystal having α-type crystal structure, wherein the epitaxial growth step is performed at temperature conditions of from 1,500° C. to 1,700° C., and pressure conditions of from 5×103 Pa to 25×103 Pa.
US09496333B2

A trench-isolated RESURF diode structure (100) is provided which includes a substrate (150) in which is formed anode (130, 132) and cathode (131) contact regions separated from one another by a shallow trench isolation region (114, 115), along with a buried cathode extension region (104) formed under a RESURF anode extension region (106, 107) such that the cathode extension region (104) extends beyond the cathode contact (131) to be sandwiched between upper and lower regions (103, 106, 107) of opposite conductivity type.
US09496328B2

A method of manufacturing a capacitor for a semiconductor device includes forming a lower electrode, forming a dielectric layer on the lower electrode, forming a first upper electrode on the dielectric layer, adsorbing an organic silicon source onto a surface of the first upper electrode, and forming a second upper electrode on the first upper electrode onto which the organic silicon source is adsorbed. Related devices and fabrication methods are also discussed.
US09496326B1

A capacitor can be fabricated within an integrated circuit (IC) by creating, in a top surface of a dielectric layer of the IC, a recess having at least one side and a bottom, the bottom adjacent to a first conductive structure. A first plate of the capacitor may be formed by depositing a conductive liner onto the at least one side and the bottom of the recess. A conformal dielectric film may be deposited onto the first plate within the recess, and a second plate of the capacitor may be formed by filling a portion of the recess that is not filled by the conformal dielectric film with an electrically conductive material that is electrically insulated, by the conformal dielectric film, from the first plate.
US09496317B2

A method of manufacturing an organic light emitting display apparatus by utilizing a deposition apparatus for forming an organic layer on a substrate includes: fixing the substrate to a mask assembly for forming a common layer or a mask assembly for forming a pattern layer in a loading unit; when the one or more deposition assemblies are separated from the substrate, forming an intermediate layer by depositing a deposition material discharged from the one or more deposition assemblies in a deposition unit of the deposition apparatus onto the substrate while the substrate is moved relative to the one or more deposition assemblies by a first conveyer unit; and separating the substrate on which the deposition is finished from the mask assembly for forming the common layer or the mask assembly for forming the pattern layer in an unloading unit.
US09496314B1

Shared source line magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) bit cells employing uniform MTJ connection patterns for reduced area are disclosed. In one aspect, a two (2) transistor, two (2) MTJ (2T2MTJ) bit cell includes a shared source line system having first and second source lines. A uniform MTJ connection pattern results in the first source line disposed in an upper metal layer and electrically coupled to a free layer of a first MTJ, and the second source line disposed in a lower metal layer and electrically coupled to a second access transistor. Middle segments are disposed in middle metal layers to reserve the middle metal layers for strap segments of a strap cell that may be used to electrically couple the first and second source lines. Electrically coupling the first and second source lines using the strap cell allows each MTJ to logically share a single source line.
US09496308B2

Backside illuminated photosensitive devices and associated methods are provided. In one aspect, for example, a backside-illuminated photosensitive imager device can include a semiconductor substrate having multiple doped regions forming a least one junction, a textured region coupled to the semiconductor substrate and positioned to interact with electromagnetic radiation where the textured region includes surface features sized and positioned to facilitate tuning to a preselected wavelength of light, and a dielectric region positioned between the textured region and the at least one junction. The dielectric region is positioned to isolate the at least one junction from the textured region, and the semiconductor substrate and the textured region are positioned such that incoming electromagnetic radiation passes through the semiconductor substrate before contacting the textured region. Additionally, the device includes an electrical transfer element coupled to the semiconductor substrate to transfer an electrical signal from the at least one junction.
US09496307B2

Disclosed herein is a solid-state imaging device including: a laminated semiconductor chip configured to be obtained by bonding two or more semiconductor chip sections to each other and be obtained by bonding at least a first semiconductor chip section in which a pixel array and a multilayer wiring layer are formed and a second semiconductor chip section in which a logic circuit and a multilayer wiring layer are formed to each other in such a manner that the multilayer wiring layers are opposed to each other and are electrically connected to each other; and a light blocking layer configured to be formed by an electrically-conductive film of the same layer as a layer of a connected interconnect of one or both of the first and second semiconductor chip sections near bonding between the first and second semiconductor chip sections. The solid-state imaging device is a back-illuminated solid-state imaging device.
US09496304B2

A pixel cell includes a photodiode disposed in an epitaxial layer in a first region of semiconductor material to accumulate image charge. A floating diffusion is disposed in a well region disposed in the epitaxial layer in the first region. A transfer transistor is coupled to selectively transfer the image charge from the photodiode to the floating diffusion. A deep trench isolation (DTI) structure disposed in the semiconductor material. The DTI structure isolates the first region of the semiconductor material on one side of the DTI structure from a second region of the semiconductor material on an other side of the DTI structure. The DTI structure includes a doped semiconductor material disposed inside the DTI structure that is selectively coupled to a readout pulse voltage in response to the transfer transistor selectively transferring the image charge from the photodiode to the floating diffusion.
US09496296B1

The present disclosure is directed to optically-tuned electronic components including one or more layers of photosensitive semiconductive materials. In some embodiments, an optically-tuned electronic component includes a plurality of device layers have different bandgap characteristics. One or more selected layers can be optically activated (i.e. made substantially conductive) by illuminating at least a portion of each selected layer with illumination having a wavelength shorter than or substantially equal to the activation wavelength of each selected layer. Accordingly, various parameters can be tuned or a circuit can be switched between alternative paths by providing one or more selected wavelengths of illumination.
US09496291B2

A pulse is inputted to TFTs 101 and 104 so that the TFTs would turn ON and then potential of a node α rises. When the potential of the node α reaches (VDD−VthN), the node α became in a floating state. Accordingly, a TFT 105 then turns ON, and potential of an output node rises as a clock signal reaches the level H. On the other hand, potential of a gate electrode of the TFT 105 further rises due to an operation of capacitance 107 as the potential of the output node rises, so that the potential of the output node would be higher than (VDD+VthN). Thus, the potential of the output node rises to VDD without voltage drop caused by a threshold of the TFT 105.
US09496289B2

A thin film transistor array panel includes: a substrate; a gate line and a common voltage line electrically separated from each other and elongated parallel with each other on the substrate; a gate insulating layer on the gate line and the common voltage line; a first passivation layer on the gate insulating layer; a common electrode on the first passivation layer; a second passivation layer on the common electrode; and a pixel electrode and a connection member on the second passivation layer and electrically separated from each other. The connection member is elongated in a horizontal direction parallel with the gate line and connects the common voltage line and the common electrode to each other.
US09496280B1

A method can include epitaxially growing epitaxial growth material within a logic region of a semiconductor structure. A method can include performing simultaneously with the growing epitaxial growth within an analog region of the semiconductor structure. A method can include performing epitaxial growth to form an epitaxial growth formation that defines an electrode of an analog device within an analog region of the semiconductor structure, wherein the performing includes using a first surface and a second surface as seed surfaces.
US09496271B2

A 3D IC based system, including: a first layer including first transistors; a second layer overlying the first layer, the second layer includes a plurality of second transistors, where the second layer includes at least one through second layer via having a diameter of less than 400 nm, and where at least one of the plurality of second transistors forms a two stable state memory cell including a back-bias region.
US09496261B2

A structure and method of fabrication thereof relate to a Deeply Depleted Channel (DDC) design, allowing CMOS based devices to have a reduced σVT compared to conventional bulk CMOS and can allow the threshold voltage VT of FETs having dopants in the channel region to be set much more precisely. The DDC design also can have a strong body effect compared to conventional bulk CMOS transistors, which can allow for significant dynamic control of power consumption in DDC transistors. The semiconductor structure includes an analog device and a digital device each having an epitaxial channel layer where a single gate oxidation layer is on the epitaxial channel layer of NMOS and PMOS transistor elements of the digital device and one of a double and triple gate oxidation layer is on the epitaxial channel layer of NMOS and PMOS transistor elements of the analog device.
US09496253B2

According to various embodiments, a miniature passive structure for electrostatic discharge protection and input/output matching for a high frequency integrated circuit may be provided. The structure may include: either a transmission line or an inductor for providing at least one electrostatic discharge path; and a capacitor with a first end connected to the transmission line or inductor and a second end connected to ground.
US09496251B2

The present invention provides electrostatic discharge protectors. One aspect of the present invention provides an electrostatic discharge protector includes a substrate, an electrostatic discharge protection circuit disposed on the substrate, and a pickup ring surrounding the electrostatic discharge protection circuit. The pickup ring has a plurality of low resistance zones where a doping layer, a contact and a metal layer are connected in sequence, and the low resistance zones are distributed within the pickup ring separately and unequally.
US09496250B2

Methods for designing and fabricating a bipolar junction transistor. A predetermined size for a device region of the bipolar junction transistor is determined based on a given current gain. A trench isolation layout is determined for a plurality of trench isolation regions to be formed in a substrate to surround the device region. The trench isolation regions are laterally spaced relative to each other in the trench isolation layout in order to set the predetermined size of the device region. An interconnect layout is determined that specifies one or more contacts coupled with a terminal of the bipolar junction transistor. The specification of the one or more contacts in the interconnect layout is unchanged by the determination of the trench isolation layout.
US09496247B2

A camera module and method of making same, includes a substrate of conductive silicon having top and bottom surfaces, a sensor device, and an LED device. The substrate includes a first cavity formed into the bottom surface of the substrate and has an upper surface, an aperture extending from the first cavity upper surface to the top surface of the substrate, and a second cavity formed into the top surface of the substrate and having a lower surface. The sensor device includes at least one photodetector, is disposed at least partially in the first cavity, and is mounted to the first cavity upper surface. The LED device includes at least one light emitting diode, is disposed at least partially in the second cavity, and is mounted to the second cavity lower surface.
US09496243B2

A microelectronic assembly can include a microelectronic package connected with a circuit panel. The package has a microelectronic element having a front face facing away from a substrate of the package, and electrically connected with the substrate through conductive structure extending above the front face. First terminals provided in first and second parallel grids or in first and second individual columns can be configured to carry address information usable to determine an addressable memory location from among all the available addressable memory locations of the memory storage array. The first terminals in the first grid can have signal assignments which are a mirror image of the signal assignments of the first terminals in the second grid.
US09496234B1

An integrated conductive polymer-solder ball structure is provided. The integrated conductive polymer-solder ball structure comprises a sputter seed layer applied to a wafer structure, one or more conductive polymer pad structures applied to the sputtered seed layer at locations on the wafer structure where one or more solder ball structures will be formed, an electroplating layer applied to portions of the one or more conductive polymer pad structures where a photoresist layer has been exposed, and a solder ball formed on each of the electroplating layers thereby forming the one or more solder ball structures.
US09496231B1

An integrated circuit (IC) comprises a plurality of metal layers; a seal ring arranged around a perimeter of the IC and included in at least a portion of the plurality of metal layers; a first coil included in the IC; and a bypass conductor included in at least one metal layer of the plurality of metal layers and having at least a first end and a second end electrically coupled to the seal ring to form a bypass ring around the first coil.
US09496228B2

In various embodiments, an integrated circuit is provided. The integrated circuit may include a semiconductor chip and an electrically conductive composite material fixed to the semiconductor chip, wherein the electrically conductive composite material may include a metal, and wherein a coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) value of the electrically conductive composite material may be lower than the CTE value of the metal.
US09496227B2

In one embodiment, an integrated circuit with a signal-processing region is disclosed. The integrated circuit comprises a silicon-on-insulator die singulated from a silicon-on-insulator wafer. The silicon on insulator die comprises an active layer, an insulator layer, a substrate, and a strengthening layer. The substrate consists of an excavated substrate region, and a support region, the support region is in contact with the insulator layer. The excavated region covers a majority of the signal-processing region of the integrated circuit.
US09496222B2

A semiconductor device has a structure including a substrate, a first insulating film formed over a part of a principal plane of the substrate, a conductive portion formed over a surface of the first insulating film, and a second insulating film which covers the principal plane of the substrate, the first insulating film, and the conductive portion and whose moisture resistance is higher than moisture resistance of the first insulating film. The first insulating film is placed between the substrate and the conductive portion to prevent the generation of parasitic capacitance. The first insulating film is covered with the second insulating film whose moisture resistance is higher than the moisture resistance of the first insulating film. The second insulating film prevents the first insulating film from absorbing moisture.
US09496221B2

The present disclosure relates to a method of fabricating a semiconductor device. A semiconductor device includes a bond pad and a fuse layer. The bond pad includes a coating on an upper surface. A dielectric layer is formed over the bond pad and the fuse layer. A passivation layer is formed over the dielectric layer. An etch is performed to form a bond pad opening and a fuse opening. The etch is performed using only a single mask. The fuse opening defines a fuse window. The upper surface of the bond pad is exposed by substantially removing the coating from the entire upper surface.
US09496219B2

A semiconductor package including an antenna formed integrally therewith. The semiconductor package includes: a semiconductor chip; a sealing part sealing the semiconductor chip; a substrate part formed on at least one surface of the sealing part; and an antenna part formed on the sealing part and electrically connected to the semiconductor chip.
US09496218B2

An integrated circuit device including a through-silicon-via (TSV) structure and methods of manufacturing the same are provided. The integrated circuit device may include the TSV structure penetrating through a semiconductor structure. The TSV structure may include a first through electrode unit including impurities of a first concentration and a second through electrode unit including impurities of a second concentration greater than the first concentration.
US09496216B2

Semiconductor packages including stacked semiconductor chips are provided. The semiconductor packages may include first semiconductor chips and a second semiconductor chip that are stacked sequentially on a board. The semiconductor packages may also include a wiring layer on the memory chips and the wiring layer may include redistribution patterns and redistribution pads. Each of the memory chips may include a data pad. The data pads of the first semiconductor chips may be electrically connected to the board via the second semiconductor chip, some of redistribution patterns, and some of redistribution pads.
US09496215B2

Provided are a transparent substrate having a nano pattern, and a method of manufacturing the same, which enables the nano pattern to be easily formed on the transparent substrate and has the nano pattern applicable to a large sized substrate by forming a resin layer made of transparent material on a transparent substrate; forming at least one or more unit pattern parts composed of a first pattern area and a second pattern area in which a plurality of grid patterns are formed, and a protrusion pattern formed between the first pattern area and the second pattern area, on the resin layer; and forming a nanoscale metal layer on the protrusion pattern.
US09496212B2

By now it should be appreciated that there has been provided methods for making a packaged semiconductor device (and the resultant device) including a via layer that includes a top surface and a bottom surface; a plurality of vias within the via layer, wherein the plurality of vias extend from the bottom surface to the top surface; a first via of the plurality of vias extending from the bottom surface to the top surface at a first angle; and a second via of the plurality of vias extending from the bottom surface to the top surface at a second angle.
US09496192B2

A test pattern of a semiconductor device is provided, which includes first and second fins formed to project from a substrate and arranged to be spaced apart from each other, first and second gate structures formed to cross the first and second fins, respectively, a first source region and a first drain region arranged on the first fin on one side and the other side of the first gate structure, a second source region and a second drain region arranged on the second fin on one side and the other side of the second gate structure, a first conductive pattern connected to the first and second drain regions to apply a first voltage to the first and second drain regions and a second conductive pattern connecting the first source region and the second gate structure to each other.
US09496190B2

During polishing of a first substrate at a first polishing station, a sequence of measurements by a first in-situ monitoring system is monitored to determining a first time at which the first sequence exhibits a first predefined feature indicating a predetermined thickness of an overlying layer, and during polishing of the first substrate at a second polishing station, a sequence of measurements by a second in-situ monitoring system is monitored to determine a second time indicating clearance of the overlying layer and exposure of the underlying layer. The first time is used to calculate a first adjusted polishing pressure for a second substrate at the first polishing station, and the second time is used to calculate a second adjusted polishing pressure for the second substrate at the second polishing station.
US09496189B2

Stacked semiconductor devices and methods of forming the same are disclosed. First tier workpieces are mounted on a top surface of a semiconductor device to form first tier stacks, the semiconductor device comprising one or more integrated circuit dies, the semiconductor device having one or more test pads per integrated circuit die on the top surface of the semiconductor device. Each of the first tier stacks is electrically tested to identify first known good stacks and first known bad stacks. Second tier workpieces are mounted atop the first known good stacks, thereby forming second tier stacks. Each of the second tier stacks is electrically tested to identify second known good stacks and second known bad stacks. Stacking process further comprises one or more workpiece mounting/testing cycles. The stacking process continues until the stacked semiconductor devices comprise desired number of workpieces.
US09496185B2

Fabricating a semiconductor device includes providing a strained semiconductor material (SSM) layer disposed on a dielectric layer, forming a first plurality of fins on the SSOI structure, at least one fin of the first plurality of fins is in a nFET region and at least one fin is in a pFET region, etching portions of the dielectric layer under portions of the SSM layer of the at least one fin in the pFET region, filling areas cleared by the etching, forming a second plurality of fins from the at least one fin in the nFET region such that each fin comprises a portion of the SSM layer disposed on the dielectric layer, and forming a third plurality of fins from the at least one fin in the pFET region such that each fin comprises a portion of the SSM layer disposed on a flowable oxide.
US09496184B2

In one aspect, a method of fabricating a bipolar transistor device on a wafer includes the following steps. A dummy gate is formed on the wafer, wherein the dummy gate is present over a portion of the wafer that serves as a base of the bipolar transistor. The wafer is doped to form emitter and collector regions on both sides of the dummy gate. A dielectric filler layer is deposited onto the wafer surrounding the dummy gate. The dummy gate is removed selective to the dielectric filler layer, thereby exposing the base. The base is recessed. The base is re-grown from an epitaxial material selected from the group consisting of: SiGe, Ge, and a III-V material. Contacts are formed to the base. Techniques for co-fabricating a bipolar transistor and CMOS FET devices are also provided.
US09496170B2

A method includes depositing a first polymer layer over a first dielectric layer, forming a first opening and a second opening using an etching process, wherein the first opening and the second opening are partially through the first polymer layer, filling the first opening and the second opening with a conductive material to form a first metal line and a second metal line, applying a selective thermal curing process to the first polymer layer until portions of the first polymer layer surrounding the first metal line and the second metal line are cured, removing uncured portions of the first polymer layer through a cleaning process and depositing a second dielectric layer to form an air gap between the first metal line and the second metal line.
US09496167B2

Methods of forming flash memory cells are described which incorporate air gaps for improved performance. The methods are useful for so-called “2-d flat cell” flash architectures. 2-d flat cell flash memory involves a reactive ion etch to dig trenches into multi-layers containing high work function and other metal layers. The methods described herein remove the metal oxide debris from the sidewalls of the multi-layer trench and then, without breaking vacuum, selectively remove shallow trench isolation (STI) oxidation which become the air gaps. Both the metal oxide removal and the STI oxidation removal are carried out in the same mainframe with highly selective etch processes using remotely excited fluorine plasma effluents.
US09496166B2

A substrate transporting arm and a substrate transporting apparatus to prevent a substrate from sliding and increase a process speed of the substrate, thereby improving productivity. The substrate transporting arm includes a body and a plurality of substrate supporters coupled to the body. Each of the plurality of substrate supporters includes a substrate holder and a substrate supporter pin, and an inner side of the substrate holder includes an inclined portion.
US09496165B1

A method for fabricating a semiconductor device comprises providing a preformed spalled structure comprising a stressor layer stack on a first surface of a semiconductor substrate; forming an interfacial release layer on an exposed second surface of the semiconductor substrate; adhesively bonding the interfacial release layer to a rigid handle substrate using an epoxy; removing at least a portion of the stressor layer stack from the first surface of the semiconductor substrate; processing the semiconductor substrate; and removing the semiconductor substrate from the interfacial release layer to impart flexibility to the semiconductor substrate.
US09496164B2

The invention broadly relates to cyclic olefin polymer bonding compositions and release compositions, to be used independently or together, that enable thin wafer handling during microelectronics manufacturing, especially during a full-wafer mechanical debonding process. The release compositions comprise compositions made from siloxane polymers and copolymers blended in a polar solvent, and that are stable at room temperature for longer than one month. The cyclic olefin polymer bonding compositions provide high thermal stability, can be bonded to fully-treated carrier wafers, can be mechanically or laser debonded after high-temperature heat treatment, and are easily removed with an industrially-acceptable solvent. Wafers bonded according to the invention demonstrate lower overall post-grind stack TTV compared to other commercial bonding materials and can survive 200° C. PECVD processing.
US09496158B2

Provided is a processing apparatus for performing a processing of a substrate to be processed using a high-pressure fluid to prevent the generation of particles and ensure airtightness in the processing container. A sealing member is installed to surround a carrying port of the processing chamber, the carrying port is closed by the cover, and the cover is restricted from retreating by the pressure in the processing chamber by a lock plate, thereby processing the wafer in the processing chamber using the high-pressure fluid. Since the sealing member is pressurized by the internal atmosphere of the processing chamber to be pressed toward the cover during the drying process, a gap between the cover and the processing chamber may be airtightly closed. Since the sealing member does not slide with respect to the processing chamber or the cover, the generation of particles is suppressed.
US09496155B2

A method for selectively transferring active components (22) from a source substrate (20) to a destination substrate (10) includes providing a source substrate with one or more active components located on the source substrate, providing a destination substrate, locating a selectively curable adhesive layer (30) between and adjacent to the destination substrate and the source substrate, selecting one or more active components (22A), selectively curing area(s) (32A) of the adhesive layer corresponding to the selected active components to adhere the selected active components to the destination substrate, and removing the source substrate from the destination substrate leaving the selected active components adhered to the destination substrate in the selected areas.
US09496154B2

A microelectronic component (110, 120) has a contact pad (110C, 120C, 920C) recessed in a cavity (410) and covered by underfill tape (130). The cavity has a void (410V) below the underfill tape. A protruding contact pad of another microelectronic component ruptures the underfill tape to enter the cavity and bond to the recessed contact pad. The void helps in rupturing the underfill tape, thus reducing the amount of underfill residue between the two contact pads and improving the contact resistance. Also provided is a microelectronic component having a substrate with a cavity and having a through-substrate via extending into the cavity. Other features are also provided.
US09496129B2

Provided is a method for producing a circular wafer using a grinding tape to grind the edge of a wafer comprising a crystalline material. A primary grinding step is provided for contacting a grinding body to the peripheral portion of a wafer placed centered on a horizontal stage and rotating the stage, thus grinding the peripheral portion. The radius of the wafer is measured, and a radius is set that is no greater than the measured smallest radius, and the difference Δr between the set radius and the measured wafer radius along the peripheral portion is determined. The portions of the peripheral portion at which Δr is greater than a predetermined value are determined and a secondary grinding step is provided for contacting the peripheral portion and the grinding body, rotating the stage forwards and backwards in a predetermined range of rotational angles, and grinding the peripheral portion.
US09496117B2

An adjustable mass-resolving slit assembly includes an aperture portion and an actuation portion. The aperture portion includes first and second shield members that define an aperture therebetween for receiving an ion beam during semiconductor processing operations. The actuation portion is coupled to the aperture portion and selectively and independently adjusts the position of the first and second shield members along first and second non-parallel axes. Adjusting the position of the first and second shield members along the first axis adjusts a width of the aperture. Adjusting the position of the first and second shield members along the second axis adjusts a region of the first and second shield members impinged by the ion beam. Methods for using the adjustable mass-resolving slit assembly are also disclosed.
US09496102B2

In certain embodiments, a protective cover for an input device includes a housing having an outer portion and an inner portion, with the inner portion including a first end and a second end, and a plurality of keys disposed in an area at the first end of the inner portion of the housing. A holder can be configured to receive and secure an input device with at least a portion of the holder coupled to the second end of the inner portion of the housing. The housing can be configurable in a plurality of positions including a closed configuration, an open configuration, a first active configuration, and a second active configuration. The protective cover can further include a plurality of magnets coupled to the housing and configured to secure the housing in one or more of the closed, open, and active configurations.
US09496100B2

Included are: a movable plate which is coupled to a main shaft of the switchgear and performs motion in accordance with the movement of the main shaft; an ON/OFF display plate in which a display showing the state of the switchgear, such as “ON”/“OFF,” is provided on each of different two faces, and mechanically rotates or performs linear motion and thus displaying the opening/closing state of the contact; and an ON/OFF display plate link which is mechanically connected to the movable plate and the ON/OFF display plate and converts the motion of the movable plate to transfer to the ON/OFF display plate. The display of the ON/OFF display plate is arranged at a tilt toward the upper side or the lower side so as to point at an optional angle.
US09496099B2

An adjustable stage mount includes a housing having a base defining a hole and an adjustable stage including a ball joint extension that rotatably engages the hole and is rotatably securable about the x-, y-, and z-axes. An adjustable indenter mount includes a housing defining a hole and an adjustable indenter including a ball joint extension that rotatably engages the hole and is rotatably securable about the x-, y-, and z-axes. A collision protection switch includes a first plate having three pairs of electrically conductive spaced apart pins wired to a voltage source in an open circuit, and a second plate having three electrically conductive balls. A spring pulls the first and second plates together causing the three balls to complete the circuit. A sufficient force against the second plate causes a ball to disengage and open the circuit. A two-objective microscope includes two parallel objectives, upper and lower light sources, three half-mirrors, and a camera. The camera and the half-mirrors are configured such that the camera views through either objective depending on which light source is on.
US09496098B1

A pushbutton and an electrical switch can be linked to one another so that movement of the pushbutton, for example by a user depressing the pushbutton, can control the switch. The switch can be in a closed position prior to being depressed and in an open position afterwards, or vice versa. A photodetector can be located on the switch side of the pushbutton. The pushbutton can be formed of a material that transmits light so that light can pass through the pushbutton for receipt by the photodetector. The pushbutton can additionally or alternatively be formed with an opening that is sized to receive an object inserted by a user. Insertion of the object can manipulate a second electrical switch, which may control flow of electricity from a battery, for example.
US09496092B2

Provided is a flame-retardant electrolytic capacitor which is capable of maintaining flame-retardant effect even after a prolonged period of time. This is an electrolytic capacitor comprising an anode foil that is provided with an oxide film on the surface, a cathode foil, a separator, and an electrolytic solution that contains a solute in a solvent, wherein a phosphoric acid ester amide represented by the following general formula (1) is contained in the electrolytic solution: in which n is 1 or 2, and R1 and R2 each independently represent a linear or branched alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, and Rf represents a linear or branched fluoroalkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms or a linear or branched alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms).
US09496087B2

There is provided a multilayer ceramic capacitor in which an increase in conductor resistance at an end of an internal electrode layer is suppressed, and in which a gap between the internal electrode layer and a dielectric layer is reduced. A multilayer ceramic capacitor includes a stacked body including dielectric layers and internal electrode layers alternately laminated; and an external electrode disposed on an end surface of the stacked body and connected to the internal electrode layers, the internal electrode layers each including a connection electrode portion connected to the external electrode, and an internal electrode portion which is connected to the connection electrode portion and extends toward an inner side of the stacked body, a ratio of a material having a melting point higher than that of a conductive material being higher in the connection electrode portion than in the internal electrode portion.
US09496082B2

There are provided a coil substrate which includes a coil for wireless charging and an antenna and is capable of increasing charging efficiency, and an electronic device including the same. The coil substrate according to embodiments of the invention may include a coil pattern; a dummy part formed around the coil pattern; and at least one penetration part formed in the dummy part or in a central portion of the coil pattern.
US09496080B2

Embodiments described herein provide a flexible electromagnetic clamp that may be utilized to provide an adjustable clamping force to a wide variety of non-planar surfaces. One embodiment comprises an electromagnetic clamp that includes a pair of electromagnetic members and a current source. The electromagnetic members are disposed on opposing sides of an assembly to be clamped. Each electromagnetic member includes a flexible bladder that includes ferromagnetic filings, an electrical winding wrapped around the bladder, and a flexible sleeve wrapped around the electrical winding and the bladder. The electrical winding generates a magnetic field across the bladder that is based on an applied current. The current source is electrically coupled to each electrical winding and controls a clamping force applied by the electromagnetic members to the assembly based on the applied current.
US09496077B2

[Object]A method for efficiently manufacturing chip resistors is provided.[Means]The method includes the steps of preparing at least three conductive elongated boards 711 made of an electrically conductive material and a resistive member 702 made of a resistive material, arranging the at least three conductive elongated boards 711 apart from each other along a width direction crossing a longitudinal direction in which one of the at least three conductive elongated boards 711 is elongated, forming a resistor aggregate 703 by bonding the resistive member 702 to the at least three conductive elongated boards 711, and collectively dividing the resistor aggregate 703 into a plurality of chip resistors by punching so that each of the chip resistors includes two electrodes and a resistor portion bonded to the two electrodes.
US09496076B2

A cable processing machine has cable grommet fitting apparatus 1a, 1b fitting cable grommets 2 onto a cable. The grommet fitting apparatus includes a loose material container 3 for receiving a plurality of loose cable grommets 2, a conveyor separating the cable grommets 2 located in the loose material container and conveying the separated cable grommets 2 to a mounting location. The machine includes a grommet mounter 8 mounting the conveyed cable grommets 2 onto cable. The conveyor includes a continuous, annular conveyor 4, 4a, 4b protruding into the loose material container 3 as well as a grommet receiver 6 receiving and raising the cable grommets 2. Grommet receivers 6 may be arranged on the inside of the conveyor ring.
US09496071B2

In a shield wire, a sheet shaped metal foil shield member is provided so as to envelop an inner wire part having a plurality of conductors and insulators. In the shield wire, the inner wire part is enveloped by the metal foil shield member so that the inner wire part is held and an end part of the metal foil shield member is avoided from collapsing or the end is avoided from bounding.
US09496057B2

A control rod drive system (CRDS) for use in a nuclear reactor. In one embodiment, the system generally includes a drive rod mechanically coupled to a control rod drive mechanism (CRDM) operable to linearly raise and lower the drive rod along a vertical axis, a rod cluster control assembly (RCCA) comprising a plurality of control rods insertable into a nuclear fuel core, and a drive rod extension (DRE) releasably coupled at opposing ends to the drive rod and RCCA. The CRDM includes an electromagnet which operates to couple the CRDM to DRE. In the event of a power loss or SCRAM, the CRDM may be configured to remotely uncouple the RCCA from the DRE without releasing or dropping the drive rod which remains engaged with the CRDM and in position.
US09496047B2

In various embodiments, a memory cell and a memory are provided. The memory cell comprises a Static Random Access Memory (SRAM) cell including a reset-set (RS) flip-flop and a Read Only Memory (ROM) cell being connected (or coupled) to the SRAM cell to set logic states of internal latch nodes of the RS flip-flop when the ROM cell is triggered. The size of the memory cells proposed in an embodiment of the invention is much smaller than the sum of the size of ROM cells and the size of SRAM cells with the capacity of the memory cells same as the sum of the capacity of the ROM cells and the capacity of the SRAM cells.
US09496045B2

Voltage is increased on a wordline signal. The wordline signal is applied to a programmed FET and an unprogrammed FET of a memory cell. The programmed FET has a higher threshold voltage than the unprogrammed FET. The programmed FET is connected to a first bitline and the unprogrammed FET is connected to a second bitline. It is determined that the second bitline has reached a threshold voltage. In response to determining the second bitline has reached the threshold voltage, the first bitline is pulled towards ground. A signal is output based on a low voltage of the first bitline and a high voltage of the second bitline.
US09496042B1

According to one embodiment, a semiconductor device includes: a first semiconductor chip including a first via and a second via; and a second semiconductor chip including a third via and a fourth via and being located above the first semiconductor chip. The first semiconductor chip includes: a first detector capable of coupling to the third via through the second and fourth vias; and a first current source configured to control an output current in accordance with a voltage of the third via detected by the first detector.
US09496027B2

A static random access memory device may include a write driver configured to float one of a first bitline and a second bitline connected to a memory cell and apply a write voltage to the other bitline in response to a logic state of a data signal; a write failure detector configured to receive a voltage of the floated bitline and output a write failure signal; and an assist voltage generator configured to generate a write assist voltage in response to the write failure signal. The write driver may additionally provide the write assist voltage to a bitline to which the write voltage is applied.
US09496025B2

An apparatus and method are provided for implementing write assist with boost attenuation for static random access memory (SRAM) arrays. The apparatus includes a memory array comprising a plurality of SRAM cells. The apparatus further includes a write driver connected to each of a differential pair of bit lines in each of the plurality of SRAM cells of the memory array. The apparatus further includes a write assist attenuation circuit connected to the write driver, the write assist attenuation circuit comprising a clamping device configured to modify a control signal as a function of supply voltage and process to attenuate an amount of boost applied to pull one of the bit lines below ground in an active phase of a write cycle.
US09496017B2

Memory cell comprising two conductors, with a serially connected magnetic storage element and a Schottky diode between the two conductors. The Schottky diode provides a unidirectional conductive path between the two conductors and through the element. The Schottky diode is formed between a metal layer in one of the two conductors and a processed junction layer. Methods for process and for operation of the memory cell are also disclosed. The memory cell using the Schottky diode can be designed for high speed operation and with high density of integration. Advantageously, the junction layer can also be used as a hard mask for defining the individual magnetic storage element in the memory cell. The memory cell is particularly useful for magnetic random access memory (MRAM) circuits.
US09496016B2

A memory cell includes a metal oxide semiconductor (MOS) capacitor including a gate coupled to a storage node and an electrode coupled to a synchronization control line. The MOS capacitor adds a coupling voltage to the gate based on a change in voltage on the synchronization control line. The coupling voltage may maintain the storage node within a predetermined range.
US09496012B2

According to at least one example embodiment, a method and corresponding system, or circuit, for calibrating a reference voltage of a single-ended receiver, include applying a clock signal and a reference voltage signal as inputs to the differential amplifier of the single-ended receiver. The differential amplifier provides an output signal, the output signal is processed, and an indication of a duty cycle associated with an output signal of the amplifier is evaluated. Based on the evaluated indication of the duty cycle, a control logic module, or circuit, adjusts a level of the reference voltage signal. The process of evaluating the indication of the duty cycle and adjusting the reference voltage level is repeated for a number of iterations.
US09496010B2

A semiconductor device and a memory system including the same are disclosed, which relate to a technology for reducing a toggle current of a global input output (GIO) of a semiconductor device configured to use a data bus inversion (DBI) scheme. The semiconductor device includes:a local input/output (LIO) line driver configured to perform inversion or non-inversion of data of a global input/output (GIO) line according to a control signal, and to output the inversion or non-inversion result to the LIO line; and an inversion processor configured to combine an inversion control signal and mat information, and output the control signal for controlling inversion or non-inversion of data to the LIO line driver.
US09496009B2

A memory device includes a block of memory cells and a cache. The block of memory cells is a random access memory with multiple ports. The block of memory cells is partitioned into subunits that have only a single port. The cache is coupled to the block of memory cells adapted to handle a plurality of accesses to a same subunit of memory cells without a conflict such that the memory appears to be a random access memory to said plurality of accesses. A method of operating the memory, and a memory with bank-conflict-resolution (BCR) module including cache are also provided.
US09496007B2

The disclosure provides a voltage regulator for generating piece-wise linear regulated supply voltage. The voltage regulator includes a first clamp circuit that receives a reference voltage and an analog supply voltage. A second clamp circuit receives the reference voltage. A voltage divider circuit is coupled to the first clamp circuit and the second clamp circuit. The voltage divider circuit receives a peripheral supply voltage and generates a regulated supply voltage.
US09496005B2

An electronic apparatus includes an operation reception unit that receives a switching operation for switching between a list display screen where index images for selecting content items belonging to one or a plurality of groups are disposed on a display surface of a display unit, and a group display screen where the index images are disposed on the display surface, and a display control unit that displays one of the list display screen and the group display screen on the display unit based on the switching operation, moves the index images with content item units from predetermined positions on one screen of the list display screen and the group display screen, displayed at the time of receiving the corresponding switching operation to predetermined positions on the other screen displayed after the corresponding switching operation is received, and displays the index images by animation during the movement.
US09495999B2

A phase error detector includes a sine wave generation circuit that generates a sine wave signal, based on a first input signal of a first period, a cosine wave generation circuit that generates a cosine wave signal, based on the first input signal, a first calculator that calculates a phase difference between the sine wave signal and a second input signal of a second period, a second calculator that calculates a phase difference between the cosine wave signal and the second input signal, and a first selection unit that outputs the phase difference calculated by the first calculator when the phase difference calculated by the second calculator is within a predetermined range, and outputs a predetermined value having a same sign as a sign of the phase difference calculated by the first calculator when the phase difference calculated by the second calculator is out of the predetermined range.
US09495989B2

A laminating structure includes a first magnetic layer, a second magnetic layer, a first spacer disposed between the first and second magnetic layers and a second spacer disposed on the second magnetic layer.
US09495971B2

A transient detector (100) analyzes (110) a given frame n of the input audio signal to determine, based on audio signal characteristics of the given frame n, a transient hangover indicator for a following frame n+1, and signals (120) the determined transient hangover indicator to an associated audio encoder (10) to enable proper encoding of the following frame n+1.
US09495966B2

The instant application includes computationally-implemented systems and methods that include acquiring indication of a speech-facilitated transaction between a particular party and a target device, receiving adaptation data correlated to the particular party, the receiving facilitated by a particular device associated with the particular party, processing audio data from the particular party at least partly using the received adaptation data correlated to the particular party, and updating the adaptation data based at least in part on a result of the processed audio data, such that the updated adaptation data is configured to be transmitted to the particular device. In addition to the foregoing, other aspects are described in the claims, drawings, and text.
US09495958B2

A dialog system uses an extended domain in order to have a dialog with a user using natural language. If a dialog pattern actually input by the user is different from a dialog pattern predicted by an expert, an extended domain generated in real time based on user input is used and an extended domain generated in advance is used to have a dialog with the user.
US09495957B2

A mobile system is provided that includes speech-based and non-speech-based interfaces for telematics applications. The mobile system identifies and uses context, prior information, domain knowledge, and user specific profile data to achieve a natural environment for users that submit requests and/or commands in multiple domains. The invention creates, stores and uses extensive personal profile information for each user, thereby improving the reliability of determining the context and presenting the expected results for a particular question or command. The invention may organize domain specific behavior and information into agents, that are distributable or updateable over a wide area network.
US09495955B1

Features are disclosed for generating acoustic models from an existing corpus of data. Methods for generating the acoustic models can include receiving at least one characteristic of a desired acoustic model, selecting training utterances corresponding to the characteristic from a corpus comprising audio data and corresponding transcription data, and generating an acoustic model based on the selected training utterances.
US09495954B2

Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable storage media for generating a synthetic voice. A system configured to practice the method combines a first database of a first text-to-speech voice and a second database of a second text-to-speech voice to generate a combined database, selects from the combined database, based on a policy, voice units of a phonetic category for the synthetic voice to yield selected voice units, and synthesizes speech based on the selected voice units. The system can synthesize speech without parameterizing the first text-to-speech voice and the second text-to-speech voice. A policy can define, for a particular phonetic category, from which text-to-speech voice to select voice units. The combined database can include multiple text-to-speech voices from different speakers. The combined database can include voices of a single speaker speaking in different styles. The combined database can include voices of different languages.
US09495953B2

A method to produce a dynamic sound stage for engine harmonic enhancement (EHE). Dynamic refers to the ability to position the sound stage at different positions as the engine operates at various RPMs and load. In order to control the sound stage width, a phase difference can be introduced between a first audio channel (e.g., a left audio channel) and second audio channel (e.g., a right audio channel). In the most general case, the phase difference can be introduced per harmonic per RPM. In this approach, the phase difference can be adjusted such that a vehicle occupant will perceive each harmonic signal to have a particular width. This width can be adjusted independently per RPM regions by tuning the per harmonic phase difference.
US09495951B2

An audio enhancement system includes a display unit configured to exhibit a waveform corresponding to a microphone signal that is subject to an audio interference. The audio enhancement system also includes an interference reduction unit coupled to the microphone signal and configured to provide a reduction in the audio interference, wherein a reduced audio interference is indicated by the waveform in real time. A microphone signal enhancement method is also provided.
US09495949B2

The invention relates to an acoustic module for influencing, particularly reducing, sound reflections and/or sound transmissions in a space. The module is constructed as a three-dimensional hollow body, comprising at least one sheet material made of thin-walled flexurally elastic material, which is placed under bending stress by at least one additional sheet material so as to form a cavity, in such a manner that said thin-walled flexurally elastic material assumes a curved shape. The module is characterized by particularly good acoustic properties and can be produced economically.
US09495947B2

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide an apparatus configured to enable a user to easily change between different midi or audio sequences in any order the user prefers, rather than limiting the user to a pre-determined sequence. Additionally, embodiments of the present disclosure provide an apparatus configured with recording and looping functions. The recording and looping functions may be configured to sync the recorded and looped multi-media content to the percussion sequences. Still consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure, the apparatus may be designed and configured to enable a mobile computing device to be used as, for example, an information display, a control mechanism, a processing unit and memory storage.
US09495945B1

A guitar pad is designed to support a guitar or similar stringed instrument on the lap of a seated player, and the body portion rests on the pad when it is draped over on one of the player's legs. This facilitates the player maintaining proper posture and positioning when playing the instrument. The guitar pad is formed of a single-thickness piece of a flexible non-adhesive grip material formed of a woven scrim on which beads of a low-slip resin are positioned to alternate with open spaces; and a frame or border affixed onto the edge of the grip material. The frame or border may be formed of a narrow strip or strips of a low-stretch flexible material, e.g., leather or synthetic leather.
US09495942B2

A shoulder support for a musical instrument is proposed, which includes a holding device, by means of which the shoulder support is fixable or fixed to the musical instrument, at least one arm, which is fixable or fixed to the holding device, and a shoulder abutment element, which is fixable or fixed on the at least one arm and has a pad and a pad holder, the pad holder being movably held on an arm connecting part of the shoulder abutment element by means of a pad holder joint device.
US09495932B2

A substantially rectangular display panel includes a first edge extending in a first major axis direction of the rectangular shape and a second edge extending in a second major axis direction of the rectangular shape, the second direction being different from the first direction. The display panel includes: a plurality of gate lines extending in the first direction; and a gate lines driver including a plurality of main stages sequentially connected to each other and configured for outputting gate signals to the gate lines, where the plurality of stages further includes one or more dummy stages arranged in a row along the second edge and not connected to the plurality of gate lines, and where a layout arrangement of a plurality of thin film transistors included in the main stage is different from a corresponding layout arrangement of corresponding thin film transistors included in the at least one dummy stage.
US09495917B2

There is provided a method of controlling a display device in which a write operation for changing a display state of one pixel is performed by performing a plurality of operations of applying a driving voltage. The method includes determining whether a previous write operation is currently performed for the one pixel in a case where a new write operation is determined to be required and starting the new write operation for the one pixel in a case where the write operation for the one pixel is determined not to be currently performed in the determining of whether a previous write operation is currently performed, and continuing the write operation that is currently performed and starting the new write operation for the one pixel after completion of the previous write operation in a case where the write operation is determined to be currently performed for the one pixel.
US09495914B2

An electro-optical device includes a first pixel circuit provided so as to correspond to a first data line, a second pixel circuit provided so as to correspond to a second data line, a first storage capacitor of which one end is connected to the first data line and the other end is potential-shifted according to a current to be supplied to a light emitting element of the first pixel circuit, a second storage capacitor of which one end is connected to the second data line and the other end is potential-shifted according to a current to be supplied to a light emitting element of the second pixel circuit, and a constant potential line provided between the first storage capacitor and the second storage capacitor in plan view.
US09495901B2

A display unit includes: a pixel circuit including a display element, a first transistor having a gate and a source, and a capacitor inserted between the gate and the source, the first transistor supplying a current to the display element; and a drive section driving the pixel circuit, through sequentially performing first and second driving operations, the first driving operation allowing the drive section to apply a pixel voltage to a first terminal and allowing a second terminal to be at a first voltage, the pixel voltage determining luminance of the display element, the first and second terminals being one and the other of the gate and the source of the first transistor, respectively, and the second driving operation allowing the second terminal to be at a second voltage, through applying the pixel voltage to the first terminal and allowing a current to flow through the first transistor.
US09495900B2

When normal driving is switched to intermittent driving simultaneously with switching from a video image to a still image, a flicker may occur due to a response delay caused by dielectric anisotropy of liquid crystal. A display device has a first mode (video image driving) in which driving is performed at a first frame frequency and a second mode (still image driving) in which the driving is performed at a second frame frequency lower than the first frame frequency. When the first mode is switched to the second mode, the display device first performs the driving at a frame frequency higher than the second frame frequency for at least one frame and then, the driving is switched to be performed at the second frame frequency.
US09495891B2

A display device and method of assembling the same are disclosed. In one aspect, a display device includes a display panel bent in a first direction and a guide unit for fastening the display panel in a bent state. The guide unit includes a first frame member bent corresponding to curvature of the display panel in the first direction and combined with an edge of the display panel in the first direction, and a second frame member combined with an edge of the display panel in a direction perpendicular to the first direction.
US09495890B2

Provided are an easily assembled and autonomously standing display apparatus and a substrate for the autonomously standing display apparatus. The autonomously standing display apparatus is provided with: a first side plate connected to a side of a first display board; a second display board connected to the bottom side of the first display board; a second side plate connected to the first side plate and the second display board; a bottom plate connected to the bottom side of the second display board; and a support plate, one side being connected to the bottom plate and the other side being rotatably connected to the back face of the first display board. In a vertical cross-sectional shape, the first display board and the second display board, which are deployed flat, and the bottom plate and the support plate, form sides of a triangle and maintain an open state.
US09495888B2

An adhesive label with a water-based release coating and methods for applying the water-based release coating to the adhesive label are provided. The water-based release coating is a non-silicon based formulation having a fluorochemical. The water-based release coating can be applied in a single-pass process or a double-pass process when manufacturing the adhesive label.
US09495879B2

A taxiing path optimization system is provided for computing a taxi path of an aircraft using available taxi routes of a corresponding airport. An interaction means management unit manages interactions between a user and the taxiing path optimization system using an interactive device for inputting a taxi clearance. An aircraft positioning management unit manages positional information of the corresponding airport and aircraft received from a plurality of sources for augmenting an aircraft position by consolidating the aircraft position with the positional information in a complementary fashion. A taxi path display unit displays the taxi path based on the inputted taxi clearance and the augmented aircraft position, wherein the taxi path is automatically computed based on aircraft characteristics or airport capabilities.
US09495877B2

An aircraft deconfliction system including a registration system having an airspace database, a registered airspace, wherein registration details of the registered airspace are logged in the airspace database, and an aircraft assigned to the registered airspace, the aircraft including a flight control system, a guidance computer controlling the flight control system based on a pilot input, and an override unit in communication with the guidance computer, wherein the override unit overrides the pilot input when the aircraft breaches the registered airspace.
US09495875B2

A vehicle configured to operate in an autonomous mode may engage in an obstacle evaluation technique that includes employing a sensor system to collect data relating to a plurality of obstacles, identifying from the plurality of obstacles an obstacle pair including a first obstacle and a second obstacle, engaging in an evaluation process by comparing the data collected for the first obstacle to the data collected for the second obstacle, and in response to engaging in the evaluation process, making a determination of whether the first obstacle and the second obstacle are two separate obstacles.
US09495871B2

A display control device causes a display unit to generate a first predetermined image representing a first presentation image that indicates a first speed limit. Change in a speed limit of a road where a vehicle travels from a first speed limit to a second speed limit different from the first speed limit is recognized. When the recognized change in the speed limit indicates decrease, the first predetermined image is switched by a first switching method so that a second predetermined image representing a second presentation image that indicates the second speed limit is generated. When the recognized change in the speed limit indicates increase, the first predetermined image is switched by a second switching method different from the first switching method so that the second predetermined image is generated.
US09495870B2

Vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-infrastructure communications are accomplished via a scalable ad hoc geographic routing protocol. As vehicles move along roadways, they can query other vehicles and entities for information. Responses to queries can be used to determine information such as traffic conditions, a retail store sale, that a restaurant has tables available, and/or that parking spaces are available, for example. Businesses, vehicles, and other entities along roadways can geocast pertinent information to vehicles passing by. Vehicles can cache information as it is received.
US09495862B2

An improved emergency response system and method includes at least one zone display structured to present a plurality of zones that convey certain information to bystanders, dispatchers, and/or emergency responders. Each zone corresponds to a different portion of the local premises, such that the zones are collectively configured to convey at least directional information pertaining to the local premises. The zone display is further configured to present at least one universal directional indicator associated with each zone. Accordingly, the information associated with the zones and directional indicators is utilized to facilitate an emergency response. The presenting of the zones can include depicting at least a portion of the premises via mapping overlay display. Further, the zone displays can depict threat level indicators corresponding to perceived circumstances of one or more zones.
US09495860B2

Methods and systems, such as home automation gateways and television receivers, are disclosed for distinguishing between false alarms and actual events. Aspects include transmitting sensor data, such as a video feed from a closed-circuit video system, to a display to allow a user to confirm whether an alarm event is a false alarm or an actual alarm event. Sensor data is optionally recorded to allow later review of the sensor data.
US09495857B2

An in-vehicle apparatus communicably connected to a mobile device and located in a vehicle includes a display screen displaying data related to applications of the mobile device in communication with the mobile device; a memory storing an application record including identification informations of the applications, each application being associated with one or more mobile device models; a communication unit operable to receive model information data from the mobile device; and a control unit. The control unit i) receives a signal indicating a vehicle speed; ii) retrieves, from the memory, the identification informations of the applications included in the application record based on the model information data; and iii) controls the display of the data related to predetermined applications for which identification informations were retrieved from the memory on the display screen when the speed of the vehicle exceeds a predetermined speed threshold.
US09495853B2

An example embodiment provides a system, including: a plurality of receivers placed throughout a hospital; each of the receivers configured for communicating with a tag affixed to a moveable object; a database storing location information associated with placements of the plurality of receivers and a use state for a movable object associated with the placements; a computing device operatively coupled to the database and the plurality of receivers, the computing device operating to: receive, via one or more of the plurality of receivers, location data of a tag affixed to the movable object; identify, using data received from the tag, a movable object; determine, based on the one or more of the plurality of receivers transmitting the location data, a location within the hospital of the movable object; associate, using the location information of the database, a use state for the movable object based on the location of the movable object within the hospital; and update a use state for the movable object. Related methods and products are also described and/or claimed herein.
US09495852B1

Various switchable RFID devices are disclosed. These switchable RFID devices may include one or more RFID tags and one or more switches. Some of these one or more switches are optionally wireless. In various embodiments, the switchable RFID devices include identity devices, financial devices, remote controls, and the like. In some embodiments, switches are configured to enter data into a switchable RFID device, for example to select a financial account.
US09495851B1

Aspects of tag-based product monitoring and evaluation are described. In one embodiment, a system instructs a tag reader to transmit an electromagnetic field and receives a plurality of unique identifiers for a plurality of products from a plurality of tags in response to the electromagnetic field. The plurality of tags may be provided on a plurality of product packages for the plurality of products. The system also identifies the plurality of products using the plurality of unique identifiers and identifies whether a product package of at least one of the plurality of products has been opened based on the plurality of unique identifiers or the product detail data. The system may alert a user as to whether one or more product packages have been opened before purchasing.
US09495850B2

A panic device operable in conjunction with a local device is configured to unlock a locking mechanism. The panic device can take the form of an electronic key fob, a key shaft, or a key holder. A first trigger on the panic device triggers a local alarm that is on-board or off-board the panic device. A second trigger on the panic device can activate an alarm circuitry that utilizes a local device to provide position information to a distant dispatch station. The local device uses a GPS-aware circuitry or other non-GPS means such as triangulation to determine the position information. The position information can then be sent to the distant dispatch station with or without the aid of the local device.
US09495848B2

An alarm/monitoring system includes an interface body, a first electrical contactor electrically connected to a first lead, and a second electrical contactor electrically connected to a second lead. The first electrical contactor has a magnetic field associated therewith to provide a magnetic attractive force to a ferromagnetic component of the object to be monitored. The first electrical contactor and the second electrical contactor are located on the interface body so that when the interface body is placed in an operating position with respect to the ferromagnetic component, the first electrical contactor and the second electrical contactor each contact a respective surface of the ferromagnetic component to provide a closed electrical circuit between the first lead and the second lead, the closed electrical circuit providing a monitoring input to an alarm system.
US09495845B1

Various aspects of the present disclosure are directed towards alarm systems, apparatus, and methods of using the systems and apparatus. In one embodiment, an alarm system includes intrusion sensor(s) and a central control panel that allows limited access to changes to a system configuration based upon the use of an installer code and the system configuration includes adding or changing interface modules. Additionally, the system includes an authorization circuit that requests the installer code from the remote location over a communications link and in response thereto, provides the installer code to the control circuit.
US09495843B2

When a trigger condition is established in a normal game, a gaming machine 300 executes a process of shifting to a bonus game in which a re-trigger condition which is less stringent than the trigger condition may be established, a process of executing a free game at least once in the bonus game, and a process of increasing the payout rate of the free game in the bonus game when the re-trigger condition is established in the bonus game.
US09495841B2

A system providing a community award to player is disclosed. The system comprises a plurality of gaming machines and a system controller. Each gaming machine is configured receive a wager from a respective player and responsively initiate a game. The system controller is coupled to each of the gaming machines and includes a database with a community awards list including a plurality of total award probabilities, each total award probability associated with a corresponding number of players. The system controller is then configured to detect a triggering condition; responsively determine a number of players playing the plurality of gaming machines; determine a total award probability as a function of the determined number of players and the community award list; and provide a community award to at least one of the plurality of players as a function of the determined total award probability.
US09495836B2

Secondary gaming functionality is provided for a casino gaming machine (26) by a secondary controller (200) of the casino gaming machine. The secondary gaming functionality may function to provide a multi-game experience at the gaming machine or remotely at another gaming machine or other device, e.g., a smart phone (28), tablet, personal computer (32), and the like, via the casino gaming machine. The multi-game experience may comprise one or more secondary wager-based games in addition to the one or more primary wager-based game(s) provided by the primary gaming functionality of the gaming machine. The secondary controller functionality may cause the secondary wager-based game to be presented upon a single input player to the gaming machine which also initiates the primary game, whereby primary and secondary games are initiated seamlessly to the player via a single input.
US09495833B2

A gaming method is played on a gaming system having a processor. The processor executes code to: a) receive a ticket-in-ticket-out wager from the player input system, the ticket having a wagering value; b) dedicate the entire wagering value to a single gaming event on the electronic gaming system; c) the gaming system providing a random gaming event outcome identified by the processor; d) compare the random gaming event outcome and resolving the wager according to a high volatility paytable; and e) awarding any winning outcome from the resolution of the wager as a ticket without providing a credit on the gaming machine that is available for future wagering on the gaming machine.
US09495826B2

A gaming system displays a plurality of spaced-apart selections each associated with a masked award. One or more selectors are each associated with one or more players, and are visible to each player. The selectors are moveable amongst the spaced-apart selections based on a plurality of player inputs. For a play of the game, the players provide inputs to move the selectors amongst the spaced-apart selections. During such movement, the gaming system temporarily reveals the award associated with any spaced-apart selection in the vicinity of any selector to at least one player, such as the player whose selector is near the selection. After the play of the game has ended (e.g., based on an amount of elapsed time), the gaming system provides awards to the players based on the ending positions of the one or more selectors with respect to the plurality of spaced-apart selections.
US09495822B2

Various systems and methods are provided for facilitating powered communications over legacy cabling. This can be implemented in a fuel dispensing environment where the fuel dispenser can include a diode coupler communicatively coupled to the legacy cabling for receiving powered communications from one or more backroom components over the legacy cabling during a power outage, and a broadband communications modem for communicating with the one or more backroom components, wherein the diode coupler provides power from the powered communications to the broadband communications modem. Relays can be used at the fuel dispenser and/or backroom components to determine whether to use the powered communications or legacy communications based on whether power is available at the components communicating over the legacy cabling. In addition, failsafe protection of legacy communication circuits is provided when powered communications are active.
US09495821B2

A device (10) for handling notes of value has a box receiving area (14) for receiving cash boxes (18) and a first transport unit (22) for transporting of notes of value between the cash boxes (18) and a head module (12). A first switch (50) is provided at a head module side-end of the first transport unit (22). Further, the device (10) has a stacking unit (26), an input and/or output compartment (28) and a reject and retract container (30). In addition, a second transport unit (24) for transporting notes of value between the stacking unit (26), the input and/or output compartment (28) and the reject and retract container (30) is provided. In a first switch position, the first switch (50) guides a note of value removed from the box receiving area (14) to the stacking unit (26) and in a second switch position to the second transport unit (24).
US09495812B2

A system is provided for calibration of vehicle electronic modules. The system includes: a vehicle and a computing device separate from the vehicle. The vehicle includes: a vehicle communications interface, configured to facilitate communications with a computing device without utilizing an Assembly Line Diagnostic Link (ALDL) or on-board diagnostic (OBD) port; and a plurality of electronic modules, the plurality of electronic modules being configurable via calibration data received via the vehicle communications interface. The computing device includes: a computing device communications interface, configured to facilitate communications with the plurality of electronic modules of the vehicle via the vehicle communications interface; a human machine interface (HMI), configured to receive input from a user and to display information; and a processor, configured to execute a calibration application, the calibration application being configured to utilize the HMI of the computing device to receive input from the user, and further being configured to generate calibration data corresponding to the user input for transmission to respective vehicle electronic modules.
US09495804B2

A system and method are disclosed in which in a conventional non-grounding man-machine interface having no reaction base on the human body and for giving the existence of a virtual object and the impact force of a collision to a person, a haptic sensation of a torque, a force and the like can be continuously presented in the same direction, which cannot be presented by only the physical characteristic of a haptic sensation presentation device. In a haptic presentation device, the rotation velocity of at least one rotator in the haptic presentation device is controlled by a control device, and a vibration, a force or a torque as the physical characteristic is controlled, so that the user is made to conceive various haptic information of the vibration, force, torque or the like.
US09495799B2

An image generation system includes a vertex split count setting section that performs a vertex split count setting process that sets a vertex split count m, a vertex split processing section that performs a vertex split process on a three-dimensional object OB in an object space using the vertex split count m, a vertex position calculation section that calculates an intersection position of a projection screen SC and a straight line that connects a vertex position of the three-dimensional object OB after the vertex split process and a position of a virtual camera VC, and calculates a vertex position of a drawing object corresponding to the three-dimensional object OB on a drawing buffer based on the calculated intersection position, and a drawing section that draws the drawing object on the drawing buffer based on the vertex position of the drawing object to generate a projection image.
US09495798B2

A finite-element model modeling a geometrical entity, is created by means of a computer in the following way At least one property data and at least a positioning identifier are acquired by means of an interface of the computer in order to store these in a memory of the computer. The positioning identifier allows identifying a position of the property data on the geometrical entity. A correspondence is established between the positioning identifier and at least an element of the finite-element model. Preferably, the property data is linked with the element of the finite-element model for which a correspondence with the positioning identifier of the property data was established.
US09495797B2

A method and system may include a hardware texture unit having logic to receive parameters of a view ray for a pixel of a graphical scene, and determine an illumination of the view ray. The illumination, which could indicate an in-scatter illumination percentage for the view ray, may be passed to a software module such as a pixel shader for rendering of the pixel.
US09495795B2

The image recording device includes: an image information obtaining unit obtaining a first image of the object viewed from a first viewpoint, a second image of the object viewed from a second viewpoint, and viewpoint positions each for one of the viewpoints; a depth information generating unit generating depth information items each indicating a depth of the object included in the first and second images; an image generating unit generating a third image and a viewpoint position of the third image, using the depth information items, the first image, and the second image, the third image being of the object viewed from a third viewpoint different from the first and second viewpoints; and a recording unit recording on the image file the first, second and third images in association with the viewpoint positions each for one of the first, second, and third images.
US09495793B2

There is described a method for generating an image view from at least one input image for a 3D display using a backward processing enabling post processing for handling holes in the image view.
US09495789B2

There is provided an information processing apparatus including a display controlling unit configured to, at a time of displaying content on a screen, set one axis in a three-dimensional space as a time axis, arrange pieces of content along one or more of the time axes, cause the time axis to be rotatable in a foreground direction and a background direction of the screen with one axis substantially orthogonal to the time axis regarded as a center, and, in a case where the time axis is inclined by a predetermined angle or more toward a foreground, change a display state of content after a predetermined reference time among the pieces of content arranged along the time axis.
US09495784B2

Methods and apparatus are provided for generating a content of a display apparatus. A user touch is received. An area corresponding to the received user touch is detected. A object is inserted and displayed into the detected area.
US09495781B2

A technique for early sample evaluation during coarse rasterization of primitives reduces the number of pixel tiles that are processed during fine rasterization of the primitive. A primitive bounding box determines when a primitive is small and may not actually cover any samples within at least one fine raster tile. Early sample evaluation is performed for the small primitive during coarse rasterization and the small primitive is discarded when no samples are actually covered by the small primitive. When the small primitive lies on a boundary between at least two fine raster tiles, early sample evaluation is performed during coarse rasterization to correctly identify which, if any, of the at least two fine raster tiles includes samples that are actually covered by the small primitive.
US09495778B2

According to one embodiment, an information presenting apparatus receives each observed value from sensors, and maintains a track of each target by updating the track based on an observed value having a correlation with the track. A likelihood ratio for a tentative track, which has not yet been determined to be a track of a target, is computed and compared with an upper limit threshold. When the likelihood ratio is greater than or equal to the upper limit threshold, the tentative track is determined to be a track of a target. When the likelihood ratio is greater than or equal to a monitor threshold which is lower than the upper limit threshold, the tentative track is determined to be a monitor track. The information of the track and the monitor track are presented.
US09495776B2

In a computing apparatus, a computing unit performs statistical analysis on data including the values of a plurality of input variables and the values of a plurality of output variables optimized by adjusting the values of the plurality of input variables, thereby generating the values of intermediate variables that indicate relative positional relationship among the values of each of the plurality of input variables and the plurality of output variables. The creation unit creates scatter diagrams representing the tendency of magnitude relationship among values of a variable, by using the generated values of the intermediate variables, for the respective input variables and output variables. The display unit displays the created scatter diagrams.
US09495772B2

CT imaging systems and methods thereof are disclosed. A common CT scanning is performed on an object to obtain a common CT imaging. An area of interest is determined from the image. A CT scanning is performed on the area of interest under a plurality of energy windows by a photon counter detector. A high resolution image of the area of interest is reconstructed. The discrimination of energy spectrum is higher and the result so obtained is more stable by using a photon counter detector to collect photon count projection data of a plurality of energy windows and thus it may be decomposed into a plurality of basis functions.
US09495771B2

Systems and methods for compensating motion artifacts in positron emission tomography (“PET”) imaging based on medical images acquired with a medical imaging system are provided. In some embodiments, the method includes acquiring PET data from a subject with a PET system during which at least a portion of the subject is undergoing motion, and providing medical images acquired from the subject using a medical imaging system, the medical images including regions depicting motion. The method also includes estimating, from the medical images, motion information associated with the motion of the at least a portion of the subject, and reconstructing a motion-corrected PET image using the PET data using a reconstruction algorithm that incorporates the motion information into a system matrix.
US09495755B2

There is provided methods, apparatuses and computer program products for image segmentation in which pixel data of an image and information of a first set of pixels of the image indicative of pixels belonging to a foreground of the image are obtained. A color model of the image is estimated. To obtain a geodesic distance map at least one geodesic distance from a pixel of the first set of pixel to another pixel of the image which is not in the first set of pixels is determined. An energy function is optimized on the basis of the geodesic distance map to obtain a segmentation of the image.
US09495753B2

A spectral image data processing apparatus which conducts multivariate analysis on spectral image data of a sample, including: a region setting unit configured to set a region of interest for performing multivariate analysis in a sample in which a difference needs to be distinguished, the region of interest being set in accordance with spectral image data of the sample; and an analysis unit configured to perform the multivariate analysis with spectral image data inside the region of interest and spectral image data of region of non-interest which is a region other than the region of interest being distinguished from each other.
US09495750B2

To perform robust position and orientation measurement even in a situation where noise exist, an image including a target object is obtained, an approximate position and orientation of the target object included in the obtained image are obtained, information related to a shadow region of the target object in the obtained image is estimated, the approximate position and orientation are corrected on the basis of the estimated information related to the shadow region, and a position and orientation of the target object in the image are derived on the basis of the corrected approximate position and orientation and held model information.
US09495747B2

A method for registering an image using a similarity criterion based on mutual information. The image to be registered is compared with a plurality of reference representations of an object, each reference representation being of a plurality of homogeneous zones. The mutual information between the image to be registered and each reference representation is calculated, on the set of homogeneous zones. The registration is given by the reference representation corresponding to the highest mutual information. The method can be advantageously applied to an aircraft aided navigation by registering images obtained by a synthetic aperture radar.
US09495739B2

A system and method for validating GPU rendered display data by comparing, across substantially all of the pixel locations in a frame, the GPU rendered display data to display data rendered by another processor. In this way, by checking substantially all of the pixel locations in a frame, errors in the display image data can be detected without prior knowledge of the format, layout, etc. of the display data. The system and method are capable of operating without receiving input from a user or producing output to a user, and without receiving input from other applications or producing output to other applications.
US09495732B2

An image is sharpened by using a frequency component higher than Nyquist frequency.An image enhancing device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention for generating an output image by sharpening an input image, includes: a filter unit 10 configured to generate a first signal by eliminating at least a direct current component of a frequency component included in an input image signal representing the input image; a nonlinear processing unit 20 configured to generate a second signal by carrying out, to the first signal, nonlinear processing asymmetric between a positive area and a negative area of the first signal; a limiter 30 configured to generate a third signal by adjusting the second signal; and an adder 50 configured to generate an output image signal representing the output image by adding the third signal to the input image signal.
US09495731B2

A method for attenuating banding in image data may involve receiving a stream of input pixels. The method may then include applying a bi-lateral filter to a first portion of the stream of input pixels to generate a first filtered output and applying a high pass filter to a second portion of the stream of input pixels to generate a second filtered output. The method may then determine a local activity and a local intensity associated with the first portion of the stream. The method may then include blending the first filtered output with the first portion of the stream of input pixels based at least in part on the local activity and the local intensity to generate a third filtered output. Afterward, the method may combine the third filtered output with the second filtered output to generate a fourth filtered output that may be output as the image data.
US09495727B2

Methods for video display using a computing system. The computing system includes a main computing module and an ancillary computing module. The main computing module may transmit a synchronization control information block to the ancillary computing module. The synchronization control information block includes a frame number of a current frame and the reference time associated with the main computing module. The ancillary computing module receives the synchronization control information block and selects a frame pack having the same frame number contained in the synchronization control information block as the current frame. The ancillary computing module may obtain the reference time of the current frame based on a local time of the ancillary computing module. The main computing module and the ancillary computing module may decode one or more parts of the frame, respectively. Further, the decoded parts of the frame may be combined and displayed.
US09495726B1

A system and method for morphing a design element which precisely and efficiently morphs a design element within a data file to new target parameters by changing its general proportions, dimensions or shape. The present invention is generally a computer software program which loads an existing data file which includes one or more design elements, such as parts or an assembly of parts, and then automatically morphs the design element's dimensions, proportions and/or shapes to meet target parameters input by a user. The present invention will create several groups of points corresponding to each surface and associated bounding curves of the existing design. It will then morph each group into a new shape as per the input requirements by the user, fit the morphed group into an infinite surface, create boundary curves for each morphed group and then trim the infinite surface to create the new, morphed design element.
US09495708B2

The field of the invention relates to systems and methods for facilitating investments through interactive online gaming. In one embodiment, an interactive electronic gaming system includes a game server for hosting a Web application game, accessible over a data network. One or more client communication devices are configured to access the game server. An index fund server is accessible over said data network for maintaining electronic investment portfolios. The game server is configured to intercept any electronic payment transactions over a payment gateway server through the Web application game from one or more client devices and redirect the intercepted transaction to the index fund server.
US09495707B2

Systems and methods are provided to generate and exchange pricing information by a pricing engine. According to one embodiment, a pricing graph having a plurality of inter-dependent nodes is constructed. The pricing graph includes at least one input pricing information node and output pricing information node. In addition, at least one node provides information that effects information received by that node. A frame is established with at least one input pricing information slot and output pricing information slot. The pricing graph is then executed via a pricing engine in substantially real time. As a result, a value in the input pricing information slot is provided to the input pricing information node and a value for the output pricing information slot is received from the output pricing information node.
US09495702B2

A method, system, and computer program product for updating an auction monitor display with highlighting or emphasis in the form of graphic data change indicators. The method commences by capturing a first set of auction variables, the auction variables pertaining to an ecommerce auction involving a plurality of auction participants in the ecommerce auction. Then, for ongoing real-time display, the method introduces a delay of a variable duration of time, the variable duration of time based on the length of time before the end of the auction. At various points within each delay period, the method captures a second set of auction variables which are compared to the first set of auction variables to identify a candidate set of changed auction variables for emphasis. The determination of the manner of emphasis is based on the changed auction variable and characteristics of the type of change of the changed auction variable.
US09495698B2

Systems, methods and computer program products for facilitating searching, obtaining and displaying product choice recommendations using inputs, including continuum-based inputs, and variable-sized visual representations are disclosed. In an embodiment, a user is presented with at least one continuum-based selector and at least one product choice visual representation. At least one input indicating user interest value in a product attribute is received and compared with stored result values of product choices. A unique weighing value indicating the relevancy of the product choice is generated for each product based on the comparison performed. The user is then presented with at least one product choice visual representation which may be modified based on the unique weighing value of the product choice.
US09495696B2

Systems and methods are disclosed for processing transactions and associated dated. In one exemplary implementation, there is provided a method for processing information associated with transactions involving a product, wherein the product may comprise an experience, a physical product, and/or a digital product. Moreover, illustrative methods may include performing processing associated with a plurality of subroutines, such as a first subroutine for handling an experience, a second subroutine for handling a physical and/or a digital product, and/or one more additional subroutines associated with fulfillment.
US09495695B2

Reconciling detailed transaction feedback by detecting a rating of a transaction, where the rating indicates a negative experience, mining the sentiment of words in feedback text that is included with or as part of the rating to detect whether the words indicate positive sentiment or negative sentiment, responsive to determining that the words in the feedback text indicate that the feedback text connotes a positive sentiment, adjusting the rating of the transaction. The mining may include testing words in the feedback text to detect whether the words indicate positive sentiment or negative sentiment by calculating a sentiment score.
US09495683B2

A method and system for managing a media advertising enterprise including process and workflow capabilities for enterprise data matching. An EDM (Enterprise Data Management) module can be configured to include a set of rules at an enterprise level to manage disparate and disconnected records associated with an entity. A number of unmatched and enterprise entities that matches with respect to an active entity can be returned based on a fuzzy logic. A matching process can then be performed to accurately match the active entity and the unmatched entities with respect to a parent enterprise entity. The unmatched entity can be put on hold if additional information is required for performing a right match after assigning the parent enterprise entity. A note can also be added in order to place the unmatched entity on hold. Such an optimization mechanism can interactively manage and report records at the enterprise level in a simple and efficient manner.
US09495674B2

In a system and method for enabling secure monetary transactions with an unpowered and/or underpowered user device, embodiments include a payment device including a battery, a display, and a processor. The processor is configured to generate an optical machine-readable representation of data, the data including an identifier for a payment account, and display the optical machine-readable representation of data on the display in response to a charge level of the battery.
US09495663B2

In one implementation, proximity of a possible meeting participant is used to initiate joining the meeting. A host device or other device detects the presence of a possible meeting participant in a room, conference center, or other region. In response, an invite is sent for joining the meeting. The proximity based invitation may remove the requirement of the possible participant from having to find a previous message with the meeting invitation for joining and/or the requirement of the host to manually invite the possible participant. From the perspective of the possible participant, merely being in the proximity of the meeting may be enough to initiate joining, to receive an invite, and/or to join a meeting.
US09495652B1

Discrete Business Activity Management is a method whereby continuous streams of data formatted in one or more taxonomies, originating from two or more networked entity domain nodes within a Grid Framework or equivalent, are extracted at two or more independent times and synchronized to an assigned time index, then translated into each other's taxonomy or harmonized, securely filtered and, routed thereby creating a universal or federated view of business activity over time, which may be viewed in the context of any single domain. An apparatus which performs DBAM consists of processing, storage and network hardware and software, along with software which integrates the function of the DBAM within a Grid Framework or equivalent. The apparatus is further configured as a service for sale to subscribers through the addition of administrative software architecture to manage subscriber access, proprietary information, data element integrity and quality of service in connection with distributed applications.
US09495649B2

Methods and systems for evaluating compatibility of a cloud of computers to perform one or more workload tasks. One or more computing solution aspects are determined that corresponding to one or more sets of workload factors, where the workload factors characterize one or more workloads, to characterize one or more computing solutions. The workload factors are compared to the computing solution aspects in a rule-based system to exclude computing solutions that cannot satisfy the workload factors. A computing solution is selected that has aspects that accommodate all of the workload factors to find a solution that accommodates the one or more individual workloads.
US09495648B1

A mechanism is provided in a data processing system comprising at least one processor and a memory comprising instructions which, when executed by the at least one processor, causes the at least one processor to train a similar passage cognitive system. The mechanism receives a question and answer key for a question answering cognitive system, the question and answer key comprising a list of question and answer specification pairs. Each question is a text string and each answer specification references one or more text passages from a corpus of information. The mechanism uses the question and answer key to generate a similar passage map for the similar passage cognitive system, the similar passage map comprising a list of text relation pairs. Each text relation pair comprises a sample input text component and a list comprising one or more sample output text components. The mechanism trains a similar passage machine learning model of the similar passage cognitive system using the similar passage map.
US09495644B2

Techniques for improving the performance of a quantum processor are described. Some techniques employ improving the processor topology through design and fabrication, reducing intrinsic/control errors, reducing thermally-assisted errors and methods of encoding problems in the quantum processor for error correction.
US09495639B2

A classification application identifies patterns and evidences within representative documents. The application constructs a classification rule according to an entity and an affinity determined from the patterns and evidences. The application processes the representative documents with the classification rule to evaluate whether the rules meet acceptance requirements. Subsequent to a successful evaluation, the application identifies confidence levels for patterns and evidences within other documents.
US09495634B2

In one embodiment, the present invention provides a method comprising propagating a first set and a second set of axonal firing events through a symmetric core circuit in a first direction and a second direction, respectively. The symmetric core circuit comprises a first core module and a second core module, and each core module comprises an interconnection network for interconnecting multiple electronic neurons with multiple electronic axons. The method further comprises, for at least one neuron, receiving an axonal firing event via an interconnected axon, and, for at least one neuron, generating a neuronal firing event according to a neuronal activation function. Each core module of the symmetric core circuit has a corresponding adaptive lookup table, the corresponding adaptive lookup table used to determine target axons for neuronal firing events generated by neurons in the core module.
US09495629B2

A memory card and a communication method between a memory card and a host unit are disclosed. High throughput of data between the memory card and the host unit is guaranteed by providing a communication interface between the memory card and the host unit including a first communication interface between a memory unit of the memory card and a control unit of the memory card and a second communication interface between the control unit of the memory card and the host unit.
US09495621B1

A method for calibrating a printer is disclosed. The method includes receiving data corresponding to a Reference curve for the printer, receiving data corresponding to a Measurement curve representing a current response for the printer and generating a Target curve that follows the Reference curve and transitions to the Measured curve.
US09495619B2

Systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable media can identify a set of regions corresponding to a geographical area. A collection of training images can be acquired. Each training image in the collection can be associated with one or more respective recognized objects and with a respective region in the set of regions. Histogram metrics for a plurality of object categories within each region in the set of regions can be determined based at least in part on the collection of training images. A neural network can be developed based at least in part on the histogram metrics for the plurality of object categories within each region in the set of regions and on the collection of training images.
US09495611B2

An image processing apparatus for searching for corresponding points between a first image and a second image is provided. The image processing apparatus includes a window setting portion, a phase information extraction portion that extracts phase information by subjecting a representation included in each set window to frequency decomposition, a corresponding points determination portion that determines the corresponding points based on comparison of the phase information extracted from each window, and a window size control portion that causes the window setting portion to set a window different in size in accordance with a frequency used for calculation of the frequency decomposition. The window size control portion causes the window setting portion to set a window having a first size in response to a first frequency and to set a window having a second size smaller than the first size in response to a second frequency higher than the first frequency.
US09495607B2

During a description technique (100), a local descriptor for an object (300) is generated (122) by computing a 2-dimensional histogram (600) of pairs of angles (514, 516) between pairs of line segments (510, 512) that are aligned with edge pixels associated with the object (300). The pairs of line segments (510, 512) belong to a subset of k neighboring or proximate line segments (310). Moreover, this 2D histogram (600) may represent the relative displacement and the relative orientations of the pairs of line segments (510, 512) in the subset as weights in bins or cells defined by angular quantization values, and the 2D histogram (600 may exclude lengths of the line segments. Subsequently, the generated 2D histogram (600) may be compared (210) to predefined sets of descriptors in a model library that are associated with a set of objects, and the object may be identified (212) as one of the set of objects based on a group of match scores determined in the comparisons.
US09495606B2

A method for product recognition from multiple images includes producing a plurality of recognition results for a plurality of input images, stitching the plurality of input images into a single stitched image; merging the plurality of recognition results using information from stitching the plurality of input images to generate a merged recognition result; and outputting the merged recognition result. The disclosure also includes systems for implementing the method.
US09495603B2

A method and a device determine whether a vehicle can pass through a passage of an object, based on image data from a 3-D camera, which records an image of surroundings of the vehicle. A trajectory of the vehicle is ascertained. From the image data, it is determined whether an object located above the trajectory is recognized and whether the object has at least one connection to the ground. The dimensions and the shape of an entry area or a passage space between the object and the roadway, through which the vehicle is to pass, are determined from the image data. By comparing the dimensions and shape of the entry area or the passage space with the dimensions and shape of the vehicle, it is determined whether and how the vehicle can pass through the entry area or passage space.
US09495601B2

Disclosed are various embodiments for detecting and reporting improper activity, such a traffic violation. In one embodiment, a computing device receives multiple image frames from a client device. The computing device detects that a vehicle shown in at least one of the image frames is in violation of a rule. The computing device generates an evidence package based on at least one of the image frames. The computing device transmits the evidence to an evidence review device for review by an enforcement individual.
US09495599B2

Foreground feature data and motion feature data is determined for frames of video data acquired from a train track area region of interest. The frames are labeled as “train present” if the determined foreground feature data value meets a threshold value, else as “train absent; and as “motion present” if the motion feature data meets a motion threshold, else as “static.” The labels are used to classify segments of the video data comprising groups of consecutive video frames, namely as within a “no train present” segment for groups with “train absent” and “static” labels; within a “train present and in transition” segment for groups “train present” and “motion present” labels; and within a “train present and stopped” segment for groups with “train present” and “static” labels. The presence or motion state of a train at a time of inquiry is thereby determined from the respective segment classification.
US09495596B2

Embodiments include a computer-implemented method for identifying locations of infrastructure assets. The method including identifying a location of a first infrastructure asset and a location of a second infrastructure asset, identifying a region of interest extending at least partially between the locations of the first and second infrastructure assets, obtaining an aerial image of the region of interest, determining that the aerial image of the region of interest comprises a third infrastructure asset, determining a location of the third infrastructure asset based at least in part on the aerial image, and storing the location of the secondary infrastructure asset in an infrastructure asset datastore.
US09495595B2

A method for detecting a stream of electromagnetic pulses emitted, according to a predefined occurrence law, in a scene observed using a detection system comprising a matrix detector and a processing unit for processing signals comprising the electromagnetic pulses. The method includes the following steps: acquiring and transmitting the signals from the matrix detector to the processing unit, and for each pixel of the detector calculating a subtraction signal between two signals acquired during two consecutive time windows of the same length, calculating a signal for accumulating the subtraction signals spaced apart in time by an interval defined by the predefined occurrence law, and thresholding the accumulation signal, the pulse being detected if the accumulation signal is greater than a predetermined threshold for at least one pixel, and locating the pulse detected in the observed scene from the coordinates of the pixel including the detected pulse.
US09495579B2

A face detection apparatus detecting a face from an image including the face of a target person in a region imaged by an imaging unit, includes: a model fitting unit generating a first model of the face based on a first image from the imaging unit; a tracking unit fitting the first model to a second image from the imaging unit; a position detection unit detecting positions of face parts based on the second image; and a comparison unit determining whether or not a deviation occurs between the positions of the face parts in the first model fitted by the tracking unit and the positions of the face parts detected by the position detection unit. When the comparison unit determines that the deviation occurs, the model fitting unit generates a second model of the face based on the second image.
US09495578B2

A face detection device for detecting the face of a person in an input image may include the following elements: a face detection circuit including a hardware circuit configured to detect a face in an input image; a signal processing circuit configured to perform signal processing based on an input image signal in accordance with a rewritable program including a face detection program for detecting a face in an input image; and a controller configured to allow the face detection circuit and the signal processing circuit to perform face detection on an image of a frame or on respective images of adjacent frames among consecutive frames, and to control face detection by the signal processing circuit on the basis of a face detection result obtained by the face detection circuit.
US09495569B2

A system and method to detect an event associated with a first object relative to a second object and a support is provided. The system can include an antenna at a support to receive the first object, a tag reader in communication with the antenna and a tag located on the second object. In response to detecting a change in impedance of the antenna associated with the presence of the first object, the tag reader communicates a presence signal. In response to detecting the tag within a threshold proximity of the tag reader, the tag reader generates a tag signal. A remoter server is operable to detect an association of the first and second objects based on a comparison a time associated with each of the tag signal and the presence signal, and in response then creates an output indicative of a detected event based on the association for illustration.
US09495566B2

A method is provided for interaction of a portable data carrier with an end device. The data carrier comprises a transducer arrangement having at least one or a set of capacitive transducer elements which are arranged on or in the data carrier at defined positions in relation to the geometry of the data carrier, at least one contactless interface, and a dedicated energy supply. The end device comprises a capacitive display screen having a touch-sensitive display, wherein the data carrier generates via the capacitive transducer elements signals which, when the data carrier is placed onto the display screen, are picked up by the display screen of the end device and evaluated as input signals through the end device.
US09495561B2

A method, system, and computer program product are provided for utilizing target of opportunity to perform at least one special operation while a key session is opened with a key manager for another purpose. The method of recognizing a target of opportunity includes receiving a command to be performed on a removable storage medium and determining if the command requires interaction with the encryption key manager. If it is determined that the command requires interaction with the key manager the command is held off. A request is sent to the encryption key manager. A target of opportunity is recognized by determining if at least one special operation may be performed. If it is determined that at least one special operation may be performed then the at least one special operation and the request are performed.
US09495560B2

A domain manager system as disclosed herein can control the selective activation of multiple independently-operable execution environments or domains on a computing device in accordance with one or more policies. In some embodiments, activation of a domain may at least temporarily transform a general purpose computing device into a specific purpose computing device or “appliance” by disabling use of one or more shared system resources by other domains.
US09495553B2

An improved method and system for providing path-level access control to a structured document in a collection stored in a database, where the structured document includes a plurality of nodes is disclosed. The method includes the steps of providing an access control policy for the collection, where the access control policy comprises a plurality of access control rules, generating a path for each node of the plurality of nodes in the document, and generating for each path associated with a node a corresponding value expression based on at least one access control rule of the plurality of access control rules. According to the method and system of the present invention, the corresponding value expression is utilized during access control evaluation to determine whether a user is allowed to access a node in the structured document.
US09495550B2

A system for securely sharing data and conducting transactions in an electronic environment. The system may include a personal information device having a processor, memory and biometric sensor. Personal data is stored in the memory of the personal information device. The personal information device may be registered with a centralized system. Data stored on the personal information device may be uploaded to an access device upon verification of a user's identity using a biometric recognition technique.
US09495549B2

A replaceable printer component includes a first memory device and a communication link. The first memory device is configured to store a first secret. The communication link is configured to communicatively link the first memory device to a printer controller when the replaceable printer component is installed in a printing system. The printing system comprises a second memory device storing a second secret. The second memory device is communicatively linked to the printer controller. The printer controller is configured to determine an authenticity of the replaceable printer component based on the first secret and the second secret.
US09495542B2

A method for software inspection analyzes a body of computer code to assess whether the body of computer code contains malware. Various embodiments extract the executable elements of the body of computer code and modify those elements using rules defining the format of instructions for the programming language in which the computer code was written, and using rules defined from the security specification of that programming language, to produce a model of the body of computer code. The method then analyzes the model using a model checking system, which determines whether any of the language rules have been violated, in which case the method flags the computer code as potentially including malware.
US09495540B2

A method and device for monitoring calls to an application program interface (API) function includes monitoring for a memory permission violation of a computing device caused by the API function call. If a memory permission violation occurs, control of the computing device is transferred to a virtual machine monitor to intervene prior to execution of the API function. The virtual machine monitor may perform one or more actions in response to the API function call.
US09495538B2

Security software on a client observes a request for a resource from an application on the client and then determines the application's reputation. The application's reputation may be measured by a reputation score obtained from a remote reputation server. The security software determines an access policy from a graduated set of possible access policies for the application based on the application's reputation. The security software applies the access policy to the application's request for the resource. In this way, the reputation-based system uses a graduated trust scale and a policy enforcement mechanism that restricts or grants application functionality for resource interactivity along a graduated scale.
US09495534B2

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a method and technique for OCR-based single sign-on in a computing environment is disclosed. The method includes: responsive to launching of an application login interface, capturing an image of the login interface; determining a location of a cursor on the login interface from the image; determining whether the location of the cursor corresponds to a credential input field of the login interface; and responsive to determining that the location of the cursor corresponds to the credential input field of the login interface, automatically sending a keystroke to the login interface to insert at least one character to the login interface.
US09495526B2

This disclosure is directed to methods and systems for managing difficulty of use and security for a transaction. A transaction manager operating on a computing device may determining a range of possible steps for a transaction comprising security measures available for the transaction. The transaction manager may identify a threshold for a security metric to be exceeded for authorizing the transaction, the security metric to be determined based on performance of steps selected for the transaction. The transaction manager may select for the transaction at least one step from the range of possible steps, based on optimizing between (i) a difficulty of use quotient of the transaction from subjecting a user to the at least one step, and (ii) the security metric relative to the determined threshold.
US09495524B2

The master secure element comprises a processor, a memory and a logic unit and at least controls the user input of the handset in order to secure the user authentication based on PIN entry. The PIN code is entered directly into the secure element with no possibility for the host processor to intercept the code or for a malware program to inject the code into the master secure element.
US09495523B2

A projector can be connected in cascade to another projector. Either a first mode for the projector to operate as a leading projector in the cascade connection or a second mode for the projector to operate as a second or subsequent projector in the cascade connection is set. The projector is made available for use based on success of authentication by an authentication unit or on reception of use permission information of the projector by a receiving unit.
US09495508B2

Apparatus useful for feeding a particulate starter material comprising nutrient and bacteria to a mixing tank, for solubilizing the starter material inside the mixing tank, for promoting growth of the bacteria and for discharging an aqueous slurry comprising the bacteria from the mixing tank. The apparatus preferably has a gravity-flow feeder and discharge port, does not require a pump, and comprises disposable parts.
US09495507B2

Provided is a method of transforming an integrated circuit (IC) pattern into one or more patterns suitable for subsequent processing, such as mask fabrication. The method includes receiving an IC pattern that has an arbitrary shape, and using a computer, deriving an approximation IC pattern that is a user-defined fabrication-friendly shape, such as a rectangle or an ellipse. The method further includes calculating a pattern approximation error between the IC pattern and the approximation IC pattern. The method further includes checking whether the pattern approximation error is less than a user-defined threshold. If it is, the method further includes replacing the IC pattern with the approximation IC pattern for subsequent fabrication. Otherwise, the method further includes splitting the IC pattern into subparts, and recursively transforming each of the subparts.
US09495501B1

The disclosed herein relates to method for persistence during placement optimization of an integrated circuit design. The method comprises performing cluster operation by grouping of a plurality of cells into a plurality of mobs. The method further comprises performing a spreading operation by moving the plurality of mobs and the plurality of cells simultaneously to optimize empty space of the integrated circuit design.
US09495500B2

A method of making a stacked chip layout includes placing a first active circuit block over a central processing chip having a first area, the first active circuit block having a second area less than the first area. The method further includes placing a second active circuit block over the first active circuit block, the second active circuit block having a third area less than the first area, wherein the second active circuit block partially overlaps the first active circuit block and exposes a portion of the first active circuit block. The method further includes placing a third active circuit block over the second active circuit block wherein the third active circuit block partially overlaps at least one of the first active circuit block or the second active circuit block, and the third active circuit block exposes at least a portion of the first and second active circuit blocks.
US09495497B1

A method, system, and computer program product to perform dynamic voltage frequency scaling of an integrated circuit include performing statistical timing analysis using a canonical form of a clock, the canonical form of the clock being a function of variability in voltage. Obtaining a canonical model expressing timing slack at each test location of the integrated circuit is as a function of one or more sources of variability, one of the one or more sources of variability being voltage, and performing the dynamic voltage-frequency scaling based on selecting at least one of a clock period and the voltage using the canonical model.
US09495496B2

A method of non-invasive insertion of logic functions into a register-transfer level (RTL) design, including: selecting a logic function to insert into a RTL design; identifying each hierarchical level executing at least a portion of the logic function; identifying a highest hierarchical level amongst hierarchical levels having each hierarchical level executing at least a portion of the logic function; and inserting all connections necessary to execute the logic function into a hardware description representation of the highest hierarchical level, without modifying a hardware description representation of any other hierarchical levels.
US09495490B2

A method detects active power dissipation in an integrated circuit. The method includes receiving a hardware design for the integrated circuit having one or more clock domains, wherein the hardware design comprises a local clock buffer for a clock domain, wherein the local clock buffer is configured to receive a clock signal and an actuation signal. The method includes adding instrumentation logic to the design for the clock domain, wherein the instrumentation logic is configured to compare a first value of the actuation signal determined at a beginning point of a test period to a second value of the actuation signal determined at a time when the clock domain is in an idle condition. The method includes detecting the clock domain includes unintended active power dissipation, in response to the first value of the actuation signal not being equal to the second value of the actuation signal.
US09495489B2

A device simulation system performs a set of tests by applying, for each test in the set, a corresponding test stimulus to a simulation of the electronic device. In response to each test stimulus, the simulation generates corresponding output information which the device simulation system compares to a specified expected outcome to identify a test result for that test stimulus. In addition, for each test stimulus, the device simulation system generates test coverage information indicating the particular configuration of the simulated electronic device that resulted from the stimulus. The device simulation system correlates the coverage information with the test results to identify correlation rules that indicate potential relationships between test results and configurations of the simulated device.
US09495480B2

A graphical user interface for searching information related to business objects includes a search interface having one or more user input fields for receiving data from a user related to one or more attributes associated with business objects. The search interface presents the one or more user input fields in response to a user context. A first tab displays information related to a set of business objects in response to a search based on the data provided to the one or more user input fields. A second tab displays information related to a business object in the set of business objects.
US09495478B2

A directed acyclic graph (DAG) is generated to represent a namespace of a directory. In response to a request to create a new object with a specified name, a hash value bit sequence is computed for the name. A plurality of levels of the DAG are navigated using successive subsequences of the bit sequence to identify a candidate node for storing a new entry corresponding to the specified name. If the candidate node meets a split criterion, the new entry and at least a selected subset of entries of the candidate node's list of entries are distributed among a plurality of DAG nodes, including at least one new DAG node, using respective bit sequences obtained by applying the hash function for each distributed entry.
US09495475B2

Representing an XML Schema Definition and Data within a Relational Database Management System using a Reusable Custom-Defined Nestable Compound Data Type. These Data Types provide a natural representation and storage of an XML schema definition and the corresponding XML data. Data Types are created in a RDBMS to store the hierarchical data of a XML data file. Hierarchical data may be imported into a RDBMS by populating the Data Type Fields with the values of data held in the XML data file. The data contained in the RDBMS may also be published to an XML data file.
US09495472B1

Presently described are systems and methods for newsroom management with electronic-publish-point integration. One example embodiment takes the form of a non-transitory computer-readable medium containing instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause a set of steps to be carried out for submitting content to an electronic publish point. The set of steps includes providing a newsroom script to a user via a user interface; receiving a selected portion of an on-air text portion of the newsroom script from the user via the user interface; and retrieving, from a media database, media associated with the newsroom script. The set of steps further includes submitting content to the publish point, wherein the content includes text associated with the selected portion of the on-air text portion, and wherein the content further includes the retrieved media.
US09495470B2

This document describes techniques and apparatuses enabling bookmarking for electronic books. The techniques and apparatuses enable a user of an electronic book to bookmark pages of the electronic book and navigate based on these bookmarks as well as bookmarks made by other users.
US09495469B2

A method and a system to identify machine-readable codes using a web crawler are provided. Machine-readable codes include, but are not limited to, Universal Product Codes (UPC), quick response (QR) codes, stock-keeping units (SKUs) and international standard book number (ISBN) codes. A web crawler downloads pages from the World Wide Web. A determination module accesses the downloaded pages and identifies a machine-readable code corresponding to a product description included in the downloaded pages. The machine-readable code is included in a downloaded page of the downloaded pages. The determination module further extracts the product description from the downloaded page. A code database stores a record of the machine-readable code and the product description.
US09495468B2

The current document is directed to methods and systems that aggregate data from multiple sources and that organize and efficiently present data obtained from the data sources to a user on a user, or client, device. In certain implementations, a client-side application communicates with one or more servers of a cloud-based data-aggregation system. A multi-rotor-data-carousel-based graphical user interface accommodates data items continuously received from the data-aggregation system and efficiently displays portions of the data items to the user.
US09495467B2

Systems and methods are provided related to a news-editing environment that may facilitate expedited editing, creation, and dispatching of news headlines. Articles are acquired from a plurality of information sources, preprocessed, and then queued for creation of a headline by one or more editors. Metadata may also be associated with an article, a headline, or both. Once a headline has been composed, the editor dispatches it, and the headline may subsequently be send to one or more consumers.
US09495447B1

Technology is described for generating music playlists tailored to a geographical region. Collective music listening habits may be identified for a geographical region. The collective music listening habits for the geographical region may be categorized into one or more categories of music. Geographical station programming may be generated according to at least one of the categories of music. The geographical station programming may include a music playlist that corresponds to the collective music listening habits for the geographical region.
US09495446B2

The present invention relates to summarizing cross-network user behavioral data. The summarizing cross-network user behavioral data may particularly include publishing the data to one or more data structures that become accessible to a server hosting an authorized domain when a user accesses the authorized domain.
US09495444B2

A method including receiving a search query containing one or more query terms from a remote device and determining one or more query parses based on the search query and a knowledge base. Each query parse indicates one or more entity types, wherein each entity type corresponds to a query term or a combination of query terms contained in the search query. The method further includes obtaining a set of app-specific rules, each app-specific rule respectively corresponding to a respective software application. The method further includes generating a set of unparameterized function identifiers based on the plurality of app-specific rules and the one or more query parses. For each of the set of unparameterized function identifiers, the method includes parameterizing the function identifier based on the query terms. The method further includes generating search results based on the parameterized function identifiers and transmitting the search results to the remote device.
US09495439B2

In one embodiment, a method includes receiving digital media content files. The digital media content has at least one property associated with it. Topically related segments are determined from received content in accordance with one or more property. Topic clusters are generated based on similarities between segments. Topic clusters are compared and clustered from multiple files of the plurality into cluster groups in accordance with a comparison. Cluster groups are associatively stored in a data storage. A search for topic clusters relevant to a particular need is made, and a series of related segments associated with the search are generated for serial display.
US09495438B2

Disclosed herein are an information processing apparatus and method, a program, and a recording medium, in which a content is recommended to each user on the basis of even the metadata that is assigned with no classification. A metadata analysis block resolves metadata acquired by a metadata acquisition block into components. A dictionary data generation block generates dictionary data in which genre is correlated with keyword and each component. An associated-information database generation block references the dictionary data to assign genre to the metadata which are assigned with no genre, thereby generating an associated-information database of content. An associated-information search block references the dictionary data to identify a genre from a keyword of interest data to search for associated information, thereby recommending content to the user. The present invention is applicable to personal computers or HDD recorders.
US09495437B1

In one embodiment, a method includes defining a slice of a dimensional database. The slice includes at least one dimension and at least one measurement and is expressable as a table. The method further includes building, in a structured query language (SQL) dialect, a single query that queries the slice and one or more non-dimensional databases. The SQL dialect represents the at least one dimension, the at least one measurement, and data attributes of the one or more non-dimensional databases. In addition, the method includes parsing the single query. The parsing includes generating a dimensional query for the dimensional database and a non-dimensional query for each of the one or more non-dimensional databases. Furthermore, the method includes executing the dimensional query on the dimensional database. Moreover, the method includes, for each non-dimensional database of the one or more non-dimensional databases, executing the non-dimensional query on the non-dimensional database.
US09495435B2

Systems and methods are provided for backing up database storage. A protection policy for database storage is activated at a remote host, wherein the database storage is not physically accessible by the computing device, such that the out-of-band storage is not in communication with the remote host through the computing device. A backup request is transmitted to the remote host comprising data indicative of a volume on the database storage to back up according to the protection policy. A response to the backup request is received comprising staging disk requirements including a required size for a staging disk. A staging disk is determined based on the response. The staging disk is presented to the remote host so that the remote host can perform a backup of the volume to the staging disk using a database backup tool provided by a vendor of the database storage.
US09495424B1

Character identity recognition is applied to identify text strings corresponding to character identities in a written work. The textual strings are grouped according to character identity and, from each group, a primary name is selected. A significance value may be calculated for each of the character identities. The character identities including the primary names are presented in a catalog based on the calculated significance values.
US09495421B1

A data processing method capable of providing improved bidirectional data portability includes receiving, at a first device, a request from a client computer to export data records related to the client computer, wherein the data records have been created under control of a first instance of an application program, where at least a portion of the data records have a first creation timestamp, identifying the data records, generating a package for export of the data records by formatting the data records into an intermediate format, by a second device, opening the package and providing the data to a second instance of an application program on the second device, where a portion of the data records have a second creation timestamp that is later than the first creation timestamp, creating the data records, and setting, for each data record of the portion, the second creation timestamp to the first creation timestamp.
US09495420B2

A distributed feature collection and correlation engine is provided, Feature extraction comprises obtaining one or more data records; extracting information from the one or more data records based on domain knowledge; transforming the extracted information into a key/value pair comprised of a key K and a value V, wherein the key comprises a feature identifier; and storing the key/value pair in a feature store database if the key/value pair does not already exist in the feature store database using a de-duplication mechanism. Features extracted from data records can be queried by obtaining a feature store database comprised of the extracted features stored as a key/value pair comprised of a key K and a value V, wherein the key comprises a feature identifier; receiving a query comprised of at least one query key; retrieving values from the feature store database that match the query key; and returning one or more retrieved key/value pairs.
US09495419B1

Optimization of a multi-index database access at runtime. A processor receives a query. A processor determines a plan and an RID results threshold for the plan, wherein the plan includes an access to the index. A processor determines a static risk threshold, a static risk for the access, and whether the static risk exceeds the static risk threshold. Responsive to the static risk exceeding the static risk threshold, a processor determines a risk bound for the access, and links the access to the risk bound. A processor accesses the index with the key. Responsive to the access being linked to a risk bound, a processor determines a dynamic risk for the access. A processor receives one or more RID results during the execution of the plan. A processor aborts the execution of the plan if a quantity of the RID results is less than the RID results threshold.
US09495415B2

A system and method for searching for content in a user device includes a receiver receiving a plurality of data objects. The user device includes a search module comprising a parsing module parsing search data from the plurality of data objects and a memory interface module storing search data within a memory of the user device. The search module comprises a search performance module searching the search data in response to a search query. The search module comprises a search results module generating search results from the search data. The user device is associated with a display that displays the search results.
US09495411B2

A system selectively dequeues journal requests instead of dequeuing on a first come, first served basis. A database system detects that a request for access from a client is a journal batch, which includes multiple journal requests. The system queues the journal batch in a queue with other journal batches for processing. The system selectively dequeues journal requests from the journal batch queue, including selecting at least one journal request from multiple different journal batches. Thus, the journal requests do not conflict for shared resources, and the system can improve parallelism in processing the journal batches.
US09495410B1

In an approach for creating a file, a computer receives a selection on a selection of content within application software on a first computing device to transfer to a clipboard. The computer appends metadata of the received selection with metadata indicating application software and file association information that corresponds to the selected content. The computer receives an indication to paste the selected content from the clipboard to a second computing device. The computer determines whether compatible application software on the second computing device is capable of accepting the selected content included in the received indication to paste. The computer responsive to determining that compatible application software on the second computing device is not capable of accepting the selected content included in the received indication to paste, creates a file that includes the selected content included in the received indication to paste and appended metadata.
US09495408B2

A plurality of catalogs are maintained, and wherein each catalog of the plurality of catalogs includes data sets and attributes of the data sets. An indication that a new data set is to be defined is received. A selected catalog is determined from the plurality of catalogs, wherein the selected catalog is suitable for including the new data set and attributes of the new data set. An entry that indicates a data set name corresponding to the new data set and an index to the selected catalog is inserted in a group table.
US09495394B2

A method and apparatus are described for sharing a session to access a database. A database server receives, in a session, a session context identifier and a command. The session context identifier identifies a session context to use for the session. The session context is a set of information or commands that plug into a session state and specify how commands in the session are to be performed for a particular user or privilege level. In response to receiving the identifier, the database server associates the session context with the database session for the connection. The database server uses the session context to process the command. The session context may then be detached from the session, allowing another user to attach to the session via another session context.
US09495392B2

Systems and methods are provided for providing parallel muxing between servers in a cluster. One such system can include a cluster of one or more high performance computing systems, each including one or more processors and a high performance memory. The cluster communicates over an InfiniBand network. The system can also include a middleware environment, executing on the cluster, that includes one or more application server instances. The system can further include a plurality of muxers, wherein each application server instance includes at least one muxer. Each muxer can receive information from a plurality of threads to transmit to a different muxer on a different application server instance over the Infiniband network using a plurality of parallel channels.
US09495390B2

Format identification for fragmented data is disclosed. In some embodiments, an input stream of information that is divided into fragments is received. Fragments are determined and a data format for each fragment is found based on continuity properties including by: determining a physical to canonical layout transformation, determining a tuple size, and partitioning bit positions in tuples into disjoint groups wherein each group corresponds to a channel. The stream of information is compressed using a compression technique selected based on the data format, and the compressed stream is stored.
US09495387B2

A method for providing content relevant images for an input question to a deep question answering system is disclosed. The method can include formulating, in response to receiving the input question, an answer to the input question. The method can also include identifying, based on the answer to the input question, a set of candidate images from a corpus of information. The set of candidate images may relate to the answer. The method can also include determining, based on a confidence value of the set of candidate images and a designated display specification, a first subset of the set of candidate images to provide in a display area. The method can also include selecting the first subset to be provided in the display area.
US09495380B2

Systems and methods of conducting access reviews of access rights to logical computing resources are provided. An access reviewer may receive a selection indicating a user having access to one or more logical computing resources of a computer system. The access reviewer may identify a set of current logical computing resources that the user has access to and a set of current logical entitlements associated with the user. The access reviewer may generate an access review summary based on a comparison of the current logical computing resources to one or more of the current logical entitlements.
US09495379B2

The present disclosure provides for implementing a two-level fingerprint caching scheme for a client cache and a server cache. The client cache hit ratio can be improved by pre-populating the client cache with fingerprints that are relevant to the client. Relevant fingerprints include fingerprints used during a recent time period (e.g., fingerprints of segments that are included in the last full backup image and any following incremental backup images created for the client after the last full backup image), and thus are referred to as fingerprints with good temporal locality. Relevant fingerprints also include fingerprints associated with a storage container that has good spatial locality, and thus are referred to as fingerprints with good spatial locality. A pre-set threshold established for the client cache (e.g., threshold Tc) is used to determine whether a storage container (and thus fingerprints associated with the storage container) has good spatial locality.
US09495378B2

A packet of data and a packet-identification value are transmitted to a network device having an identifier. The stored packet-identification value and the identifier are recorded. The stored packet-identification value is then increased and the process repeats. To receive data, an expected identification value is stored in association with the identifier. A packet and a packet-identification value are received from the network device. The identifier and an indication of receipt are stored. If the received value does not match the expected value for the identifier, the received value is stored. If the values match, the stored packet-identification value and identifier are recorded. If the received value exceeds the expected value, the stored packet-identification value, the identifier and the received identifier are recorded. Subsequently, the stored expected value is increased. The process repeats. Network devices and systems are described.
US09495368B2

A system and method for employing a file system and file system services on the industrial controller. The file system allows industrial control programs to implement many functions previously performed within the industrial control program and stored in the same memory as the industrial control program. An execution engine is provided that interprets instructions included in an industrial control program. The instructions utilize services in the file system for including user defined routine files loaded from local or remote locations, to load and unload recipe files from local and remote locations, to log and retrieve measured data and trend data to files at local or remote locations, to select different operating systems and to select a running program from a plurality of running programs utilizing the file system.
US09495366B2

A system for packaging digital media and distributing digital media to exhibitors is described, which system enables distribution by utilizing media content booking, media content packaging, encryption, and delivery components.
US09495364B2

Embodiments of the present disclosure include systems and methods for enhanced quick search features, low-barrier comenting/interactive features in a collaboration platform, which may be a cloud-based platform. The disclosed technology enhances the user experience (both web and mobile user experience) by providing the ease with which the manner in which content and users can be discovered and browsed. Additionally, enhanced social features surrounding content is also disclosed. The disclosed technology further enhances the user experience by providing the ability to ‘like’ a file as a quick, easy way users/collaborators can note approval, attention, or preference of a file/work item.
US09495363B1

The present application describes performing a user initiated search query comprising receiving user input comprising description details of at least one desired object, retrieving a plurality of objects from a database sharing one or more of the description details of the user input, retrieving an image of the at least one desired object based on one or more of the plurality of objects, generating a contour of the image and comparing the generated contour with other related contours of other images stored in the database, displaying all of the available contours of all of the images that match the generated contour, receiving a selection of one of the available contours from the user and performing the search query based on the user selected contour.
US09495355B2

A method for solving and answering an arithmetic or algebraic problem using natural language processing (NLP) is provided. The method may include receiving an input statement associated with the arithmetic or algebraic problem. The method may also include determining whether each sentence within a plurality of sentences associated with the input statement is a well-formed sentence from a mathematical perspective. The method may further include converting each statement into a well-formed sentence based on the determining whether each sentence within a plurality of sentences associated with the input statement is a well-formed sentence from a mathematical perspective. Additionally, the method may include converting each well-formed sentence into a mathematical equation to form a set of equations. Also, the method may include solving the set of equations to compute a mathematical result. The method may include narrating the mathematical result in natural language.
US09495352B1

Embodiments described herein of the natural language determiner (NLD) illustrate the ability to determine, at runtime, the conversion of natural language text into a computer-usable form. The natural language determiner's function is used to identify all functions of a device equal to a user manual for the device and displays at least one function of the device equal to the user manual for the device.
US09495347B2

Systems and methods for extracting table information from documents are provided herein. Exemplary methods may include annotating a document with annotations that identify table cell data included therein, generating a candidate table for each of a plurality of table models using the annotated table cell data, scoring each of the candidate tables, selecting a highest scoring candidate table, and annotating the highest scoring table to produce a final table.
US09495345B2

Systems and methods are presented for the automatic placement of rules applied to topics in a logical hierarchy when conducting natural language processing. In some embodiments, a method includes: accessing, at a child node in a logical hierarchy, at least one rule associated with the child node; identifying a percolation criterion associated with a parent node to the child node, said percolation criterion indicating that the at least one rule associated with the child node is to be associated also with the parent node; associating the at least one rule with the parent node such that the at least one rule defines a second factor for determining whether the document is to also be classified into the parent node; accessing the document for natural language processing; and determining whether the document is to be classified into the parent node or the child node based on the at least one rule.
US09495341B1

A method for fact correction and completion during document drafting. The method includes receiving a first user input comprising text being added to an electronic document and initiating a fact correction mode. The fact correction mode includes parsing the text to identify a factual proposition and determining the accuracy of the factual proposition. If the factual proposition is inaccurate, the mode includes displaying a visual indication of the inaccuracy of the factual proposition; receiving a second user input comprising an indication selecting the inaccurate factual proposition; displaying a menu that includes a correction element wherein the correction element is based on an accurate factual proposition related to the inaccurate factual proposition; receiving a third user input comprising an indication selecting the correction element; and modifying the electronic document by replacing at least a portion of the inaccurate factual proposition with at least a portion of the accurate factual proposition.
US09495339B2

When a terminal receives a request for starting a browser, the terminal obtains quick links and web applications that are cached in local database of the terminal and displays the obtained quick links by combinations of webpage icons and webpage titles in a middle screen display interface of a start page of the browser for the requester. When receiving a request for switching display interfaces of the start page of the browser, the terminal displays a search box in the start page of the browser or the obtained web applications by combinations of application icons and application titles in the start page of the browser.
US09495338B1

Systems, methods, and computer-readable media provide content items to clients. In one implementation, a system stores data identifying a plurality of cache servers, the cache servers storing the content items for download by a plurality of clients. The system receives a request from a first one of the clients to download one of the content items. The system selects one or more of the cache servers for providing the requested content item to the first client. The system transmits identifiers of the selected one or more cache servers to the first client, and transmits instructions to the first client. The instructions are operable, when executed by the first client, to determine whether the selected one or more cache servers have a local copy of the requested content item. When the first client determines that a first one of the selected one or more cache servers has a local copy of the requested content item, the first client downloads the requested content item from the first selected cache server.
US09495336B2

This invention relates to a data comparison tool, method and computer program product for analyzing a set of data, the set of data being derived from an original set of data, comprising: comparing the derived set of data with the original set of data; generating a hyperlink to represent each difference between the derived and original data set, each difference being a changed item, an additional item, or a missing data item; providing at least one agent that is activated on selection of the hyperlink to operate on the changed, additional or missing data item; whereby a list of hyperlinks is generated to represent all the differences of the derived and original data set and selecting one of the hyperlinks will execute an agent to operate on a single data item in one of the data sets. An editor agent is provided for allowing the user to confirm or make further changes to the data item. An undo agent is provided for undoing the difference wherein a changed item is changed back, an additional item is removed and a missing item is replaced.
US09495334B2

Method and system for visualizing content referenced in an electronic document are provided. Example system includes an access module, a reference detector, and a float window loader. The access module can open electronic documents. An electronic document may include descriptive textual content and one or more illustrative objects. The reference detector detects that a cursor is positioned over text in the descriptive content that refers to an illustrative object. In response, the float window loader presents the illustrative object in a float window.
US09495317B2

A bus driver circuit may include a first and a second circuit node, wherein the first circuit node is operably coupled to a bus line, which causes a bus capacitance between the first and the second circuit node. A switching circuit is coupled to the first circuit node and configured to apply an output voltage between the first and the second circuit node. Thereby the bus capacitance is charged when a control signal indicates a dominant state. A discharge circuit comprises at least one resistor. The discharge circuit is coupled between the first and the second circuit node and configured to allow the bus capacitance to discharge via the resistor when the control signal indicates a recessive state. The switching circuit is further configured to provide a temporary current path for discharging the bus capacitance during a transition period from a dominant to a recessive state.
US09495308B2

A method is disclosed that includes writing data to predetermined physical addresses of a system memory, the data including metadata that identifies a processing type; configuring a processor module to include the predetermined physical addresses, the processor module being physically connected to the memory bus by a memory module connection; and processing the write data according to the processing type with an offload processor mounted on the processor module.
US09495297B2

A technique for handling an unaligned load operation includes detecting a cache line crossing load operation that is associated with a first cache line and a second cache line. In response to an cache including the first cache line but not including the second cache line, the second cache line is reloaded into the cache in a same set as the first cache line. In response to reloading the second cache line in the cache, a cache line crossing link indicator associated with the first cache line is asserted to indicate that both the first and second cache lines include portions of a desired data element.
US09495296B2

Handling memory pressure in an in-database sharded queue is described. Messages from a plurality of enqueuers are stored in a plurality of shards of a sharded queue. Messages from a first enqueuer are stored in a first shard. A queue table corresponding to the sharded queue is maintained. In volatile memory, a plurality of message caches is maintained, each message cache corresponding to a shard of the plurality of shards. Memory pressure is detected based on memory usage of the volatile memory. To store a specific message from the enqueuer, the specific message is stored in rows of the queue table that are assigned to the first shard. When memory pressure is not detected, the specific message is stored in a first message cache corresponding to the first shard. Subscribers of the sharded queue are caused to dequeue messages from the plurality of shards.
US09495294B2

Various embodiments for improving hash index key lookup caching performance in a computing environment are provided. In one embodiment, for a cached fingerprint map having a plurality of entries corresponding to a plurality of data fingerprints, reference count information is used to determine a length of time to retain the plurality of entries in cache. Those of the plurality of entries having a higher reference counts are retained longer than those having lower reference counts.
US09495279B2

Efficient statistical profiling in embedded computing devices, such as video games, uses a hybrid random distribution of sampling points for more accurate reconstruction of executing code. Transmission of only function start addresses and corresponding representation of the call graph data reduces the memory overhead and increases communication speed.
US09495275B2

Techniques for segregating one or more logs of at least one multitasking user to derive at least one behavioral pattern of the at least one multitasking user are provided. The techniques include obtaining at least one of at least one action log, configuration information, domain knowledge, at least one task history and open task repository information, correlating the at least one of at least one action log, configuration information, domain knowledge, at least one task history and open task repository information to determine a task associated with each of one or more actions and segregate the one or more logs based on the one or more actions, and using the one or more logs that have been segregated to derive at least one behavioral pattern of the at least one multitasking user. Techniques are also provided for deriving intelligence from at least one activity log of at least one multitasking user to provide information to the at least one user.
US09495274B1

A computer-implemented method includes selecting a runtime for executing a program. The runtime includes a first combination of feature implementations, where each feature implementation implements a feature of an application programming interface (API). Execution of the program is monitored, and the execution uses the runtime. Monitor data is generated based on the monitoring. A second combination of feature implementations are selected, by a computer processor, where the selection is based at least in part on the monitor data. The runtime is modified by activating the second combination of feature implementations to replace the first combination of feature implementations.
US09495267B2

A system and method for providing assisted manual testing of computer related devices. Test commands are routed from a user system through a proxy module to a device under test. The responses of the device are routed through the proxy module to a user system. A user interface is run on the user system that allows the user to view the responses of the device in a log with the issued test commands. The user interface includes annotation dialog boxes and fields, highlighting elements and flagging elements through which a user can annotate and create notes for the test log as the test is being run on the device. Through the proxy module, a third party can act as a user and view the test log and user created annotations and notes as the test is being run on the device. The test log, annotation and notes can also be stored by the proxy module so that a third party can view them at a later time. The third party can act as a user in issuing commands through the proxy module to be run on the device, thereby assisting in the testing. Additionally, the third party can provide additional notes and annotation to the test log.
US09495263B2

A redundant external storage virtualization computer system. The redundant storage virtualization computer system includes a host entity for issuing an IO request, a redundant external SAS storage virtualization controller pair coupled to the host entity for performing an IO operation in response to the IO request issued by the host entity, and a plurality of physical storage devices for providing storage to the computer system. Each of the physical storage devices is coupled to the redundant storage virtualization controller pair through a SAS interconnect. The redundant storage virtualization controller pair includes a first and a second SAS storage virtualization controller both coupled to the host entity. In the redundant SAS storage virtualization controller pair, when the second storage virtualization controller is not on line, the first storage virtualization controller will take over the functionality originally performed by the second storage virtualization controller.
US09495256B2

An apparatus includes a first switch circuit in an active mode and a second switch circuit in a standby mode. The apparatus receives high-priority packets and low-priority packets. Each switch circuit stores the high-priority packets and the low-priority packets into first and second buffers, respectively. The each switch circuit performs packet-readout processing reading out a packet from the first and second buffers where the packet-readout processing is performed on the first buffer on a priority basis. The apparatus controls the first switch circuit so that a back-pressure time for the high-priority packets becomes longer with increasing amount of data transmitted by the high-priority packets, when a low-priority packet outputted from the first switch circuit is determined to be a packet that has been received at a first time that is later than a second time at which another low-priority packet outputted from the second switch circuit has been received.
US09495249B1

Techniques described and suggested herein include systems and methods for precomputing regeneration information for data archives (“archives”) that have been processed and stored using redundancy coding techniques. For example, regeneration information, such as redundancy code-related matrices (such as inverted matrices based on, e.g., a generator matrix for the selected redundancy code) corresponding to subsets of the shards, is computed for each subset and, in some embodiments, stored for use in the event that one or more shards becomes unavailable, e.g., so as to more efficiently and/or quickly regenerate a replacement shard.
US09495245B2

A high speed USB memory controller includes a microprocessor, flash memory, memory buffers directly accessible to the microprocessor and flash memory, and a USB interface for writing data directly into the memory buffers. This allows devices with multiple flash die to operate at full bus speed.
US09495242B2

According to one aspect, a method for adaptive error correction in a memory system includes reading data from a memory array of a non-volatile memory device in the memory system. Error correcting logic checks the data for at least one error condition stored in the memory array. Based on determining that the at least one error condition exists, a write-back indicator is asserted by the error correcting logic to request correction of the at least one error condition. Based on determining that the at least one error condition does not exist, accesses of the memory array continue without asserting the write-back indicator.
US09495227B2

A system and method that includes receiving an API request to a type of API resource; retrieving an API concurrency value for the API request; determining a comparison status associated with a comparison of the API concurrency value to a concurrency threshold; if the comparison status is within the concurrency threshold, transmitting the API request to an API processing resource; if the comparison status indicates the concurrency threshold is not satisfied, impeding processing of the API request; accounting for an increase in the API concurrency value if the API request is transmitted to an API processing resource; and accounting for a decrease in the API concurrency value at a time associated with the API processing resource completing processing of the API request.
US09495226B2

Techniques to integrate client side applications into a fantasy open platform environment include a server processor component operating within the fantasy open platform environment and operative to provide application programming interface (API) data of the client side application code to the fantasy open platform environment. The client side application may be independent from the fantasy open platform environment. Hooks may be created to allow embedding of the client side application code on the fantasy open platform environment web pages wherein the client side application code identifies on which of the fantasy open platform environment web pages the client side application code runs. A client side application executing on a client browser may be allowed to access resources of the fantasy open platform environment over a network connection.
US09495222B1

Systems and methods relate to indexing of performance and cost of workloads in a computing environment. The computing environment may include a virtualized computing environment. According to some embodiments, a performance index relating to a plurality of workloads executing in the computing environment may be generated, where the performance index is based at least in part on performance and cost of use of one or more resources in the computing environment by the plurality of workloads. The index may be normalized. If the performance or cost of a particular workload departs from an expected performance or cost determined from the average performance and/or cost in the computing environment, resources may be reallocated to the workloads such that the performance or cost of the workload is closer to its expected performance or cost based on the performance index.
US09495220B2

Methods, systems, and computer-readable storage media for configuring a request-centric system. Implementations include actions of monitoring operation of the request-centric system to determine a workload of the request-centric system, wherein the workload includes a plurality of requests, determining a mapping function based on a utility function, the workload and a configuration, the mapping function mapping the workload and the configuration into the utility function, determining an optimal configuration based on the mapping function, the optimal configuration allocating resources of the request-centric system to achieve one or more predefined goals, and applying the optimal configuration to the request-centric system.
US09495213B2

When executing a first kernel and a second kernel related to each other by the arithmetic unit, if an allocation attribute of a continuous write block of the first kernel and an allocation attribute of a continuous read block corresponding to the continuous write block of the second kernel are the same, a scenario determination unit executes the first kernel and the second kernel in a pipeline by using the continuous write block for execution of the second kernel through the private memory or the local memory without transferring it to the global memory. At this time, the scenario determination unit logically adds a margin attribute and a dependence attribute of the continuous read block of the second kernel respectively to a margin attribute and a dependence attribute set for the read block for each of the read block of the first kernel.
US09495209B2

Dynamic pool reallocation performed by the following steps: (i) defining a plurality of resource pools including a first pool and a second pool, where each resource pool has a plurality of assigned resources; (ii) receiving a plurality of jobs to be executed; (iii) for each job of the plurality of jobs, assigning a respective resource pool, of the plurality of resource pools, to be used in completing the job; (iv) determining a preliminary schedule for executing the jobs on their respective resource pools; (v) determining whether the preliminary schedule will cause any jobs to miss service level agreement (SLA) deadlines corresponding to the job; (vi) executing the plurality of jobs on their respectively assigned resource pools; and (vii) re-assigning first resource from the second pool to the first pool during at least some of the time of the execution of the first job by the first resource pool.
US09495200B2

A system for processing a batch job comprises a processor and a memory. The processor is configured to receive a job name for a job submitted to execute, to receive one or more job parameters, and to determine one or more nodes to run the job. The processor is configured to determine one or steps, where for each step: a step is executed on a node using a state of data associated with a start state of the step; and upon completion of executing the step, a result is stored to a durable storage. The durable storage stores the state of data associated with the start state of the step and the completion state of the step and are accessible by other execution processes as associated with either the start state of the step or the completion state of the step. The memory of the system is coupled to the processor and configured to provide processor with instructions.
US09495197B2

A system and method for efficiently transferring virtual machine images across nodes in a cloud computing environment, includes analyzing each image on each node to create hash code clusters and a similarity matrix. An instruction to transfer an image from a source node to a target node is received. The clusters and the similarity matrix are used to determine to what extent the data from the image is already on the source node, or on any other node, and further determines the cost and speed of transferring such data to the target node. An optimal transfer plan is generated, and data that is not already on the target node is transferred to the target node from the most efficient node on which it is available, according to the optimal transfer plan.
US09495187B2

Techniques promote monitoring of hypervisor systems by presenting dynamic representations of hypervisor architectures that include performance indicators. A reviewer can interact with the representation to progressively view select lower-level performance indicators. Higher level performance indicators can be determined based on tower level state assessments. A reviewer can also view historical performance metrics and indicators, which can aid in understanding which configuration changes or system usages may have led to sub-optimal performance.
US09495186B1

An approach to creating a canonical representation of a JavaScript API. Objects associated with the JavaScript API are instantiated, creating entry points for analysis. A list of discovered objects is created based on parsing a document object model associated with the JavaScript API. The objects are instrumented and statically analyzed, creating an infrastructure associated with the JavaScript API. The infrastructure is updated based on analyzing the objects while the interface is being used and the objects are executing. A canonical representation, based on the updated infrastructure, is generated for further operations.
US09495185B2

In an approach for removing tenant initialization check per tenant for compiled code, a processor receives a request to create a tenant. A processor creates the tenant. A processor marks a current thread of the tenant as not eligible to run just-in-time (JIT) code, wherein the marking indicates that when a method is invoked, a non-JIT version of the method is executed. A processor executes initialization of a first class from an optimization list, wherein the optimization list is a configurable list of classes to be initialized prior to running JIT code. A processor determines that class initialization has been executed for all classes on the optimization list. A processor adjusts the marking to indicate that the current thread is eligible to run JIT code and that the tenant may run JIT code that assumes, without checking, that classes on the optimization list are initialized.
US09495180B2

According to one embodiment, a computerized method comprises operations of instantiating a first virtual machine instance and a second virtual machine instance to run concurrently with the first virtual machine instance. The first virtual machine instance provides a first virtual operating environment while the second virtual machine instance is adapted to share the resources allocated to the first virtual machine instance. The second virtual machine instance is further adapted to allocate additional resources upon conducting a Copy-On Write operation.
US09495174B2

Embodiments of the present invention provide a method, system and computer program product for agnostic processing of message queues and sequential files. In an embodiment of the invention, a method for agnostic processing of message queues and sequential files can be provided. The method can include receiving an access request for a resource that is uniform for both a message queue and a sequential file and identifying a resource type of the resource. In response to identifying the resource type as a message queue, a corresponding access request specific to a message queue can be invoked in the message queue. Otherwise a corresponding access request specific to a sequential file can be invoked responsive to identifying the resource type as a sequential file.
US09495172B2

A computer system with a plurality of processors having a hardware-assisted virtualization and a memory, the computer system including a first processor group of the processors having hardware-assisted virtualization set disabled, and a second processor group of the processors and having hardware-assisted virtualization set enabled, the method having: booting a first OS by assigning the first processor group to the first OS; booting a virtual machine monitor to boot a virtual machine by assigning the second processor group to the virtual machine monitor; performed by the virtual machine monitor, booting a second OS by assigning a certain area of the memory to the second OS; and performed by the virtual machine monitor, setting a data path through which the first OS and second OS communicate with each other, the data path being set in the memory.
US09495170B2

During a pipeline stall in a processor, until a next to complete instruction group completes, a monitoring unit receives, from a completion unit of a processor, a next to finish indicator indicating the finish of an oldest previously unfinished instruction from among a plurality of instructions of a next to complete instruction group. The monitoring unit receives, from functional units of the processor, finish reports including completion reasons for separate instructions. The monitoring unit determines at least one stall reason from among multiple stall reasons for the oldest instruction from a selection of completion reasons from a selection of finish reports aligned with the next to finish indicator from among the finish reports. Once the monitoring unit receives a complete indicator from the completion unit, indicating the completion of the next to complete instruction group, the monitoring unit stores each determined stall reason aligned with each next to finish indicator in memory.
US09495169B2

A program trace data compression mechanism in which execution of a variable length execution set (VLES) including multiple non-branch conditional instructions are traced in real-time in a manner that allows the instruction execution to be reconstructed completely by correlating the trace data with the traced binary code.
US09495166B2

Method and apparatus for performing a shift and XOR operation. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes execution resources to execute a first instruction. In response to the first instruction, said execution resources perform a shift and XOR on at least one value.
US09495154B2

Embodiments disclosed herein include vector processing engines (VPEs) having programmable data path configurations for providing multi-mode vector processing. Related vector processors, systems, and methods are also disclosed. The VPEs include a vector processing stage(s) configured to process vector data according to a vector instruction executed in the vector processing stage. Each vector processing stage includes vector processing blocks each configured to process vector data based on the vector instruction being executed. The vector processing blocks are capable of providing different vector operations for different types of vector instructions based on data path configurations. Data paths of the vector processing blocks are programmable to be reprogrammable to process vector data differently according to the particular vector instruction being executed. In this manner, a VPE can be provided with its data paths configuration programmable to execute different types of functions based on data path configuration according to the vector instruction being executed.
US09495151B1

Embodiments of the present invention include a method, computer program product, and system for inserting text content into a computer file as a comment in a determined comment convention. In an embodiment, a comment convention is determined in a file. The file includes at least one file line. A text content is received. A comment is inserted into the file. The comment includes the comment convention and the text content.
US09495142B2

A service provider system may include an application fulfillment platform that delivers desktop applications on demand to desktops on physical computing devices or virtual desktop instances of end users. An application delivery agent installed on an end user's computing resource instance may store application state data (e.g., configuration data, runtime settings, or application templates) or scratch data that is generated by an application executing on the computing resource instance to a secure location on service provider storage resources. After a machine failure or change, or a rebuilding of a virtualized computing resource instance or virtual desktop instance, an application delivery agent installed on the new machine or instance may reinstall the application, retrieve the stored application state or scratch data from service provider resources, and restore the application to the last known persisted state. Upon request, the application delivery agent may restore the application to any earlier persisted state.
US09495138B1

Techniques relate for verifying an effect of software program optimization. A determination is made whether a fingerprint is present in a software application that is currently executing on a processor of a computer system, where the fingerprint includes a representation of a sequence of behavior that occurs on the processor while the software application is executing. The fingerprint corresponds to an optimization made to the software application. In response to determining that the fingerprint is not present in the software application currently executing on the processor, it is determined that the optimization to the software application did not have an intended effect. In response to determining that the fingerprint is present in the software application executing on the processor, it is recognized that the optimization to the software application has the intended effect.
US09495134B2

Methods and apparatus for providing a user of a code editing tool with code segment examples tied to support tools, where the support tools may provide documentation or a code segment previewer. The documentation may be static or interactive and may provide a user with the option for using a builder interface to refine the specification or parameters of the inserted code example. The code segment previewer allows a user to preview only a subset of a larger body of a code base. Further, the code segment previewer may receive input identifying a segment of software code to be previewed, where the segment of software code is one of several other segments of software code.
US09495132B2

Progress of a development cycle, such as for the development of a release of a software product, is tracked and managed using a release management system. Such a system allows groups and managers to retain any project planning or status files, in any appropriate structure. A manager can simply upload the file to the system as information is updated, and the system will apply appropriate templates and store the information in such a way that reporting and tracking can be done for any aspect of the development process at any level. For example, a single system can provide a high-level executive overview down to a detail level view of a particular group, using substantially current data for all aspects the process.
US09495131B2

To add floating point numbers in a parallel computing system, a collective logic device receives the floating point numbers from computing nodes. The collective logic devices converts the floating point numbers to integer numbers. The collective logic device adds the integer numbers and generating a summation of the integer numbers. The collective logic device converts the summation to a floating point number. The collective logic device performs the receiving, the converting the floating point numbers, the adding, the generating and the converting the summation in one pass. One pass indicates that the computing nodes send inputs only once to the collective logic device and receive outputs only once from the collective logic device.
US09495126B2

A computerized system and method for automatic assembly of a customized hypnotic or therapeutic media file is disclosed. An application collects information from a user, such as a goal to be met or a challenge to be overcome. The application may collect an audio snippet from the user and/or allow the user to record an audio snippet for insertion into the media file. The application may select components of the media file based on user inputs to indirect or direct questions. The application will generate the media file from pre-recorded and user-supplied components into a media file based, at least in part, on a time length supplied by the user. The application may be able to further adjust playback of the media file in real time so as to shorten or lengthen the file from a previously recorded playback length, while still maintaining internal cohesion and certain key message components.
US09495123B2

An image forming apparatus equipped with a plurality of service applications for providing respective services, in a state enabling a selected one of the service applications to be automatically started from a terminal apparatus. An image forming apparatus capable of performing printing includes a NFC unit. An NFC controller generates data to be read out by an external apparatus, according to selection of one of a plurality of applications. The NFC controller writes the generated data into the NFC unit.
US09495110B2

A system and method is described for operating a computer memory system having a plurality of controllers capable of accessing a common set of memory modules. Access to the physical storage of the memory modules may be managed by configuration logical units (LUNs) addressable by the users. The amount of memory associated with each LUN may be managed in units of memory (LMA) from a same free LMA table maintained in each controller of the plurality of controllers. A request for maintenance of a LUN may be received from any user through any controller and results in the association of a free memory area with the LUN, and the remaining controllers perform the same operation. A test for misallocation of a free memory area is performed and when such misallocation occurs, the situation is corrected in accordance with a policy.
US09495109B2

A storage controller that controls a virtual storage apparatus is provided, the storage controller includes: a performance measuring unit that obtains performance information on a plurality of volumes present in the virtual storage apparatus; a grouping unit that groups the plurality of volumes into a plurality of performance groups, each of the plurality of performance groups having a different performance requirement, based on the performance information on the plurality of volumes and a grouping rule; and a storage pool managing unit that adds, to a storage pool, one of volumes grouped into the plurality of performance groups until a requirement condition for the storage pool is met, the performance groups from which a virtual volume being to be reserved.
US09495107B2

A computing device is provided and includes a first physical memory device, a second physical memory device and a hypervisor configured to assign resources of the first and second physical memory devices to a logical partition. The hypervisor configures a dynamic memory relocation (DMR) mechanism to move entire storage increments currently processed by the logical partition between the first and second physical memory devices in a manner that is substantially transparent to the logical partition.
US09495106B2

Various embodiments for predicting hardware lifespan by a processor device are provided. For a solid state drive (SSD) device configured with data deduplication mechanisms, trend information is obtained by comparing a write tracking table to a de-duplicated cell tracking table to determine how many new cells were allocated on the SSD device over a particular time period. The trend information is applied to at least one drive constant data to predict the useful remaining lifespan of the SSD drive device.
US09495105B2

A system includes a plurality of flash memory devices, a processor configured to control read/write requests, and a cache memory configured to store data temporarily. The processor is configured to, according to a read request for first data from a read/write data source, when the first data is not stored within the cache memory, transfer the first data requested by the read request from one of the plurality of flash memory devices to the read/write data source without storing the first data in the cache memory, and according to a write request from the read/write data source, store second data requested by the write request in the cache memory
US09495104B2

Techniques for automatically allocating space in a flash storage-based cache are provided. In one embodiment, a computer system collects I/O trace logs for a plurality of virtual machines or a plurality of virtual disks and determines cache utility models for the plurality of virtual machines or the plurality of virtual disks based on the I/O trace logs. The cache utility model for each virtual machine or each virtual disk defines an expected utility of allocating space in the flash storage-based cache to the virtual machine or the virtual disk over a range of different cache allocation sizes. The computer system then calculates target cache allocation sizes for the plurality of virtual machines or the plurality of virtual disks based on the cache utility models and allocates space in the flash storage-based cache based on the target cache allocation sizes.
US09495102B2

Inventive aspects include an input/output (I/O) interceptor logic section having an I/O interface coupled with a storage stack. The I/O interface can intercept write I/Os, read I/Os, and flush requests from an application. A temporary write holding buffer can store the write I/Os. A re-order logic section can change an order of the write I/Os, and combine the re-ordered write I/Os into a combined write I/O. An intelligent flush control logic section can receive the flush requests from the I/O interface, communicate write I/O completion of the write I/Os to the application without the write I/Os having been written to a non-volatile storage device, and cause the combined write I/O to be written to the non-volatile storage device responsive to at least one of a predefined Nth flush request from among the plurality flush requests, a threshold amount of data being accumulated, or an expiration of a predefined time period.
US09495095B2

A system and a method of identifying a type of touch input to a mobile device with a touch panel are provided. The system includes a touch screen comprising a touch panel, a memory for storing information to execute a function of an application, corresponding to a touch area size and a touch interaction, and a controller. The controller identifies, when a touch is detected via the touch panel, the touch area size and the touch interaction. The controller determines information to execute a function corresponding to the identified touch area size and the identified touch interaction by referring to the memory. The controller controls a function of the application that is currently being executed.
US09495091B2

A method and apparatus for displaying text information in the form of a list is provided. A method for displaying text information according to the present invention includes displaying a list of at least one item representing text information and a partial content of the text information; and modifying, in response to a predetermined key input, the list to show whole content of the text information corresponding to the selected one item.
US09495089B2

A mobile communication terminal including a display unit; a controller configured to display, on a screen of the display unit, a first list including a plurality of tasks; and an input unit configured to select at least one of the plurality of tasks. The controller is further configured to visually and discriminately divide the screen, display information corresponding to a task selected, display a second list including icons corresponding to tasks that are being currently executed, display progress state information indicating a progress state of the currently executing tasks on the bottom screen, and update the second list based on a detection result of the tasks being currently executed, and scroll through the icons listed in the second list so as to display other icons not being displayed in the bottom screen when a scroll signal indicating a scroll of the second list is received from the input unit.
US09495088B2

A method of receiving text entries on a display of an infotainment system including a character input slider that has a slider controller, includes sensing gesture as the slider controller is moved, moving the slider controller along the character input slider in a direction of a sensing result when the gesture is in proximity with the slider controller along the character input slider, presenting one character when the slider controller is in a proximity with a location related to the one character on the character input slider, focusing the one character when the gesture regarding moving the slider controller is not detected for a predetermined period of time, selecting the one character when a predetermined gesture other than the gesture is detected after focusing the one character, and entering the selected one character into an active location of an active text input field.
US09495086B2

A method of composing an email message at an electronic device and an electronic device operable to carry out the method are provided. The method includes receiving an email command from a user input of the electronic device through a calendar user interface, the email command relating to at least one of a plurality of intended attendees of a calendared meeting, and providing an email composition interface in response to receiving the email command. The email composition interface includes a user-editable portion of an address field. The user-editable portion of the address field is automatically populated with email address information for the at least one of the plurality of intended attendees.
US09495078B2

A display apparatus and a method for managing health are provided. The display apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment includes a photographing unit which photographs a user image, a display unit which displays the photographed user image, a user interface unit which receives a user command regarding the displayed user image, and a controller which changes at least part of the displayed user image and displays the changed user image, and sets health management information corresponding to the displayed changed user image according to a user command. Accordingly, a user may set a goal for exercise and diet while watching a user image where a size has been changed, which is displayed on a display apparatus.
US09495077B2

A display device that displays electronic books includes a display unit configured to display information indicating that an unread electronic book is present, in a case that an application for displaying contents of an electronic book is not full-displayed on a screen.
US09495069B2

A method for providing expanded icon functionality includes displaying a primary icon using a display device. The primary icon is associated with a primary icon function in a storage device and the primary icon function is performed in response to a first user action directed to the primary icon. A second user action that is different from the first user action is received that is directed to the primary icon and, in response, at least one secondary icon that is associated with the primary icon and the second user action in the storage device is retrieved. The at least one secondary icon is displayed using the display device. Each at least one secondary icon is associated with a respective secondary icon function in the storage device, and in response to a selection of a secondary icon, the respective secondary icon function is performed.
US09495065B2

Described herein are implementations of various technologies for a method and apparatus for providing marine electronic data. In one implementation, a screen may display marine electronic data. A cursor may be provided that is movable by placement of a finger over the cursor. A request to display the cursor at a position such that the cursor is not obstructed from view by the finger may be received. The requested cursor may be displayed at the position on the screen.
US09495042B2

A two dimensional position sensor having a touch-sensitive panel defined by a single-layer electrode pattern arranged on one side of a substrate. The electrode pattern is made up of ‘n’ electrode units extending row-wise over the panel. Each electrode unit is made up of a single drive electrode extending across the touch-sensitive area of the panel and a plurality of ‘m’ sense electrodes, which collectively laterally extend across the touch-sensitive area and individually each occupy only a portion of the lateral extent. The sense electrodes are longitudinally offset from their associated drive electrode so that one edge of each sense electrode lies adjacent to one edge of the drive electrode, these coupling edges being separated by a gap dimensioned so that in use each pair of drive and sense electrodes have efficient capacitively coupling across the gap. This electrode pattern allows the longitudinal extent of each electrode unit to be made relatively small, which in turn is better for sensing multiple simultaneous touches, since this benefits from having more electrode units in any given panel.
US09495041B2

Touch-related information which cannot be acquired by the naked eye (dubbed here as sub-optical pattern information) has its corresponding sub-optical patterns respectively positioned within the aperture areas of respective domains such that the displayed image, as viewed from different viewing angles is not adversely affected by the embedded sub-optical patterns. One type of touch-related information which can be conveyed is that of touch location of a sub-optical pattern sensing pen positioned over one or more of the sub-optical patterns.
US09495038B2

A method and system for detecting a presence of a conductive object proximate to a capacitive sense element during an initialization process of a touch-sensing device. A capacitance sensing circuit measures a reference capacitance of a reference sense element. A sensing parameter of the capacitance sensing circuit is iteratively adjusted to obtain a target measurement output value for the reference sense element. With the sensing parameter set to the sensing parameter value, the capacitance measurement circuit measures a first capacitance of a first sense element. A first capacitance difference value is determined between the first capacitance and a first baseline capacitance value for the first sense element. A presence of a conductive object is detected proximate to the first sense element when the first capacitance difference value exceeds a threshold value.
US09495026B2

A touch panel and touch-controlled display device are provided. The touch panel includes a transparent substrate, a touch-sensitive electrode pattern, a decoration pattern and an electric-control trace. The transparent substrate includes a touch area and a surrounding area surrounding the touch area. The touch-sensitive electrode pattern is disposed on the touch area of the transparent substrate. The decoration pattern is disposed on the surrounding area of the transparent substrate to form a frame side part not surrounding the touch-sensitive electrode pattern. The electric-control trace is located in the surrounding area, stacked on the transparent substrate and the decoration pattern, and electrically connected to the touch-sensitive electrode pattern. Since the electric-control traces are with low-visibility characteristic, the electric-control traces are invisible from the transparent substrate.
US09495023B2

An information processing method and an electronic device are described. The information processing method is applied in a first electronic device which can perform data transmission with a second electronic device. The first electronic device includes a first detecting unit. The method includes acquiring a first rotation information through detecting the rotation of the first electronic device by the first detecting unit; determining the first control instruction corresponding to the first rotation information based on the relationship between the preset rotation information and the control instruction, wherein the first control instruction is provided to the second electronic device to be executed.
US09495022B2

A method and apparatus for detecting by a digitizer an application of an electronic pen on or within a predetermined distance from a screen of an electronic device, and includes compensating coordinates of an electronic pen relative to screen. At least one magnetic field is detected that is produced by the electronic pen and that has a different central axis each other The digitizer determines whether the electronic pen is inclined based on a number of detected magnetic fields. A determination is made whether to apply a compensation value for compensating coordinates of the electronic pen based on determining inclination of the electronic pen. The present invention advantageously permits exact recognition of coordinates of the electronic pen whether then pen is inclined or not by performing the coordinate compensation taking into account the inclination of the electronic pen and the inclined direction.
US09495018B2

Aspects of the disclosure relate to computing technologies. In particular, aspects of the disclosure relate to mobile computing device technologies, such as systems, methods, apparatuses, and computer-readable media for improving orientation data. In one embodiment, techniques are described for filtering data associated with a first sensor coupled to a computing device, by receiving a signal from the first sensor, detecting a change in a variability of a first signal parameter from a plurality of signal parameters from the signal, and adjusting, based at least in part on the detected change in the variability of the first signal parameter, at least one filter parameter of a filter used to filter a second signal parameter from the signal.
US09495010B2

An apparatus including a processor and a memory including computer program code. The memory and the computer program code are configured to cause the apparatus to, for an array of capacitive touch sensors with a proximally positioned electrotactile layer, compare the capacitance associated with a capacitive touch sensor of the array against a respective detection threshold to determine whether or not a touch input has occurred at the capacitive touch sensor by a stylus in capacitive coupling proximity to the capacitive touch sensor. The detection threshold of one or more capacitive touch sensors of the array is set to be sufficient to inhibit the erroneous generation of a touch input signal at the one or more respective capacitive touch sensors caused by capacitive cross-coupling, via the electrotactile layer, to the capacitive touch sensor which is in capacitive coupling proximity to the stylus.
US09495009B2

Systems and methods for providing haptic effects are disclosed. One disclosed system comprises an actuator, a non-volatile memory configured to store a haptic effect profile, and a processor in communication with the actuator and the non-volatile memory. The processor may be configured to receive a sensor signal indicating a movement of a manipulandum, to identify an effect parameter associated with the sensor signal in the haptic effect profile, and to generate an output signal based, at least in part, on the effect parameter. The generated output signal may be configured to cause the actuator to output a haptic effect associated with the effect parameter.
US09495007B2

A method of controlling a wearable device according to one embodiment of the present specification can include the steps of displaying content on a display unit of the wearable device, sensing a tilt angle of the wearable device and providing a control interface providing control of the content. And, the step of providing the control interface can include the steps of mapping the control interface to the ground based on the sensed tilt angle and a state of the wearable device and displaying the mapped control interface on the display unit.
US09495001B2

In an embodiment, a processor includes a plurality of cores each to independently execute instructions, a power delivery logic coupled to the plurality of cores, and a power controller including a first logic to cause a first core to enter into a first low power state of an operating system power management scheme independently of the OS, during execution of at least one thread on the first core. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US09494996B2

A processor is described having a semiconductor chip having non volatile storage circuitry. The non volatile storage circuitry has information identifying a maximum operational frequency of the processor at which the processor's operation is guaranteed for an ambient temperature that corresponds to an extreme thermal event.
US09494993B2

A network system is provided. The network system includes: at least one component selected from an energy receiving unit receiving energy and an energy management unit managing the energy receiving unit. The energy receiving unit or the energy management unit receives energy rate related information; an energy usage amount or a usage rate of when the component is controlled on the basis of at least the energy rate related information is less than that of when the component is controlled without the basis of at least energy rate related information; if the energy rate related information is high cost information, a function of one component constituting the energy receiving unit is limited; and an operating time or an output of the energy receiving unit is adjusted in correspondence to the limited function of one component.
US09494992B2

A power consumption management system for a central processing unit may include a power consumption estimation block and an activity control block. The power consumption estimation block may be configured to estimate power consumption of the central processing unit based on information related to a status of the central processing unit. The activity control block may be configured to use the estimated power consumption to determine a control to be applied to the central processing unit for regulating a rate of change in power consumption of the central processing unit.
US09494985B2

A system and method for providing energy assessment and optimization in a data center that includes at least one cooling provider, and at least one cooling consumer, the at least one cooling consumer having cooling requirements. The method according to one aspect includes receiving data regarding cooling availability and power consumption for the at least one cooling consumer, cooling capacity of the at least one cooling provider, and a physical relationship between the at least one cooling consumer and the at least one cooling provider in the data center, storing the received data, determining airflow distribution effectiveness between the at least one cooling consumer and the at least one cooling provider, and displaying at least one value representative of the effectiveness of the distribution of airflow in the data center between the at least one cooling consumer and the at least one cooling provider.
US09494979B2

There is provided an operation detection apparatus including an operation detection layer, and a photocatalystic layer laminated on the operation detection layer. The photocatalystic layer has an ununiform amount of photocatalysts formed therein.
US09494977B2

In certain embodiments, a protective cover includes a housing having a surface, and a latch mechanism hingeably coupled to the housing. The latch can include a top side and a bottom side, the bottom side configured to couple to and secure an input device to the surface of the housing. The latch can be configured to rotate, via the hinge coupling, between a first configuration and second configuration. In the first configuration, the top side of the latch can be flush with the surface of the housing and the bottom side embedded within the housing such that the latch does not protrude from the housing. In the second configuration, the latch can be rotated relative to the first configuration and protrude from the housing. The latch can be operable to be rotated open from the first configuration to the second configuration via the hinge coupling.
US09494976B2

Aspects of the invention relate to an apparatus including a housing and a slot disposed in the housing, the slot configured to hold an input device in a plurality of upright configurations including at least a forward-facing upright configuration such that the input device faces the front portion of the housing, and at least a backward-facing upright configuration such that the input device faces the back portion of the housing. The slot can be overmolded with a rubber compound (e.g. silicon-based) and configured to provide an improved coefficient of friction to reduce slippage of the input device when held in the slot. In some aspects, the housing includes a surface, and the overmolded portion of the slot can protrude above the surface of the housing.
US09494966B2

A multidirectional input device includes a mount, an operation lever, first and second interlocking members, and first and second detectors. The mount includes a support face of generally spherical convex shape. The operation lever is slidably supported on the support face. The first interlocking member receives the operation lever therethrough and is movable in a first direction in an arc-like manner in accordance with movement in the first direction of the operation lever. The second interlocking member crosses the first interlocking member, receives the operation lever therethrough, and is movable in a second direction in an arc-like manner in accordance with movement in the second direction of the operation lever, the second direction crossing the first direction. The first detector can detect a direction and an amount of movement of the first interlocking member. The second detector can detect a direction and an amount of movement of the second interlocking member.
US09494958B2

A voltage generation circuit of a semiconductor apparatus includes a first detection block configured to detect an output voltage and output a first detection signal; a second detection block configured to detect the output voltage and output a second detection signal; a signal generation block configured to generate a control signal in response to the first detection signal and the second detection signal; and a voltage generation block configured to generate the output voltage in response to the control signal, wherein responding speeds of the first detection block and the second detection block with respect to a variation in the output voltage are different.
US09494956B2

A voltage control unit is configured to: control, in accordance with an output voltage signal and an output current signal, output power of a rectifying unit to a voltage lower than a voltage by which an amount of generated power of a magneto AC generator becomes maximum; control a transformation ratio in accordance with the output voltage signal and the output current signal so as to improve power generation efficiency of the magneto AC generator one of when an rpm variation signal indicates an decelerating state and when the rpm variation signal indicates that a variation in rpm indicates a value smaller than a predetermined constant; and control the transformation ratio so as to decrease the output power of the rectifying unit when the rpm variation signal indicates an accelerating state.
US09494951B2

An apparatus for detecting chemical reactions may be provided. The apparatus may comprise a chemical detection device. The chemical detection device may include a chemical sensor, which may be mounted on the chemical detection device. The apparatus may further comprise a valve block. The valve block may fluidly couple a plurality of reagent containers to the chemical detection device. The apparatus may further comprise a heat exchanger and a controller. The controller may control a fluid connection between the valve block and the chemical detection device. The controller may be also configured to adjust a temperature of a selected reagent from the plurality of reagent containers via the heat exchanger. The temperature of the selected reagent may be adjusted prior to the reagent entering the chemical detection device.
US09494949B2

The gravity control apparatus (1) comprises: a first rotating body (10) that rotates along a first shaft (11a) as a result of being driven by a first driving device; a second rotating body (20) that rotates along a second shaft that is orthogonal to the first shaft (11a) within the region of rotation of the first rotating body (10) as a result of being driven by a second driving device; an accelerometer (40) that is set at any position on the second rotating body (20) and detects acceleration; and a control device (50) that controls driving by the first driving device and the second driving device. The control device (50) controls driving by the first driving device and the second driving device on the basis of acceleration data detected by the accelerometer (40).
US09494944B2

A method in a vehicle platoon including at least one leader vehicle and at least one additional vehicle, where the leader vehicle is intended to detect ambient conditions. The method includes the steps of: appointing (s410) the leader vehicle which is responsible for communicating information to the at least one additional vehicle; and under certain conditions, appointing (s450) a new leader vehicle which assumes the responsibility. A computer program product has program code (P) for a computer (200; 210) to implement a method according to the invention. The invention also pertains to a device in vehicle platoons and a motor vehicle equipped with such a device.
US09494939B2

Systems and methods for controlling an unmanned aerial vehicle within an environment are provided. In one aspect, a system comprises one or more sensors carried on the unmanned aerial vehicle and configured to receive sensor data of the environment and one or more processors. The one or more processors may be individually or collectively configured to: determine, based on the sensor data, an environmental complexity factor representative of an obstacle density for the environment; determine, based on the environmental complexity factor, one or more operating rules for the unmanned aerial vehicle; receive a signal indicating a desired movement of the unmanned aerial vehicle; and cause the unmanned aerial vehicle to move in accordance with the signal while complying with the one or more operating rules.
US09494936B2

Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on storage devices, for monitoring, security, and surveillance of a property. In one aspect, a system includes multiple robotic devices, multiple sensors, wherein the multiple sensors includes a first sensor, multiple charging stations, and a monitor control unit. The monitor control unit may include a network interface, one or more processors, and one or more storage devices that include instructions to cause the one or more processors to perform operations. The operations may include receiving data from the first sensor that is indicative of an alarm event, accessing information describing the capabilities of the each of the robotic devices, selecting a subset of robotic devices from the multiple robotic devices, and transmitting a command to each robotic device in the subset of robotic devices that instructs each respective robotic device to deploy to the location of the first sensor.
US09494931B2

Methods and systems for providing knowledge access in a process control system and methods and systems for providing dynamic hyperlinks in a process control system are disclosed. A dynamic hyperlink may define an association between a process control object corresponding to a process control element and a knowledge object corresponding to a knowledge reference stored internally or externally to the process control system. At a run-time of a display view that includes the process control object, the defined dynamic hyperlink may be established without a configuration or a download. Upon selection of the defined dynamic hyperlink, the corresponding knowledge reference may be displayed. Defined dynamic hyperlinks may be stored in a process control system database independent of process control objects or knowledge objects. Embodiments of user interfaces for administrating dynamic hyperlinks are also disclosed.
Patent Agency Ranking