US09668102B1
A method for providing an alert notification to a user in a degraded location includes obtaining incoming call data indicating the mobile terminal is unable to establish a first communication link with a communication terminal for receiving an incoming call using voice over long term evolution. The method also includes providing the alert notification to a user associated with the mobile terminal based on the obtained incoming call data. The alert notification informs the user that the incoming call directed toward the mobile terminal is pending. The method also includes receiving the incoming call from the communication terminal after the mobile terminal moves away from the degraded location and establishes the first communication link with the communication terminal.
US09668097B2
A computing device includes one or more processors, a user interface, and a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions for determining whether a certain geographic location is within a virtual perimeter of a geographic place. The instructions, when executed on the one or more processors, cause the computing device to determine multiple component shapes that approximately make up a geometry of the geographic place, determine whether the certain geographic location is within at least one of the component shapes, generate an indication that the geographic location is within the virtual perimeter if the geographic location is within at least one of the component shapes, and provide the indication via the user interface.
US09668093B2
The present disclosure provides a group positioning method; the method includes: acquiring position information corresponding to positioned user identifiers in a group, to obtain a position information set; and determining a group central position according to the position information set, the number of geographical distance values that are less than or equal to a preset distance threshold among geographical distance values between the group central position and geographical positions represented by position information in the position information set being maximized. With the group positioning method provided by the present disclosure, the number of group members carrying out activities in a circular area that uses the group central position as the center and the preset distance threshold as the radius is maximized.
US09668092B2
A method for visually representing information on a display of a portable electronic device includes receiving location coordinates from at least one other portable electronic device, plotting a visual identifier on a map and displaying the map on the display of the portable electronic device. The position of the visual identifier corresponds to the location coordinates received from the at least one other portable electronic device, which correspond to an actual location of the at least one other portable electronic device. The appearance of the visual identifier is selected to depict the status of the user of the at least one other portable electronic device.
US09668076B2
Embodiments of the invention include methods, apparatus, and systems for detecting a predicted future or current failure of a microphone of a headset. The failure may have been caused by organic matter buildup creating a signal path or short circuit across the microphone's circuitry. The headset is connected to a mobile device having a network interface that is used to send a notification message to a remote supply management system server. A failure detection circuit detects the failure based on a decrease in a microphone bias signal or increase in headset temperature over time. In some cases, the failure is based on an increase in a microphone bias signal over time. Upon detection of the failure, it signals that a failure notification be transmitted to the remote supply management system. The notification may then cause a new headset to be sent to the owner of the mobile device. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.
US09668075B2
In one embodiment of the present invention, a loudspeaker parameter estimation subsystem efficiently and accurately estimates parameter values for a lumped parameter model (LPM) of a loudspeaker. In operation, the loudspeaker parameter estimation subsystem trains a neural network model based on responses generated via the lumped parameter model and the corresponding sets of parameter values. Subsequently, based on the relationship between the measured output response of a loudspeaker to an input stimulus, the loudspeaker parameter estimation subsystem estimates parameter values for the LPM of the loudspeaker. Advantageously, by sagaciously estimating parameter values for the LPM of loudspeakers, these NN-based techniques enable designers to leverage the LPM to reliably improve the design of loudspeakers, perform nonlinear correction of loudspeakers, and the like.
US09668073B2
A method of operating an audio monitoring system includes generating with a sound sensor audio data corresponding to a sound event generated by an object in a scene around the sound sensor, identifying with a processor a type and action of the object in the scene that generated the sound with reference to the audio data, generating with the processor a timestamp corresponding to a time of the detection of the sound event, and updating a scene state model corresponding to sound events generated by a plurality of objects in the scene with reference to the identified type of object, action taken by the object, and the timestamp. The method further includes identifying a sound event in the scene with reference to the scene state model and a predetermined scene grammar stored in a memory, and generating with the processor an output corresponding to the sound event.
US09668064B2
A microelectromechanical system microphone includes a semiconductor-on-insulator structure, a plurality of resistors, a plurality of first openings, and a vent hole. The semiconductor-on-insulator structure includes a substrate, an insulating layer and a semiconductor layer. The resistors are formed in the semiconductor layer, the first openings are formed in the semiconductor layer, and the vent hole is formed in the insulating layer and the substrate. The resistors are connected to each other to form a resistor pattern, and the first openings are all formed within the resistor pattern.
US09668061B2
In an electrodynamic acoustic transducer which uses a surface potential of an electret dielectric film as a polarization voltage, prevention of partial suctional adhesion of a diaphragm caused by variation in surface potential across the electret dielectric film is ensured in a simple way. In an electrodynamic acoustic transducer including a diaphragm and a fixed pole which are arranged with a predetermined interval so as to face each other, a facing surface of either one of the diaphragm and the fixed pole having an electret dielectric film, a surface of the electret dielectric film is divided into a plurality of segment regions, and a predetermined surface potential is given to each of the segment regions by a polarization processing unit.
US09668058B2
A speaker diaphragm includes: a vibrator; and a suspension adhered to an outer peripheral part of the vibrator and supporting the vibrator so that the vibrator can vibrate, at least part of the suspension including a top surface member constituting a top surface part of the suspension, a rear surface member constituting a rear surface part of the suspension, and an intermediate member between the top surface member and the rear surface member, these members being stacked, the intermediate member having a rigidity lower than that of at least one of the top surface member and the rear surface member, the top surface member having one or more first holes, the rear surface member having one or more second holes, and at least some of the first holes and second holes being dispose so as to overlap across the intermediate member in a direction in which the members are stacked.
US09668053B1
Audio landscape/pathway lights, devices, apparatus, systems and methods using BLUETOOTH wireless communication technology with integrated speakers, receivers/transmitters, outdoor speaker, PCB control card, driver, amplifier and FM receivers/transmitters. A single primary unit, which can be a pathway (landscape) light, can have a BLUETOOTH receiver and an FM transmitter, a speaker and a light (LED) and LED control. Secondary units can each contain a pathway/landscape light and FM receivers and speaker, and LED control. A Bluetooth enabled device from a portable digital device can send BLUETOOTH audio signals to the primary unit which automatically relays the audio signal to the secondary units so that the audio signal (music, words, and the like) can be synchronized and played simultaneously at all the units without lag time, echoes or reverberation, and without any other undesirable noise effects.
US09668048B2
Provided are systems and methods for contextual switching of microphones in audio devices. An example method includes detecting a change in conditions for capturing an acoustic signal by at least two microphones. A configuration is associated with the at least two microphones. The example method provides determining that the change in conditions has been stable for a pre-determined period of time. In response to the determination, the method changes the configuration associated with the at least two microphones. The conditions may include an absence or presence of far-end speech, reverberation, low/high signal-to-noise ratio, low/high signal-to-echo ratio, type of background noise, and so on. The changing of the configuration includes assigning a primary microphone and a secondary microphone based on a change in conditions. Based on the changed configuration, tuning parameters may be adjusted for noise suppression and acoustic echo cancellation.
US09668047B2
The present disclosure relates to a microphone, and more particularly, to a microphone capable of improving a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) by receiving a sound pressure through at least two acoustic sensing modules.According to an exemplary form of the present disclosure, a microphone includes first and second acoustic sensing modules including a diaphragm vibrated by a sound pressure introduced from the outside and a fixed membrane spaced apart from the diaphragm, and a signal processing module receiving first and second capacitance signals from each of the first and second acoustic sensing modules and removing and outputting noises included in the first and second capacitance signals based on the first and second capacitance signals.
US09668045B1
A novel phantom-powered JFET gain circuit that improves audio clarity and linearity, while reducing a high-gain burden, noise, and distortion from a sole usage of a conventional preamplifier, is disclosed. In one embodiment, the novel phantom-powered JFET gain circuit is encased as a standalone box that connects to a microphone on one end and a conventional preamplifier unit or another conventional audio processing unit on another end. In another embodiment, the novel phantom-powered JFET gain circuit is integrated into a portable electronic device or another consumer electronic device with a microphone to provide an earliest-stage gain in a microphone-captured audio signal processing pathway. Yet in another embodiment, the novel phantom-powered JFET gain circuit is integrated into a preamplifier unit and provides the earliest-stage gain in a microphone-captured audio signal processing pathway, prior to additional and conventional signal amplification by the preamplifier unit.
US09668042B1
The present disclosure provides an earphone device with sound adjustment capability that allows a user to dynamically adjust sound acoustics resonating from the device. In one aspect, the earphone device includes a housing having an acoustic output port. The acoustic output port is adapted to receive an audio signal. In this regard, sound resonates from the acoustic output port based on the audio signal. The earphone device also includes a telescopic portion having a hollow tube portion attached to the housing. The hollow tube portion may be in communication with the acoustic output port. The telescopic portion is configured to receive a fitting member. The fitting member is configured to adjust a bass range of the outputted sound resonating from the acoustic output port by passing through the telescopic portion so as to adjust a length of the hollow tube portion.
US09668040B2
A receiver, a mobile terminal device having the same includes a main circuit disposed upward by a predetermined gap from a bottom surface of a bracket housed within the mobile terminal device. The receiver includes a diaphragm provided at the other side of the bracket separated by a predetermined gap from the main circuit and a container shape in which a circuit is wired within the bracket and that houses a receiver mesh in an area in which a portion of a lower surface of the container shape is opened and that mounts a magnet on an injection structure molded at a periphery of the receiver mesh and the diaphragm covers an upper portion of the receiver mesh and the magnet and a coil fixed to the diaphragm and facing the magnet.
US09668032B2
An enhanced system and method for monitoring operation of a plurality of data sensors allows monitoring of data from industrial batteries and/or Battery Data Sensors (BDSs), vehicles, charging systems and related equipment. One or more Data Collection Modules communicate wirelessly and receive data from each device sensor, store data in the Data Collector memory and asynchronously transmit the data through the Cloud and/or Internet to the Cloud Server, which stores and process all received raw data and stores configuration information for each uniquely identified monitored device. Users may interact with the monitoring system using smart Web-enabled devices, and may submit user configuration data via the Cloud Server and receive reports regarding operation of the monitoring system, individual sensors and monitored devices.
US09668031B2
Media rich content server systems and methods are operable to provide access to supplemental media rich content at a portable media device. An exemplary embodiment communicatively couples a portable media device to a media device that initially receives a media content stream comprising at least one supplemental media rich content trigger, wherein the supplemental media rich content trigger includes access information configured to access at least one media rich content server; receives a portion of the media content stream with the supplemental media rich content trigger at the portable media device; establishes a communication link between the portable media device and the media rich content server based upon the access information in the received supplemental media rich content trigger; receives supplemental media rich content from the media rich content server; and presents at least the received supplemental media rich content on a display of the portable media device.
US09668030B2
Methods, systems, and apparatus for synchronizing interactive advertisements with linear advertisements, including: a traffic module configured to generate advertisement schedule information about slots for linear advertisements on channels; an automation module configured to detect cue messages in real-time media, each cue message indicating a respective start time and a respective index of a respective slot for respective linear advertisements, and to forward information about the cue messages; and an interactivity production module configured to receive the advertisement schedule information, the information about the cue messages, and information about interactive sequences, each interactive sequence to be synchronized with a respective spot for an associated linear advertisement, to generate an interactivity event for each respective interactive sequence, to calculate a start time for each respective interactivity event using information about a respective associated cue message, and to forward an activation message with the respective start time for each respective interactivity event.
US09668023B1
Systems and methods are provided herein for detecting a person of interest being displayed in a live video, identifying an identity of the person of interest, and comparing the identity of the person of interest to entries of a database of social media profiles. Control circuitry may identify, based on the comparing, a social media component that corresponds to the person of interest, and may determine whether the person of interest has modified the social media component within a predefined period of time. In response to determining that the person of interest has modified the social media component within a predefined period of time, the control circuitry may provide information relating to a modification of the social media component simultaneously with the live video.
US09668015B2
A UHD display presents HD video in the native resolution of HD, leaving some portions of the UHD display unused for presenting the HD video. Ancillary information received, for example, in real time with the HD video or in parallel with the HD video over the Internet is presented in the unused portions of the UHD display along with the HD video.
US09667996B2
Techniques are described for sub-prediction unit (PU) based motion prediction for video coding in HEVC and 3D-HEVC. In one example, the techniques include an advanced temporal motion vector prediction (TMVP) mode to predict sub-PUs of a PU in single layer coding for which motion vector refinement may be allowed. The advanced TMVP mode includes determining motion vectors for the PU in at least two stages to derive motion information for the PU that includes different motion vectors and reference indices for each of the sub-PUs of the PU. In another example, the techniques include storing separate motion information derived for each sub-PU of a current PU predicted using a sub-PU backward view synthesis prediction (BVSP) mode even after motion compensation is performed. The additional motion information stored for the current PU may be used to predict subsequent PUs for which the current PU is a neighboring block.
US09667992B2
A method for selecting a motion vector predictor is provided. The method of selecting a motion vector predictor includes the steps of selecting motion vector predictor candidates for a current block and selecting a motion vector predictor of the current block out of the motion vector predictor candidates, wherein the motion vector predictor candidates for the current block include a motion vector of a first candidate block which is first searched for as an available block out of left neighboring blocks of the current block and a motion vector of a second candidate block which is first searched for as an available block out of upper neighboring blocks of the current block.
US09667979B2
An image compression circuit includes: a transform section configured to transform a plurality of pieces of pixel data into a plurality of pieces of coefficient data; and a quantization section configured to obtain a quantization parameter based on a predetermined number of pieces of the coefficient data, and to quantize the predetermined number of pieces of the coefficient data with use of the quantization parameter.
US09667976B2
A prediction set determining section selects a prediction set from a prediction set group including a plurality of prediction sets having different combinations of prediction modes corresponding to different prediction directions. Further, a prediction mode determining section selects a prediction mode from the prediction set thus selected. An entropy encoding section encodes the prediction set thus selected, the prediction mode thus selected, and residual data between an input image and a predicted image formed on the basis of the prediction set and the prediction mode. This allows an image encoding device to carry out predictions from more various angles, thereby improving prediction efficiency.
US09667974B2
A method for decoding an image including performing intra prediction on a chrominance block according to whether the intra prediction mode of the chrominance block is equal to an intra prediction mode of a luminance block.
US09667973B2
A first vector predictor candidate list generating unit generates a first motion vector predictor candidate list from motion vectors of encoded neighboring blocks to blocks to be encoded. A second vector predictor candidate list generating unit generates a second motion vector predictor candidate list from motion vectors of blocks at the same positions as the blocks to be encoded in an encoded image and neighboring blocks to the blocks at the same positions. A combination determining unit determines whether to generate a third vector predictor candidate list combining the first and second vector predictor candidate lists by comparison of a block size of the blocks to be encoded and a threshold size. A vector predictor candidate list deciding unit generates the third vector predictor candidate list from the first vector predictor candidate list.
US09667972B2
When compression encoding processing of an image is performed in units of macroblocks using a pipeline structure, an application of a skip mode or the like according to MPEG4AVC to compression encode an encoding target block requires motion vectors and the like of adjacent blocks of the encoding target block. However, depending on a structure of the pipeline stages, the motion vectors may not be determined. In such cases, the skip mode cannot be applied to compression encode the encoding target block. This problem can be solved by (i) calculating all motion information candidates, of the encoding target block, corresponding to all motion information selectable by a previous block of the encoding target block, and (ii) selecting, as the motion information of the encoding target block in the skip mode, the motion information corresponding to the motion information determined for the previous block.
US09667964B2
A method and system for reduced complexity motion compensated temporal processing for pre-analysis purposes. The processing complexity is reduced by reducing the number of pictures processed for analysis, reducing the number of references used for analysis, and/or spatially subsampling input pictures.
US09667958B2
An embodiment of the present invention provides an image coding method, where the coding method includes: performing predictive coding on an image; performing transform coding on the image on which the predictive coding has been performed; performing, by using a quantization matrix, quantization coding on the image on which the transform coding has been performed, where the quantization matrix is a matrix reflecting image quantization step information, the quantization matrix includes an M*N quantization matrix and an N*M quantization matrix, and the N*M quantization matrix is obtained by transposing the M*N quantization matrix; and performing entropy coding on the image on which the quantization coding has been performed, and coding the M*N quantization matrix, so as to generate a code stream. In the present invention, the number of bits required for coding a quantization matrix is effectively saved, thereby improving compression efficiency.
US09667957B2
Methods, systems, and computer programs for improved quality video compression. Image quality from MPEG-style video coding may be improved by preserving a higher number of bits during intermediate encoding and decoding processing steps. Problems of inverse discrete cosine transform (IDCT) mismatch can be eliminated by exactly matching the IDCT function numerical algorithm of the decoder to the IDCT function numerical algorithm used for the decoding portion of the encoder. Also included is an application of high precision compression to wide dynamic range images by extending the range of the “quantization parameter” or “QP”. The extension of QP may be accomplished either by increasing the range of QP directly, or indirectly through a non-linear transformation. Also included is an application of extended intermediate processing precision and an extended QP range to reduced contrast regions of an image to extend the precision with which the low-contrast portions are compression coded.
US09667948B2
A method and system for providing a three-dimensional (3D) display. A variable length z-axis is added to each of plural (x,y) cells in a two-dimensional (2D) Cartesian plane creating plural three-dimensional (3D) cells each with a x, y and z axis. The z-axis includes a variable length light source for each of the plural x-y cells. The z-axis also includes a space vector including time and space information. A 3rd dimension is created by changing a length of the light source. A 2D image cell at (x, y) is moved along the 3D z-axis (x, y, zα) with viewing angle (α) to create a converted 3D image. An original 2D image adding z-axis with a space vector can be viewed as a 3D image on any network device (e.g., smart phone, tablet, wearable device, TV, etc.) without additional devices such as 3D glasses, 3D set-top boxes, etc.
US09667943B2
An image processing device includes: a coefficient decision section that, for each of target pixels in a first image and a second image, decides on a parallax conversion coefficient to convert a parallax computed by a parallax computation section into a parallax visually confirmable that the first image and the second image are within the first parallax range in cases determined by a first determination section to be within the first parallax range, and that decides on a parallax conversion coefficient to convert the parallax into a parallax visually confirmable that the first image and the second image are outside the first parallax range in cases determined by the first determination section to be outside the first parallax range; and an image processing section that performs image processing on the target pixels based on the parallax conversion coefficient decided by the coefficient decision section.
US09667926B2
A projector includes a circulation cooling device, a controller that controls the projector, and an exterior housing that accommodates the circulation cooling device and the controller and forms the exterior of the projector. The circulation cooling device includes a cooling fan that blows a cooling gas to an object to be cooled, a heat absorber that absorbs heat of the gas having cooled the object to be cooled, and a relay section that forms, along with the closed housing, a closed space and relays electrical connection between the cooling fan and the controller, and the relay section includes a double-sided substrate having an inner surface which faces the closed space and on which a connection member electrically connected to the cooling fan is arranged and an outer surface which faces away from the closed space and on which a connection member electrically connected to the controller is arranged.
US09667900B2
An image sensor that comprises a first substrate and a plurality of photo detector assemblies disposed on or in the first substrate. Each of the photo detector assemblies comprises a photo detector formed on or in a second substrate and configured to generate an analog signal in response to received light, a converter formed on or in a third substrate, wherein the converter is electrically coupled to the photo detector and includes circuitry for converting the analog signal to a digital signal, a processor formed on or in a fourth substrate, wherein the processor is electrically coupled to the converter and includes circuitry for processing the digital signal.
US09667896B2
A reduced area imaging device is provided for use in medical or dental instruments such as an endoscope. The imaging device is provided in various configurations, and connections between the imaging device elements and a video display may be achieved by wired or wireless connections. A connector assembly located near the imaging device interconnects the imaging device to an image/power cable extending through the endoscope. The connector provides strain relief and stabilization for electrically interconnecting the imager to the cable. The connector also serves as the structure for anchoring the distal ends of steering wires extending through the body of the endoscopic device. The connector includes a strain relief member mounted over a body of the connector. The connector allows a steering wire capability without enlarging the profile of the distal tip of the endoscopic device.
US09667894B2
Solid state imaging element, driving method of solid state imaging element, and electronic apparatus
A solid state imaging element including a drive circuit and a pixel unit with pixels arranged in a matrix form. The pixels include a photoelectric conversion element configured to convert light incident thereupon into a charge and to accumulate the charge, a charge holding unit connected to the photoelectric conversion element, and a floating diffusion region. The drive circuit transfers a first portion of the charge accumulated in the photoelectric conversion element to the charge holding unit and concurrently transfers a second portion of the charge accumulated in the photoelectric conversion element to the floating diffusion region. Electronic global shutter is realized by transferring charge from the photoelectric conversion elements of each of the pixels at substantially the same time.
US09667893B2
According to an embodiment, a noise removing device includes a first difference detector and a second difference detector. The first difference detector detects a difference between a first reset signal at a first timing and a second reset signal at a second timing after a predetermined period of time has elapsed from the first timing. The second difference detector subtracts the difference detected by the first difference detector from a main signal between the first reset signal and the second reset signal, and outputs a subtraction result.
US09667889B2
A portable electronic device (e.g., smart phone or tablet computer) is provided for generating and displaying images (e.g., 2-dimensional or 3-dimensional images) of an imaging target such as a human body. The portable electronic device may include imaging elements configured to receive radiation signals transmitted through and/or reflected by the imaging target, an imaging interface, and one or more processors. The portable electronic device may display what appears to be a window into the imaging target (e.g., a human body), and/or an exploded view (e.g., 3-dimensional, upwardly projected image) of the target. The generated image may be a real-time continuous image of the internal features of the target (e.g., a human body) that is updated to track movements of the target (e.g., breathing patterns) and the relative position of the portable electronic device as the portable electronic device moves relative to a surface of the target.
US09667883B2
A three-dimensional image sensing device includes a light source, a sensing module, and a signal processing module. The sensing module includes a pixel array, a control unit, and a light source driver. The light source generates flashing light with a K multiple of a frequency of flicker noise or a predetermined frequency. The pixel array samples the flashing light to generate a sampling result. The control unit executes an image processing on the sampling result to generate a spectrum. The light source driver drives the light source according to the K multiple of the frequency or the predetermined frequency. The signal processing module generates the K multiple of the frequency according to the spectrum, or outputs the predetermined frequency to the light source driver, and generates depth information according to a plurality of first images/a plurality of second images during turning-on/turning-off of the light source included in the sampling result.
US09667881B2
Disclosed herein are systems, device, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable storage media for enabling semi-manual media capture. Semi-manual media capture can involve calculating optimal exposure settings in an auto-exposure loop, displaying a scene with optimal exposure settings in real time, receiving a manual adjust gesture, and adjusting the scene, in real time, based on the manual adjust gesture.
US09667880B2
A method, which is performed by an electronic device, of automatically activating a flash for an image sensor of the electronic device is disclosed. The method may include receiving a first image including at least one text region and determining feature data characterizing the at least one text region in the first image. The method may also identify at least one candidate specular reflection region in the first image. Based on the feature data and the at least one candidate specular reflection region, the flash may be activated. Upon activating the flash, a second image including the at least one text region may be captured.
US09667877B2
The imaging device of the present invention includes: an image sensor 14 that is configured such that a plurality of pixels having an organic layer (14-4) for photoelectric conversion is two-dimensionally arranged, and each pixel of the image sensor (14) is divided into a plurality of regions, and has an on-chip microlens (15), which forms a pupil image of a optical imaging system on the plurality of regions, and reading sections (16) which respectively read photoelectrically converted signals of the plurality of divided regions; an optical diaphragm that mechanically stops down rays which are incident into the image sensor 14; and an electronic diaphragm section that electronically controls an aperture value, and that selects signals of the divided regions corresponding to the aperture value from the signals of the plurality of divided regions, on the basis of the aperture value which is controlled by the optical diaphragm.
US09667873B2
Embodiments disclosed pertain to systems, method s and apparatus for the initialization of Computer Vision (CV) applications on user devices (UDs) comprising a camera and a display. In some embodiments, an optimal camera trajectory for initialization of a Computer Vision (CV) application may be determined based on an initial camera pose and an estimated pivot distance. For example, the initial camera pose may be estimated based on a first image captured by the camera. Further, the display may be updated in real-time with an indication of a desired movement direction for the camera. In some embodiments, the indication of desired movement direction may be based, in part, on a current camera pose and the optimal trajectory, where the current camera pose may be estimated based on a current image captured by the camera.
US09667871B2
A system and method of remote imaging allows a camera module in a modular portable electronic device environment to be removed from a base module without halting an image capture session being displayed on a display of the base module. In an embodiment, image data may be captured by both the camera module and the base module. A hardwired connection connects the devices when the camera module is docked on the base module, while a wireless connection maintains the connection between the devices when the camera module is undocked from the base module during an image capture session.
US09667866B2
An image pickup apparatus reduced in wasteful electric power consumption due to execution of a GPS function and capable of adding the newest position information measured by the GPS function to an image photographed by interval photographing. An image pickup section has a plurality of image pickup modes including an interval mode for performing image pickup at photographing intervals of interval photographing. A GPS module acquires position information indicative of a position of the image pickup apparatus at GPS positioning intervals. The GPS positioning interval is set according to a user's operation. In a case where the image pickup section is set to the interval mode, GPS positioning interval is changed from the interval set according to a user's operation to an interval synchronized with the photographing interval of interval photographing.
US09667862B2
Method, system, and computer program product for gamifying the process of obtaining panoramic images
Systems, methods, and computer readable mediums are provided to generate a number of targets for a panoramic image, each of the targets defining a portion of the panoramic image, monitor a position of a user device with respect to a current target, responsive to determining that the user device is properly positioned with respect to the current target, capture a first image for the current target using a camera of the user device, monitor the position of the user device with respect to a next target, responsive to determining that the user device is properly positioned with respect to the next target, capture a second image for the next target using the camera of the user device; and generate the panoramic image using the first image and the second image.
US09667860B2
A method, computer readable medium and an apparatus are presented for providing composition and position guidance for a camera. One method includes detecting an image received on a capturing device. The image is analyzed to identify objects and determine attributes of the objects. Suggestions are provided to adjust at least one of position or setting of the capturing device in accordance to rules, based on the analysis of the image. Adjustment of the capturing device based on the suggestions provided, are detected and used to receive an adjusted image. The adjusted image is captured by the capturing device.
US09667836B2
A color conversion apparatus to output image data to a printer obtains roughness data to indicate the roughness of each pixel in an image expressed by the image data, derives a reduction ratio of a color gamut in each pixel according to a roughness of each pixel in the roughness data, changes color gamut data indicating for the printer on a substantially flat surface according to the derived reduction ratio to derive color gamut data in each pixel, and then performs color conversion on each pixel in the image data using the derived color gamut data.
US09667835B2
An image forming system includes an image forming apparatus that includes an image forming part to form an image on a recording medium, a sheet container to contain the recording medium, a sheet feeder to feed the recording medium from the sheet container toward the image forming part, and a controller to switch speeds of conveyance of the recording medium conveyed by the image forming part and the sheet feeder between high speed sheet conveyance and low speed sheet conveyance. The image forming apparatus continuously forms the image on multiple recording media in a continuous printing mode. The controller adjusts a printing distance in the continuous printing mode between a trailing end of a preceding recording medium of the recording media and a leading end of a subsequent recording medium in the low speed sheet conveyance to be greater than the printing distance in the high speed sheet conveyance.
US09667834B1
An image scanning method includes: generating, in a terminal, a scan job ticket as a data file containing content of a job for storing scan data, generated by image scanning, in a storage; based on the content of the job, generating, in an image scanning apparatus, a scan send ticket as a data file for sending the scan data; transmitting the scan job ticket from the terminal to the image scanning apparatus; in response to the receiving of the scan job ticket, authenticating, in the image scanning apparatus, the scan job ticket based on authentication information in the scan send ticket; and in response to the authentication, storing the scan data in the storage according to the content of the job.
US09667826B2
An image pickup apparatus includes a shooting unit, a control unit, and an association unit. The shooting unit performs a plurality of shooting operations and obtain a plurality of images. The control unit acquires position information and acquire direction information. The association unit associates the direction information and the position information with the plurality of images. The control unit controls the shooting unit to perform a single shooting operation and a continuous shooting operation selectively. The position information associated with each of the plurality of images obtained in the continuous shooting operation is the same position information, and the direction information associated with each of the plurality of images obtained in the continuous shooting operation is individual direction information in the continuous shooting operation.
US09667815B2
A first information processing device includes a first registration unit to store, in a first storage unit, an identifier and destination information of a terminal; a receiver to receive, from the terminal, information including data identification information of data stored in the terminal, the identifier of the terminal, and user identification information of a user of the terminal; a second storage unit to store the information received by the receiver; a second registration unit to store, in a second information processing device, the user identification information and identification information of the first information processing device; a retrieval unit to retrieve, in response to a request from a data retrieval device, the information including the user identification information; and a transmitter to transmit the destination information and the data identification information. The data retrieval device retrieves the data based on the destination information.
US09667809B1
A global data service connection manager determines a shared data account balance for data available to a user as a function of data amounts previously made available to a shared data system by the first user for the use of other registered users. In response to a request by the first user to execute a data transaction by using data from the shared system, the shared data account balance and the data available at the brokered purchase price are automatically arbitrated to acquire at least one of data from a wireless service account of another registered user of the shared system in an amount that does not exceed the first user's shared data account balance, and data purchased from a wireless service account of another registered user of the shared system in a purchased amount that does not exceed data available at a brokered purchase price.
US09667807B2
Techniques for dynamic zero-rated server clusters are described. Some embodiments are particularly directed to techniques for delivering zero-rated content packages in which different client devices with different zero-rated content packages may receive their appropriate zero-rated content using a shared cluster of zero-rated servers. In one embodiment, for example, an apparatus may comprise a network access component operative to receive a user request at a network service from a client device via a data network, wherein the network service is rate-adjusted for the client device with the data network; and respond to the user request; and a rate-adjustment management component operative to access a rate-adjustment wallet for a user account for the user request; and configure the network access component to respond to the user request based on the rate-adjustment wallet. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US09667802B2
An IP telephony system obtains control over a group of telephone numbers that can be assigned to its customers' telephony devices under a contract with a first local exchange carrier that originally controlled the group of telephone numbers. The first local exchange carrier assigns one or more location routing numbers to the group of telephone numbers, and the one or more location routing numbers are for the exclusive use of the IP telephony system. The one or more location routing numbers are then recorded against the group of telephone numbers in a local number portability database. Other exchange carriers are then caused to route calls directed to the any telephony number associated with the one or more location routing numbers directly to the IP telephony system. As a result, a second local exchange carrier can terminate telephony communications directly to the IP telephony system, bypassing the first local exchange carrier.
US09667801B2
Various of the disclosed embodiments improve the initial codec selection in a Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) connection. Particularly, rather than select an initial codec for the connection arbitrarily or based on data measured during the connection, embodiments analyze attributes of data exchanged prior to connection establishment to identify the appropriate initial codec. Attributes of the offer message transmission and acknowledgement may be used to infer channel quality. Signal strength, the existence of a WiFi connection, previous codecs used, etc., may also be taken into consideration. Latency measurements may be used as a proxy for measuring available bandwidth. Based on these factors, a codec having appropriate attributes may be selected. Traditional rate shaping methods may be applied subsequent to the initial codec selection.
US09667787B2
A method and a system for voice transmission control. The method comprises: receiving, by a voice answering device, a voice command and transmitting the voice command to a sound control server through a network data transmission channel; recognizing, by the sound control server, the voice command, generating corresponding VXML control information based on a recognition result, and transmitting the VXML control information to the voice answering device through the network data transmission channel; and performing, by the voice answering device, an operation according to the received VXML control information. With this method, the architecture and workflow of the communication system can be simplified, and the difficulty of design thereof can be reduced.
US09667786B1
One embodiment relates to a computerized process for assisting a user in obtaining help from a help desk comprising a plurality of steps. One step can involve connecting the user with a computer network. Another step involves presenting the user with a plurality of questions. Another step involves analyzing a plurality of answers provided by the user by comparing said plurality of answers with a plurality of answers stored in a database. Another step involves determining using a microprocessor whether to connect a user with a live agent and connecting the user with a live agent by switching to a telephone network after determining via a predetermined score that the user needs further assistance. Ultimately, through a series of steps the system becomes more agile and intelligent thereby becoming a dynamic system which can change the process for assisting a user based upon the satisfaction of the user.
US09667779B2
Concepts and technologies are disclosed herein for providing and using a routing service. A processor can obtain a routing scenario associated with a customer of the routing service. The routing scenario can specify customer data to be accessed to determine a call handling decision when a call is received from a calling party, and the customer data can include information associated with the calling party. The processor can obtain a request to route a call intended for the customer. The processor can generate a query of the customer data to obtain data associated with the calling party. The customer data can be stored at a storage location associated with the customer that is remote from the routing service. The processor can analyze the customer data and the routing scenario, determine a call handling decision, and provide the call handling decision to a network to route the call.
US09667767B2
The present disclosure relates to devices and methods for initiating execution of actions and for communicating information to a user, and more particularly, to initiating execution of predefined actions in wearable devices and communication devices based on gestures made with the wearable devices and/or heat applied to a surface of the wearable devices. According to an aspect, the method relates to, in the wearable device, detecting a first, in the first wearable device predefined, gesture of the first wearable device, broadcasting a first signal comprising information associated with the first gesture, receiving, from a second wearable device, a second signal comprising information associated with a second gesture and initiating execution of a, in the first wearable device predefined, first action based on the first signal and the second signal.
US09667766B2
A Bluetooth control system includes a head unit for acquiring a door open or closed signal from doors of a vehicle when the doors are opened or closed. The head unit selectively turns on or off Bluetooth connection of a mobile device using a set application based on the door open or closed signal.
US09667750B2
A method for a client-initiated leader election in a distributed system including receiving a master listener election request by at least one listener of a plurality of listeners in the distributed system, arranging a list of configured listeners in a descending priority order, the list of configured listeners comprises one or more listeners of the plurality of listeners set for connection, selecting a listener with a highest priority from the list of configured listeners, determining an availability of the selected listener, verifying a connectivity to the selected listener using a ping utility program, assigning the selected listener as a master listener based on the connectivity, and connecting to the master listener.
US09667743B2
A method for communication between two clients via a server in a network using OPC Unified Architecture (OPC-UA), wherein a virtual server object that provides a server functionality to a first of two clients is implemented in the server by making available to the first client a virtual address space in an address space of the server, and a process for generating and modifying virtual server nodes in said virtual address space. The server allows the second client to access virtual server nodes in the virtual address space and informs the first client each time that the second client accesses a virtual server node in the virtual address space.
US09667741B1
A method and system for anonymizing data to be transmitted to a destination computing device is disclosed. Anonymization strategy for data anonymization is provided. Data to be transmitted is received from a user computer. A context sensing word is appended to the anonymized data. The anonymized data and the context sensing word are transmitted to the destination computing device. In one embodiment, the data includes a plurality of normal words and a plurality of stop words. A compacted stop word representative of each of the stop word and their relative position in the data is created. Anonymized normal words and anonymized compacted stop word is transmitted to the destination computing device.
US09667738B2
In accordance with some embodiments, a computational machine having one or more processors, a local cache and memory receives from a first machine a data request that is used to request specific data. The computational machine determines whether the computational machine stores the specific data in the local cache. In accordance with a determination that the computational machine does not store the specific data in the local cache, the computational machine responds to the data request by passing the data request to a second machine and returning the specific data to the first machine when the second machine returns the specific data to the computational machine. Additionally, the computational machine determines whether to store the returned specific data in the local cache according to a data caching method.
US09667735B2
A caching system is provided. The computing infrastructure runs off of a centralized storage, and data stored on the centralized store can also be retrieved from nearby machines that are part of the local infrastructure and have recently accessed the centralized store. Address-to-digest mappings are used to find an index of the desired data block. That digest is then used to hold where the data block is being cached. In some embodiments, the digest is hashed and the hash of the digest is used to determine where the data block is being cached. The data block is accessed from the cache using its cache, therefore different addresses may result in the retrieval of the same data block. For example, in a virtual machine environment, two different nodes may retrieve the same data block using different addresses.
US09667733B2
The present disclosure is directed toward systems and methods for analyzing user-specific information and determining content within one or more web pages that has been experienced by one or more users. Furthermore, the present disclosure is directed toward identifying and providing actionable data based on keywords experienced by one or more users.
US09667723B2
An architecture provides capabilities to transport and process Internet Protocol (IP) packets from Layer 2 through transport protocol layer and may also provide packet inspection through Layer 7. A set of engines may perform pass-through packet classification, policy processing and/or security processing enabling packet streaming through the architecture at nearly the full line rate. A scheduler schedules packets to packet processors for processing. An internal memory or local session database cache stores a session information database for a certain number of active sessions. The session information that is not in the internal memory is stored and retrieved to/from an additional memory. An application running on an initiator or target can in certain instantiations register a region of memory, which is made available to its peer(s) for access directly without substantial host intervention through RDMA data transfer.
US09667716B2
An approach is provided for a more efficient and user friendly mechanism for sharing content among users. The approach includes determining a first request from a first device for sharing at least one content item; causing, at least in part, a generation of a graphical code representing, at least in part, the at least one content item, wherein the graphical code is unique to the first request; causing, at least in part, a presentation of the graphical code at the first device; and causing, at least in part, a transfer of the at least one content item from the first device to a second device based, at least in part, on a scanning of the graphical code by the second device.
US09667714B2
Facilitating browser access to cached content available from a peer to peer network by receiving a request for content from a content server, receiving from the content server content metadata indicating that the requested content is available from at least one alternative user computing device via a peer to peer network, instantiating on the user computing device a browser helper application which facilitates access to the peer to peer network, and receiving from the content server a lookup table comprising a list of alternative user computing devices from which the requested content is available. The lookup table can be parsed to select an alternative user computing device from which the content, or portions thereof, is requested. The received content can the be stored for later use or presented to the user via the browser.
US09667713B2
In one embodiment of the invention, service providers generate bloom filters with the user ID codes of registered users and exchange the bloom filters with one another. In response to a request to locate a first user, a first service provider will query its own registration database to determine if the first user is registered with the first service provider. If the first user is not registered with the first service provider, then the first service provider will query its bloom filters to identify other service providers with which the first user may be registered. A positive response from a bloom filter indicates that the first user may or may not be registered with the service provider associated with that bloom filter, and a negative response indicates with certainty that the first user is not registered with the service provider associated with that bloom filter.
US09667704B1
A method and system is provided for classifying one or more application processing interface (API) requests in an API processing system. The method includes receiving a client request comprising at least one API language component. The method also includes mapping a client request to a tree configuration, wherein the tree contains a plurality of nodes. The method further includes traversing said nodes of the tree to fetch information pertaining to one or more portions of the client request.
US09667701B2
A method begins by a processing module receiving a random order of encoded data slices and interpreting slice names to de-randomize the encoded data slices into of sets of transmit encoded data slices. The method continues with the processing module determining whether a decode threshold number of encoded data slices of a set of transmit encoded data slices have been received. When not received, the method continues with the processing module determining whether a sufficient number of encoded data slices of the set of transmit encoded data slices are still to be received and waiting until the decode threshold number of encoded data slices are received when encoded data slices are still to be received. When the decode threshold number of encoded data slices are received, the method continues with the processing module decoding the decode threshold number of encoded data slices to recapture a corresponding data segment.
US09667697B2
The transfer data amount between a server and storage is effectively reduced, and the broadband of an effective band between the server and the storage is realized. An interface device is located in a server module, and, when receiving a read request issued by a server processor, transmits a read command based on the read request to a storage processor. In a case where a reverse-conversion instruction to cause the interface device to perform reverse conversion of post-conversion object data acquired by converting object data of the read request is received from the storage processor, DMA to transfer post-conversion object data stored in the transfer source address on a storage memory to the transfer destination address on the server memory while reverse-converting the post-conversion object data is performed.
US09667693B2
The invention proposes a method for processing data in a vehicle in which the data are received by a first processing unit via a network; in which the data are decoded by the first processing unit; and in which a piece of reproduction information comprising an output time or a piece of synchronization information is transmitted to the second processing unit. In addition, an appropriate apparatus is specified.
US09667687B2
Generating processed web address information is disclosed, including: receiving a request to share a webpage, wherein the request includes at least a first web address information associated with the webpage and user identification information associated with a first user; generating a second web address information based at least in part on the first web address information and the user identification information associated with the first user; and presenting the second web address information.
US09667683B2
A proxy mixer includes a transceiver configured to receive one or more first requests to provide one or more first media streams to one or more first endpoints. The one or more first media streams are generated by one or more second endpoints. The one or more first requests indicate one or more first quality metrics for the one or more first media streams. The transceiver is also configured to provide one or more second requests for the one or more second endpoints to generate the one or more first media streams at an aggregate quality metric that equals a highest quality metric of the one or more first quality metrics. The transceiver is further configured to transmit the one or more first media streams towards the one or more first endpoints.
US09667668B2
One aspect provides a method of handling a proactive indication received from a subscriber identity module at a modem, the modem being connected to a terminal equipment via a command interface. The method comprises receiving, at a modem processor, the proactive indication from the subscriber identity module. The method further comprises determining that the indication is to be handled by the modem processor. The method further comprises a modem processor transmitting a display command via the command interface to the terminal equipment and the modem processor awaiting a user response command, and continuing or aborting an action indicated in the proactive indication depending on the user response in the user response command received from the terminal equipment.
US09667660B2
A network access credential can be shared among devices based on location information for a device. Location information can include timed fingerprint location information. In an aspect, location information can be associated with a location of user equipment. This location information can be correlated with network access credentials. Location information can be used to access a relevant network access credential. The relevant network access credential can be shared with other devices. In an embodiment, sharing a network access credential can be between mobile devices. In another embodiment, sharing a network access credential can be between a remote computing device and a mobile device. Sharing a credential can allow for access to a network without having to generate or input new credentials.
US09667655B2
A method includes performing operations as follows on a processor: receiving a request for a content item from a mobile device, determining that the content item is protected by a security policy, the security policy comprising an environmental factor associated with the use of the mobile device, ghosting a portion of the content item based on the security policy, and sending the content item and the security policy to the mobile device.
US09667651B2
According to one embodiment, a method for setting a trap to detect that an intruder has compromised a client end station (CES) in an attempt to gain unauthorized access to enterprise data provided by a server is described. The method includes causing a honey token to be placed on the CES secluded within a configuration repository, wherein the honey token is metadata and/or instructions indicating how applications can seemingly access the enterprise data but that is actually invalid, and the honey token is placed on the CES and not on the server. The method also includes causing attribute values to be installed on a security gateway for a security rule causing the security gateway to monitor network traffic for attempted use of the honey token, and to generate an alert when a set of one or more packets that include the honey token are received.
US09667648B2
An opportunity to assist with remediation of a file at a remote particular host device is identified. One or more remediation techniques are identified that can be applied to assist with remediation of the file at the particular host device. In one aspect, one or more remediation scripts are identified from a plurality of remediation scripts for remediation of the file and provided to the particular host device for execution on the particular host device. In another aspect, a remediation tool is identified and launched on a computing device remote from the particular host device with operations of the remediation tool applied to resources of the particular host device. In another aspect, at least a portion of the remediation techniques are remotely initiated to be performed locally at the particular host device.
US09667644B2
Systems, methods and apparatuses for analyzing a string of terms (e.g., a search query, text of an email, and the like) are provided. In some examples, a determination is made as to whether one or more terms in the string matches a keyword. If so, various parts of speech of one or more terms in the string of terms may be determined. In some examples, a category of risk of the terms for which the part of speech is identified may also be determined. A risk rating may then be determined for the string of terms based on the relationship between the terms (e.g., the parts of speech) and the category or categories identified. In some examples, one or more additional actions may be implemented based on the risk rating.
US09667643B2
The present disclosure relates to methods for correlating security vulnerability assessment data from a network vulnerability assessment, a static application security test (SAST) assessment and/or a zero day vulnerability metadata source.
US09667640B2
The disclosed embodiments relate to a system that generates an alert based on information extracted from search results generated by a query. During operation, the system executes the query to generate the search results. The system also obtains configuration information for the alert, wherein the configuration information identifies information associated with the search results, and also specifies a trigger condition for the alert. Next, when the trigger condition for the alert is met, the system uses the configuration information to generate a payload containing the identified information associated with the search results. The system then invokes alert-generating functionality and provides the payload as input to the alert-generating functionality. This enables the alert-generating functionality to use the information from the search results while performing one or more alert actions association with the alert.
US09667633B2
A social networking system includes information identifying a machine (e.g., a robot, a drone, a computer, a thermostat, etc.) and a connection between the machine and an owner of the machine, which is a user of the social networking system capable of authorizing an action by the machine. The owner of the machine associates permissions associated with various actions by the machine, where a permission associated with an action identifies one or more criteria for performing the action. Permissions may specify types of connections between social networking system users and the owner of the machine via the social networking system to allow social networking system users with specific types of connections to the owner of the machine to perform certain actions using the machine. Information describing an action performed by the machine may be communicated to other users of the social networking system via any suitable communication channel.
US09667626B2
A method is to be implemented using a network authentication device and a user end for authenticating the user end. The network authentication device stores hardware information associated with unique identification codes of hardware components of the user end. In the method, the user end executes a terminal program for scanning the hardware components to obtain the identification codes, for establishing a hardware list according to the identification codes, and for automatically sending to the network authentication device verification data associated with the hardware list without user operation. The network authentication device verifies identity of the user end based on the verification data and the hardware information.
US09667625B2
Disclosed is an access control method of an area restricted network system including a central control device and at least one area restricted network. Each area restricted network includes at least a master node. The method comprises a detection step of detecting that an access device has entered into an area restricted network in the area restricted network system; a receipt step of receiving, by a master node in the area restricted network, an authentication information request sent by the access device; a sending step of, in response to the authentication information request, generating and sending the authentication information for the access device by the master node in the area restricted network; and a request step of, by the access device, receiving the authentication information, and then utilizing the authentication information so as to send an authentication request to the central control device.
US09667624B2
Objectives, an environment, and/or a theme associated with a virtual space may be managed based on characters made accessible responsive to corresponding tokens being detected. Tokens, including a first token associated with a first character or a second token associated with a second character, may be detected based on signals received from one or more token readers. The first character may be made accessible in the virtual space responsive to the first token being detected and the second character may be made accessible in the virtual space responsive to the second token being detected. Responsive to one or both of the first token being detected or the second token being detected, a given objective associated with the virtual space may be effectuated in the virtual space, an environment of the virtual space may be modified, and/or a theme of the virtual space being modified.
US09667622B2
In accordance with embodiments, there are provided mechanisms and methods for managing a risk of access to an on-demand service as a condition of permitting access to the on-demand service. These mechanisms and methods for providing such management can enable embodiments to help prohibit an unauthorized user from accessing an account of an authorized user when the authorized user inadvertently loses login information. The ability of embodiments to provide such management may lead to an improved security feature for accessing on-demand services.
US09667611B1
Improved techniques involve selecting a set of authentication factors from among multiple factors based on a current situation and information about how well the multiple authentication factors have worked in similar situations in the past. Along these lines, when an authentication system performs an authentication operation on a requesting party, the authentication system first assesses a situational environment. Based on the assessment of the situational environment, the authentication system decides that it is necessary to re-authenticate the requesting party. In some arrangements, the authentication system may determine which set of factors has the highest likelihood of successfully verifying the user's identity when compared with other authentication factors. The authentication system then carries out an authentication operation on the selected set of factors and bases a successful authentication result on whether the selected set of factors can be verified.
US09667603B2
Application programming interface (API) hooks are injected into an application program executing at a client during run-time. Responsive to these hooks, data intended for encryption prior to transmission from the client is diverted, for example for content filtering, compression, etc., prior to being encrypted. In the case of encrypted data received at the client, the data is decrypted but before being passed to the application it is diverted, under control of the API hooks, for content filtering, decompression, etc.
US09667591B2
Network address date groups are defined that are associated with a group of electronic objects. Where network address date groups appear to relate to the same person or group, they are assigned an entity group identifier that allows tracking the electronic objects across network address changes. The entity group identifier may then be used by an advertiser or other service provider.
US09667586B2
A user directory for a hub-based system federating disparate unified communications systems is disclosed. According to one embodiment, the computer-implemented method includes connecting a first unified communications system and a second unified communications system through a federation server, synchronizing a directory entry from a directory of the first unified communications system to a user directory, where the directory entry contains user information of the first unified communications system, and providing the second unified communications system with an access to the directory entry.
US09667575B1
A computer-implemented method for detecting webpages belonging to spam campaigns may include (1) identifying a web address of a suspicious webpage that potentially hosts a spam message, (2) capturing an image of the suspicious webpage, (3) comparing the image of the suspicious webpage to at least one spam image from a spam database, the spam image being associated with a spam campaign in the spam database, (4) determining, based on the comparison of the image of the suspicious webpage with the spam image, whether the suspicious webpage is associated with the spam campaign, and (5) updating the spam database in response to the determination of whether the suspicious webpage is associated with the spam campaign. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.
US09667572B2
A computer program or method provides away messages from a first user to other users of a communications system, where the first user has grouped the other users into two or more groups. An interface is provided to the first user that displays representations of the other users in a manner that identifies how the first user has grouped the other users into the groups. The first user is able to select a selected group from the groups using the interface. The first user also is able to set a group away message for the selected group using the interface. The group away message is sent to a second user that has been grouped in the selected group when the second user attempts to communicate with the first user using the communications system and the first user is offline.
US09667569B1
A distributed system comprises one or more computers implementing a downstream server configured to determine whether it is overloaded and in response, to indicate to one or more upstream servers that the downstream server is in a hotspot situation. The system comprises one or more computers implementing one or more upstream servers configured to respond to receiving the indication of the hotspot situation by shielding the downstream server from subsequent requests, the shielding including serving one or more client requests without requesting service from the downstream server and reporting one or more measures of the shielded requests to the downstream server. The downstream server is further configured to determine whether the hotspot situation still exists, dependent on one or more of the reported measures.
US09667568B2
A method of detecting physical connections between a root bridge node and layer-2 bridge nodes organised in a layer-2 cloud. The method comprises sending a query message from a sending port of the root bridge node and starting a timer set to a waiting interval. After the timer expired, if a response message to the query message is not received or is received at the sending port then only the sending port is associated with said layer-2 cloud. Alternatively, if a response message is received at a port other than the sending port then the sending port and the receiving port are associated with said layer-2 cloud. A bridge node and a layer-2 communications network are also disclosed.
US09667563B2
A method for managing data communication traffic in a network routing device includes monitoring a bandwidth utilization of the network routing device and determining whether the bandwidth utilization exceeds a threshold. The method may additionally include receiving a first signal, the first signal having a first bandwidth, the first signal further having stream of packets. A second signal may be generated based on determining that the bandwidth utilization exceeds the threshold. The second signal may include the stream of packets. The second signal may additionally have a second bandwidth, where the second bandwidth is larger than the first bandwidth. The method may be continued by routing the second signal along a loopback path external to the network routing device. The method may then include extracting, based on determining that the bandwidth utilization is at or below the threshold, the stream of packets from the second signal for processing.
US09667555B2
Methods and systems for providing quality of service over IP networks are disclosed. In one aspect, a flow label field of a header may be divided into first and second portions. The first portion defines a quality of service. The second portion identifies a message flow. Once the first portion defining the quality of service is established by the sending node, no nodes in the transmission path may change the quality of service value. Each node may route packets based on the quality of service field, or may modify the traffic class field of the header based on the quality of service and then route the packet based on the traffic class field. The QoS field can be used to complement a DSCP/traffic class field and provide a better mechanism for end-to-end QoS using IPv6. A service provider can use DSCP within its own administrative domain(s), and end users can set and maintain QoS using the methods described herein, thereby providing a framework for end-to-end QoS using IP packets.
US09667553B2
Methods, systems, and devices are described for managing network communications. A traffic manager module may receive a message from a first network device to a second network device. The traffic manager module may serve as a proxy between the first network device and the second network device. The traffic manager module may perform an application layer inspection at the traffic manager module on at least one of the message or a response to the message from the second network device, and forward the message or the response to the message to a third network device based on the application layer inspection at the traffic manager module.
US09667548B2
It is provided a relay apparatus, comprising: a plurality of ports coupled to a network; a Layer 2 processing module for relaying, via the network, a frame comprising a Layer 2 header and a Layer 2 data segment, the Layer 2 data segment comprising a Layer 3 header and a Layer 3 data segment; and an output unit, wherein the module updates a value of a particular field of the Layer 3 header, uses a first characteristic value related to the Layer 3 header, which is stored in a given field, and a pre-update value and post-update value of the particular field to compute a second characteristic value related to the Layer 3 header, and updates the value of the given field from the first characteristic value to the second characteristic value, and wherein the output unit outputs the updated frame as an output destination of the updated frame.
US09667540B2
An FCoE forwarding system includes a non-FCoE-enabled networking device coupled between a source device and an FC device and including a plurality of L3 forwarding tables. The non-FCoE-enabled networking device receives a first communication from the source device and determines that the first communication includes a first FCoE frame. The non-FCoE-enabled networking device then retrieves first data from a first standard IP frame location in the first FCoE frame, second data from a second standard IP frame location in the first FCoE frame, and third data from a third standard IP frame location in the first FCoE frame, and uses the first data to reference a first L3 forwarding table of the plurality of L3 forwarding tables. The first non-FCoE-enabled networking device then uses the first L3 forwarding table with the second data and the third data to forward the first FCoE frame on to the FC device.
US09667538B2
A method in a gateway router is described. The method includes receiving traffic with a destination of a virtual internet protocol (VIP) address corresponding to a scalable VIP appliance; selecting a point-to-point VIP tunnel associated with the VIP address, wherein the point-to-point VIP tunnel encapsulates a point-to-point link between the gateway router and the scalable VIP appliance; separating one or more packets within the traffic; classifying each of the one or more separated packets based on one or more indicators of the one or more separated packets; and forwarding each of the one or more separated packets to one of one or more IP tunnels based on the classification of each of the separated packets, wherein the one or more IP tunnels are connected to the scalable VIP appliance and wherein the one or more IP tunnels comprise a forwarding tunnel group associated with the point-to-point VIP tunnel.
US09667536B2
In one embodiment, data packet messages are received in a Field Area Router (FAR) sent from one or more sources toward one or more destination devices in a Low-Power Lossy Network (LLN). An LLN routing topology for the data packet messages is interpolated in the FAR. An expected time for the data packet messages to reach a destination device in the LLN is determined based upon the routing topology interpolation. Traffic shaping is applied by the FAR for the data packet messages based upon the determined expected time for the data packet messages to reach destination devices in the LLN.
US09667535B2
Aspects of the present disclosure involve systems, methods, computer program products, and the like, for managing the distribution of content and/or communications from a computer network to an end user of the network. In general, the system receives a request for content from the network from a user of the network and determines a server or content providing component within the network to provide the content to the user. In addition, the network may reduce the number of components and distance requests for the content are transmitted through the associated networks. In one embodiment, the network may provide altered destination paths to one or more access networks through which the end user accesses the network. The altered destination paths may be used by the end user's service provider or local network to select an access network for accessing the computer network to minimize the impact on the computer network for providing the content to the end user.
US09667532B2
A method and apparatus for binding terminals are disclosed in the field of communication technologies. In the method: a server receives first information including at least one of first geographical location information, first time information and first address information of the first terminal. The server receives second information including at least one of second geographical location information, second time information, and second address information of the second terminal. The server binds the first terminal and the second terminal according to the first information and the second information.
US09667526B2
A mobile terminal includes: a peripheral interface having four terminals; an I2C interface; a first detection unit adapted to detect if an I2C device is inserted into the peripheral interface; and a first control unit adapted to, when the first detection unit detects there is an I2C device inserted into the peripheral interface, connect the I2C interface with the peripheral interface, such that the I2C interface is connected with the detected I2C device plugged in the peripheral interface. Accordingly, information exchange between mobile terminals and I2C devices can be achieved, thus adaptability of the mobile terminals can be expanded.
US09667523B2
An apparatus and method for performing a radio network deployment state test process in a mobile communication system are provided. In the method, a User Equipment (UE) receives a n equivalent Minimization of Drive Test (MDT)_Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) list from a Mobility Management Entity (MME) or an enhanced Node B (eNB), wherein a PLMN of the MME is an MDT_PLMN of the UE, the MDT_PLMN is a PLMN in which the UE performs an MDT process as a radio network deployment state test process using an MDT scheme, the equiva lent MDT_PLMNs are equivalent PLMNs of the MDT_PLMN, and the equivalent MDT_PLMN Identifiers (IDs) represent PLMN IDs of equivalent PLMNs of the PLMN of the MME.
US09667509B1
A system, method, and computer program product are provided for limiting an impact of at least one internal network entity on a network function virtualization (NFV) based communication network hosting the network entity, the method including: providing a container including at least one borderline gateway, providing within the container at least one of internal network entity, where the internal network entity includes a software module, a virtual network function (VNF), and a VNF instance, and assigning the borderline gateway at least one protective limit, where NFV-based network includes at least one external network entity, the external network entity is external to the container, where the at least one internal network entity communicates with any of the external network entities only via the at least one borderline gateway, and where the borderline gateway is operative to use the protective limit to limit the impact on the NFV-based network.
US09667505B2
The present invention discloses a method, device and program for generating a URL navigation page, and it relates to the field of network technologies. Based on a list of merged URLs, the present invention ranks the URLs visited by the user by a calculation method that uses the visit frequency as a standard to obtain the URLs most frequently visited by the user, then it puts the web sites represented by the top several URLs into specified positions to be displayed; the present invention also categories the URLs visited by the user according to a URL categorization rule, and then counts the frequency of visit to each category, and then designates corresponding display positions to the top categories in the rank according to the rank of the visit frequency, so that they can be displayed. By means of the present invention, the multiple categories of web sites most frequently visited by the user can be provided to the user in a more objective, more accurate and more comprehensive manner.
US09667499B2
A capability for sparsifying a representation of pairwise cost information is presented herein. The capability for sparsifying a representation of pairwise cost information may be used to sparsify a representation of pairwise cost information for a set of nodes. The sparsification of a representation of pairwise cost information for a set of nodes may provide thereby a sparsified representation of the pairwise cost information for the set of nodes. The sparsification of the representation of pairwise cost information for the set of nodes may be based on clustering of the nodes of the set of nodes into clusters. The sparsification of the representation of pairwise cost information for the set of nodes may be based on calculation of intra-cluster costs and inter-cluster costs, where the intra-cluster costs and inter-cluster costs are calculated based on the pairwise cost information of the representation of the pairwise cost information for the set of nodes.
US09667497B2
An access point information handling system (IHS) group management system includes a group management IHS that is coupled to a plurality of access point IHSs through a network. The group management IHS receives a group request from a first access point IHS, then retrieves group configuration information from the group configuration database using information about the first access point IHS, and uses the group configuration information to determine an access point IHS group. The access point IHS group includes the first access point IHS and at least one second access point IHS. The group management IHS then determines an access point IHS group controller that is one of the first access point IHS and the at least one second access point IHS. The group management IHS then identifies the access point IHS group and the access point IHS group controller to the first access point IHS.
US09667496B2
In at least one embodiment, in response to introduction of a first storage node into a storage network including a plurality of storage nodes, the first storage node discovers at least one second storage node that is a peer storage node. The first storage node downloads one or more versions of one or more shared soft configurations from the second peer storage node. In response to selection of a first version of a first shared soft configuration for activation, the first storage node subscribes to the first shared soft configuration and activates the first version of the selected shared soft configuration on the first storage node. Thereafter, in response to an update of the first shared soft configuration to a second version on the first storage node, the first storage node propagates the second version of the first shared soft configuration to the second storage node.
US09667491B2
A configuration management system includes a configuration management application for receiving configuration management information from a user device. The configuration management information including data associated with one or more parameters of the user device to be configured in the user device. The application further, for each parameter, accesses a parameter value associated with the parameter from at least one device configuration file stored in server, and transmits the accessed parameter values to the user device, wherein the parameters of the user device are configured using the parameter values received from the application.
US09667488B1
Network service providers are managed using a server-side configuration approach. According to an example embodiment of the present invention, a host network location includes two or more servers that automatically reconfigure their services in response to controller service settings corresponding to each server. Each server reads configuration information provided at a controller such as a domain name server (DNS), and in response, starts a network-based service corresponding to the configuration information. For instance, each of the two or more servers may be adapted to provide mail service via simple mail transfer protocol (SMTP) and web service via hyper text transfer protocol (HTTP). In this regard, when a DNS associates a first one of the servers with HTTP services and a second one of the servers with SMTP services, each server reconfigures its services accordingly, e.g., at a selected configuration time after startup or in response to an initiating event.
US09667481B2
Various communication systems may benefit from an identifier that can correlate a user equipment or a packet data network connection with a particular cell. For example, a correlation identifier may be useful to address management of user plane congestion and other use cases. A method can include generating a correlation identifier for a user equipment and/or a packet data network connection. The method also includes the ability to identify the user context information with the same correlation ID in the core network and in the radio access network. The method can also include sending the correlation identifier to a network element.
US09667477B2
A dead drop at a node in a dead drop domain exchanges data between a sender and a recipient. The recipient provides the sender with a dead drop identifier (DDID) referencing the dead drop. The sender sends the dead drop domain a write request including the DDID. Nodes within the domain forward the request to other nodes until the write request reaches the node containing the dead drop identified by the DDID. The node receives data from the sender and stores the data in the identified dead drop. The recipient sends the dead drop domain a read request including the DDID and nodes within the domain forward the request to other nodes until the read request reaches the node containing the dead drop identified by the DDID. The node retrieves the data from the dead drop and provides the data to the recipient.
US09667472B2
Embodiments include methods and devices for migrating virtual assets over networks that have a first manager connected to a physical host a virtual machine run. Aspects include registering the physical host to a second manager in the network, creating the mapping relationship of the physical host between a database of the first manager and a database of the second manager and importing instance data and status data of the virtual machine of the physical host from the database of the first manager into the database of the second manager. Aspects also include switching the management for the physical host from the first manager to the second manager.
US09667467B2
Systems and methods according to one or more embodiments are provided for a distributed gain function. The distributed gain function may be implemented, for example, as a second amplification stage to maintain amplification in an RF distribution network of a compact high gain phased array antenna system. In one example, a system comprises a plurality of element circuits, each coupled to one or more antenna elements. Each element circuit comprises a first amplification stage. A distribution network configured to couple the plurality of element circuits. A distributed gain circuit coupled to the plurality of element circuits and the distribution network, wherein the distributed gain circuit comprises a second amplification stage. The antenna elements and the distribution network are integrated in a substantially planar circuit board and the plurality of element circuits are coupled to the circuit board. Additional systems and methods are also provided.
US09667458B1
A device may demodulate a set of OFDM data-pilot symbols and select a subset of based at least in part on the position of each data pilot on a constellation map (e.g., how close the data pilot symbol is to an actual constellation point). The device may then perform a data-pilot-based phase estimation based at least in part on the selected subset. The device may also reduce the number of data pilots by partitioning a set of subcarriers into groups and selecting a representative subcarrier from each group. The phase estimation may then be based on the data pilots received on the selected subcarriers. In some cases, the device may also generate a smooth phase signal based on a linear regression algorithm including a phase averaging and a phase offset estimation and perform the phase estimation using the smooth phase signal.
US09667456B2
Disclosed are a compressive sensing system based on a personalized basis and a method thereof; first a sensing end senses an original signal and transmits the original signal to a reconstruction end; the reconstruction end generates a personalized basis by means of a dictionary learning method; next, the sensing end is made to sample the original signal according to a sampling matrix to generate a compressed signal and transmit the compressed signal to the reconstruction end, so that the reconstruction end executes a compressive sensing reconstruction algorithm according to the personalized basis and the compressed signal to recover the compressed signal into the original signal, thereby achieving an effect of improving signal recovering quality and a compression ratio.
US09667451B2
In described examples, a first isolation element electrically isolates a first circuit from a second circuit and passes AC signals between the first circuit and the second circuit. A second isolation element electrically isolates the first circuit from the second circuit and passes AC signals between the first circuit and the second circuit. A ground of the second circuit electrically floats relative to a ground of the first circuit, so that a digital signal is able to pass from the second circuit through a third isolation element to the first circuit. A supply voltage generation device converts AC signals from the first isolation element and the second isolation element into at least one DC voltage to power the second circuit.
US09667449B1
A channel estimator, comprises: a receiver receives a first time-domain training sequence; a first convolution circuit generates an estimated value for the first time-domain training sequence by convoluting a second time-domain training sequence with a current channel estimation value; a first subtractor generates an error by subtracting the estimated value for the first time-domain training sequence from the value of the first time-domain training sequence; an updating circuit generates an updated channel estimation value by updating the current channel estimation value with the error; the receiver iteratively receives a next symbol of the first time-domain training sequence, the first convolution circuit, the subtractor and the updating circuit repeat their operation until completion of receipt of a last symbol of the first time-domain training sequence. The updating circuit outputs the current updated channel estimation value upon completion of receipt of a last first time-domain training sequence.
US09667446B2
A condition code approach for comparing dimension match data of a rule with corresponding data in a key is provided. The approach includes, given dimension match data divided into first and second portions, comparing the first portion with a corresponding first portion of data in a key and setting a first condition code based on the comparison. The approach further includes comparing the second portion with a corresponding second portion of key data and setting a second condition code based on the comparison. The approach further includes determining whether the dimension match data is equal to, greater than, or less than the corresponding data in the key based on the first and second condition codes, and returning a response indicating whether the data matches based on the determination.
US09667445B2
Embodiments of the invention are directed to providing a method for measuring signaling plane delay in a communication network using a probe session indicator to trigger logging of timestamps at network elements for centralized analysis at a network monitor system.
US09667440B2
A method for using the OpenFlow protocol to configure an OpenFlow-enabled switch is disclosed. In the embodiment, the method involves decoding an OpenFlow flow entry from a flow mod message, the flow entry including two or more components comprising at least one of a match field and an experimenter field, searching a service access point (SAP) match table for an incoming interface having attributes that match the two or more components, and updating a flow table on the OpenFlow-enabled switch to include the decoded flow entry when an incoming interface having attributes that match the two or more components is found.
US09667433B2
The disclosure provides a method, a device and a Mobile Broadcast Business Management System (MBBMS) for transmitting data information, wherein the method includes: a source platform sends a synchronous data stream to a data buffer, and determines whether the synchronous data stream is sent to the data buffer successfully; if the synchronous data stream is sent to the data buffer successfully, the data buffer sends the synchronous data stream to a target platform; and if the synchronous data stream is sent to the data buffer unsuccessfully, the source platform sends the synchronous data stream to a data memory for storing. By means of the method, device and MBBMS for transmitting data information, after the data buffer sends the synchronous data stream unsuccessfully, the data buffer regularly extracts the synchronous data stream from the data memory and sends the synchronous data stream extracted to the target platform until the synchronous data stream extracted is sent successfully; the number of times of synchronous data transmission and the amount of transmitted synchronous data are reduced and a large amount of network resources are thus saved.
US09667420B2
A method for rapidly generating coordinate points in an embedded system, comprising: according to a preset segment number of segmentation and a preset step size, segmenting a numerical value to be calculated and then grouping each data segment, and calculating an initial point value corresponding to each digit in a group of data of each data segment; detecting the value of each digit in the current data group of all data segments, subjecting the initial point value corresponding to the digit with a value of 1 and an intermediate point value to point addition operation, and updating the intermediate point value using the point addition operation result; judging whether a next data group of each data segment exists, if it does not exist, taking the intermediate point value as a resulting coordinate point value and storing same, and ending; and if it exists, subjecting the intermediate point value to a point doubling operation for a preset step size frequency, and updating the intermediate point value using the point doubling operation result, taking a next data group of each data segment as a new current data group, and continuing to perform a point addition and point doubling operation. The present invention can rapidly generate coordinate points, is effectively applied to the generation of key pairs and signatures, and greatly improves the operation speed.
US09667419B2
A method for determining a cryptographic key for a MEMS device includes identifying physical properties for the device. A feature vector having a plurality of values is determined. Each of the values correspond to different physical properties. The cryptographic key is determined from the feature vector. The cryptographic key can be determined using a fuzzy extractor. The cryptographic key can be determined using different feature vectors corresponding to different channels in a device or different MEMS structures in the device.
US09667408B2
Described are methods, devices and systems for communicating data measurements from a sampling device to a remote master device in a distributed power measurement system using high-speed isochronous data links. The sampling device receives a time-stamp packet from the master device over the isochronous data link, the time-stamp packet containing a sequence number of the time-stamp packet, and the sampling device starts a counter clocked by a local clock signal to determine an offset time since receipt of the time-stamp packet. The sampling device obtains power system data and generates and transmits framed output data to the remote master device over the isochronous data link. The framed output data includes the sequence number, the offset time, and a data payload that includes the power system data.
US09667405B2
The disclosure includes a system and method for implementing full-duplex wireless communications between communication devices. The system includes a processor and a memory storing instructions that, when executed, cause the system to: create, at a first communication device, first data to transmit to a second communication device; switch a half-duplex operation mode of the first communication device to a full-duplex operation mode to activate the full-duplex operation mode of the first communication device; transmit a first portion of the first data from the first communication device to the second communication device using a wireless channel; and transmit, in the full-duplex operation mode of the first communication device, a remaining portion of the first data to the second communication device while simultaneously receiving second data from the second communication device using the wireless channel.
US09667398B2
A method is provided for uplink transmission in a wireless communication system. A user equipment (UE) configures multiple timing advance groups (TAGs), determines a power for transmitting a sounding reference signal (SRS) toward a first serving cell in a first TAG, determines a power for transmitting an uplink channel toward a second serving cell in a second TAG, determines whether a portion of a last symbol of an ith subframe for transmitting the SRS toward the first serving cell in the first TAG is overlapped with an (i+1)th subframe for transmitting the uplink channel toward the second serving cell in the second TAG, and drops the SRS transmission on the last symbol in the ith subframe if a total power of the SRS and the uplink channel exceeds a maximum value on the overlapped portion of the last symbol.
US09667394B2
A wireless device receives a Multi-User Request-To-Send (MU-RTS) frame, descrambles first scrambled data in the MU-RTS frame using a first scrambling sequence, generates second scrambled data using a second scrambling sequence, and transmits a Clear-to-Send (CTS) frame including the second scrambled data in response to receiving the MU-RTS frame. The second scrambling sequence is an N-bit left cyclic shift of the first scrambling sequence. Another wireless device generates first scrambled data using a first scrambling sequence and transmits an MU-RTS frame including the first scrambled data. The wireless device receives a CTS frame transmitted in response to the MU-RTS frame, and descrambles second scrambled data in the CTS frame using a second scrambling sequence. The second scrambling sequence is an N-bit left cyclic shift of the first scrambling sequence. In either device, N may be 7, and lengths of the first and second scrambling sequences may be 127 bits.
US09667388B2
The present invention provides a wireless communication method supporting hybrid automatic repeat request. The method includes: sending first hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) process quantity indication information to a user equipment UE; and if second HARQ process quantity indication information is further sent to the UE, determining a second HARQ process quantity according to the second HARQ process quantity indication information, and performing data transmission with the UE according to the determined second HARQ process quantity. Correspondingly, the present invention further provides a base station and the user equipment. In the present invention, the base station and the user equipment can perform data communication with the UE based on different HARQ timing relationships and HARQ process quantities, thereby being capable of better supporting UEs adopting different functional characteristics.
US09667380B2
The present invention provides a method of transmitting broadcast signals. The method includes, formatting, by an input formatting block, input streams into plural PLPs (Physical Layer Pipes); encoding, by an encoder, data in the plural PLPs; time interleaving, by a time interleaver, the encoded data in the plural PLPs, wherein the time interleaving includes: cell interleaving, by a cell interleaver, the encoded data by permuting cells in a FEC (Forward Error Correction) block in the plural PLPs; frame mapping, by a framer, the time interleaved data onto at least one signal frame; and waveform modulating, by a waveform block, the mapped data in the at least one signal frame and transmitting, by the waveform block, broadcast signals having the modulated data.
US09667363B2
A device may determine a first signal quality value associated with a wireless signal received by a first antenna of the device, may determine a second signal quality value associated with a wireless signal received by a second antenna of the device, and may determine a combined signal quality value based on the first signal quality value and the second signal quality value. The device may apply an offset value to the first signal quality value to form a modified signal quality value, may compare the combined signal quality value and the modified signal quality value, and may selectively report the modified signal quality value or the combined signal quality value based on comparing the combined signal quality value and the modified signal quality value.
US09667361B2
The present invention is designed to make possible adaptive modulation and coding (AMC) that supports high-order modulation schemes. The adaptive modulation and coding method of the present invention is an adaptive modulation and coding method for a downlink shared channel, and includes, in a user terminal, the steps of measuring channel quality based on a reference signal from the radio base station, acquiring a channel quality indicator to indicate the modulation scheme and the coding rate that are applicable to the downlink shared channel in the channel quality, from a table in which channel quality indicators, modulation schemes and coding rates are associated with each other, and transmitting the channel quality indicator to the radio base station, and the modulation schemes include a modulation scheme of a higher order than 64 QAM.
US09667350B2
The optical receiving device with phase compensation apparatus uses coherent opto-electric conversion and is designed for receiving phase- or quadrature-amplitude-modulated optical signals. The phase compensation apparatus includes following elements: a carrier-phase estimation unit that estimates carrier phase errors in a received symbol string; a gain adjustment unit that adjusts weighting of each symbols in phase error evaluation performed in the carrier-phase adjustment unit; a phase-cycle-slip reduction unit with a phase-cycle-slip detector using statistical processing performed on the output symbols from the carrier-phase estimation unit; and a phase compensation circuit that compensates carrier phase errors of the received signal using an output from the carrier phase estimation unit.
US09667349B1
A method of dynamic range extension for heterodyne fiber-optic Interferometers, and more particularly towards the use of instantaneous carrier to extend the dynamic range of heterodyne fiber-optic interferometers. The method includes the providing of a heterodyne fiber-optic interferometer having a demodulator and an associated carrier frequency. The method also includes the determining of demodulator excessions. The detecting of the demodulator excessions and the determining of an appropriate correction factor is based on information from the instantaneous carrier frequency. The method also includes the introduction of the appropriate correction factor to the demodulator.
US09667341B2
An apparatus for protection switching in an optical transport network (OTN) includes: a working path interface module configured to check, via a working path for protection switching, connectivity of a first end node and a corresponding second end node; and a protecting path interface module configured to check connectivity of the first end node and the second node via a protection path for protection switching. Upon confirming the connectivity, the working path interface module and the protection path interface module exchange bandwidth resize (BWR) coordination information with each other and simultaneously output an ODUflex bandwidth control signal based on the exchanged BWR coordination information.
US09667330B2
This invention presents a method and apparatuses for wireless networking comprising one or more BS with Nbs antennas; two or more SCs in the range of a BS where a SC has Nsc antennas, uses Nsc1≦Nsc antennas for communication with a BS and uses Nsc2≦Nsc antennas for communication with one or more UEs; at the same time a BS transmitting DL signals to K SCs using multi-user transmit BF in a frequency channel, a SC simultaneously transmitting DL signals to one or more UEs in its range using the same frequency channel; and, at the same time a BS receiving UL signals from K SCs using multi-user receive BF in a frequency channel, a SC simultaneously receiving UL signals from one or more UEs in its range using the same frequency channel. Furthermore, beamforming using antennas on the SCs is performed to reduce the inter-SC interferences.
US09667320B2
A power line communication modem is provided, including a connection element configured to connect the power line communication modem to at least three wires of a power line network; a transmitter configured to transmit a first signal via a first combination of at least two wires of the at least three wires and to transmit a second signal via a second combination of at least two wires of the at least three wires; a controller adapted to individually control a transmit power of the first signal and the second signal. A corresponding power line communication system and a power line communication method are provided as well.
US09667319B2
A collector wire network for communicating locally fixed system parts having at least one variable-location system part, wherein data transmission devices are each assigned a reception range, where the reception range is mapped onto a section that results from a length of a collector wire segment plus a first overlap length and a second overlap length, the data transmission device connected to the respective collector wire segment is configured such that a level of the data signal transmitted thereby is matched to a respective reception range such that, because of attenuation of the level, caused by line damping along the first and second conductors and the coupling elements, the level in a receiving device of a variable-location system part which is located outside the reception range no longer recognized as a valid signal.
US09667318B2
Embodiments of the invention provide a device and a frame structure for powerline communications. The header may comprise two parts that are separately encoded. A common header segment is encoded alone, and an embedded header segment is encoded with payload data.
US09667317B2
Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, generating first traffic for transmitting along a network path to a recipient device and transmitting the first traffic along the network path to remove traffic patterns associated with a premises. Other embodiments are disclosed.
US09667305B2
A receiver-transmitter includes active two-face phased arrays comprising transmit-receive modules. Each module includes two radiating elements, a transmitter, two receivers, two isolator switches, mixers and a phase shifter. The two-face phased arrays are either unidimensional or two-dimensional. The arrays are arranged in the horizontal plane at an angle of 75-105° to each other while keeping the capability of all-around looking. The transmit-receive module is provided with an additional phase shifter. Each phase shifter can be permanently connected, via a selector switch, to one of the receivers or to the transmitter, and the transmitter is connected, via a switch and circulators, to the radiating elements. Alternatively, each phase shifter can be connected to the radiating elements with the use of different frequencies and/or with the use of a different signal coding, corresponding to different frequencies and coding of the receivers receiving mode.
US09667304B2
Radio frequency (RF) duplexing devices and methods of operating the same are disclosed. In one embodiment, an RF duplexing device includes a transmission port, a receive port, a first duplexer, and a second duplexer. The first duplexer is coupled to the transmission port and the receive port, and is configured to provide a first phase shift from the transmission port to the receive port. The second duplexer is also coupled to the transmission port and the receive port. However, the second duplexer is configured to provide a second phase shift that is differential to the first phase shift from the transmission port to the receive port. By providing the second phase shift so that the second phase shift is differential to the first phase shift, the RF duplexing device can provide isolation through cancellation without needing to introduce significant insertion losses.
US09667295B2
A holder for a mobile telecommunications terminal, in particular a smartphone, has a receptacle for the terminal. The holder has a first locking mechanism by which the smartphone can be locked in the receptacle. There is also described a system for fastening a smartphone to a shopping trolley handle, a base station for accommodating a plurality of holders and a method for fastening a smartphone to a shopping trolley handle.
US09667293B2
A low noise receiver includes a downconverter configured to receive a radio frequency (RF) signal, the downconverter comprising a switching architecture configured to generate a plurality of output phases based on a respective plurality of local oscillator (LO) signals, a differencing circuit configured to combine the plurality of output phases such that an nth output phase is differenced with an (n+K)th output phase, resulting in gain-added output phases, and a summation filter configured to receive the gain-added output phases and configured to combine the gain-added output phases such that a response of the receiver effectively reduces odd harmonics of the RF signal.
US09667288B1
The present disclosure includes systems and techniques relating to time-varying notch filter. In one implementation, an apparatus includes a time-variant notch filter and a controller. The time-variant notch filter includes a notch depth and a notch bandwidth centered on a notch frequency. At least one of the notch depth or the notch bandwidth is based on a coefficient of the notch filter. The controller is configured to estimate a power of a packet being received and compare the estimated power of the packet to a predetermined threshold. The controller is also configured to set, conditioned on determining that the estimated power of the packet is greater than the predetermined threshold, a value of the coefficient to a first value such that the packet bypasses the time-variant notch filter.
US09667281B1
The present disclosure provides a means to adjust the relative location of output rising and falling transitions to reduce single-ended duty cycle distortion (DCD) effects in the output data stream originating from the transmitter data path. This serves to improve high-speed single-ended signal characteristics and reduce electromagnetic interference (EMI). Another feature enabled by embodiments of the present disclosure is polarity skew (also referred to as differential skew) reduction between transmitter outputs. In an embodiment, the disclosed method and apparatus for transmitter data path single-ended DCD correction describes a closed-loop calibration system including the actuation apparatus within the transmitter, a sensing block at the output of the transmitter to measure the amount of single-ended DCD, and a calibration block operating on the sensor output to devise correction control inputs to the actuator in the transmitter to correct the data path single-ended DCD present.
US09667279B2
Systems and methods are provided for wireless communication circuitry (202) that includes (1) a first antenna matching circuit (213) configured to tune a first antenna (208) to a first subset of a plurality of frequency bands or a second subset of the frequency bands, and including a first switch (220) with selectable states corresponding to the first and second subsets; (2) a second antenna matching circuit (215) configured to tune a second antenna (210) to a third subset of the frequency bands or a fourth subset of the frequency bands, and including a second switch (222) with selectable states corresponding to the third and fourth subsets; and (3) a third antenna matching circuit (211) configured to tune a third antenna (206) to a fifth subset of the frequency bands. The circuitry is operable with a plurality of service providers associated with the fifth subset and one of the other subsets.
US09667278B2
A determiner determines that the voice communication frequency of the voice band to be used by a subject station for a voice communication with a distant station is permitted to be changed to the voice communication frequency of a selected distant station, the voice communication frequency of the selected distant station being included in predetermined information disclosed by the selected distant station, when the predetermined information satisfies a predetermined condition set in the subject station. When an instruction to change the voice communication frequency to the voice communication frequency of the selected distant station is issued, a frequency change controller performs a control to change the voice communication frequency if the determiner determines that the voice communication frequency is permitted to be changed.
US09667274B2
A method in a network node comprises generating a parity-check matrix for decoding a transmission scheme. The transmission scheme comprises a repetition code, an interleaver, and a modulation having a memory property. The parity-check matrix comprises a function of: a differentiator matrix, the differentiator matrix comprising an inverse of an accumulator matrix; a deinterleaver matrix, the deinterleaver matrix comprising an inverse of an interleaver matrix, the interleaver matrix comprising a square unitary permutation matrix for introducing randomness; and a repetition decoder matrix.
US09667264B2
A device is configured to control a transition timing of a switching DC/DC converter for providing power to a load device. The load device has a first operational phase that is sensitive to external noise and a second operational phase that is immune to the external noise. The device includes an input terminal coupled to an external device to receive a start signal of the first operational phase for the load device. The device also includes control circuitry configured to, responsive to the start signal, control a transition frequency of the DC/DC converter to avoid transitioning an output of the switching DC/DC converter during the first operational phase.
US09667259B2
A current-to-voltage converter receives a current which varies with temperature according to a selected one of two or more temperature coefficient factors and converts it to a temperature-dependent voltage to be used as a control signal to a varactor in a voltage controlled oscillator, VCO, to compensate for temperature-induced frequency drift in the VCO. A feedback arrangement with hysteresis is provided for controlling the selection of the temperature coefficient factor and operates by comparing the temperature-dependent voltage with a reference voltage. The reference voltage may be pre-set and equivalent to a known operating temperature. A switching signal is generated when Vout approaches the reference voltage and in response, a control module generates a selection signal for selecting a different temperature coefficient factor. Thus, multi-slope voltage and current generation with a wide dynamic range is continuously provided, which is particularly useful for controlling VCO's used in short range FMCW radar systems.
US09667254B2
An electronic device assembly includes a master device, and a plurality of peripheral devices. The master device includes a signal reading unit, a layer identification unit, and a selecting and controlling unit. The plurality of peripheral devices is coupled to the master device and connected one by one in series. The signal reading unit is configured to read layer signals from the plurality of peripheral devices, the layer identification unit is configured to identify a layer information of the plurality of peripheral devices according to the layer signals; and the selecting and controlling unit is configured to select and control one or more of the plurality of peripheral electronic devices according to the layer information.
US09667251B1
A circuit for steering charges generated from ionization radiation away from a latch includes charge steering transistors operating in strong inversion. The charge steering transistors are electrically coupled to other transistors in stacked inverters within the latch. During normal operation, the charge steering transistors are turned on when the other transistors being coupled to are turned off. The charge steering transistors may reduce the negative impact of ionization radiation on the operation of the latch.
US09667248B2
A touch panel according to the embodiment includes a substrate including an effective area and a dummy area surrounding the effective area; and an outer dummy layer in the dummy area; a planar layer on the substrate; and a transparent electrode disposed on the substrate to detect a position.
US09667245B2
An electrical circuit arranged in a half bridge topology. The electrical circuit includes a high side transistor; a low side transistor; a gate driver and level shifter electrically coupled to a gate of the high side transistor; a gate driver electrically coupled to a gate of the low side transistor; a capacitor electrically coupled in parallel with the gate driver and level shifter; a voltage source electrically coupled to an input of the gate driver and level shifter and an input of the gate driver; and, a bootstrap transistor electrically coupled between the voltage source and the capacitor. A GaN field-effect transistor is synchronously switched with a low side device of the half bridge circuit.
US09667227B2
A method and apparatus for use in a digitally tuning a capacitor in an integrated circuit device is described. A Digitally Tuned Capacitor DTC is described which facilitates digitally controlling capacitance applied between a first and second terminal. In some embodiments, the first terminal comprises an RF+ terminal and the second terminal comprises an RF− terminal. In accordance with some embodiments, the DTCs comprise a plurality of sub-circuits ordered in significance from least significant bit (LSB) to most significant bit (MSB) sub-circuits, wherein the plurality of significant bit sub-circuits are coupled together in parallel, and wherein each sub-circuit has a first node coupled to the first RF terminal, and a second node coupled to the second RF terminal. The DTCs further include an input means for receiving a digital control word, wherein the digital control word comprises bits that are similarly ordered in significance from an LSB to an MSB.
US09667225B2
A surface acoustic wave filter includes a longitudinally coupled resonator first filter section and a longitudinally coupled resonator second filter section that is electrically connected to the first filter section in parallel or in series and that is provided next to the first filter section in a surface acoustic wave propagation direction. The first filter section includes a first interdigital transducer group arranged in the surface acoustic wave propagation direction. The second filter section includes a second interdigital transducer group arranged in the surface acoustic wave propagation direction. A reflector between the first interdigital transducer group and the second interdigital transducer group is an integrated shared reflector. A number of electrode fingers in reflecting units in the shared reflector is an odd number of no less than nine.
US09667216B2
A wideband tunable combiner system for a dual frequency diversity transmitter is provided that includes a tunable capacitance network. Incoherent RF signals with the same audio signal may be combined with the system into a combined RF signal for transmission on an antenna. The tunable capacitance network, in conjunction with a combiner and a band pass filter, may optimize the isolation between the incoherent RF signals and reduce intermodulation, while maintaining a wide operating bandwidth. The capacitance value of the tunable capacitance network may be selected based on the frequencies of the incoherent RF signals, RF spectrum information, or antenna loading data. An RF transmitter including the tunable combiner system may have improved spectral efficiency and performance and take advantage of available spectrum.
US09667214B2
A dynamic range compressor includes an input terminal for receiving input signal to be compressed, an amplifier unit for amplifying the signal to be compressed by an amplification factor, for deriving a compressed output signal, an output terminal for supplying the compressed output signal, a first envelope detector unit for deriving a first envelope signal from the input signal, and an amplifier control unit for generating an amplifier control signal in dependence of an envelope signal. Further including a second envelope detector unit for deriving a second envelope signal from the input signal, a first signal level prediction unit for generating a first prediction signal from the first envelope signal, a second signal level prediction unit for generating a second prediction signal from the second envelope signal, and a signal combination unit for combining the first and second prediction signals to generate a combined prediction signal.
US09667212B2
An exemplary embodiment of a method illustrates a gain control method executed in a wireless signal receiver. The gain control method has the following steps. A wideband channel is continuously monitored to check whether an interference signal exists in a wireless signal. When the interference signal exists in the wireless signal, an interference received signal strength indicator is obtained. A front end gain of the wireless signal receiver is controlled according to the interference received signal strength indicator. When the interference signal exists in the wireless signal, the wireless signal receiver is prohibited from using a maximum front end gain.
US09667211B1
A circuit includes an electrical gain element, a variable reactance element, and a controller. The electrical gain element is arranged to receive and change an amplitude of a signal over a set frequency range. The variable reactance element is connected to the electrical gain element. The controller is configured to control the variable reactance element to have a reactance such that the electrical gain element has a set gain slope as a function of signal frequency over the set frequency range.
US09667209B2
An output voltage delay time caused by the relationship between offset voltage and input voltage is shortened. A single power supply amplifying device includes first and second amplifying units, a state detecting unit, and an offset voltage correcting unit. The first amplifying unit has differential pair transistors and amplifies the difference between input voltages. The second amplifying unit amplifies a first output voltage of the first amplifying unit. The state detecting unit detects a state where a negative offset voltage that causes a second output voltage of the second amplifying unit to be lower than the input voltage occurs, and a potential of the input voltage is lower than the absolute value of the negative offset voltage. The offset voltage correcting unit then corrects the negative offset voltage to a positive offset voltage that causes the second output voltage to be higher than the input voltage.
US09667198B2
The disclosed power amplifier has: a first amplifying unit and a second amplifying unit provided with a plurality of amplifying circuits connected in parallel in which a bias voltage can be adjusted in accordance with a control signal supplied from outside, the first amplifying unit and the second amplifying unit for amplifying an input signal by each amplifying circuit and combining and outputting the amplified signal; a divider for dividing the input signal to the first amplifying unit and the second amplifying unit; and a combiner for combining and outputting an output signal of the first amplifying unit and an output signal of the second amplifying unit.
US09667188B2
An actuator (1′) for driving a regulating element (30) for controlling a fluid flow in a flow channel (29) includes an electric motor (4) for driving the regulating element (30) and a control unit (2) for controlling a current provided to the electric motor (4). A resistive element (3) including a resistor (5) and a NTC thermistor (6) connected in parallel across the resistor (5) is positioned in a current path from the control unit (2) to the motor (4). Accordingly, when the ambient temperature increases, the decreasing resistance of the resistive element (3) counterbalances the increasing resistance of the motor windings, resulting in a less varying current from the control unit (2) to the motor (4) and therewith in a less varying output torque of the motor (4).
US09667185B2
A method and a device for operating a closed-loop or open-loop speed-controlled electric motor of a fan drive, which motor is connected to an on-board system voltage of a motor vehicle and the motor speed of which is set to a defined first desired speed, wherein, if the on-board system voltage fluctuates, the motor speed is set to a desired speed that is lower compared with the first desired speed.
US09667183B2
Presented is an electronically commutated electric motor having a power output stage connected to a stator of the electric motor, and a processing unit connected to the power output stage. The processing unit drives the power output stage to produce at least one stator current. The electric motor has a current sensor which is designed to record the stator current produced by the power output stage and to generate a current signal representing the stator current. The processing unit is designed to use the current sensor to record at least one current value of the current at a recording time within an interval of time and to determine a current profile of the current in the interval of time at least on the basis of the current value and to drive the power output stage to energize the stator on the basis of the current profile determined.
US09667178B2
A variable frequency speed control system having a low voltage ride through function that includes a variable frequency drive having a rectifier, a DC bus and an inverter is provided. The variable frequency speed control system includes a voltage drop detecting module, a frequency control module, an operation mode selecting module and an inverter control module. The voltage drop detecting module generates a voltage drop coefficient according to a grid voltage and a rated grid voltage and generates an operation mode switching signal. The operation mode selecting module receives a target frequency signal and a frequency decreasing amount and generates an output frequency signal according to the operation mode switching signal. The inverter control module generates a three phase modulating signal according to the output frequency signal, which is used to control the operation of the inverter.
US09667175B2
In accordance with an embodiment, a method for driving a motor includes decreasing a duty of an input signal to a motor and decreasing a duty of a duty control signal in response to decreasing the duty of the input signal The duty of the duty control signal is maintained at a first level in response to a reverse current signal and decreased from the first level in the absence of the reverse current signal. In accordance with another embodiment a driver circuit includes a state controller having an input coupled to a pulse width modulation detection circuit and an output connected to a reverse current detection circuit.
US09667173B1
An electrostatic ultrasonic transducer includes a first conductive layer; a second conductive layer spaced apart from the first conductive layer; and a third conductive layer disposed between the first and second conductive layers, the third conductive layer being spaced apart from the first conductive layer and in physical contact with a part of the second conductive layer.
US09667172B2
An inverter for the selective feeding of effective power and reactive power into a power grid has two serially connected intermediate circuit capacitors, the joint connection of which defines a median voltage level between a positive voltage level and a negative voltage level. It also has first, second, third, and fourth semiconductor switches having free-wheeling diodes respectively connected in parallel, which are arranged serially in this sequence between the positive and the negative voltage levels, the joint connection of the second and third semiconductor switches being connected to the power grid via a choke. The inverter also has serially connected first and second diodes, the joint connection of which is at the median voltage level, and whose second connection is connected to the joint connection of the first and second semiconductor switches and of the third and fourth semiconductor switches. Joint connections of two of the first to fourth semiconductor switches are connected to additional chokes, which by additional semiconductor switches form switchable paths for accepting free-wheeling currents. In this manner, it is possible to avoid putting stress on diodes as a result of the reverse recovery effect.
US09667167B2
A power converter including one or more converter legs is provided. Each converter leg includes a first string including a plurality of switches coupled to each other in series. The one or more converter legs also include a second string operatively coupled to the first string at a first node and a second node in a parallel configuration, where the second string includes a plurality of switching units, and where a second string of one converter leg of the one or more converter legs is operatively coupled to second strings corresponding to other converter legs in the one or more converter legs.
US09667162B2
An apparatus for connecting a converter to an AC voltage grid has a grid connection for connection to the AC voltage grid and a converter connection for connection to the converter. The grid connection and the converter connection can be connected to one another via two transformers that are connected in parallel with one another and which, in addition to a primary winding and a secondary winding, are equipped with a tertiary winding. At least one switch is connected in series with each transformer. A connection unit is connected to the tertiary windings of each of the transformers and is configured to connect the tertiary windings to one another.
US09667159B2
A control unit controls the amplitude of at least either an output voltage or an output current by shifting at least either a first on time or a second on time.
US09667151B2
An integrated magnetic component includes a magnetic core and a plurality of windings. The magnetic core includes at least four magnetic columns. The windings include a primary winding, a first secondary winding, a second secondary winding, and an inductor winding. The primary winding, the first secondary winding and the second secondary winding are wound on one of the magnetic columns. The inductor winding is wound on another magnetic column, and the inductor winding is coupled to the connection where the first secondary winding and the second secondary winding couple to each other. By integrating a transformer and a filter inductor into the integrated magnetic component, the number of the magnetic components, the overall volume, and the weight may be reduced while the mechanical properties may be promoted and the loss of the component connections may be reduced.
US09667138B2
An electronic device includes a transistor having a body and a body biasing circuit. The body biasing circuit includes a threshold estimator circuit to estimate a threshold voltage of the transistor and a comparison circuit to compare the threshold voltage of the transistor to a reference threshold voltage and to generate a comparison signal based thereupon. A bias adjust circuit generates a body biasing voltage that biases the body of the transistor as a function of the comparison signal, the body biasing voltage being a voltage that, when applied to the body of the transistor, adjusts the threshold voltage thereof to be equal to the reference threshold voltage.
US09667137B2
The present invention relates to a control system and a method for raising the mains-side power factor λ of three-phase fed EC motors having a dc voltage intermediate circuit (2) with an intermediate center tap (DCM) for generating a positive and a negative intermediate circuit potential (DC+, DC−), comprising three active bridge arms (Ia, IIa, IIIa), each of which are connected to a subordinate two-point current control (ZPR1, ZPR2, ZPR3) and, in each case, via said current control to a superimposed intermediate circuit voltage control (3), which controls the potential difference between the middle circuit potentials (DC+, DC−) via set point settings for the subordinate two-point current controllers (ZPR1, ZPR2, ZPR3).
US09667126B2
A digital motor comprising a stator, an internal rotor and an external rotor; wherein the internal rotor is embedded into the external rotor, with a cavity provided between the internal and external rotors; the cavity is filled with magnetic phase-change material. The asynchronous motor comprising a rotor and a stator; the asynchronous motor adopts two groups of rotor-stator structures that are arranged coaxially; one group is a driving rotor-stator structure, including a primary stator and a primary rotor; the primary rotor is formed by embedding a primary inner rotor into a primary outer rotor, phase-change magnetic materials are filled into a cavity between the primary inner rotor and the primary outer rotor.
US09667125B2
A production method of rotary electric machines is provided that can laser weld the leading end parts of a plurality of electrical conductors projecting from respective slots with high joint strength. A production method of rotary electric machines that produces a rotary electric machine by joining, by way of laser welding, leading end parts of a plurality of electrical conductors inserted in respective slots provided in a stator core and projecting from the respective slots, includes the steps of matching and arranging the leading end parts of two adjacent electrical conductors; and joining the leading end parts of the two adjacent electrical conductors by irradiating a laser onto the two adjacent electrical conductors from a direction sloped at an angle relative to a joining face of the leading end parts of the two adjacent electrical conductors.
US09667123B2
An electric motor for driving a motor vehicle component, particularly a fan wheel for cooling coolant water, contains a rotor that is rotatably mounted opposite a stator, and an electronic system. The electronic system contains a punched grid provided with a plastic over-mold and a current path which conducts the motor current and has two current path ends spaced apart from one another forming an interruption point that is bridged by a thermal fuse. The thermal fuse has a spring-loaded contact bridge which is held so as to pivot about an axis that extends perpendicularly to the plane in which the interruption point lies.
US09667117B2
A stabilization system for a rotating load, such as a flywheel, includes a mechanical bearing to continuously support a shaft of the rotating load so as to hold the shaft at a substantially fixed axis of rotation. A magnetic stabilization assembly includes a plurality of electromagnets arranged around the shaft. Control circuitry for controls a resultant magnetic field generated by the electromagnets such that the magnetic field acts on a ferromagnetic element of the shaft to reduce imbalance forces acting on the shaft.
US09667111B2
Exemplary embodiments disclose a rotor of an electric motor and an electric motor using the same. The rotor includes a core which includes a plurality of protrusion portions which are arranged along an outer circumference of the core and protrude radially to an outer portion of the core, and a plurality of concave portions interposed between the protrusion portions; a plurality of permanent magnets which are respectively disposed at the plurality of concave portions; and a plurality of pole pieces which are disposed at the plurality of concave portions and at outer sides of the plurality of permanent magnets. A length of each of the plurality of pole pieces in an axial direction is shorter than a length of each of the plurality of protrusion portions in the axial direction.
US09667109B2
Permanent magnet electrical machine rotors and construction methods can include at least one magnet and at least one retention element. An axial relative force maintained between one or more magnets and one or more retention elements can urge the retention element along one or more magnet surfaces to induce a hoop stress in the retention elements and a compressive stress within the magnets.
US09667108B2
A brushless motor includes a stationary unit and a rotary unit rotatably supported with respect to the stationary unit. The stationary unit includes an armature and a base member arranged to support the armature. The rotary unit includes a magnet, a hub made of a magnetic material and a rotor yoke made of a magnetic material. The armature includes a plurality of coil patterns arranged along a circumferential direction. The hub includes an inner lower surface, an outer lower surface and a recess portion. The recess portion is arranged between the inner lower surface and the outer lower surface and depressed upward. At least a portion of the magnet is accommodated within the recess portion. At least one of the inner lower surface and the outer lower surface is positioned above a lower surface of the magnet.
US09667104B2
A three-phase motor structure includes a sectional stator, a winding set, a circuit board and an inner rotor. The sectional stator includes a detachable pole set which has a plurality of pole teeth. Before being assembled, the winding set is wound on the pole pins of the detachable pole set. The circuit board is mounted on the sectional stator and electrically connects with the winding set. The inner rotor extends through the sectional stator when assembled.
US09667101B2
A power supply system controls output powers of a plurality of power supply apparatus for realizing optimal conversion efficiency between input power and output power. The power supply system includes a plurality of power conversion units that convert an input power supplied from the input side into an output power for supplying the output power to a load connected to the output side; a power measurement unit that measures the output power of the power conversion unit; and a power supply control unit that calculates the input power to the power conversion unit in response to the output power of the power conversion units measured by the power measurement unit, and calculates the output power of the power conversion unit realizing the minimum calculated input power as an optimal output power, and controls the power conversion units based on the calculated optimal output power.
US09667098B2
Apparatus, system and method for providing supplementary power. A vessel is configured to receive and contain hydraulic fluid, where the vessel includes a piston configured within the vessel to be vertically displaced by the hydraulic fluid and provide pressure from the weight of the piston to a fluid supply line. A solenoid valve is operatively coupled to the fluid supply line; and connected to a flywheel power supply that includes a flywheel and a hydraulic drive adapter, wherein the hydraulic drive adapter is operatively coupled to the solenoid valve via the fluid supply line. A signal is received indicating a power outage, where the solenoid valve is further configured to open in response to the signal and provide the hydraulic fluid pressurized by the piston to the hydraulic drive adapter and causes the flywheel to operate and provide the supplementary power.
US09667094B1
Methods and systems supply uninterrupted power to a load using a backup battery module. A driver circuit connects the load and the backup battery module such that the operational range of the load voltage is narrower than the operational range of the battery voltage. Different charging and discharging paths of the driver circuit may be used to limit the DC bus voltage to values lower than the battery voltage. The proposed systems and methods can increase power efficiency and decrease the cost of power supply and conversion operations.
US09667091B2
A battery pack includes an antenna attached to a battery cell, a sensor configured to sense an energy level induced in the antenna, a controller configured to determine, according to a sensed signal of the sensor, whether the energy level is a first energy level for wireless charging or is a second energy level for near field communication, and a switch connecting the antenna to a battery charger or a near field communication circuit according to a control signal of the controller.
US09667088B2
A double-sided bidirectional wireless power device includes a base and a support board. The base includes a power member. The support board has first and second surfaces and is erected on the base and includes a wireless bidirectional power module built therein, which includes a wireless bidirectional power circuit, an induction resonance circuit, a current/voltage detection unit, and a logic control unit that are electrically connected. To operate, the wireless bidirectional power module receives and converts an alternating current signal into electrical power to be transmitted to the power member for storage. The power member is also operable to transmit electrical power to the wireless bidirectional power module to be converted into an alternating current signal for transmission to an electronic device. The presently disclosed device allows for the simultaneous charging of two electronic devices via the first and second surfaces of the support board.
US09667085B2
A wireless charger for an electronic device is provided, which includes one or more charge cells formed by one or more structures of transmitting inductance coils, each of the charge cells receiving an electronic device, and an electric power supply circuit of transmitting coils. The transmitting coils surround the charge cells on at least two sides, respectively, and generate a uniformly distributed magnetic field such that the magnetic fields, generated by currents in parts of the structure of the transmitting coils, are mutually subtracted out of the charge cells and summarized inside the charge cell in an area in which the electronic device for reception of energy is located.
US09667078B2
A system and method is described for rapid charging and power management of a battery for a meter. A charger component is operably associated with the meter and is capable of executing a rapid charge algorithm for a rechargeable battery. The algorithm includes monitoring for a connection to an external power source and implementing a charging routine of a battery at a first charge rate and then at a second charge rate. The second charge rate is lower than the first charge rate. A temperature rise in the rechargeable battery due to the first charge rate has a negligible heat transfer effect on the fluid sample. The meter can also include a power switch for controlling current flow to a battery fuel gauge. The power switch is open when the meter enters into a sleep mode. The state of battery charge is determined after the meter exits the sleep mode.
US09667076B2
An electrical charging system includes a charging socket and a standby battery product. The charging socket has a socket casing, and a power input interface on the socket casing and electrically connected to a first conductive contact that extends above the socket casing. The standby battery product has a battery casing with a battery housed inside the battery casing, the battery casing further including a conductive pin and a second conductive contact, with the conductive pin and second conductive contact electrically connected to the battery. When the battery casing is placed on top of the socket casing, the conductive pin is aligned with, and contacts, the first conductive contact, creating a charging path that is defined by the power input interface (which receives external power), the first conductive contact of the socket casing, the conductive pin of the battery casing, and the electricity storage unit of the battery product.
US09667073B2
A device includes a transformer, a controller, and a switch coupled between the transformer and the controller. The transformer has a primary coil and a secondary coil. The controller receives an indication of a metric of a cell of a battery. In response to the indication, the controller outputs a signal to select a polarity of a balancing current for balancing the cell. The switch receives the signal from the controller. In response to the signal, the switch causes the transformer to generate a primary current of a selected polarity through the primary coil. The transformer generates the balancing current through the secondary coil by inductively coupling the primary coil to the secondary coil. The transformer outputs the balancing current having the polarity for balancing the cell.
US09667072B2
A mobile power device with storage feature is disclosed. The mobile power device with storage feature includes a battery, an output module, a central processing unit, and a data storing module. The data storing module includes a storing circuit and a controlling circuit. The central processing unit is configured to detect whether an electronic device is connected, after the electronic device is connected, the central processing unit recognizes the electronic device as a slave device, recognizes the mobile power device with storage feature as a master device. The central processing unit further detects whether an operating system of the electronic device is a target operating system, after the central processing unit detects that the operating system of the electronic device is the target operating system, the central processing unit recognizes the electronic device as a master device, and recognizes the mobile power device with storage feature as a slave device.
US09667068B2
A system, method, and computer program product are provided for merging two or more supply rails into a merged supply rail. The method comprises receiving two or more current measurement signals associated with two or more supply rails, selecting one supply rail from the two or more supply rails, based on the current measurement signals, and enabling the selected supply rail to source current into a merged supply rail.
US09667065B2
A battery-management method is performed by a battery-operated device. The method includes allocating a first portion of a battery capacity to a first function and a second portion of the battery capacity to a second function. The method further includes simultaneously displaying a first indicator relating to the first portion of the battery capacity and a second indicator relating to the second portion of the battery capacity.
US09667064B2
A system includes a plurality of power supplies and a controller. The plurality of power supplies outputs power to a load. A serial bus connects the plurality of power supplies in a daisy chain. The controller is connected to first and last ones of the power supplies by the serial bus. The controller is connected to a management bus via a management bus interface. The controller monitors the plurality of power supplies via the serial bus. The controller transmits status information of the plurality of power supplies to the management bus via the management bus interface of the controller.
US09667055B2
An over-voltage protection apparatus includes an input voltage detection module (12) and a second switch (14). The input voltage detection module (12) includes a switch assembly (121), a rectifying circuit (122), a voltage detection circuit (123), and a voltage protection circuit (124). The rectifying circuit (122) rectifies an AC power source (Vac) to generate a DC voltage (Vb). The voltage protection circuit (124) controls the second switch (14) to disconnect the AC power source (Vac) to supply a load (90) when the voltage detection circuit (123) detects that the DC voltage (Vb) reaches to a first over voltage value (Voth1). The voltage protection circuit (124) controls the switch assembly (121), thereby providing a voltage-limiting protection and a current-limiting protection when the voltage detection circuit (123) detects that the DC voltage (Vb) reaches to a second over voltage value (Voth2).
US09667051B2
A power terminal enclosure may be used to provide power conductors (power terminals) across electrical isolation boundaries while providing electrical short-circuit protections. The power terminal enclosure may be a single article molded from an electrically insulating material. The power terminal enclosure may also be dimensioned to provide sufficient separation distance between other power terminal enclosures for a given maximum voltage of a power conductor (power terminal) so that power conductors enclosed by the power terminal enclosures are properly spaced apart with a minimum separate distance. The power terminal enclosure may also include a mechanical retention mechanism, such as a snap-fit retention area, for mating with a power conductor enclosed by the power terminal enclosure. The power terminal enclosure may partially pass through an opening in an isolation barrier (such as a wall and/or plate), with the power conductor passing through the power terminal enclosure.
US09667049B1
An electrical box assembly for concrete pours. The electrical box assembly includes an electrical box with a sidewall defining an electrical enclosure and a leveling ring for accepting the mounting of an electrical component to the box. Mounting bosses within the electrical box extend longitudinally along the inner surface of the sidewall and facilitate a means for mounting the leveling ring to the electrical box. The leveling ring includes a flange that is adapted to overlap the top rim of the electrical box. Component attachment arms on the leveling ring enable mounting of an electrical component to the electrical box assembly. Cover attachment arms on the leveling ring facilitate mounting of an electrical cover to the electrical box assembly. The electrical box assembly eliminates the need for clips and adhesive for leveling an electrical component with respect to the surface of a concrete poured surface.
US09667046B2
An electrical box assembly includes an electrical box having a side wall and an open top end and a conduit access port opening extending through the side wall and having a dimension to receive a conduit. A seal is received in the opening for surrounding the conduit. A clamp is positioned in the opening in the side wall and is positioned between the side wall and the seal for contacting an outer surface of the seal. An actuator is coupled to the electrical box and extends through the side wall into the opening in the side wall to contact the conduit clamp to constrict said conduit clamp and seal into clamping engagement with the conduit.
US09667035B1
The present disclosure provides a preparation method of a polymer film laser. Polymer materials are dissolved in an organic solvent, a polymer solution is spin-coated on a substrate with or without a grating structure, and a homogeneous polymer thin film is formed. For the substrate without the grating structure, an interference pattern of an ultraviolet laser is used to interact with a thin polymer film, and one-dimensional or multi periods grating structures with multi directions are formed. The substrate with the thin polymer film is immersed in a hydrochloric acid solution or water and the polymer film with the grating structure peels off the substrate to obtain the polymer film laser. A pump beam is used to excite the polymer film to generate fluorescence, which is reflected and gained by the grating to obtain laser outputs.
US09667030B2
The laser apparatus includes a laser oscillation part including a water-cooled plate, an air cooling machine including a radiator, a dehumidifier including a water-cooled plate, and a cooling water supply device including a cooling water pipe through which a cooling water is supplied. The air cooling machine and the dehumidifier are arranged in a housing. The cooling water pipe is branched so that the water-cooled plate in the laser oscillation part, the radiator, and the water-cooled plate in the dehumidifier are connected in parallel. The cooling water supply device supplies a common cooling water of the same temperature to the water-cooled plate in the laser oscillation part, the radiator, and the water-cooled plate in the dehumidifier.
US09667025B2
A fiber laser having a thermal controller operatively connected to one or more fiber Bragg gratings is provided. The thermal controller does not impart much or imparts very little mechanical stress or strain to the optical fiber in which the FBGs reside because such forces can alter the FBG performance. Rather, the thermal controller utilizes a thermally conductive semi-solid or non-Newtonian fluid to submerge/suspend a portion of the optical fiber in which FBG resides. Temperature control logic controls whether a thermoelectric heater and cooler should be directed to increase or decrease its temperature. The thermoelectric heater and cooler imparts or removes thermal energy from the FBG to efficiently control its performance without the application of mechanical stress. The fiber laser having a thermal controller generally is able to increase laser output power greater than two times the amount of output power of a similarly fabricated fiber laser free of the thermal controller(s).
US09667018B2
The present invention discloses a protective cap for a radio-frequency connector. The radio-frequency connector comprises a plug connecting piece and a socket connecting piece, wherein the protective cap can be removably mounted to the socket connecting piece for protection. The protective cap comprises a protection part structured to engage with the socket connecting piece and an inspection part structured to only allow a matched plug connecting piece to be inserted in. Hence, the inspection part can be used for inspecting the specific type of the plug connecting piece. The present invention further discloses an application method of the protective cap.
US09667017B2
A connector includes: a connecting member including a plurality of tab sections and made of a conductive metal material; and a housing which is made of resin and in which the connecting member is insert-molded. Terminals of a counterpart connector are connectable to the tab sections by a connection of the counterpart connector. A part of the connecting member is used as a connection member holding section gripped by a mold. The connection member holding section is exposed to an outside at an opening section formed in the housing.
US09667013B2
A bonding device electrically bonds metallic surfaces through serrated metal teeth which embed into each metal surface as a fastener is tightened. A sealing material circumferentially outward and inward from the teeth create an air-tight and water-tight seal around the teeth, protecting the bonding location. The device can have an extended central collar extending axially from the through-hole in the center of the device, which will allow it to be installed in holes, or on a stud without the use of adhesives or other retaining methods.
US09667007B2
Systems and methods for configuring contacts of a first connector includes detecting mating of a second connector with the first connector and in response to the detection, sending a command over one of the contacts and waiting for a response to the command. If a valid response to the command is received, the system determines the orientation of the second connector. The response also includes configuration information for contacts in the second connector. The system then configures some of the other contacts of the first connector based on the determined orientation and configuration information of the contacts of the second connector.
US09667003B2
The present disclosure includes teachings for a jack and receptacle, and methods regarding same, that provide increased data capability and backwards compatibility with previous systems, such as RJ45. The present disclosure can be used for hardwire connections between electrical and computing components. Cable such as Cat 5 and Cat 6 can be used with the disclosed jack and receptacle.
US09667001B2
A receptacle connector includes a first housing, a second housing, a number of first contacts and second contacts, a metallic plate sandwiched between the first housing and the second housing, and a shielding shell. The first housing has a first base and a first tongue portion. The first tongue portion has a connection portion close to the first base and a first stepping portion in a lower surface. The second housing has a second tongue portion. The second tongue portion has a second stepping portion in an upper surface. Each first contact has a first affixed portion. The metallic plate has a connecting section inclining with the connection portion and the first affixed portion in a same direction and an opening receiving the first stepping portion and the second stepping portion. The first stepping portion and the second stepping portion contacts with each other through the opening.
US09666997B1
A connector module assembly includes a plurality of communication connectors arranged side-by-side and secured together as a communication module. Each communication connector has a contact array arranged within a shroud at a mating interface mated with a corresponding pluggable module. The connector module assembly includes a gasket plate coupled to the communication module having at least one sheet positioned between the communication module and the pluggable modules and spanning across and between each of the communication modules. The gasket plate has a plurality of openings receiving corresponding shrouds. The gasket plate has pluggable module interfaces around each of the openings for interfacing with mating ends of the pluggable modules. The gasket plate is conductive to provide EMI shielding at the pluggable module interfaces.
US09666994B2
Provided is a direct-connect high voltage connector and a connection structure thereof, which have at least one of a shield function and a waterproofing function and direct-connect a connector to a connection target element (an inverter and/or the like) through a bus bar. The direct-connect high voltage connector include a housing, a bus bar including one end, inserted into the housing through the other end of the housing and connected to a high-voltage cable, and the other end protruding to outside the housing, and a shield part disposed in the housing to surround the high-voltage cable. The high-voltage cable is inserted into the housing through one end of the housing.
US09666989B2
A connector includes a detector (60) movable to a standby position and a detection position with respect to a housing (10). The detector (60) is kept at the standby position in the process of connecting two housings (10, 90) and is biased by biasing members (80) and brought to the detection position when the two housings (10, 90) are properly connected. The detector (60) includes a resilient arm (65) configured to slide on a sliding surface (32) of the housing (10) while being resiliently deformed in the process of reaching the detection position.
US09666981B1
The present invention is an integrated electrical harness and connector in which the connectors are annular with pins and receptacles on opposing faces. A threaded fastener can be driven through the inner diameter of each annulus, connecting the pins to the receptacles. Each annulus is attached to a rigid conduit that carries electrical wire. The conduit can be formed and sized to fit into any application. The conduit can also be integrated into motor vehicle body panels. The two annular connector halves can have a series of rims and cylinders in order to create a water-resistant connection.
US09666976B1
A portable cable assembly includes a first connection port, a second connection port, a cable, an absorptive element, a shell and a sleeve. The first connection port has a first base portion and a first mating portion, the first base portion defines a containing groove in an outer surface thereof. The second connection port has a second base portion and a second mating portion. Two ends of the cable are connected with the first base portion and the second base portion. the absorptive element is accommodated in the containing groove. The shell surrounds the first base portion and the absorptive element. The sleeve is capable of sliding to sleeve the first connection port and the second connection port therein, and the sleeve can be absorbed on the shell by the absorptive element.
US09666972B2
An electrical connector includes a front housing having front terminal channels and rear housing having rear terminal channels aligned with the front terminal channels. An ISL device is coupled to the housing with a front plate positioned in front of the front housing and a lock plate positioned between the front housing and the rear housing. The ISL device has a staged mating sequence with the housing, wherein in a first stage, lock plate channels are aligned with the front and rear terminal channels to allow the terminals to at least partially pass therethrough, and wherein in a second stage, the lock plate is moved relative to the housing to a blocking position where the lock plate blocks the terminals from removal from the front terminal channels.
US09666970B2
A connector includes: a first connector housing which allows a second connector housing to be fitted in a fitting direction; and a retainer which is inserted, in an insertion direction perpendicular to the fitting direction, into the first connector housing, and which includes: a housing lock arm engaged with a lock protrusion provided in the first connector housing to position the retainer in a temporary lock position and a regular lock position when the retainer is inserted into the first connector housing; and a terminal lock portion engaged with a terminal metal fitting provided in the first connector housing to prevent the terminal metal fitting from dropping off when the retainer is positioned in the regular lock position. The retainer includes an arm support portion which supports both ends of the housing lock arm extending in the insertion direction.
US09666969B2
A contact for a plug connector has: a housing; and a primary lance which projects obliquely outwardly over the housing counter to a plug-in direction and which is inwardly deflectable for restraining the contact plugged into a contact chamber of a plug connector. The primary lance has both a stiffened region and a resiliently deformable region which is curved and extends at least partially in the plug-in direction. The stiffened region has a crimp that extends in the longitudinal direction. A supporting region is additionally provided, against whose contact surface the primary lance rests in response to a tensile load on the contact.
US09666968B2
An electrical connector assembly is provided with an electrical busbar for conducting power. The busbar has a width, a length, and a thickness. The busbar has a first portion with a first length, and a second portion with a second length. The second portion is oriented at a non-zero angle relative to the first portion. A connector is mounted to the busbar. One of the width and the thickness is reduced for receipt of a sensor about the busbar. A power converter assembly is provided with a direct current bus capacitor and a power module oriented in a housing. A plurality of the electrical connector assemblies are each connected to at least one of the direct current bus capacitor and the power module.
US09666967B2
A mesh network of printed circuit boards (PCBs) including a first PCB coupled to a second rigid PCB by way of an interlocking connection is provided. The interlocking connection has a degree of freedom that allows the first and second PCBs to form a twist angle between each other; the interlocking connector configured to provide electrical coupling between active components disposed in each of the first and second PCBs. A method of forming a substrate fabric including a mesh network as above is also provided. Further provided is a method of activating the mesh network of printed circuit boards as above.
US09666966B2
Electrical connector including a contact array having electrical contacts. Each of the electrical contacts includes a proximal base and an elongated body that extends from the proximal base to a distal end. The elongated body has a longitudinal axis extending between the proximal base and the distal end, and a lateral axis that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The elongated body includes a body side that extends along the longitudinal and lateral axes and is shaped to form a wipe track. The wipe track is configured to engage a contact finger of the mating connector as the contact finger moves linearly along the longitudinal axis. The wipe track has a non-linear path such that the wipe track turns at least partially in a lateral direction as the wipe track moves toward the proximal base along the longitudinal axis.
US09666954B2
Provided are an antenna device and a method for operating the antenna device. The antenna device includes a horizontal polarization antenna implemented on a first layer in a multi-layer circuit board and a vertical polarization antenna implemented on a plurality of second layers that are different from the first layer in the multi-layer circuit board, in which the horizontal polarization antenna and the vertical polarization antenna are stacked spaced apart from each other at an edge of a side of the multi-layer circuit board. The antenna device and the method for operating the antenna device may be implemented variously according to embodiments.
US09666944B2
The present disclosure relates to a wireless communication structure, including a plate, a first antenna, a first magnetic material layer, and a second magnetic material layer. The plate has a first surface, a second surface opposite to the first surface, and a lateral surface extending between the first surface and the second surface. The first antenna is located in the plate. The first magnetic material layer is adjacent to the lateral surface of the plate. The second magnetic material layer is located on the second surface of the plate.
US09666938B2
An antenna (100) having an antenna structure is provided. The antenna structure is formed of a first section (102) and a second section (104). The first section is formed of a rolled conductive strip forming a helical coil having non-overlapping successive turns, and the second section (104) is formed of a wire spring coil having non-overlapping successive turns. The antenna (100) provides multi-band capability.
US09666937B2
The present disclosure is related to an antenna system for a vehicle, such as a vehicle that has a non-metallic roof. The antenna system includes two metallic supports coupled to the roof. Additionally, the antenna system includes a first MIMO antenna pair. A first antenna of the first MIMO antenna pair is coupled to a first support of the two metallic supports, and a second antenna of the first MIMO antenna pair is coupled to a second support of the two metallic supports. The antenna system further includes a second MIMO antenna pair. A first antenna of the second MIMO antenna pair is coupled to the first support of the two metallic supports, and a second antenna of the second MIMO antenna pair is coupled to the second support of the two metallic supports. Yet further, the two metallic supports of the antenna system are physically separated from each other.
US09666926B2
A power supply line for high-frequency current has a two-layered tubular conductor including an inner tube portion and an outer tube portion which is concentric to the inner tube portion and integrally linked thereto by four connecting portions along the entire length in the longitudinal direction. The four connecting portions are circumferentially disposed at predetermined intervals. By providing the four connection portions between the inner tube portion and the outer tube portion, it is possible to more accurately position the inner tube portion and to reduce high frequency resistance when compared with the likes of conventional power supply lines for high-frequency current having only one connecting portion between an inner tube portion and an outer tube portion.
US09666916B2
A metal-air battery comprising a two phase electrolyte system is provided. The two phase electrolyte system contains an aqueous phase and an ionic liquid phase wherein an amount of water exceeds the aqueous solubility of the ionic liquid. In one embodiment the metal-air battery is a lithium-air battery.
US09666908B2
A lithium ion battery includes at least one battery cell. The battery cell includes a cathode electrode, an anode electrode, and a separator. The separator is sandwiched between the cathode electrode and the anode electrode. At least one of the cathode electrode and the anode electrode includes a current collector. The current collector is a graphene layer.
US09666906B2
The present application discloses a high voltage electrolyte including an electrolyte solvent which includes a mixture of a dinitrile solvent and a nitrile solvent and is stable at voltage of about 5 V or above. The dinitrile solvent may include at least one selected from the group consisting of malononitrile, succinonitrile, glutaronitrile, adiponitrile, pimelonitrile, suberonitrile, azelanitrile and sebaconitrile. The nitrile solvent may include at least one selected from the group consisting of acetonitrile, propionitrile, butyronitrile, pivalonitrile and capronitrile. The present application also discloses a lithium ion battery including the above high voltage electrolyte. The lithium ion battery exhibits a cyclic performance of greater than about 300 cycles and with a capacity retention of greater than about 80%.
US09666903B2
There is provided a cylindrical pin-type lithium-ion secondary battery having excellent high temperature storage characteristics and charge-discharge cycle characteristics. The battery includes: a bottom-closed cylindrical battery case having an opening portion; a wound-type electrode assembly and a non-aqueous electrolyte housed in the battery case; and a sealing plate sealing the opening portion. The battery has: an outer diameter R of 3 to 6.5 mm; a height H of 15 to 65 mm; an amount of the non-aqueous electrolyte per discharge capacity of 1 mAh of 1.7 to 2.8 μL; and a packing ratio of 71 to 85%.
US09666901B2
An additive for an electrolyte solution includes a lithium salt having an oxalato complex as an anion and a compound represented by following Chemical Formula 1. Wherein, a represents C or Si, b represents H or F, and n represents an integer of 1 to 5. A non-aqueous electrolyte solution including the additive and a lithium secondary battery including the electrolyte solution also are provided.
US09666895B2
A method for manufacturing an electrochemical cell. The method includes generating spatial information including an anode geometry, a cathode geometry, a separator geometry, and one or more current collector geometries. The method also includes storing the spatial information including the anode geometry, the cathode geometry, the separator geometry, and the one or more current collector geometries into a database structure. In a specific embodiment, the method includes selecting one or more material properties from a plurality of materials and using the one or more material properties with the spatial information in a simulation program. The method includes outputting one or more performance parameters from the simulation program.
US09666892B2
The cell of the present invention includes an element portion and a first layer. The element portion includes a first electrode layer, a second electrode layer and a solid electrolyte layer. The first electrode layer serves as a tubular support body. The solid electrolyte layer is located between the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer. The solid electrolyte layer contains an oxide as a primary component and a first content of a rare earth element. The solid electrolyte layer has a thickness of 30 μm or less. The solid electrolyte layer has a region devoid of the second electrode layer. The first layer is located in the region. The first layer contains the oxide as a primary component and a second content of the rare earth element. The second content is different from the first content. The first layer has a higher strength than the solid electrolyte layer.
US09666885B2
A solid oxide fuel cell system (10) comprises a solid oxide fuel cell stack (12) and a gas turbine engine (14). The solid oxide fuel cell stack (12) comprises a plurality of solid oxide fuel cells (16). The gas turbine engine (14) comprises a compressor (24) and a turbine (26). The compressor (24) supplies oxidant to the cathodes (22) of the fuel cells (16) via an oxidant ejector (60) and the oxidant ejector (60) supplies a portion of the unused oxidant from the cathodes (22) of the fuel cells (16) back to the cathodes (22) of the fuel cells (16) with the oxidant from the compressor (24). The fuel cell system (10) further comprises an additional compressor (64), an additional turbine (66), a cooler (70) and a recuperator (72). The compressor (24) supplies oxidant via the cooler (70) to the additional compressor (64) and the additional compressor (64) supplies oxidant to the oxidant ejector (60) via the recuperator (72). The solid oxide fuel cell stack (12) supplies exhaust gases to the turbine (26) and the turbine (26) supplies the exhaust gases through the recuperator (72) to heat the oxidant flowing through the recuperator (72).
US09666881B2
A solid electrolyte fuel cell that includes a fuel electrode contact layer in contact with a fuel electrode layer and an air electrode contact layer in contact with an air electrode layer. The fuel electrode layer includes a first single metal or a first alloy, the fuel electrode contact layer includes a first conductive oxide, the air electrode layer includes a second conductive oxide, and the air electrode contact layer includes a second single metal or a second alloy.
US09666877B2
A method of preparing catalytic materials comprising depositing platinum or non-platinum group metals, or alloys thereof on a porous oxide support.
US09666857B2
The disclosure relates to a process to synthesize nanostructures of a uniform size distribution and/or morphology, nanostructures resulting therefrom, and the use of the nanostructures in energy storage devices.
US09666852B2
An ionically conductive composite separator for a rechargeable battery and methods for producing the same are provided. The separator may include a bulk material having an anode side and a cathode side and a thickness extending therebetween and a region of aligned particles extending across the bulk material thickness. The aligned particles may be formed as a particle chain and the particles may be formed of a solid electrolyte material. The ionically conductive separator may be formed by providing a plurality of particles within a bulk material and applying an AC electric field to the particles and the bulk material while the bulk material is in a liquid state to align the particles into at least one ionically conductive aligned particle region within the bulk material.
US09666846B2
A non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery includes an external electrode terminal, a current collecting tab, a lead, and first and second insulating members. The lead has a hollow portion, electrically connecting the external electrode terminal and the diaphragm. The diaphragm is placed to cover the hollow portion and allow the diaphragm to deform toward the hollow portion. The first insulating member is interposed between the sealing plate and the lead. The second insulating member is interposed between the diaphragm and the current collecting tab. Side walls of the first insulating member and side walls of the second insulating member are coupled to each other. The battery is configured such that the diaphragm deforms toward the outside of the battery when a gas pressure increases in the battery, thereby breaking an electric connection between the external electrode terminal and an electrode assembly of the battery.
US09666839B2
A secondary battery including a case, at least one electrode assembly housed in the case, and a cap plate coupled to the case includes a terminal protruding through the cap plate, a collector between the cap plate and the electrode assembly electrically coupling the terminal and the electrode assembly, and an insulation member between the collector and the electrode assembly. The insulation member may include a flow passage between the collector and the insulation member configured to allow an electrolyte of the secondary batter to flow through.
US09666824B2
An organic light emitting display device comprises first and second electrodes facing each other on a substrate; and three emission portions arranged between the first electrode and the second electrode, wherein at least one among the three emission portions includes two emitting layers, and the first, second and third emission portions being collectively configured as a TOL-FESE (Thickness of Organic Layers between the First Electrode and the Second Electrode) structure in which thicknesses of organic layers between the first electrode and the second electrode are different from one another, each organic layer having a specified thickness that provides the organic light emitting display device having the TOL-FESE structure with improved red efficiency or blue efficiency and minimized color shift rate with respect to a viewing angle, when compared to an organic light emitting display device that lacks the TOL-FESE structure.
US09666803B2
The present invention relates to an photoelectrode and the preparation method thereof, wherein said photoelectrode comprises a substrate and a titania layer composed of a mesoporous titania bead having a diameter of 200-1000 nm, specific surface area of 50-100 m2/g, porosity of 40-60%, pore radius of 5-20 nm, pore volume of 0.20-0.30 cm3/g, and the titania comprised in the bead is anatase titania.
US09666794B2
An MTJ structure and method for providing the same are described. The method may include providing a free layer, a pinned layer, and a nonmagnetic spacer layer between the free layer and the pinned layer. Providing the free layer and/or the pinned layer may include depositing a portion of the desired MTJ layer, depositing a sacrificial layer, annealing the MTJ and sacrificial layer, removing at least a portion of the sacrificial layer, and depositing a remaining portion of the desired MTJ layer. The steps of depositing a sacrificial layer, annealing, and removing the sacrificial layer may be repeated multiple times with process conditions selected for each stage so as to reduce the risk of damage to the underlying MTJ layer. The desired MTJ layer may be the free layer, the pinned layer, or both.
US09666790B2
Some embodiments relate to a magnetoresistive random-access memory (MRAM) cell. The cell includes a bottom electrode having a central bottom electrode portion surrounded by a peripheral bottom electrode portion. Step regions of the conductive bottom electrode couple the central and peripheral bottom electrode portions to one another such that an upper surface of the central portion is recessed relative to an upper surface of the peripheral portion. A magnetic tunneling junction (MTJ) has MTJ outer sidewalls which are disposed over the bottom central electrode portion and which are arranged between the step regions. A top electrode is disposed over an upper surface of the MTJ. Other devices and methods are also disclosed.
US09666789B2
A semiconductor device is provided having a free layer and a pinned layer spaced apart from each other. A tunnel barrier layer is formed between the free layer and the pinned layer. The pinned layer may include a lower pinned layer, and an upper pinned layer spaced apart from the lower pinned layer. A spacer may be formed between the lower pinned layer and the upper pinned layer. A non-magnetic junction layer may be disposed adjacent to the spacer or between layers in the upper or lower pinned layer.
US09666785B2
A piezoelectric driving device includes a vibrating plate, and a piezoelectric vibrating body including a substrate, and piezoelectric elements provided on the substrate. The piezoelectric element includes a first electrode, a second electrode, and a piezoelectric body, and the first electrode, the piezoelectric body, and the second electrode are laminated in this order on the substrate. The piezoelectric vibrating body is installed on the vibrating plate so that the piezoelectric element is interposed between the substrate and the vibrating plate. A wiring pattern including a first wiring corresponding to the first electrode and a second wiring corresponding to the second electrode is formed on the vibrating plate, the first electrode and the first wiring are connected to each other through a first laminated conducting portion, and the second electrode and the second wiring are connected to each other through a second laminated conducting portion.
US09666774B2
A light emitting device includes a semiconductor light emitting element; and a light reflective member having a multilayer structure and covering the side faces of the semiconductor light emitting element. The light reflective member includes: a first layer disposed on an inner, semiconductor light emitting element side, the first layer comprising a light-transmissive resin containing a light reflective substance, and a second layer disposed in contact with an outer side of the first layer, the second layer comprising a light-transmissive resin containing the light reflective substance at a lower content than that of the first layer.
US09666772B2
A light emitter includes a planar supporting surface, a light source positioned on the spreader region, and an encapsulant positioned on the spreader region to surround the light source. Except where constrained by adhesion to the planar supporting surface, the encapsulant is capable of expanding and contracting in response to a change in temperature so that forces caused by differences in the coefficient of thermal expansion between the different components is minimized. One or more reflective elements can be positioned proximate to the light source to increase the light emitting efficiency of the light emitter. The reflective elements can include a reflective layer on the spreader region and/or a reflective layer on a portion of the encapsulant.
US09666771B2
A method according to embodiments of the invention includes disposing a support layer (32) on a surface of a wavelength converting ceramic wafer (30). The wavelength converting ceramic wafer and the support layer are diced (42) to form wavelength converting members. A wavelength converting member is attached to a light emitting device. After attaching the wavelength converting member to the light emitting device, the support layer is removed.
US09666768B2
Certain dithio-compounds have been found to be superior capping ligands for quantum dot (QD) nanoparticles. Example dithio-ligands include dithiocarbamate ligands. These strongly binding ligands are capable of coordinating to both positive and negative atoms on the surface of the nanoparticle. The ligands are bi-dentate and thus their approach to the QD surface is not as sterically hindered as is the approach of mono-dentate ligands. These ligands can therefore completely saturate the QD surface.
US09666766B2
Semiconductor nanocrystal structures having silica insulator coatings encapsulating the nanocrystals and methods of fabricating semiconductor nanocrystal structures having silica insulator coatings encapsulating the nanocrystals involve adding a silicon-containing silica precursor species to a solution of nanocrystals, subsequently forming a silica-based insulator layer on the nanocrystals from a reaction involving the silicon-containing silica precursor species, and adding additional amounts of the silicon-containing silica precursor species after initial formation of the silica-based insulator layer while continuing to form the silica-based insulator layer to finally encapsulate each of the nanocrystals.
US09666765B2
A display device including a plurality of semiconductor light emitting devices mounted on a substrate, and a phosphor layer including a plurality of phosphor portions configured to convert a wavelength of light and a plurality of partition wall portions formed between the plurality of phosphor portions. Further, a least one of the plurality of partition wall portions overlaps with at least one of the plurality of semiconductor light emitting devices along a thickness direction of the phosphor layer.
US09666754B2
A method of manufacturing a semiconductor substrate may include: forming a buffer layer on a growth substrate; forming a plurality of openings in the buffer layer, the plurality of openings penetrating through the buffer layer and being spaced apart from one another; forming a plurality of cavities on the growth substrate, the plurality of cavities being aligned to respectively correspond to the plurality of openings; growing a semiconductor layer on the buffer layer, the growing the semiconductor layer including filling the plurality of openings with the semiconductor layer; and separating the buffer layer and the semiconductor layer from the growth substrate, wherein a diameter of each of the plurality of openings at a boundary between the growth substrate and the buffer layer is smaller than a diameter of each of the plurality of cavities at the boundary.
US09666752B2
To provide a method of manufacturing a display device having an excellent impact resistance property with high yield, in particular, a method of manufacturing a display device having an optical film that is formed using a plastic substrate. The method of manufacturing a display device includes the steps of: laminating a metal film, an oxide film, and an optical filter on a first substrate; separating the optical filter from the first substrate; attaching the optical filter to a second substrate; forming a layer including a pixel on a third substrate; and attaching the layer including the pixel to the optical filter.
US09666735B2
A solar cell includes polysilicon P-type and N-type doped regions on a backside of a substrate, such as a silicon wafer. A trench structure separates the P-type doped region from the N-type doped region. Each of the P-type and N-type doped regions may be formed over a thin dielectric layer. The trench structure may include a textured surface for increased solar radiation collection. Among other advantages, the resulting structure increases efficiency by providing isolation between adjacent P-type and N-type doped regions, thereby preventing recombination in a space charge region where the doped regions would have touched.
US09666727B2
A display device is provided. A thin film transistor structure of the display device includes a substrate, a gate electrode disposed on the substrate, a gate insulation layer disposed on the substrate and the gate electrode, a channel layer on the gate insulation layer and corresponding to the gate electrode, and a source electrode and a drain electrode contacting two sides of the channel layer, respectively, and extending onto the gate insulation layer. The channel layer includes a first metal oxide semiconductor layer, which includes (1) tin and (2) at least one of gallium, hafnium, and aluminum.
US09666719B2
To offer a semiconductor device including a thin film transistor having excellent characteristics and high reliability and a method for manufacturing the semiconductor device without variation. The summary is to include an inverted-staggered (bottom-gate structure) thin film transistor in which an oxide semiconductor film containing In, Ga, and Zn is used for a semiconductor layer and a buffer layer is provided between the semiconductor layer and source and drain electrode layers. An ohmic contact is formed by intentionally providing a buffer layer containing In, Ga, and Zn and having a higher carrier concentration than the semiconductor layer between the semiconductor layer and the source and drain electrode layers.
US09666718B2
A method for producing a semiconductor device includes forming a first fin-shaped silicon layer and a second fin-shaped silicon layer on a substrate using a sidewall formed around a dummy pattern on the substrate. A first insulating film is formed around the first fin-shaped silicon layer and the second fin-shaped silicon layer. A first pillar-shaped silicon layer is formed in an upper portion of the first fin-shaped silicon layer, and a second pillar-shaped silicon layer is formed in an upper portion of the second fin-shaped silicon layer.
US09666715B2
A field effect transistor with epitaxial structures includes a fin-shaped structure and a metal gate across the fin-shaped structure. The metal gate includes a pair of recess regions disposed on two sides of the bottom of the metal gate.
US09666713B2
According to an embodiment, a semiconductor device is provided. The device includes: The second region has a greater curvature than the first region. The device includes: an N-type epitaxy layer; a P-well in the N-type epitaxy layer; a drain in the N-type epitaxy layer; a source in the P-well; and a bulk in the P-well and in contact with the source, wherein the bulk has a greater area in the second region than in the first region.
US09666704B2
A semiconductor substrate is provided with a first cell region, the first cell region including: an n-type emitter region; a p-type first top body region; an n-type first barrier region; an n-type first pillar region; and a p-type first bottom body region, the semiconductor substrate may further comprise: an n-type drift region; a p-type collector region; an n-type cathode region, the n-type first barrier region may include a first peak position where a peak of the n-type impurity density is present within a part linked to the n-type first pillar region, and a second peak position where a peak of the n-type impurity density is present within a part in contact with the gate insulating layer, and a depth of the first peak position from a front surface of the semiconductor substrate is different from a depth of the second peak position from the front surface of the semiconductor substrate.
US09666701B2
An approach for heat dissipation in integrated circuit devices is provided. A method includes forming an isolation layer on an electrically conductive feature of an integrated circuit device. The method also includes forming an electrically conductive layer on the isolation layer. The method additionally includes forming a plurality of nanowire structures on a surface of the electrically conductive layer.
US09666700B2
The present disclosure relates to a vertical bipolar junction transistor. A vertical bipolar junction transistor includes a high concentration doping region emitter terminal disposed on a semiconductor substrate; a high concentration doping region collector terminal disposed on a semiconductor substrate; a high concentration doping region base terminal disposed between the emitter terminal and the collector terminal; a drift region having a first doping concentration surrounding the emitter terminal and being deeper than either the base terminal or the collector terminal; a base layer disposed below the drift region; a collector layer in contact with the base layer, the collector layer having a second doping concentration higher than the first doping concentration. The manufacturing cost of the vertical bipolar junction transistor can be lowered and a current gain can be elevated using a low-cost BCD process.
US09666696B2
A method of manufacturing a vertical junction field effect transistor (JFET) includes forming a drain in a semiconductor substrate, forming a compound semiconductor epitaxial layer on the semiconductor substrate, and forming a source, a gate, a drift region, and a body diode all in the same compound semiconductor epitaxial layer. The drain is vertically spaced apart from the source and the gate by the drift region. The body diode is connected between the drain and the source.
US09666694B2
According to one embodiment, a nonvolatile semiconductor memory device is provided. The element isolation insulating bodies form active areas extending in one direction along a surface of a semiconductor substrate in a surface region of the semiconductor substrate, and partition the surface region into the active areas. The tunnel insulating films are formed on the active areas respectively. The floating gate electrodes are formed on the tunnel insulating films respectively. The inter-gate insulating films are formed on the floating gate electrodes. The control gate electrodes are provided on the inter-gate insulating films. The source regions and drain regions are formed in the active areas respectively. Each of the active areas has steps at side surfaces. A width of a portion of each of the active areas deeper than the steps is larger than that of a portion of each of the active areas shallower than the steps.
US09666688B2
A semiconductor device production method includes a first step of forming a planar silicon layer on a silicon substrate and forming first and second pillar-shaped silicon layers on the planar silicon layer; a second step of forming a gate insulating film around the first and second pillar-shaped silicon layers, forming a metal film and a polysilicon film around the gate insulating film, controlling a thickness of the polysilicon film to be smaller than a half of a distance between the first and second pillar-shaped silicon layers, depositing a resist, exposing the polysilicon film on side walls of upper portions of the first and second pillar-shaped semiconductor layers, etching-away the exposed polysilicon film, stripping the third resist, and etching-away the metal film; and a third step of forming a resist for forming a gate line and performing anisotropic etching to form a gate line and first and second gate electrodes.
US09666687B1
The present invention provides a method for forming a semiconductor structure, at least including the following steps: first, four sacrificial patterns are formed on a substrate, and a plurality of spacers are then formed surrounding each sacrificial pattern. Next, the four sacrificial patterns are removed, and a photoresist layer is formed between each spacer, covering parts of each spacer. Afterwards, a first etching process is performed to partially remove each spacer, and the photoresist layer is then removed, and a second etching process is then performed, to remove each spacer again, and to form four nanowire hard masks.
US09666686B2
An integrated circuit structure includes a gate stack over a semiconductor substrate, and an opening extending into the semiconductor substrate, wherein the opening is adjacent to the gate stack. A first silicon germanium region is disposed in the opening, wherein the first silicon germanium region has a first germanium percentage. A second silicon germanium region is over the first silicon germanium region. The second silicon germanium region comprises a portion in the opening. The second silicon germanium region has a second germanium percentage greater than the first germanium percentage. A silicon cap substantially free from germanium is over the second silicon germanium region.
US09666683B2
A High Electron Mobility Transistor (HEMT) and a method of forming the same are disclosed. The method includes epitaxially growing a first III-V compound layer and epitaxially growing a second III-V compound layer over the first III-V compound layer, wherein a first native oxide layer is formed on the second III-V compound layer. The method further includes in-situ treating the first native oxide layer with a first gas, thereby converting the first native oxide layer into a first crystalline oxide layer. The method further includes forming a first crystalline interfacial layer over the first crystalline oxide layer and forming a dielectric passivation layer over the first crystalline interfacial layer.
US09666676B2
A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device having a MOS gate structure includes forming a device structure on a semiconductor substrate; forming an interlayer dielectric to cover the device structure; forming a contact hole through the interlayer dielectric; forming a transition metal film (e.g., Ni) on a portion of the semiconductor substrate exposed by the contact hole; (e) forming a metal film (e.g., Ti) on the entire surface of the semiconductor substrate; forming an oxide film in the surface of the metal film; selectively removing the metal film in which the oxide film has been formed, to thereby expose the transition metal film; and (h) exposing, to a hydrogen plasma atmosphere, the semiconductor substrate in which the transition metal film and the oxide film have been exposed, to thereby cause the transition metal film to generate heat and react with the semiconductor substrate and form an ohmic contact there between.
US09666675B2
A graphene device and a method of operating the same are provided. The graphene device includes: an active layer including a plurality of meta atoms spaced apart from each other, each of the meta atoms having a radial shape, and a graphene layer that contacts each of the plurality of meta atoms; and a dielectric layer covering the active layer.
US09666674B2
A method for transfer of a two-dimensional material includes forming a spreading layer of a two-dimensional material on a first substrate. The spreading layer has at least one monolayer. A stressor layer is formed on the spreading layer. The stressor layer is configured to apply stress to a closest monolayer of the spreading layer. The closest monolayer is exfoliated by mechanically splitting the spreading layer wherein at least the closest monolayer remains on the stressor layer. The at least one monolayer is stamped against a second substrate to adhere remnants of the two-dimensional material on the at least one monolayer to the second substrate to provide a single monolayer on the stressor layer. The single monolayer is transferred to a third substrate.
US09666666B2
A method of manufacturing an insulated gate bipolar transistor (IGBT) device comprising 1) preparing a semiconductor substrate with an epitaxial layer of a first conductivity type supported on the semiconductor substrate of a second conductivity type; 2) applying a gate trench mask to open a first trench and second trench followed by forming a gate insulation layer to pad the trench and filling the trench with a polysilicon layer to form the first trench gate and the second trench gate; 3) implanting dopants of the first conductivity type to form an upper heavily doped region in the epitaxial layer; and 4) forming a planar gate on top of the first trench gate and apply implanting masks to implant body dopants and source dopants to form a body region and a source region near a top surface of the semiconductor substrate.
US09666663B2
First and second cell trench structures extend from a first surface into a semiconductor substrate. The first cell trench structure includes a first buried electrode and a first insulator layer between the first buried electrode and a semiconductor mesa separating the first and second cell trench structures. A capping layer covers the first surface. The capping layer is patterned to form an opening having a minimum width larger than a thickness of the first insulator layer. The opening exposes a first vertical section of the first insulator layer at the first surface. An exposed portion of the first insulator layer is removed to form a recess between the semiconductor mesa and the first buried electrode. A contact structure is in the opening and the recess. The contact structure electrically connects both a buried zone in the semiconductor mesa and the first buried electrode and allows for narrower semiconductor mesa width.
US09666658B2
Disclosed is an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display including an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display including an insulation substrate and a first electrode disposed on the insulation substrate. A pixel defining layer surrounds the first electrode. The pixel defining layer forms a pixel area on the first electrode. An organic emission layer is disposed on the first electrode in the pixel area. An electrode connecting portion is disposed on the pixel defining layer. A second electrode is disposed on the organic emission layer. The second electrode is connected to the electrode connecting portion.
US09666656B2
A self-light emitting display unit capable of improving manufacturing yield is provided. Sizes of color pixel circuits corresponding to pixels for R, G, and B are respectively set unevenly within a pixel circuit according to a magnitude ratio of drive currents which allow color self-light emitting elements in the pixel to emit with a same light emission luminance. Thereby, the pattern densities of color pixel circuits respectively corresponding to the pixels for R, G, and B become even to each other, and the pattern defect rate as the whole pixel circuit is decreased.
US09666653B2
The present invention provides a method for manufacturing a TFT substrate and a structure thereof. The method for manufacturing a TFT substrate uses a gray tone mask to apply a single photolithographic process to simultaneously manufacture a gate insulation layer, a semiconductor layer, and a etch stop so as to reduce the number of the photolithographic processes used from ten processes to eight processes and reduce the number of masks used thereby simplifying the manufacturing process and effectively increasing the manufacturing efficiency and the yield rate. The TFT substrate structure of the present invention includes a gate insulation layer, a semiconductor layer, and an etch stop layer that are manufactured at the same time with a photolithographic process by using a gray tone mask so that the structure is simple, the manufacturing is easy, and the manufacturing efficiency and yield rate are effectively increased.
US09666650B2
Disclosed are a flexible display and a manufacturing method thereof. The flexible display includes a first flexible substrate, a pixel defining layer and a cathode. The pixel defining layer includes a plurality of first separation walls and a plurality of second separation walls. The first separation wall has protrusions and a first groove with openings far away from the first flexible substrate and extending in the length direction of the first separation wall; and the second separation wall has protrusions and a second groove with an opening far away from the first flexible substrate and extending in the length direction of the second separation wall. A part of the cathode that faces against the first separation wall has a curve shape conforming to the first groove, and a part of the cathode that faces against the second separation wall has a curve shape conforming to the second groove.
US09666649B2
An organic light emitting diode display panel including an upper substrate, an organic light emitting device facing the upper substrate and emitting a light to the upper substrate, and a light extraction layer disposed between the upper substrate and the organic light emitting device, including first and second optical layers each having a polymer network liquid crystal and having different optical properties, and exiting the light to the outside of the upper substrate. The optical property of the polymer network liquid crystal in the first optical layer differs from the optical property of the polymer network liquid crystal in the second optical layer.
US09666648B2
An organic electroluminescent display device includes a first substrate having a pixel area including a plurality of pixels each including a plurality of sub pixels, a light emitting devices are provided in correspondence with the sub pixels, and a partition layer covering a peripheral portion of each of the sub pixels; and a second substrate having a sensing unit including a first electrode pattern extending in one direction and a second electrode pattern extending in a direction intersecting the one direction, and the first electrode pattern and the second electrode pattern is provided out of contact from each other. The first electrode pattern is located to overlap the partition layer so as to enclose the sub pixels. The first electrode pattern included in the sensing unit encloses the sub pixels, and thus light is prevented from leaking to adjacent sub pixels.
US09666642B2
A variable resistance memory device and a driving method thereof are provided. The variable resistance memory device includes a base layer and a pillar-shaped gate electrode formed on the base layer and extending substantially perpendicular to a surface of the base layer. A current transfer layer is formed to surround the pillar-shaped gate electrode. A variable resistance layer formed in an outer portion of the current transfer layer. A blocking layer blocks a path of current flowing through the current transfer layer based on a voltage applied voltage to the pillar-shaped gate electrode, and diverts the current flowing through the current transfer layer to the variable resistance layer.
US09666637B2
Disclosed is an integrated sensor chip package comprising an integrated sensor chip enveloped in a packaging layer (30), the integrated circuit comprising a substrate (10) having a major surface; and a light sensor comprising a plurality of photodetectors (12a-d) on a region of said major surface; the packaging layer comprising an opening (32) exposing said region, the integrated sensor chip package further comprising a light blocking member (20) over said opening, the light blocking member defining an aperture (22) exposing a first set of photodetectors to light from a first range of directions and exposing a second set of photodetectors to light from a second range of directions, wherein the first range is different to the second range. An apparatus including such an integrated sensor chip package and a method of manufacturing such an integrated sensor chip package are also disclosed.
US09666635B2
Fingerprint sensing circuit packages and methods of making such packages may comprise a first substrate having a top side and a bottom side; the top side comprising a fingerprint image sensing side over which a user's fingerprint is swiped; the bottom side comprising a metal layer forming a fingerprint sensing circuit image sensor structure; and a sensor control circuit housed in a sensor control circuit package mounted on the metal layer. The sensor control circuit may comprise an integrated circuit die contained within the sensor control circuit package. The fingerprint sensing circuit package may also have a second substrate attached to the bottom side of the first substrate having a second substrate bottom side on which is placed connector members connecting the fingerprint sensing circuit package to a device using a fingerprint image generated from the fingerprint sensing circuitry contained in the fingerprint sensing circuitry package.
US09666634B2
In various example embodiments, the inventive subject matter is an image sensor and methods of formation of image sensors. In an embodiment, the image sensor comprises a semiconductor substrate and a plurality of pixel regions. Each of the pixel regions includes an optically sensitive material over the substrate with the optically sensitive material positioned to receive light. A pixel circuit for each pixel region is also included in the sensor. Each pixel circuit comprises a charge store formed on the semiconductor substrate and a read out circuit. A non-metallic contact region is between the charge store and the optically sensitive material of the respective pixel region, the charge store being in electrical communication with the optically sensitive material of the respective pixel region through the non-metallic contact region.
US09666623B2
An imaging element includes a plurality of pixels that are two-dimensionally arranged and each have a light receiving part including a photoelectric conversion element and a light collecting part that collects incident light toward the light receiving part. Each of the light collecting parts in the plurality of pixels includes an optical functional layer having, in a surface, a specific projection and depression structure depending on the pixel position.
US09666621B2
In a solid-state imaging device, a photoelectric conversion unit, a transfer transistor, and at least a part of electric charge holding unit, among pixel constituent elements, are disposed on a first semiconductor substrate. An amplifying transistor, a signal processing circuit other than a reset transistor, and a plurality of common output lines, to which signals are read out from a plurality of pixels, are disposed on a second semiconductor substrate.
US09666616B2
An image sensor includes a first pixel that is in an active pixel region, a second pixel that is in a dummy region adjacent the active pixel region, and a first deep trench isolation (DTI) formed between the first pixel and the second pixel.
US09666613B2
A display substrate includes a switching element disposed in a display region that is electrically connected to a gate line, a data line, and a first electrode in a peripheral region adjacent to the display region that includes a first conductive pattern formed from a first conductive layer that includes a same material as the gate line, a first line connecting part disposed in the peripheral region that includes the first conductive pattern, a second conductive pattern that overlaps the first conductive pattern and formed, an organic layer that partially exposes the second conductive pattern, and a third conductive pattern electrically connected to the second conductive pattern that contacts the partially exposed second conductive pattern, and a fourth conductive pattern that electrically connects the first conductive pattern of the pad part and the third conductive pattern of the first line connecting part.
US09666610B2
Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to the field of display technologies, and particularly, to an array substrate and methods of manufacturing and driving the same. With the embodiments of the present disclosure, undesirable phenomenon, e.g. color mixing and so on is avoid in a display device having the array substrate while simplifying the manufacture process of the array substrate. The array substrate comprises a substrate, thin-film transistors, pixel electrodes and a common electrode on the substrate, a plurality of leading wires and a color filter layer; wherein the common electrode comprises a plurality of common electrode blocks reusable as self-capacitance electrodes, and each of the leading wires has one end electrically connected to one of the common electrode blocks and the other end electrically connected to a touch integrated circuit. The array substrate according to the embodiments of the present disclosure is used in the display device.
US09666600B2
An indirect bandgap thin film semiconductor circuit can be combined with a compound semiconductor LED such as to provide an active matrix LED array that can have high luminous capabilities such as for a light projector application. In another example, a highly efficient optical detector is achievable through the combination of indirect and direct bandgap semiconductors. Applications can include display technologies, light detection, MEMS, chemical sensors, or piezoelectric systems. An LED array can provide structured illumination, such as for a light and pattern source for projection displays, such as without requiring spatial light modulation (SLM). An example can combine light from separate monolithic light projector chips, such as providing different component colors. An example can provide full color from a single monolithic light projector chip, such as including selectively deposited phosphors, such as to contribute individual component colors to an overall color of a pixel.
US09666581B2
A method of semiconductor fabrication that includes providing a plurality of fins extending from a substrate is described. Each of the plurality of fins has a top surface and two opposing lateral sidewalls. A gate structure is formed over a first region of each of the plurality of fins and interfaces the top surface and the two opposing lateral sidewalls. A source/drain epitaxial feature is formed on a second region of each of the plurality of fins. The source/drain epitaxial feature interfaces the top surface and the two opposing lateral sidewalls. An air gap is provided which is defined by at least one surface of the source/drain epitaxial feature.
US09666579B2
In a plan view of a semiconductor substrate, the semiconductor substrate includes a pillar exposing area in which the pillar region is exposed on the front surface of the semiconductor substrate, a pillar contacting area in which the pillar region is in contact with a deeper side of the anode contact region, and an anode contacting area in which the anode region is in contact with the deeper side of the anode contact region. In a direction along which the pillar contacting area and the anode contacting area are aligned, a width of the pillar contacting area is smaller than a width of the anode contacting area.
US09666577B2
The invention relates to an IC with an electrostatic discharge protection device. There is a buried insulant layer 50 nm or less in thickness and first and second bipolar transistors on the insulant layer, one being an npn transistor and the other a pnp transistor. The base of the first transistor is merged with the collector of the second transistor and the base of the second transistor is merged with the collector of the first transistor. The first and second bipolar transistors are configured to selectively conduct a discharge current between two electrodes of the protection device. There is a first semiconductor ground plane under the insulant layer, being electrically biased, extending until it is plumb with the base of the first bipolar transistor, exhibiting a first type of doping identical to that of the base of the first bipolar transistor with a doping density at least ten times greater.
US09666576B2
An electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection device includes a semiconductor substrate and a pair of first well regions formed in the semiconductor substrate, wherein the pair of first well regions have a first conductivity type and are separated by at least one portion of the semiconductor substrate. In addition, the ESD protection device further includes a first doping region formed in a portion of the at least one portion of the semiconductor substrate separating the pair of first well regions, having a second conductivity type opposite to the first conductivity type. Moreover, the ESD protection device further includes a pair of second doping regions respectively formed in one of the first well regions, having the first conductivity type, and a pair of insulating layers respectively formed over a portion of the semiconductor substrate to cover a portion of the first doped region and one of the second doping regions.
US09666575B2
A semiconductor arrangement includes a well region and a first region disposed within the well region. The first region includes a first conductivity type. The semiconductor arrangement includes a first gate disposed above the well region on a first side of the first region. The first gate includes a first top surface facing away from the well region. The first top surface has a first top surface area. The semiconductor arrangement includes a first gate contact disposed above the first gate. The first gate contact includes a first bottom surface facing towards the well region. The first bottom surface has a first bottom surface area. The first bottom surface area covers at least about two thirds of the first top surface area.
US09666559B2
In a multi-chip module (MCM), a “super” chip (110N) is attached to multiple “plain” chips (110F; “super” and “plain” chips can be any chips). The super chip is positioned above the wiring board (WB) but below at least some of plain chips (110F). The plain chips overlap the super chip. Further, the plain chips' low speed IOs can be connected to the WB by long direct connections such as bond wires (e.g. BVAs) or solder stacks; such connections can be placed side by side with the super chip. Such connections can be long, so the super chip is not required to be thin. Also, if through-substrate vias (TSVs) are omitted, the manufacturing yield is high and the manufacturing cost is low. Other structures are provided that combine the short and long direct connections to obtain desired physical and electrical properties.
US09666555B2
A method of manufacturing a semiconductor structure includes providing a first wafer including a surface, removing some portions of the first wafer over the surface to form a plurality of recesses extended over at least a portion of the surface of the first wafer, providing a second wafer, and disposing the second wafer over the surface of the first wafer.
US09666552B2
A semiconductor device connected by an anisotropic conductive film, the anisotropic conductive film including a polyurethane resin; at least one other resin selected from the group of an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer resin, an acrylonitrile resin, and a styrene resin; isobornyl acrylate; and conductive particles.
US09666550B2
A method for wafer-level packaging includes providing a substrate having a conductive metal pad formed on the surface of the substrate; forming a metal core on the top of the conductive metal pad with the metal core protruding from the surface of the substrate; then, forming an under bump metal layer on the top surface and the side surface of the metal core; and finally, forming a bump structure on the top of the under bump metal layer.
US09666549B2
Generally discussed herein are systems and apparatuses that include an extended TSBA ball and techniques for making the same. According to an example, a technique can include forming a circuit substrate including forming a circuit on a substrate, the circuit exposed along an upper surface of the substrate, wherein the substrate is for coupling the circuit with a die along a lower surface of the circuit substrate. A molding can be formed onto an upper surface of the circuit substrate, over the circuit of the circuit substrate. An opening can be defined in the molding so that the opening can extend to a top surface of the molding to at least a portion of the circuit. Solder can be formed into the opening, including conforming the solder to the opening and the circuit substrate.
US09666543B2
An electronic system includes a carrier including at least one waveguide feeding, a semiconductor chip including a first surface and a second surface, and an integrated RF circuit, and a cooling element including a backshort. The semiconductor chip is mounted to the carrier such that the first surface faces the carrier. The integrated RF circuit is connected to the at least one waveguide feeding. The cooling element is mounted to the carrier such that the backshort is adjacent one end of the at least one waveguide feeding, and the cooling element at least partially covers the semiconductor chip such that the second surface of the semiconductor chip faces the cooling element.
US09666539B1
Disclosed are chip packaging structures for high speed chip to chip and chip to carrier communications and methods of making such structures. The chip packaging structures do not require an interposer containing through silicon vias and/or provide structures having reduced warping.
US09666529B2
Embodiments of the present invention provide increased distance between vias and neighboring metal lines in a back end of line (BEOL) structure. A copper alloy seed layer is deposited in trenches that are formed in a dielectric layer. The trenches are then filled with copper. An anneal is then performed to create a self-forming barrier using a seed layer constituent, such as manganese, as the manganese is drawn to the dielectric layer during the anneal. The self-forming barrier is disposed on a shoulder region of the dielectric layer, increasing the effective distance between the via and its neighboring metal lines.
US09666528B1
A method of forming an electrical device that includes forming a first level including an array of metal lines, wherein an air gap is positioned between the adjacent metal lines. A second level is formed including at least one dielectric layer atop the first level. A plurality of trench structures is formed in the at least on dielectric layer. At least one of the plurality of trench structures opens the air gap. A conductive material is formed within the trenches. The conductive material deposited in the open air gap provides a vertical fuse.
US09666526B2
Provided is an e-fuse structure of a semiconductor device having improved fusing performance so as to enable a program operation at a low voltage. The e-fuse structure includes a first metal pattern formed at a first vertical level, the first metal pattern including a first part extending in a first direction and a second part extending in the first direction and positioned to be adjacent to the first part, and a third part adjacent to the second part, the second part being positioned between the first part and the third part, the first part and the second part being electrically connected to each other, and the third part being electrically disconnected from the second part; and a second metal pattern electrically connected to the first metal pattern and formed at a second vertical level different from the first vertical level.
US09666516B2
An electronic package and a method of making the same in provided. The electronic package includes a dielectric layer and a conformal masking layer disposed on at least a portion of the dielectric layer. The electronic package further includes a routing layer disposed on at least a portion of the masking layer and a micro-via disposed at least in part in the conformal masking layer and the routing layer. Further, at least a portion of the routing layer forms a conformal electrically conductive layer in at least a portion of the micro-via. Also, the conformal masking layer is configured to define a size of the micro-via. The electronic package further includes a semiconductor die operatively coupled to the micro-via.
US09666512B2
A semiconductor package with a leadframe to mount a transistor device prevents malfunction. The semiconductor package includes a leadframe including at least one or more transistor die attach pads where a first transistor device and a second transistor device are arranged, a driver die attach pad where a driver semiconductor chip is arranged, a first driver lead electrically connected to the driver semiconductor chip, and a second driver lead arranged between the first driver lead and the at least one or more transistor die attach pads, a chip bonding wire electrically connecting the first transistor device with the driver semiconductor chip, a first transistor bonding wire electrically connecting the first driver lead with the second transistor device, and a first insulator arranged on the second driver lead to insulate the second driver lead and the first transistor bonding wire from each other.
US09666508B2
Systems, apparatuses, and methods related to the design, fabrication, and manufacture of gallium arsenide (GaAs) integrated circuits are disclosed. Copper can be used as the contact material for a GaAs integrated circuit. Metallization of the wafer and through-wafer vias can be achieved through copper plating processes disclosed herein. Direct die solder (DDS) attach can be achieved by use of electroless nickel plating of the copper contact layer followed by a palladium flash. GaAs integrated circuits can be singulated, packaged, and incorporated into various electronic devices.
US09666486B1
A semiconductor structure is provided in which the diffusion of arsenic is retarded. The structure includes a strain relaxed silicon germanium alloy buffer layer located on a surface of a silicon substrate. A boron-containing p-well region is located in a first region of a carbon doped silicon germanium alloy layer and on a first portion of the strain relaxed silicon germanium alloy buffer layer, and a phosphorus-containing n-well region is located in a second region of the carbon doped silicon germanium alloy layer and on a second portion of the strain relaxed silicon germanium alloy buffer layer. A tensily strained silicon material is located on a surface of the p-well region, and a compressively strained germanium-containing material is located on a surface of the n-well region.
US09666466B2
A substrate support assembly includes a ceramic puck and a thermally conductive base having an upper surface that is bonded to a lower surface of the ceramic puck. The thermally conductive base includes a plurality of thermal zones and a plurality of thermal isolators that extend from the upper surface of the thermally conductive base towards a lower surface of the thermally conductive base, wherein each of the plurality of thermal isolators provides approximate thermal isolation between two of the plurality of thermal zones at the upper surface of the thermally conductive base.
US09666457B2
An adsorption device for rotatable heating is provided with an adsorption heating plate, a support needle driving device, a rotary sliding ring, and a turning shaft. The adsorption heating plate is amounted at the top of the turning shaft, and a wafer is arranged at the top of the adsorption heating plate. The rotary sliding ring is connected to the turning shaft in which a vacuum channel and a connection wire channel are arranged. Support needles are connected to the output end of the support needle driving device, run through the adsorption heating plate, and are arranged at the bottom of the wafer uniformly. The adsorption device incorporates the wafer adsorption function, the wafer rotating function with controllable speed, and the heating function for heating the wafer to reach different temperatures, thereby providing adsorption and heating rotation at the same time.
US09666453B2
A semiconductor package is provided, which includes: a substrate having a metal pattern layer; a semiconductor die formed on the substrate; and an underfill filled between the substrate and the semiconductor die. At least an opening is formed in the metal pattern layer to reduce the area of the metal pattern layer on the substrate, thereby reducing the contact area between the underfill and the metal pattern layer, hence eliminating the underfill delamination.
US09666435B2
A system (10) for delivery of dilute fluid, utilizing an active fluid source (12), a diluent fluid source (14), a fluid flow metering device (24) for dispensing of one of the active and diluent fluids, a mixer (38) arranged to mix the active and diluent fluids to form a diluted active fluid mixture, and a monitor (42) arranged to sense concentration of active fluid and/or diluent fluid in the diluted active fluid mixture, and responsively adjust the fluid flow metering device (24) to achieve a predetermined concentration of active fluid in the diluted active fluid mixture. A pressure controller (34) is arranged to control flow of the other of the active and diluent fluids so as to maintain a predetermined pressure of the diluted active fluid mixture dispensed from the system. The fluid dispensed from the system then can be adjustably controlled by a flow rate controller, e.g., a mass flow controller, to provide a desired flow to a fluid-utilizing unit, such as a semiconductor process tool. An end point monitoring assembly is also described, for switching fluid sources (12, 15) to maintain continuity of delivery of the diluted active fluid mixture.
US09666433B2
Carbon-containing patterns are formed on an etch target layer, side surfaces of the carbon-containing patterns are treated by a hydrophilic process, poly-crystalline silicon spacers are formed on the side surfaces of the carbon-containing patterns after the hydrophilic process has been performed, and the etch target layer is patterned using the poly-crystalline silicon spacers as an etch mask.
US09666431B1
Provided is a method for forming a two-dimensional array of semiconductor quantum confined structures. The method includes providing a layer that has first atoms and second atoms, the first atoms having a different size than the second atoms; providing an indenter template that includes at least one indenter structure extending from a surface of the indenter template; contacting the layer and the at least one indenter structure together with a pressure sufficient to generate an elastic deformation in the layer but without generating plastic deformation of the layer; annealing the layer. The contacting of the layer and the at least one indenter structure includes forming at least one quantum confined structure in the layer.
US09666430B2
A film is formed on a substrate by performing a cycle at least twice, the cycle including a nucleus formation process for forming nuclei on the substrate and a nucleus growth suppression process for suppressing growth of the nuclei. A time required for the nucleus growth suppression process is less than or equal to a time required for the nucleus formation process. Alternatively, the nucleus formation process is further performed after the cycle is repeatedly performed a plurality of times.
US09666425B2
A gas discharge lamp has an inner bulb with a discharge vessel with two sealing sections thereon, from which electrodes protrude into the discharge vessel, each electrically connected with a conductor in the associated sealing section to supply current to the electrodes. The lamp also has an outer bulb surrounding the discharge vessel, leaving a cavity therebetween. Close to at least one of the electrodes in or near a transitional area between the discharge vessel and the associated sealing section on an outside of the inner bulb is arranged potential-free a conductive structure which on application of a voltage to the electrodes influences the electrical field adjacent the electrodes such that a discharge arc travels from the electrode first in the direction of a wall section of the discharge vessel adjacent the electrode and then over the inside of the wall toward the other electrode.
US09666420B2
Disclosed is a system and method of mass spectrometry, including: a. ionizing an analyte to form a precursor ion (A) having a mass-to-charge ratio (m/z), in which m represents the mass and z the electric charge number; b. activating the precursor ion (A) by interaction with a beam of neutral species, ions, electrons or photons, having an energy chosen on the basis of the physicochemical properties of the precursor ion, the activation being suitable for producing a product ion (B, C) having the same mass m as the precursor ion (A) and an electric charge number z′ such that z′ is a non-zero integer different from z; c. separating the product ion (B, C, E, F) having a predefined mass-to-charge ratio (m/z′); d. detecting the product ion (B, C) having the predefined mass-to-charge ratio (m/z′).
US09666418B2
A high-purity titanium target for sputtering containing 0.5 to 5 mass ppm of S as an additive component, wherein the purity of the target excluding additive components and gas components is 99.995 mass percent or higher. An object of this invention is to provide a high-quality titanium target for sputtering which is free from fractures and cracks during high-power sputtering (high-rate sputtering) and is capable of stabilizing the sputtering characteristics.
US09666413B2
Provided is an ion implantation apparatus including: a vacuum processing chamber in which an ion implantation process for a wafer is performed; one or more load lock chambers that are used for bringing the wafer into the vacuum processing chamber and taking out the wafer from the vacuum processing chamber; an intermediate conveyance chamber that is disposed to be adjacent to both the vacuum processing chamber and the load lock chamber; a load lock chamber-intermediate conveyance chamber communication mechanism including a gate valve capable of sealing a load lock chamber-intermediate conveyance chamber communication port; and an intermediate conveyance chamber-vacuum processing chamber communication mechanism including a movable shielding plate capable of shielding a part or the whole of the intermediate conveyance chamber-vacuum processing chamber communication port.
US09666412B1
A system that may include a first mechanical stage, a second mechanical stage, charged particle beam optics and a controller. The system may charge, with a charged particle beam, a slice of the object. During the charging of the slice the first mechanical stage may introduce a first movement along a first direction, between the object and charged particle beam optics. The charged particle beam optics may scan the slice with the charged particle beam. The scanning of the slice includes performing, by the charged particle optics, a first counter-movement deflection of the charged particle beam to at least partially counter the first movement. The second mechanical stage is configured to introduce a second movement along a second direction, between the object and the charged particle beam optics. Upon a completion of the charging of the slice, the second mechanical stage is configured to perform a first flyback operation.
US09666409B2
A novel sample holder for specimen support devices for insertion in electron microscopes. The novel sample holder of the invention allows for the introduction of gases or liquids to specimens for in situ imaging, as well as electrical contacts for electrochemical or thermal experiments.
US09666398B2
An angled plug-on neutral connector assembly of a circuit breaker. Angled plug-on neutral connector assembly includes a molded case including a bottom plane and a retaining portion, and a neutral connector received and constrained in the retaining portion, the neutral connector including a connector body including first and second prongs, and an opening between the prongs configured to receive a neutral bar. The opening is oriented in an angled orientation to the bottom plane, as defined by a connector angle measured between the bottom plane and a bisector line between the first and second prongs, wherein the connector angle is between about 30 degrees and about 70 degrees. Electronic circuit breakers including the angled plug-on neutral connector assembly, panel boards including angled neutral bars, and methods of making neutral connections between angled neutral bars and angled neutral connectors of circuit breakers are provided, as are other aspects.
US09666390B2
A keyboard with at least some double action keys is described. The keyboard includes at least two layers disposed below the keys and the keys are selectively used to make contacts on one layer, or pass through and provide contacts with or on the second layer. All or at least some of the keys of the keyboard can be pushed partially down to generate a first command and can be pushed fully down for generating a second command.
US09666386B2
A multi-illuminated pushbutton, including a substrate having a switch and a button cap. A lighting board may be affixed to the substrate, the lighting board having a first light source, a second light source, and a through channel disposed between the first light source and the second light source. The button cap can have a first window for transmission of light from the first light source, a second window for transmission of light from the second light source, and a button base disposed through the channel of the lighting board and in operable relation with the switch. The button base can be shaped to prevent substantially all light emitted from the first light source from transmission through the second window and prevents substantially all light emitted from the second light source from transmission through the first window.
US09666383B2
The invention relates to an electric contact device that is part of an electric switching device able to allow or interrupt the passage of the electric current, comprising at least one moving support (33, 35) and a contact pad (60, 62) mounted on the moving support (33, 35), the moving support (33, 35) being able to move to position the contact pad (60, 62) in contact with a fixed contact surface (38, 40) connected to an electrical conductor, the contact pad (60, 62) comprising a contact surface (34, 36) designed to cooperate with said fixed contact surface (38, 40). The contact surface (34, 36) of the contact pad (60, 62) comprises a first spherical portion, comprising an actual zone of contact with said fixed contact surface (38, 40) in the position allowing the passage of current, and, in the continuation of the first spherical portion, a second convex portion with a variable shape going from spherical to cylindrical.The invention also relates to a low-voltage single-pole phase unit comprising such an electrical contact device.
US09666382B2
The present invention is a rivet contact including a head portion and a foot portion having a smaller width than the head portion, wherein the head portion contains a contact material layer having at least a top containing an Ag-based contact material; the rest of the head portion and the foot portion contain a base material containing Cu or a Cu alloy; and a barrier layer including an Ag alloy is provided at a junction interface between the contact material and the base material. Here, an Ag alloy obtained in such a manner that one or more base metal elements of Sn, In, Cu, Ni, Fe, Co, W, Mo, Zn, Cd, Te, and Bi are added to Ag by 0.03 to 20 mass % is preferably used as the Ag alloy constituting the barrier layer.
US09666381B2
An asymmetrical supercapacitor including an alkaline electrolyte, at least one separator, at least one positive electrode including a nickel-based hydroxide and a nickel-based current collector, and at least one negative electrode including a nickel-based current collector and having a porous three-dimensional structure. Some pores are open, the mean diameter of the open pores being greater than or equal to 100 μm and being less than or equal to 300 μm and two contiguous open pores (1, 2) communicate by at least one opening (5) the mean diameter of which is greater than or equal to 35 μm and less than or equal to 130 μm. The three-dimensional structure includes a mixture including at least one activated carbon, at least one electron-conducting additive, and a binding agent including at least one elastomer polymer and at least one thickening polymer.
US09666378B2
A plurality of power storage cells and a plurality of power storage cell holders are stacked alternately in the stacking direction. End plates are superimposed at opposite ends of the power storage cells and power storage cell holders. The end plates are connected by a frame, the frame is covered by an insulator, and the plurality of power storage cells are electrically connected by a bus bar plate, forming a power storage module. Since the surface of the power storage cell is formed from a covered portion covered by the condensation-preventing sheet and a non-covered portion not covered by the condensation-preventing sheet, and the non-covered portion is covered by the power storage cell holder, the insulator, and the bus bar plate, the non-covered portion is covered as much as possible to provide heat insulation, minimizing occurrence of condensed water and preventing formation of a liquid junction.
US09666344B2
A superconducting magnet system for head imaging is disclosed which includes a cryocooler, a high-pressure helium container, a self-excitation heat pipe and a superconducting magnet. A second stage coldhead of the cryocooler is connected to the high-pressure helium container for converting the helium gas in the high-pressure helium container into liquid helium. The self-excitation heat pipe forms a closed cooling loop, and liquid helium in the high-pressure helium container flows circularly in the self-excitation heat pipe. The self-excitation heat pipe cools the superconducting magnet, wherein part of the liquid helium in the self-excitation heat pipe is converted into the helium gas due to the heat disturbance generated by the superconducting magnet, and the helium gas interacts with the liquid helium to generate liquid helium vibration.
US09666338B2
A cable harness is surrounded in certain regions by a sheath made of a casting compound. In order to ensure a defined delimitation of the casting compound, even if there is an insert part protruding from the sheath, the method for sealing a tool opening provides that a pressure element is pressed in the radial direction against the insert part. The insert part is clamped between the pressure element and a support element, and the support element remains in the cable harness as a consumable element. The insert part is particularly designed as a heat protection element. The cable harness is used particularly in a thermally stressed environment for a motor vehicle.
US09666326B2
To increase the amount of lithium ions that can be received and released in and from a positive electrode active material to achieve high capacity and high energy density of a secondary battery. A composite material of crystallites of LiMn2O4 (crystallites with a spinel crystal structure) and crystallites of Li2MnO3 (crystallites with a layered rock-salt crystal structure) is used as a positive electrode active material. The lithium manganese oxide composite has high structural stability and high capacity.
US09666321B2
Embodiments generally relate to devices, systems and methods for separating CTCs from blood cells using optical trapping, such as use of optical cogwheel tweezers. Through a pre-filtration process, using optical cogwheel tweezers, desired cells from a cell sample can be filtered from a relatively dilute sample. The filtered sample can then be analyzed by more precise means to determine overall concentrations from the original sample while maintaining cell viability.
US09666319B2
Disclosed is a method for treating an absorber pin, wherein the pin comprises a cladding in which a sintered boron carbide-based material having cracks is located, the material having porosity less than 1% of the volume of the material, the cracks containing sodium and at least one radioactive material. The method includes contacting the material with a treatment reaction mixture including carbon dioxide and water, in such a manner that the production of sodium carbonate and the expansion thereof cause the opening of cracks and of the sheath from at least one slit provided in the sheath as well as the propagation of the treatment process within the material. The process overcomes the physical-chemical properties of a sintered boron carbide-based material as much as possible. These properties prevent an easy treatment of the sodium and radioactive material contained in the cracks of the material.
US09666318B2
An integrated storage, transportation and disposal system for used fuel assemblies is provided. The system includes a plurality of sealed canisters and a cask sized to receive the sealed canisters in side by side relationship. The plurality of sealed canisters include an internal basket structure to receive a plurality of used fuel assemblies. The internal basket structure includes a plurality of radiation-absorbing panels and a plurality of hemispherical ribs generally perpendicular to the canister sidewall. The sealed canisters are received within the cask for storage and transportation and are removed from the cask for disposal at a designated repository. The system of the present invention allows the handling of sealed canisters separately or collectively, while allowing storage and transportation of high burnup fuel and damaged fuel to the designated repository.
US09666316B2
A nuclear power plant control system (1) includes a control button (21) which receives an operation for controlling a control target device (40), a notification lamp (12) which notifies that a control signal corresponding to the operation received by the control button (21) arrives at a predetermined position on a path connected from a control panel (20) to the control target device (40), and a control signal inhibition unit (33) which inhibits a control signal from arriving at the control target device (40) in midstream between the predetermined position on the path and the control target device (40) in response to an operation received by a test permission button (11).
US09666312B2
A chimney arranged inside of a reactor pressure vessel of a natural-circulation boiling water reactor is provided. The chimney includes plural flow channels which guide a steam-water two-phase flow generated in a reactor core to the upper part of the reactor pressure vessel. Each of the flow channels is formed by plural flow channel separation walls whose lower-most part is supported by a chimney lattice plate. Chimney spacers that support a horizontal load are arranged between the flow channel separation walls of the adjacent flow channels. Chimney support rings that support the horizontal load are arranged at the outermost periphery of the plural flow channels that are supported by the chimney lattice plate.
US09666310B1
Systems and methods for accident tolerant oxide fuel. One or more disks can be placed between fuel pellets comprising UO2, wherein such disks possess a higher thermal conductivity material than that of the UO2 to provide enhanced heat rejection thereof. Additionally, a cladding coating comprising zircaloy coated with a material that provides stability and high melting capability can be provided. The pellets can be configured as annular pellets having an annulus filled with the higher thermal conductivity material. The material coating the zircaloy can be, for example, Zr5Si4 or another silicide such as, for example, a Zr-Silicide that limits corrosion. The aforementioned higher thermal conductivity material can be, for example, Si, ZrxSiy, Zr, or Al2O3.
US09666299B2
According to one embodiment, there is provided a non-volatile semiconductor storage device including a non-volatile memory, a monitoring section, a determining section, and a notification processing section. The non-volatile memory includes a plurality of memory cells driven by word lines and a voltage generating section that generates a read voltage to be applied to the word lines. The monitoring section monitors a change in a threshold distribution of the plurality of memory cells upon performing a read processing to read data from the plurality of memory cells by applying the read voltage to the word lines. The determining section determines a degree of deterioration of the non-volatile memory in accordance with a monitoring result by the monitoring section. The notification processing section notifies a life of the non-volatile memory in accordance with a determining result by the determining section.
US09666295B2
A semiconductor memory device capable of improving a read characteristic of a sense amplifier and a stored data read method are provided. The semiconductor memory device includes a sense amplifier and a controller. The sense amplifier has a first transistor that clamps a voltage of a bit line, a second transistor that is provided between a voltage node clamped by the first transistor and a reference voltage node, and a third transistor that is inserted between a charge/discharge node and the voltage node clamped by the first transistor. In a first operation mode, the controller turns on the first transistor and the second transistor and turns off the third transistor. In the second operation mode, the third transistor is turned on and in the third operation mode, the first transistor is turned on, the second transistor is turned off, the third transistor is turned on, and the fourth transistor is turned on.
US09666293B2
A memory device includes a first memory element provided on a first side of a semiconductor member, the first memory element including a first charge storage layer provided between the first side of the semiconductor member and a first electrode film, the semiconductor member extending to a first direction, the first side of the semiconductor member being along the first direction; a second memory element on a second side of the semiconductor member, the second memory element including a second charge storage layer provided between the second side of the semiconductor member and a second electrode film, the second side being opposed on the first side with the semiconductor member; a cell source line connected to an end of the semiconductor member; and a control unit. The control unit is configured to, when reading out a data from the first memory element, apply a first voltage to the second electrode film, the first voltage being negative with respect to a voltage of the cell source line, and apply a second voltage to the first electrode film, the second voltage being positive with respect to the voltage of the cell source line.
US09666291B2
Disclosed is a memory test method including receiving a memory test command, receiving pattern information for generating a data pattern to be written in a memory cell, and programming the memory cell according to the pattern information. According to this method, it is not required to receive external data to be programmed in a cell array.
US09666290B2
A method of updating a counter in a flash memory includes a first phase where a set of values capable of being taken by the counter are programmed in at least one page of the flash memory. A second phase of updating the counter programs a state zero in the flash memory each time the counter is incremented/decremented.
US09666285B2
A mass storage memory system and method of operation are disclosed. The memory system includes an interface adapted to receive data from a host system, a plurality of memory die and a controller, where the controller is configured to read or write data synchronously across a plurality of die connected to different channels based on a first command, and to read or write data asynchronously and independently in different die in the same channel based on a second command. The controller may program data in a maximum unit of programming for a single memory die. The controller may be a plurality of controllers each configured to select which die of an exclusive subset of die to write data based on characteristics of the die in the subset. The plurality of die may be multi-layer, and multi-partition per layer, flash memory die.
US09666284B2
A nonvolatile semiconductor memory device includes a memory cell array having multiple blocks each with a plurality of memory strings. Each memory string has multiple memory cells connected in series between first and second selection transistors. The device further includes a row decoder, a block decoder, first and second signal line groups, and a switch circuit. The row decoder has transfer transistors through which voltages are supplied to the selection transistors. The block decoder supplies a selection signal that indicates whether the first group or the second group has been selected. The first and second signal line groups are connected to the selection transistors of the memory strings that are in the respective first and second memory blocks of the first and second groups. The switch circuit connects the first and second signal line groups to the respective first and second memory blocks of the selected group.
US09666279B2
A non-volatile memory has an array of non-volatile memory cells. Each of the non-volatile memory cells includes a coupling device formed on a first well, a read device, a floating gate device formed on a second well and coupled to the coupling device, a program device formed on the second well, and an erase device formed on a third well and coupled to the first floating gate device. The read device, the program device, and the erase device are formed on separate wells so as to separate the cycling counts of a read operation, a program operation and an erase operation of the non-volatile memory cell.
US09666276B2
A memory cell includes a first storage node and a second storage node that is complementary to the first storage node. A first bidirectional resistive memory element (BRME) includes a first terminal, a second BRME includes a first terminal. A first access transistor couples the first storage node to a first bit line. A second access transistor couples the second storage node to a second bit line. A third transistor couples the first terminal of the first BRME to the second bit line. A fourth transistor couples the first terminal of the second BRME to the first bit line.
US09666272B2
Methods for dynamically programming and dynamically reading one or more resistive change elements within a resistive change element array are disclosed. These methods include first pre-charging all of the array lines within a resistive change element array simultaneously and then grounding certain array lines while allowing other array lines to float in order to direct discharge currents through only selected cells. In this way, resistive change elements within resistive change element arrays made up of 1-R cells—that is, cells without in situ selection circuitry—can be reliably and rapidly accessed and programmed.
US09666266B1
In disclosed circuit arrangements, memory cell arrays are addressed by a first portion of an input address, and memory cells within each memory cell array are addressed by a second portion of the input address. A first first-in-first-out (FIFO) buffer is coupled to the memory cell arrays and delays the second portion of each input address to the memory cell arrays for a sleep period. Control circuits respectively coupled to the memory cell arrays include second FIFO buffers and decode the first portion of each input address and generate corresponding states of enable signals. The control circuits store the corresponding states of the enable signals in the second FIFO buffers concurrently with input of the second portion of each input address to the first FIFO buffer. The second FIFO buffers delay output of the corresponding states of the enable signals to the memory cell arrays for the sleep period. Each control circuit further switches a corresponding memory cell array into a sleep mode in response to all states of the enable signal in the corresponding second FIFO buffer being in a non-enabled state.
US09666264B1
A method and apparatus for memory calibration averaging is disclosed. In one embodiment, a memory subsystem includes a memory and a memory controller. The memory controller includes a calibration control circuit that periodically performs calibrations of the memory subsystem. Calibration may be performed for a delay applied to a data strobe used to synchronized transfers of data between the memory controller and the memory, and a reference voltage used to distinguish between a logic 0 and a logic 1 during memory reads. Following the performance of a calibration, the values of the delay and the reference voltage may be set based on an average of a most recent number of calibrations.
US09666256B1
An SOT-MRAM comprises a substrate, and an SOT memory cell disposed on the substrate and including a magnetic free layer. The magnetic free layer includes a first metal film exhibiting ferromagnetic characteristics, and a second metal film for generating a spin-Hall effect. The first metal film has a thickness sufficient to allow the magnetic free layer, after being applied with a first external magnetic field which is subsequently removed, to have a magnetization ratio ranging from −0.9 to 0.9. The first metal film, upon being applied with a second external magnetic field and an electric pulse, has multiple magnetic domains when a current density resulting from the electric pulse is greater than a critical value.
US09666248B1
A programmable integrated circuit, includes an external port, a configuration memory, a hardened write path between the external port and the configuration memory and a soft read path between the configuration memory and the external port, wherein configuration data stored in the configuration memory is only read through the soft read path.
US09666247B2
A semiconductor memory apparatus may include a write driver, a data sensing section, and a programming control section. The write driver may write an input data into a memory cell in response to a write signal. The data sensing section may generate a comparison flag signal by comparing an output data outputted from the memory cell with a reference voltage in response to a verification read signal. The programming control section may generate the write signal for an initial write operation and the verification read signal as soon as the comparison flag signal is enabled.
US09666234B2
Described herein is a processing apparatus, film scanner and associated method, such as a processing apparatus for processing motion picture film, comprising an identification module for identifying selected regions of one or more digital images or digital video clips of the film; and an image modification module configured to access or produce data; and modify at least one of the one or more digital images or the digital video clip so as to provide the data in at least one of the selected regions. Advantageously, the selected regions correspond to perforations in the film.
US09666230B2
A package assembly including a first layer having a bottom surface and a top surface, and at least two panels coupled to the top surface of the first layer such that a first panel is disposed along a right edge of the first layer and the second panel is disposed along a left edge of the first layer, the first panel being pivotally engaged to the second panel along an axis, the at least two panels having formed therein a recess.
US09666225B2
In one embodiment, a system includes a data processing unit configured to read encoded data from a magnetic tape medium. The data processing unit is also configured to decode a plurality of codeword interleaves (CWIs) from the encoded data, each CWI being a row in a sub data set logically organized into a two-dimensional array. The array includes a predetermined number of rows and columns of predetermined lengths. The data processing unit is also configured to determine an address for a first-written CWI without successfully decoding a corresponding codeword interleave designation (CWID) from the encoded data, each CWID specifying an address for a corresponding CWI. Also, each CWID is calculated as a function of a logical track number and a CWI set number.
US09666220B2
Devices that include a near field transducer (NFT), the NFT having a disc and a peg, and the peg having five surfaces thereof; and at least one adhesion layer positioned on at least one of the five surfaces of the peg, the adhesion layer including one or more of the following: yttrium (Y), tin (Sn), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), carbon (C), holmium (Ho), gallium (Ga), silver (Ag), ytterbium (Yb), chromium (Cr), tantalum (Ta), iridium (Ir), zirconium (Zr), yttrium (Y), scandium (Sc), cobalt (Co), silicon (Si), nickel (Ni), molybdenum (Mo), niobium (Nb), palladium (Pd), titanium (Ti), rhenium (Re), osmium (Os), platinum (Pt), aluminum (Al), ruthenium (Ru), rhodium (Rh), vanadium (V), germanium (Ge), tin (Sn), magnesium (Mg), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), tungsten (W), hafnium (Hf), carbon (C), boron (B), holmium (Ho), antimony (Sb), gallium (Ga), manganese (Mn), silver (Ag), indium (In), bismuth (Bi), zinc (Zn), ytterbium (Yb), and combinations thereof.
US09666216B1
A magnetic recording device includes a magnetic recording medium, a microwave assisted magnetic head having a main magnetic pole for generating a recording magnetic field, and a spin torque oscillator provided near the main magnetic pole for generating a microwave magnetic field, a recording current supply part for supplying a recording current to recording coils according to recording current waveform data, a drive current supply part for supplying a drive current to the spin torque oscillator, and a drive current control part for controlling supply of the drive current by the drive current supply part based on the data. Taking into consideration as an indicator whether a polarity reversal interval included in the data exceeds a threshold time, the drive current control part controls the drive current supply part so as not to substantially lower the quality of signals recorded on the magnetic recording medium.
US09666215B2
A layered stack includes a first layer having a first spin polarization and a first magnetic moment, as well as a second layer (in contact with the first layer) having a second spin polarization a second magnetic moment. The first and second spin polarizations have the same orientation, but the first and second magnetic moments have orientations that partially cancel each other, thereby recommending the layered stack for applications in magnetic tunnel junctions, for example.
US09666205B2
A voice enhancement method is disclosed. The method of the present invention is adapted for a distributed system. In the present invention, a plurality of picking devices are disposed in a space for picking voice signal. After determining the positions of the picking devices, an enhancement operation is performed on the waveform signals from the picking devices to generate an enhanced voice signal.
US09666197B2
A wireless cellular telephone with an audio codec for converting digital audio signals to analog audio signals. The audio codec comprises two digital audio bus interfaces for coupling to respective digital audio buses, and a digital-only signal path between the two digital audio bus interfaces, such that no analog processing of the audio signals occurs in the digital-only signal path.
US09666193B2
A content sharing method, apparatus and an electronic device, which belongs to a field of computer technology, are provided. The method includes: collecting a voice signal by the microphone after current content is displayed; detecting whether the voice signal is a blowing signal; displaying a sharing page corresponding to the current content in the case that the voice signal is the blowing signal, the sharing page containing content to be shared; sharing the content to be shared in the sharing page. According to the present method, a sharing page is displayed directly to guide a user to complete content sharing upon detecting that the voice signal collected by the microphone is the blowing signal, thus avoiding inconvenience caused by multiple times of clicks of the user during content sharing and greatly reducing the time for sharing.
US09666183B2
Disclosed is a feature extraction and classification methodology wherein audio data is gathered in a target environment under varying conditions. From this collected data, corresponding features are extracted, labeled with appropriate filters (e.g., audio event descriptions), and used for training deep neural networks (DNNs) to extract underlying target audio events from unlabeled training data. Once trained, these DNNs are used to predict underlying events in noisy audio to extract therefrom features that enable the separation of the underlying audio events from the noisy components thereof.
US09666182B2
Utterance data that includes at least a small amount of manually transcribed data is provided. Automatic speech recognition is performed on ones of the utterance data not having a corresponding manual transcription to produce automatically transcribed utterances. A model is trained using all of the manually transcribed data and the automatically transcribed utterances. A predetermined number of utterances not having a corresponding manual transcription are intelligently selected and manually transcribed. Ones of the automatically transcribed data as well as ones having a corresponding manual transcription are labeled. In another aspect of the invention, audio data is mined from at least one source, and a language model is trained for call classification from the mined audio data to produce a language model.
US09666181B2
A tuning system for tuning a speech recognition system includes a transmitter for sending a user response to a speech recognition system. The user response is based at least in part on a test stimulus that may be generated by the control system. A receiver receives a recognized response from the speech recognition system; this recognized response is based at least in part on the associated user response. An adjustment module adjusts at least one parameter of the speech recognition system based at least in part on at least one of the test stimulus, the associated user response, and the recognized response.
US09666179B2
A waveform memory that stores a plurality of speech unit waveforms corresponding to respective speech units, wherein an address order of the speech unit waveforms is determined by a sort order of speech units included in a speech unit sequence corresponding to a phoneme sequence of training data, and the speech units included in the speech unit sequence are selected so as to synthesize a speech of the phone sequence.
US09666168B2
A board for a stringed instrument which forms a front plate or a back plate of a stringed instrument, includes: a laminated plate that is obtained by laminating a plurality of veneers having a uniform thickness by an adhesive, at least one of the veneers having a different planar shape than the other veneers, in which the laminated plate is curved to be convex toward one surface side and has a thin portion and a thick portion.
US09666152B2
Provided are a shift register unit, a gate driving circuit and a display device, wherein the shift register unit includes: a pull-up module connected to a clock signal line and a signal output terminal; at least two pull-down modules both connected to a low level signal line and the signal output terminal; a control module connected to the pull-up module and the pull-down modules, for controlling the pull-up module to be turned on, so that the pull-up module outputs a high level signal input from the clock signal line to the signal output terminal, and for controlling the at least two pull-down modules to be turned on alternatively, so that the at least two pull-down modules output a low level signal input from the low level signal line to the signal output terminal, and for controlling one of the at least two pull-down modules to be turned on while controlling the other pull-down modules of the at least two pull-down modules to be discharged. The shift register unit can reduce over-bias of a gate of a pull-down TFT effectively, thus improving stability of the shift register unit.
US09666146B2
A display panel of a touch screen and an electronic device are provided. The display panel includes: a color filter substrate and an array substrate; wherein the color filter substrate includes a black matrix; the array substrate includes pixel units and touch control units; at least one of the pixel units includes a multiple of sub-pixels which include at least one white sub-pixel; the white sub-pixel includes a first region and a second region, the second region is sheltered by the black matrix from a light emitting direction of the display panel; and each touch control unit includes a touch control electrode, a touch control line, and a connect component through which the touch electrode is connected with the touch control line, the touch control electrodes are arranged in an array, and the connect component is set in the second region. Accordingly, image nonuniformity can be eliminated.
US09666145B2
The present disclosure provides a method for controlling brightness compensation for pixel units of a display device, comprising: driving white subpixels in the pixel units to compensate the pixel units for the brightness according to predetermined pixel units whose brightness is to be compensated for in the display device and compensating grayscale voltages corresponding to the brightness of the pixel units to be compensated.
US09666134B2
A scan driving device includes shift registers, each including a first signal terminal to which a forward direction driving start signal is transferred, a second signal terminal to which a backward direction driving start signal is transferred, a clock signal terminal and a clock bar signal terminal to which a clock signal and a clock bar signal are applied, a sustain signal terminal to which a sustain signal is transferred, a control signal terminal to which a control signal is transferred, a gate clock signal terminal to which a gate clock signal is transferred, and an output signal terminal, where driving power source voltages including a high potential power source voltage and low potential power source voltages is applied to each shift register, and an application of the low potential power source voltages to each shift register is controlled based on the sustain signal.
US09666129B2
Provided is an active matrix display device using an organic EL panel including: a plurality of pixel circuits each including an organic light emitting diode arranged in a pixel region of the organic EL panel and a plurality of transistors configured to drive the organic light emitting diode; a plurality of scanning lines arranged along a first direction in the organic EL panel; and a plurality of data lines arranged along a second direction that is orthogonal to the first direction. In at least one set of pixel circuits that are adjacent in the first direction, gate electrodes and impurity diffusion regions of the plurality of transistors have an axisymmetric layout. Gate electrodes of at least one set of transistors that are symmetrically arranged in the at least one set of pixel circuits are integrated.
US09666126B2
A display apparatus includes a power generation unit, a control unit, a source driver, and a display panel. The control unit configured to receive image data, determine a reference grayscale value of the image data, and convert the image data to corrected data according to the reference grayscale value. The power generation unit configured to generate a first pixel driving voltage, a second pixel driving voltage corresponding to the reference grayscale value, and an analog driving voltage corresponding to the reference grayscale value. The source driver configured to generate grayscale voltages by using the analog driving voltage and output, as an image signal, a grayscale voltage corresponding to the corrected data from among the grayscale voltages. The display panel configured to receive the image signal and display an image corresponding to the image signal using the first pixel driving voltage and the second pixel driving voltage.
US09666119B2
The present disclosure relates generally systems and methods for controlling current provided to display devices. A method for controlling the current may include receiving drive current values associated with subpixels in a display and receiving information that corresponds to an application type being rendered on the display and/or an indication of image data being rendered on the display. The method may then include reducing at least some of the drive current values based at least in part on the application type. Alternatively, the method may include reducing the at least a portion of the image data corresponding to the at least some of the drive current values has substantially similar luminance and color values. The method may then include supplying the subpixels with drive currents that correspond to the drive current values.
US09666113B2
A display includes: a gain calculation section obtaining, according to an area of a high luminance region in a frame image, a first gain for each pixel in the region; a determination section determining, based on first luminance information for each pixel in the high luminance region and the first gain, second luminance information for each pixel in the high luminance region; and a display section performing display based on the second luminance information.
US09666108B2
A display device, a processing system, and a method are provided for updating a display device using self-refresh techniques. The described technique provides an indication to a host processor of whether a frame of display update data has been successfully compressed and stored entirely within a local frame buffer of the display. The host processor may invoke a self-refresh of the display for updating the display with a static display image, based on the received indications.
US09666105B2
A large format billboard type electronic sign having an anchored mounting structure, comprises at least one structural frame configured to be mounted to from a front side surface of the anchored mounting structure, and the at least one structural frame defines a plurality of structural bay members configured in adjacent columns for receiving and removably supporting therein a corresponding plurality of weatherized display modules; and at least one preformed wiring harness for routing low voltage power within the plurality of structural bay members, wherein the at least one preformed wiring harness is provided with at least one power introduction node to facilitate providing separate power branches for distributing power between adjacent columns of the structural bay members and at least one structural bay locator node to facilitate providing a low voltage power branch to at least an individual one of said plurality of structural bay members.
US09666104B2
The present disclosure provides a display panel including a plurality of pixels, each of which includes at least one sub-pixel. Each sub-pixel includes a color reflection box and a control unit configured to control a color to be displayed by the color reflection box. The control unit is configured to, in the presence of ambient light, control a position of a light-entering surface of a shielding member in the corresponding color reflection box relative to a light-entering surface of a case in accordance with a display image at a corresponding position, so as to enable the color reflection box to display a color of the light-entering surface of the shielding member or a color of a colored material.
US09666085B2
Methods and systems are provided for displaying a taxi clearance for an aircraft at an airport. One exemplary method involves receiving user input indicative of a constraining taxi path of a plurality of taxi paths at the airport, determining a first taxi portion between an initial location for the taxi clearance and the constraining taxi path, determining a second taxi portion between the constraining taxi path and a destination location for the taxi clearance, and displaying, on a display device associated with the aircraft, a taxi route comprising the first taxi portion, the second taxi portion, and the constraining taxi path between the first taxi portion and the second taxi portion.
US09666073B1
An innovated SMART Parking System, PRIN System and an Information System are provided. The PRIN System is able to manage multiple parking lots without range limitation, and deeply monitor the individual parking space status and also driveway status at each parking lot upon the control devices deployed. By the bi-directional communication, the control devices are able to be managed and changed the control methodology for dynamic parking service support. Besides, the Information System can provide the real-time parking service information for either remote or local access to assist the quick parking without spending too much driving and searching time for parking. Therefore, the PRIN System and Information System facilitates the problem solving of traffic jam and difficult parking within the city effectively, and significantly reduce the social cost, vehicle emission and carbon monoxide to improve the air we breathe and city environment we care.
US09666071B2
A monitoring arrangement including vehicles, a locating system in each vehicle that provides location data about the vehicle, a sensor system in each vehicle that detects presence of at least one chemical in the air at a location at which the vehicle is situated when the sensor system is analyzing air, and a monitoring facility. Each vehicle also includes a communication system that generates a signal based on data provided by the sensor system about the detected presence of at least one chemical in the air and a signal based on the location data and directs the signals to the monitoring facility. Data provided by the sensor systems and sent via the communication systems is analyzed at the monitoring facility in association with location data about the vehicles determined by the locating systems.
US09666070B2
A drive assisting device includes an assisting device capable of outputting a driving assistance information for assisting driving a vehicle; and an assistance control device configured to control the assisting device and capable of changing a form of the driving assistance information at a period from a first assistance timing to a second assistance timing after the first assistance timing and at a period after the second assistance timing. Then, one of the first assistance timing and the second assistance timing is determined based on a target traveling state amount of the vehicle at a predetermined position, and the other of the first assistance timing and the second assistance timing is determined based on one of the first assistance timing and the second assistance timing, so that the driving assistance operation can be appropriately performed.
US09666064B2
To support work of an operator of a monitoring system to set a monitoring rule depending on an environment to be monitored. An information processing system includes an environment expression extracting unit which extracts environment expressions from incident information expressing a certain incident, which includes the environment expressions expressing environments to be monitored and action expressions expressing actions performed in the environments; an action expression extracting unit which extracts the action expressions from the incident information; and an information collecting unit which generates information in which the extracted action expressions are associated with the environment expressions expressing the environments when the actions expressed by the action expressions have been performed among the extracted environment expressions, conducts a search with respect to the generated information, with the action expressions as a key, and calculates, on the basis of the search, frequency at which the environment expressions have been extracted.
US09666062B1
The emergency alert system may include a device/emergency kit container, or may be incorporated into a belt, harness, or other personal protective equipment. The system may include a zipper slider, a zipper, access tab, alert device, and non-conductive pull tab. When the non-conductive pull tab is pulled, the alert device is triggered, and alerts monitors that an emergency situation has occurred involving traumatic injury and alerting the monitors of the location of the emergency situation.
US09666061B2
A hospital monitoring system for monitoring hospital personnel, a plurality of patient locations for patients, and associated devices is configured to control the associated devices based on the presence of hospital personnel or alarms.
US09666057B2
Apparatus and methods for detecting stray voltage anomalies in electric fields are provided herein. In some embodiments, an apparatus for detecting an electrical field may comprise: at least one sensor probe for generating data corresponding to an electrical field detected by the at least one sensor probe, wherein the at least one sensor probe comprises at least one electrode; a processor, coupled to the at least one sensor probe, for analyzing the data to identify a voltage anomaly in the electric field; and an indicator, coupled to the processor, for alerting a user to a presence of the voltage anomaly in the electric field.
US09666056B2
A communication system (100) provides a wearable firearm detection system comprising a first body area network (BAN) node (120) coupled to the firearm, a second BAN node (122) coupled to a body wearable apparatus, such as a holster, and a third BAN node (124) coupled to a portable radio (150). The first BAN node detects the presence or absence of the firearm in and out of the holster and communicates the presence or absence of the firearm to the third BAN node coupled to the radio. In response to the firearm being withdrawn from the holster, the radio can enable one or more actions such as an alert to the user, an alert to a dispatch center (170), or enabling a recording (140) of firearm movement.
US09666055B2
Distress signal transmitters of the present invention are designed to maximize the chance for a victim to survive an accident, and minimize the time for a rescue party to find a victim. The preferred embodiments of the distress signal transmitters of the present invention are to be self-powered, self-activated, and to remain fully functional when dropped into salt water. This will allow the Radio Frequency (RF) distress signals to be sent over a long distance, even if the user is unconscious or severely injured. Furthermore, a set of coordinates determined by a Global Positioning System will be transmitted with the S.O.S message in order for search parties to quickly and efficiently pinpoint the location of the victim(s).
US09666047B2
Techniques are described for moving asset location tracking and monitoring system technology. A system monitors for events related to a monitoring system that monitors a fixed property and the system detects an event related to the monitoring system based on the monitoring. The system performs an operation that leverages geographic location tracking of at least one mobile asset associated with the fixed property based on the detected event.
US09666045B2
Techniques are described for processing sensor data associated with product dispensers at an establishment. The system is configured to monitor the location of product dispensers at an establishment and the system detects an alarm event related to the monitoring system based on the monitoring.
US09666044B1
A security system for use with the door with a door jamb has a plate member mountable in the door jamb adjacent hinges of the door. The plate member has a protrusion extending outwardly therefrom. A bracket member has a slot therein for receipt of the protrusion of plate member. The bracket member has first and second wings extending outwardly therefrom so as to bear against the door and surface adjacent the door when the bracket member is received by the plate member. The bracket member has an alarm receiver on a front side thereof. A vibration-activated alarm is removably received by the alarm receiver. The vibration activated alarm can be utilized during travel and is attachable to any door, even without the plate member and bracket member.
US09666043B2
A detection system for use with an article, the system including a frangible fastener having a shaft structured to be attached to the article; and a radio frequency communication circuit formed on or in the fastener, the radio frequency communication circuit including an antenna formed on or in the article; and a resonator component formed on or in the fastener shaft and structured to be coupled to the antenna through inductance when the fastener is attached to the article and the antenna is energized, the resonator element further structured to fail to function when the fastener shaft is broken.
US09666037B2
Proximity-triggered notifications/alerts are communicated to bank customers as a result of a previously abandoned/canceled ATM transaction that has subsequently been pre-queued for completion. In this regard, the present invention recognizes when the customer is proximate in location to a financial institution channel suitable for completing the transaction and sends the customer an alert, which is typically received by the customer via a mobile communication device. The alert indicates that the previous abandoned ATM transaction has been pre-queued for completion and provides the customer with the location of the nearest financial institution channel suitable for completing the transaction. In specific embodiments of the invention, pre-queuing of the transaction for completion provides for the customer to complete the transaction from the last existing point in the transaction completed by the customer.
US09666035B2
A method and associated security apparatus for providing security to an automatic teller machine (ATM) having a cash capture device in a presenter area of the ATM. The cash capture device is detected by a proximity detector in the security apparatus in the ATM. A detecting signal is generated by the proximity detector in response to the cash capture device being detected. The detecting signal is received by control circuitry in the security apparatus and in response, the control circuitry causes a dispensing shutter of the ATM to remain in an open position. Each proximity detector is electrically connected to the control circuitry. The dispensing shutter in the open position is configured, in an absence of the cash capture device in the ATM, to dispense paper currency processed and stored in the presenter area of the ATM. security apparatus includes the proximity detector and the control circuitry.
US09666034B2
The invention is directed to a gaming system and method of providing a game. The system is configured to display a plurality of symbol positions displayed on a grid. The grid defines a plurality of columns having an associated reel, reel strip, a plurality of symbol positions and game symbols displayed in each of the symbol positions in a predetermined order defining a reel layout. The method includes: initiating a game; establishing a first and second interval comprising at least two spins of the reels, the reel strip associated one of the reels has a first reel layout used during the spins of the first interval; and changing the pattern of the reel strip of one reel strip at the end of the first interval, before initiating the second interval, to a second reel layout, wherein the second reel layout is used for the spins of the second interval.
US09666031B2
Systems and methods provide a three-dimensional wagering game segment on a wagering game machine. The systems and methods provide three-dimensional representations and movement through a scene. The scene may include target objects, and input may be received indicating actions to be taken with respect to the target objects. The scene may be defined as parts of a tile, and the tile may be part of a track of tiles.
US09666026B1
Offers provided within a game space may decrease in value based on previous acceptances of the offers. A game instance of a game space may be executed to facilitate presentation of views of the game space to users to enable interaction of the users with the game space and/or each other by performing operations in the game space in response to commands received from the users. Offers may be provided within the game instance of the game space that decrease in value based on previous acceptances of the offers. The offers may include a first offer having a first value that progressively decreases based on an amount of users that have previously accepted the first offer in order to incentivize early acceptance of the first offer.
US09666025B2
In accordance with the present invention, a gaming device such as a slot machine calculates a speed of game play, and in turn determines a pay schedule based on the speed of game play. The pay schedule for higher speeds of game play typically provides a higher payout percentage, which attracts players and provides an incentive to play faster and for longer periods of time. The greater speed of play and time period of playing may actually increase revenues derived from the gaming device, even though the payout percentage is higher. Speed of game play may be calculated by measuring the number of games played in a predetermined time period, or the time elapsed between games. The gaming device may select a payout table from a plurality of payout tables based on this speed.
US09666023B2
A lottery data transfer method for processing lottery ticket data piggybacks on a merchant's existing transaction card interchange system, such as a debit or credit card interchange system. A routing code is assigned to lottery tickets that is unique in the merchant's transaction card exchange, the routing code associated with a lottery data blob also provided on the lottery ticket. The routing code and data blob are entered into the merchant's existing transaction card activation protocol to initiate transfer of the lottery data to a central lottery site via the interchange. At an issuing processor within the exchange, the routing code is recognized and initiates special routing to and further processing of the lottery data blob at the lottery central site.
US09666015B2
Embodiments of the present invention are directed to generating and displaying a score related to the results of wagering by a player on an electronic gaming machine. In one embodiment, a method for generating a score related to play on at least one electronic gaming device includes tracking the amount wagered on the gaming device, tracking the amount awarded by the gaming device, and generating a score related to the tracked amounts.
US09666002B2
In a method for operating a vehicle barrier (1) having a barrier column (2), a barrier arm (4) and a drive mechanism for pivoting the barrier arm (4) between a blocking position and an open position, a camera (7) is used for vehicle recognition, for the license plate recognition, for recognizing a following vehicle and for monitoring for vandalism, and the images thereof are evaluated by an electronic evaluation logic that is coupled to control of the vehicle barrier (1).
US09665996B2
A negative pressure detection part detects a negative pressure from a signal of a negative pressure sensor detecting a negative pressure generated due to rotation of an internal combustion engine. The negative pressure is used to assist a vehicle driver's braking operation. An abnormality determination part determines, during continuation of the internal combustion engine stopped state, that the negative pressure sensor is in an abnormal condition if the detected negative pressure is out of a normal range near an atmospheric pressure to a vacuum pressure side when an operation of decreasing the negative pressure is performed on a brake pedal greater than or equal to a predetermined number of times or greater than or equal to a predetermined period of time or when a total operation amount of the decreasing operation is greater than or equal to a predetermined amount.
US09665986B2
Systems, methods, and media for augmenting a view of reality. In an embodiment, a medium, a first marker, and metadata are received from a depository. The first marker comprises at least a portion of a view of reality, and is matched to at least a first portion of the view of reality. Subsequently, a second marker is generated based on at least a second portion of the view of reality, and uploaded to the depository. In addition, the medium is superimposed over at least a portion of the view of reality, based on at least one of the first marker and the second marker, to generate an augmented view of reality.
US09665983B2
Techniques are disclosed for facilitating electronic commerce in an augmented reality environment. In some embodiments, a method comprises detecting, by a mobile device, presence of the physical product or the real life service; and presenting, on the mobile device, information to conduct the transaction of a physical product or a real life service via the augmented reality environment. In some embodiments, a method comprises detecting one or more targets in the augmented reality platform using a select area in a perspective of a user, the perspective being captured by a mobile device; and prompting the user to choose an object of interest from the one or more detected targets. Among other advantages, embodiments disclosed herein provide an intuitive and integrated user experience in shopping using augmented reality devices, thereby reducing the consumer user's effort in conducting such activities, reducing necessary sales personnel and their working hours, and increasing sales.
US09665976B2
Methods and systems for reducing finite element simulation time for acoustic response analysis are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method includes analytically creating a finite element model, the finite element model including a plurality of subdivisions. A plurality of cross-correlations between respective pairings of the subdivisions is then specified. A portion of the cross-correlations are then eliminated to provide a reduced set of cross-correlations between respective pairings of the subdivisions. The elimination includes determining a spatial distance value between at least two subdivisions, and discarding at least one of the cross-correlations for which the spatial distance value is greater than a specified threshold value. The finite element simulation is then performed using the reduced set of cross-correlations.
US09665975B2
This disclosure describes techniques for executing shader programs in a graphics processing unit (GPU). In some examples, the techniques for executing shader programs may include executing, with a shader unit of a graphics processor, a shader program that performs vertex shader processing and that generates multiple output vertices for each input vertex that is received by the shader program. In further examples, the techniques for executing shader programs may include executing a merged vertex/geometry shader program using a non-replicated mode of execution. The non-replicated mode of execution may involve assigning each of a plurality of primitives to one merged vertex/geometry shader program instance per primitive and causing each of the instances to output a plurality of vertices. In additional examples, the techniques for executing shader programs may include techniques for selecting one of a non-replicated mode and a replicated mode for executing a merged vertex/geometry shader program.
US09665962B2
Image distractor detection and processing techniques are described. In one or more implementations, a digital medium environment is configured for image distractor detection that includes detecting one or more locations within the image automatically and without user intervention by the one or more computing devices that include one or more distractors that are likely to be considered by a user as distracting from content within the image. The detection includes forming a plurality of segments from the image by the one or more computing devices and calculating a score for each of the plurality of segments that is indicative of a relative likelihood that a respective said segment is considered a distractor within the image. The calculation is performed using a distractor model trained using machine learning as applied to a plurality images having ground truth distractor locations.
US09665959B2
There are provided a composite image creation assist apparatus and a composite image creation assist method capable of easily assisting the creation of a composite image using not only an image group that a user himself or herself holds but also images that other users hold. An other user image group extraction section extracts image groups of other users belonging to the same group as a target user based on the registration information of an SNS. A second candidate image selection section selects at least one second candidate image suitable for the composite image from the extracted image groups of other users. A use image determination section determines use images, which are to be used for the composite image, from the plurality of first candidate images and the second candidate image.
US09665958B2
A system, method, and computer program product are provided for redistributing multi-sample processing workloads between threads. A workload for a plurality of multi-sample pixels is received and each thread in a parallel thread group is associated with a corresponding multi-sample pixel of the plurality of pixels. The workload is redistributed between the threads in the parallel thread group based on a characteristic of the workload and the workload is processed by the parallel thread group. In one embodiment, the characteristic is rasterized coverage information for the plurality of multi-sample pixels.
US09665951B2
A unified compression/decompression architecture is disclosed for reducing memory bandwidth requirements in 3D graphics processing applications. The techniques described erase several distinctions between a texture (compressed once, and decompressed many times), and buffers (compressed and decompressed repeatedly during rendering of an image). An exemplary method for processing graphics data according to one or more embodiments of the invention thus begins with the updating of one or more tiles of a first image array, which are then compressed, using a real-time buffer compression algorithm, to obtain compressed image array tiles. The compressed image array tiles are stored for subsequent use as a texture. During real-time rendering of a second image array, the compressed image array tiles are retrieved and decompressed using a decompression algorithm corresponding to the buffer compression algorithm. The decompressed image array tiles are then applied as a texture to one or more primitives in the second image array.
US09665949B2
A skin dullness evaluation apparatus includes a frequency analyzing unit that decomposes a skin image into color heterogeneity of a predetermined size; a color heterogeneity index obtaining unit that obtains color data of skin from each of the color heterogeneity decomposed by the frequency analyzing unit, and obtains a color heterogeneity index of the color heterogeneity from the obtained color data of skin; and a dullness evaluation unit that evaluates skin dullness corresponding to the skin image based on the color heterogeneity index obtained by the color heterogeneity index obtaining unit.
US09665946B2
An article conveyor system comprising a conveyor device which conveys a conveyance article in accordance with a command to convey the conveyance article to a target position on a workpiece, a visual detection device which has a camera device which is attached to the conveyor device so as to acquire an image which includes both of the conveyance article and the workpiece after conveyance by the conveyor device and analyzes the image acquired by the camera device to detect the respective positions of the conveyance article and the workpiece, and a judgment device which judges if a position of the conveyance article which has been detected by the visual detection device is located within a permission area which is set for the position of the workpiece.
US09665940B2
A light-microscopy method for locating point objects in a sample arranged in an object space includes imaging the sample onto a detector by an imaging optical unit having a depth of field of predetermined axial extent along an optical axis in the object space, onto which the detector is imaged. The point objects in the sample are located within the depth of field. The first sample image generated by the imaging of the sample onto the detector is evaluated. For locating a respective first point object in a direction of the optical axis, a parameter of a first light spot of one or more light spots of the first sample image representing the first point object is determined, and a rough axial z position related to the first point object is assigned to the parameter based on predetermined association information.
US09665934B2
A fault detection circuit for detecting faults in a video sequence includes a multiple input signature register (MISR) with a linear feedback shift register (LFSR) that receives pixel data for pixels in a frame region for video frames of a video sequence and receives a read signal to read the pixel data and shift the MISR; a multiple signature storage buffer (MSSB) that stores frame signatures; and a signature comparator that compares current and reference frame signatures to determine if a fault condition exists in the video sequence. The MISR holds a frame signature for the frame region of the video frame while receiving a frame end signal. The MSSB stores a current frame signature held by the MISR after receiving the frame end signal. The MSSB also stores a reference frame signature. A display processing circuit includes the fault detection circuit. An integrated circuit includes the display processing circuit.
US09665930B1
Examples are directed to selective editing of digital images using editing tools having persistent tool settings. A source image is opened as a target image in an image editing application. Once opened in the image editing application, the target image includes a plurality of image layers. Visual elements of the target image file are then edited using tools in the image editing application. For each tool used, a tool identifier and the relevant tool settings are saved and associated with the corresponding layer in a target image file. Upon closing and later re-opening the target image file, the saved tool identifier and tool settings are presented for display for further image editing in subsequent user sessions.
US09665924B2
A mapping system disclosed herein includes a requestor that transmits requests for different layer sets of mapping data for a digital map to one or more data sources across a network according to a predefined order. According to one implementation, the mapping system also processes and/or renders the different layer sets to a display according to the predefined order.
US09665918B2
A medical data generating apparatus includes a data processing unit, a work-status data generation unit, a display unit and a work-status restoration unit. The data processing unit acquires medical data from a database to perform data processing. The work-status data generation unit generates work-status data as a data record of medical data. The work-status data indicates a work status of the data processing. The display unit acquires medical data including at least one piece of work-status data from the database to list the acquired pieces of the medical data on a display device together with identification information of the acquired piece of the work-status data. The work-status restoration unit restores a work status of a data processing corresponding to a selected piece of work-status data based on the selected piece of the work-status data.
US09665914B2
An engine, system and method for a domain social network that interconnects Internet users with at least domains owned by or of interest to those Internet users, and that may obtain and/or forward obtained dynamic data regarding those domains automatically, such as by web service or email service. The dynamic data may be used to filter and protect content and data of the respective domains, to protect users by identifying low quality web pages or malicious software or pages, to isolate or improve search results regarding the domain, and/or to improve Internet-based transaction flow, such as the creation of advertising.
US09665912B1
A claim-based capitation model is proposed for handling vehicle repair insurance claims. Rather than determining a detailed estimate of the expected actual cost of repair, the estimate may be determined using a simpler model. For example, the insurance company and a repair facility may agree to following a predictive payment model in which the insurance company pays a fixed predicted capitated amount of money for each repair claim, regardless of the amount of repair work that will be needed. Alternatively, the insurance company may pre-pay a fixed capitated amount for a predicted number of future insurance claims.
US09665906B2
Methods for generating and sharing a virtual body model of a person, created with a small number of measurements and a single photograph, combined with one or more images of garments. The virtual body model represents a realistic representation of the users body and is used for visualizing photo-realistic fit visualizations of garments, hairstyles, make-up, and/or other accessories. The virtual garments are created from layers based on photographs of real garment from multiple angles. Furthermore the virtual body model is used in multiple embodiments of manual and automatic garment, make-up, and, hairstyle recommendations, such as, from channels, friends, and fashion entities. The virtual body model is sharable for, as example, visualization and comments on looks. Furthermore it is also used for enabling users to buy garments that fit other users, suitable for gifts or similar. The implementation can also be used in peer-to-peer online sales where garments can be bought with the knowledge that the seller has a similar body shape and size as the user.
US09665898B2
Merchandise content is aggregated from numerous merchant sources and presented on computing devices of individual users. Users are able to purchase select individual merchandise items by performing a simplified action, such as a screen tap on a touchscreen device. When the user performs the action, a series of actions are performed programmatically and/or automatically on behalf of the user to initiate and complete the transaction for the selected merchandise item from the merchant source.
US09665893B2
A computer-implemented state machine is provided for processing business objects representing collaborations between business entities. At least one business object represents a collaboration between business entities. A number of graphs represented in computer-readable media each correspond to a particular collaborating business entity. The graphs are generated using text files, at least a first text file including state information for the business object, at least a second text file including action information for the business object, and at least a third text file including transition information for the business object. A computer-implemented method is provided for aggregating state information associated with a composite business object representing at least one collaboration between business entities. The method includes retrieving the state information for the composite business object from a computer-readable medium and determining a state for the composite business object based on an assigned priority level for a state in a hierarchy of states associated with the composite business object, each state in the hierarchy of states having a corresponding assigned priority level.
US09665882B2
Systems and methods are provided to select potential titles for online content using search query logs from web search service providers. A plurality of search queries are collected from one or more web search service providers. A lifetime value is determined for each of the search queries. Potential titles are then selected from the plurality of search queries using selection criteria including the lifetime value of the search queries. The potential titles can then be provided to content developers who develop online content based on the potential titles.
US09665879B2
A system and method provide rewards or loyalty incentives to card member customers. The system includes an enrolled card member customer database, an enrolled merchant database, a participating merchant offer database and a registered card processor. The registered card processor receives a record for charge for a purchase made with an enrolled merchant by an enrolled card member customer and uses the record of charge to determine whether the purchase qualifies for a rebate credit in accordance with a discount offer from the enrolled merchant. If the purchase qualifies for a rebate credit, the registered card processor provides the rebate credit to an account of the enrolled card member customer. The system provides a coupon-less way for merchants to provide incentive discounts to enrolled customers.
US09665874B2
The systems and methods may be used to recommend an item to a consumer. The methods may comprise determining, based on a collaborative filtering algorithm, a consumer relevance value associated with an item, and transmitting, based on the consumer relevance value, information associated with the item to a consumer. A collaborative filtering algorithm may receive as an input a transaction history associated with the consumer, a demographic of the consumer, a consumer profile, a type of transaction account, a transaction account associated with the consumer, a period of time that the consumer has held a transaction account, a size of wallet, and/or a share of wallet. The method may further comprise generating a ranked list of items based upon consumer relevance values, transmitting a ranked list of items to a consumer, and/or re-ranking a ranked list of items based upon a merchant goal.
US09665872B2
Provided is a server apparatus capable of flexibly providing provision information of a store in accordance with a time range when the store can be used by a user. The server apparatus, on the basis of store information including at least any one of position information of a store which provide a product or service, use time information of the store and attribute information of the store, and user time range information user time range information indicating a vacant time range of a user, determines a combination in which the user can use the stores within the time range indicated by the user time range information, and transmits the provision information of the store in the determined combination to a terminal device of the user.
US09665861B2
In an embodiment, a point of sale (POS) device is provided. The POS device includes a memory and at least one processor. The processor is configured to perform an authorized set of functions established by an external management module. The authorized set of functions include purchase transaction processing of inventory identified as available to the POS device by the external management module.
US09665859B2
A method for the online modification, submission and approval processing of a future payment request to afford a user the ability to renegotiate established loan agreement debt terms in which network communications are established between a user, such as a debtor, and a computing device, such as a server or server arrangement, is presented. The method comprises receiving information, at the computing device, regarding the loan agreement debt terms, presenting received information to a debtor, providing an interactive environment enabling a debtor to modify existing terms, submitting modified terms, processing data from the available information using a rules based engine, and processing a future payment request based on at least one decision made by the rules based engine. While online, the user/debtor may engage in revising a rejected future payment request in an attempt to reach a satisfactory renegotiation of debt terms.
US09665831B2
A system and method are provided for shared machine learning. The method includes providing a model to a plurality of agents included in a machine learning system. The model specifies attributes and attribute value data types for an event in which the agents act. The method further includes receiving agent-provided inputs during an instance of the event. The agent-provided inputs include estimated attribute values that are consistent with the attribute value data types. The method also includes determining expertise weights for at least some agents in response to at least one ground-truth which is learned from the estimated attribute values. The method additionally includes determining an estimate value for one or more of the attributes using respective adaptive mixtures of the estimated attribute values.
US09665795B2
Provided are a method and apparatus for automatically determining defective equipment by using a sample defect map showing defect distribution in each cell of a defective sample and production history information of each product, wherein the defective sample is a set of products, each being divided into a plurality of cells. According to this invention, the method of determining defective equipment is provided. The method comprises, generating a sample defect map which shows defect distribution in each cell of a defective sample, generating an equipment defect map for at least one of pieces of equipment through which each product of the defective sample passed, calculating, for each piece of equipment whose equipment defect map has been generated, map similarity between the sample defect map and the equipment defect map, and determining one or more defective pieces of equipment, which are the cause of the defective sample, based on the map similarity for each piece of equipment whose equipment defect map has been generated, wherein the defective sample is a set of products, each being divided into a plurality of cells, and the equipment defect map for a specific piece of equipment shows defect distribution in each cell of products that passed through the specific piece of equipment among the products of the defective sample.
US09665792B2
A method for generating a sharp image based on a blurry image is provided. The method includes acquiring pixel values of pixels in the blurry image, and a convolution kernel of the blurry image, determining a deconvolution kernel of the blurry image based on a preset image gradient operator and the convolution kernel, determining pixel values of pixels in the sharp image based on the deconvolution kernel and the pixel values of the pixels in the blurry image, and generating the sharp image based on the pixel values of the pixels in the sharp image. A deconvolution kernel in the embodiments of the present disclosure is determined based on a gradient operator and a convolution kernel, in other words, the deconvolution kernel introduces the gradient operator as a regularization constraint, which prevents noise from affecting an image recovery process, and improves the quality of a recovered sharp image.
US09665791B2
In one embodiment, a method of identifying the dominant orientations of a scene comprises representing a scene as a plurality of directional vectors. The scene may comprise a three-dimensional representation of a scene, and the plurality of directional vectors may comprise a plurality of surface normals. The method further comprises determining, based on the plurality of directional vectors, a plurality of orientations describing the scene. The determined plurality of orientations explains the directionality of the plurality of directional vectors. In certain embodiments, the plurality of orientations may have independent axes of rotation. The plurality of orientations may be determined by representing the plurality of directional vectors as lying on a mathematical representation of a sphere, and inferring the parameters of a statistical model to adapt the plurality of orientations to explain the positioning of the plurality of directional vectors lying on the mathematical representation of the sphere.
US09665790B2
Apparatus for matching a query image against a catalog of images, comprises: a feature extraction unit operative for extracting principle features from said query image; a relationship unit operative for establishing relationships between a given principle feature and other features in the image, and adding said relationships as relationship information alongside said principle features; and a first comparison unit operative for comparing principle features and associated relationship information of said query image with principle features and associated relationship information of images of said catalog to find candidate matches.
US09665789B2
The present invention relates to a device and method for analyzing the correlation between an image and another image or between an image and a video. The device for analyzing the correlation between images and the method for using same include: a feature data generating unit for determining a feature point of an image and generating feature data which includes feature point orientation information on each determined feature point; and a relation analyzing unit for analyzing the correlation between an image and another image using feature data generated from the feature data generating unit. The relation analyzing unit includes: a unit for determining corresponding feature points, which determines a pair of corresponding feature points between compared images using feature data generated from the feature data generating unit; and a reliability estimating unit for estimating the reliability of the analysis of the relation between images on the basis of feature point orientation information on a feature point, in pairs of feature points determined by the unit for determining corresponding feature points. According to the present invention, provided are a device and method for quickly and efficiently analyzing a correlation, such as whether or not there is a similarity between an image and another image or between an image and a video, wherein said video includes an image, or a frame of said video corresponds to an image.
US09665788B2
According to a first aspect of the present invention, a method for setting a region of interest may include: detecting a mark in an image frame photographed by a camera; and setting a region of interest using the detected mark.
US09665774B2
A machine-learning engine is disclosed that is configured to recognize and learn behaviors, as well as to identify and distinguish between normal and abnormal behavior within a scene, by analyzing movements and/or activities (or absence of such) over time. The machine-learning engine may be configured to evaluate a sequence of primitive events and associated kinematic data generated for an object depicted in a sequence of video frames and a related vector representation. The vector representation is generated from a primitive event symbol stream and a phase space symbol stream, and the streams describe actions of the objects depicted in the sequence of video frames.
US09665773B2
A system, computer-implemented method and non-transitory computer-readable medium for automatically searching for images from events is provided. One or more personal identity tags are provided, wherein the personal identity tags relate to identification information for one or more individuals. Next, at least one event group is identified, wherein the event group is a collection of images associated with an event, the collection of images including one or more images tagged with one or more of the provided personal identity tags. A collection of the images for each of the identified event groups is then received.
US09665766B2
Embodiments of the present invention disclose a method for facial recognition processing using biometric pre-filters. The computer determines a first eye-to-eye distance of a first detected face of a first image, and wherein the eye-to-eye distance is a biometric measurement. The computer receives a selection of a demographic characteristic. The computer determines a search range for the first eye-to-eye distance based, at least in part, on the selection of the demographic characteristic, and the first eye-to-eye distance. The computer identifies a second image from a plurality of images, wherein the second image includes a second eye-to-eye distance that is included in the determined search range for the first eye-to-eye distance. The computer applies a facial recognition algorithm to the second image to determine at least one potential identity that is associated with the first detected face.
US09665757B2
An indicia-reading module is capable of integration into the smallest face of thin-profile smart device. The module employs chip-on-board packaging and a customized sensor enclosure to eliminate the stack-up height found in conventional packaging. The module also employs a customized frame to reduce volume by integrating circuit subassembly circuit boards into a unique architecture and by serving as the lenses for the illuminator and the aimer, thereby eliminating the need for any extra lenses or holders.
US09665750B2
Provided are RFID systems, methods and RFID tags according to various aspects. An infrared (IR) beam, from an IR transmitter, is outputted in a first direction so that an RFID tag with an IR sensor adds a flag to stored data in the RFID tag in response to the RFID tag's IR sensor detecting the IR beam. An RF interrogation signal is outputted by an RFID reader, and a response is received from the RFID tag to the RF interrogation signal. It is determined whether the flag is contained in the RFID tag's response to the RF interrogation signal, and if so, the RFID tag is determined to be in the first direction relative to the IR transmitter.
US09665747B1
The invention is a credit card system which utilizes a substrate having a machine readable user account number and, a user removable portion of the substrate. The credit card identifies if the user removable portion of the substrate has been disturbed, the reader requests a secondary user identification to verify that the user is authorized to use the credit card.
US09665742B2
A computing apparatus having a hard drive storage unit which includes a global positioning system, a non-volatile memory and a compare module. The non-volatile memory stores a permitted zone of operation of the hard drive storage unit while the compare module monitors the current location. If the compare module detects a current location of the hard drive storage unit as tracked by the global positioning system which is outside of the permitted zone of operation as stored in the non-volatile memory, the non-volatile memory contains at least one command implemented by a computer processor that may cause the hard drive storage unit to become disabled.
US09665738B2
An electronic device including a touch sensor and a processing unit is provided. The touch sensor is disposed on or under a display, and generates touch data for a touch detected thereon or therenear when the electronic device is locked with the display in a sleep state. The processing unit determines whether the touch data matches a predetermined signature according to the touch data, and wakes the display from the sleep state and unlocks the electronic device when the touch data matches the predetermined gesture.
US09665722B2
Embodiments of the invention relate to systems and methods for providing an anonymization engine. One embodiment of the present invention relates to a method comprising receiving a message directed at a recipient computer located outside a secure area by a privacy computer located within a secure area. The privacy computer may identify private information using a plurality of privacy rules and anonymize the message according to the plurality of privacy rules. Another embodiment may be directed to a method comprising receiving a request for sensitive data from a requesting computer. An anonymization computer may determine a sensitive data record associated with the request and may anonymize the sensitive data record by performing at least two of: removing unnecessary sensitive data entries from the sensitive data record, masking the sensitive data entries to maintain format, separating the sensitive data entries into associated data groupings, and de-contexting the data.
US09665697B2
A method for selectively blocking content on a transparent electronic display is provided. Unstructured information is analyzed using natural language processing techniques. A portion of the unstructured information is classified as protected content. An emissive layer displays the protected content over a substantially opaque portion of the selectively transparent layer. A user is provided with a prompt that identifies the protected content. The substantially opaque portion of the selectively transparent layer become substantially transparent in response to receiving an interaction with the prompt from the user.
US09665686B2
The description relates to surgical computer systems, including computer program products, and methods for implant planning using corrected captured joint motion information. Data representative of a corrected limb pose at a plurality of poses within a range of motion of a joint associated with a particular individual is captured, the joint comprising a first bone and a second bone, while the first bone, the second bone, or both are subject to a corrective force aligning the first and second bones in a desired alignment. The first bone of the joint is represented. The second bone of the joint is represented. A first implant model is associated with the representation of the first bone. A second implant model is associated with the representation of the second bone. Based on the captured data, a relationship is determined between the first implant model and the second implant model at one or more poses of the plurality of poses within the range of motion of the joint. Information representative of the determined relationship is displayed.
US09665679B2
A computer implemented method for designing an integrated circuit (IC) having dimensions along first and second directions, and comprising at least a first block is presented. The method includes evaluating a demand ratio for the first block, the demand ratio being reflective of a ratio of a conductive wiring demand along the first direction and a conductive wiring demand along the second direction, when the computer is invoked to evaluate the demand ratio for the first block. The method further includes creating one or more wiring reservation blocks in accordance with the demand ratio.
US09665675B2
A method to adjust transistor gate geometries in a design data base to compensate for transistor-to-transistor active overlap of gate differences and to form a reticle. A method to adjust transistor geometries in a design data base to compensate for transistor-to-transistor active overlap of gate differences and to compensate for transistor turn on voltage drop off where the transistor gate crosses the isolation/active interface.
US09665670B1
Integrated circuits may include synchronous nodes and asynchronous routing elements coupled between the synchronous nodes. A synchronous design implemented in such an integrated circuit may identify a register chain having a source register, a destination register, and intermediate registers. A virtual register may be created for each of the intermediate registers, which may then be removed from the synchronous design. The created virtual registers may be connected in series to form a virtual register chain between the source and destination registers. Each of the created virtual registers may be assigned to an asynchronous routing element that connects the source and destination registers on the integrated circuit. EDA tools such as viewers or a timing analysis tool may be configured to display the virtual registers instead of the asynchronous interconnection elements.
US09665663B2
Briefly, embodiments of methods and/or systems of providing relevant and diverse recommendations are disclosed. For one embodiment, as an example, a system may extract structured and/or semi-structured parameters from web resources obtained from interaction logs comprising records of browsing sessions. Content from extracted parameters may be compared, using an ontology, to find relationships among web resources and query resources.
US09665662B1
The methods and systems for providing real-time business intelligence using natural language queries facilitate a user to search within a data warehouse using a natural language question. Such business intelligence platform may receive a natural language based question, extract one or more key words from the natural language based question, determine a first dependency graph of the one or more key words based on a relationship among the one or more key words, determine a second dependency graph of the one or more key words based on previously stored search indices, merge the first and the second dependency graphs to generate an integrated dependency graph, and generate a formatted search string based on the integrated dependency graph.
US09665659B1
A data processing system comprises web page generation logic and website experimentation logic. The web page generation logic is configured to generate web pages to be provided to visitors of a website. The website experimentation logic is coupled to the web page generation logic. The website experimentation logic is configured to detect a change in the manner in which the web page generation logic generates one or more of the web pages and to assess how the change impacts visitor interactions with the website.
US09665658B2
One embodiment provides an eviction system for dynamically-sized caching comprising a non-blocking data structure for maintaining one or more data nodes. Each data node corresponds to a data item in a cache. Each data node comprises information relating to a corresponding data item. The eviction system further comprises an eviction module configured for removing a data node from the data structure, and determining whether the data node is a candidate for eviction based on information included in the data node. If the data node is not a candidate for eviction, the eviction module inserts the data node back into the data structure; otherwise the eviction module evicts the data node and a corresponding data item from the system and the cache, respectively. Data nodes of the data structure circulate through the eviction module until a candidate for eviction is determined.
US09665652B2
In one implementation, a computer-implemented method includes receiving a parameterless search request, which was provided to a mobile computing device, for information that is relevant to a user of the mobile computing device. The method also includes, in response to the received parameterless search request, identifying with a digital computer system one or more results that are determined to be relevant to the user of the mobile computing device based upon a current context of the mobile computing device. The method further includes providing the results for display to a user of the mobile computing device.
US09665647B2
A system and method for indexing applications accessible through a user device are provided. The system includes crawling through a plurality of data sources to detect applications accessible through a user device; for each detected application, generating metadata characterizing the application; analyzing the generated metadata to classify the application to at least one category; and updating an application index to include at least the index application and the respective classified category.
US09665639B2
A method for analyzing incoming data, comprising the steps of processing the incoming data in segments to output a sequence of segment types by extracting one or more properties of an incoming data segment and forming an Unknown Property Vector for each segment of data in the incoming data, and processing the sequence of segment types to identify events in the incoming data. The sequence of segment types is determined, for each segment, by analyzing the Unknown Property Vector by reference to one or more collections of vectors obtained from a set of Reference Property Vectors. This may each of the one or more collections of vectors being selected from the set of Reference Property Vectors randomly or based on relevance or clustering.
US09665636B2
End user data partitioning can include receiving a number of data queries for a data source from a user, developing a dimension relation graph based on attributes of the number of data queries, and partitioning the data source based on the dimension relation graph.
US09665633B2
Example data management systems and methods are described. In one implementation, a method identifies multiple files to process based on a received query and identifies multiple execution nodes available to process the multiple files. The method initially creates multiple scansets, each including a portion of the multiple files, and assigns each scanset to one of the execution nodes based on a file assignment model. The multiple scansets are processed by the multiple execution nodes. If the method determines that a particular execution node has finished processing all files in its assigned scanset, an unprocessed file is reassigned from another execution node to the particular execution node.
US09665630B1
Described are techniques for providing hints. Activity data for data portions is received. For each data portion, activity data is aggregated for each of a plurality of time periods and a value for a metric is determined for the data portion in accordance with the aggregated activity data. The values for the metric are ranked. A set of one or more data portions are identified based on the ranked metric values. Hint generation processing is performed to generate a hint for each data portion in said set. The hint may be used in connection with performing data storage movement optimizations to move selected data portions between different storage tiers having different performance classifications. The metric may be determined using one or more criteria including standard deviation, entropy and/or a maximum probability for a time period having the largest portion of I/O wait time for a data portion.
US09665628B1
Techniques relating to managing “bad” or “imperfect” data being imported into a database system are described herein. As an example, a lifecycle technology solution helps receive data from a variety of different data sources of a variety of known and/or unknown formats, standardize it, fit it to a known taxonomy through model-assisted classification, store it to a database in a manner that is consistent with the taxonomy, and allow it to be queried for a variety of different usages. Some or all of the disclosed technology concerning auto-classification, enrichment, clustering model and model stacks, and/or the like, may be used in these and/or other regards.
US09665614B2
The subject matter of this specification can be implemented in, among other things, a method that includes receiving, by a processing device, one or more first content items for one or more first user accounts of a content sharing system. The method further includes storing the first content items at the content sharing system. The method further includes receiving, by the processing device, a second content item for a second user account of the content sharing system. The method further includes comparing, by the processing device, the received second content item to the stored first content items to determine that the second content item is not exclusive to the second user account. The method further includes restricting a privilege of the second user account for the second content item in response to the determination that the second content item is not exclusive to the second user account.
US09665603B2
A database management system provides row based filtering of data at a database level by evaluating content of at least one record of a write data request received from an application for a particular table from among at least one table of a database, against at least one filter rule specified for the particular table. The database management system selects, for the at least one record, whether to store the at least one record of the write data request as a separate row in the particular table based on a separate action triggered for the at least one record when evaluated against the at least one filter rule specified for the particular table, each record not selected for storage being silently discarded.
US09665600B2
The present invention provides a method for implementing a database, comprising: encoding, uniquely and respectively, tables, fields, and data relationships between the tables provided according to a predefined rule; storing codes of the tables, codes of the fields, and codes of the data relationships obtained in a created code structure table of node cluster to form code nodes; forming subordination mappings between the codes of the tables, the codes of the fields, and the codes of the data relationships in the code structure table of node cluster, according to subordination relationships between the tables, the fields and the data relationships; and mapping a name corresponding to each of the codes in a created comparison table of node cluster value; wherein code sub-nodes having unique codes are created under a code node corresponding to the fields, and data elements are stored in a storage space corresponding to the code sub-node. Accordingly, when addressing any table, field and data element, only one addressing and acquisition is made through the unique code of the table, the field and the data element to be addressed, thus the addressing efficiency of database can be improved.
US09665599B2
Log records are generated by a computer system and stored in a computer readable storage area for recording changes to database objects responsive to receiving transaction requests, wherein the locators for the log records are of a predetermined maximum size that provides a maximum trackable size limit of the storage area. A computer system estimates an amount of time for the storing of the generated log records to fill the storage area up to the maximum trackable size limit. A computer system sets a soft limit to the storage area that is smaller than the maximum trackable size limit, including setting the soft limit based on the estimated amount of time.
US09665582B2
Software, systems, and methods are disclosed herein for enhanced updating of replica storage volumes within virtual machine environments. A first group of data blocks of a plurality of data blocks on an underlying storage volume that have changed are identified. A second group of data blocks of the first group of data blocks that are live are identified. Changed data items associated with the second group of data blocks are identified. An ancillary process is initiated on the changed data items. An update of the replica of the target storage volume with the second group of data blocks is also initiated.
US09665574B1
Methods and systems that add contact information to personal contacts database are provided. One or more contact indicators are identified within a document. The contact indicators at least partially represent contact identification information of an individual or place. One or more contact identification profiles which match the one or more contact indicators are identified. Each of the one or more identified contact identification profiles are displayed with an option of adding each contact identification profile to a personal contacts database.
US09665558B2
A method for maintaining conversational cadence may include determining, by a processor, a conversational cadence associated with a user in a social network. The conversational cadence may be determined based on a plurality of messages previously transmitted by the user. The method may also include detecting, by the processor, a reduction in the conversational cadence of the user. The method may further include providing, by the processor, a set of fill-in messages that create an appearance to another user in the social network that there is no reduction in the conversational cadence.
US09665556B1
Disclosed are various embodiments for assigning user interface widgets to page slots associated with a page template. In response to a request to generate a content page, content placement requests are then received from user interface widgets. The page slots are associated with a placement value indicating a value of the page slot relative to other page slots in the page template. The highest ranked user interface widgets according to an effectiveness metric or placement score are scheduled for placement in the content page.
US09665555B2
Methods and systems are disclosed for receiving and processing data analysis expressions. A particular method includes receiving a data analysis expression at a pivot table of a spreadsheet. The data analysis expression is executed for a particular cell of the pivot table by determining a context associated with the particular cell, calculating a value of the data analysis expression based on the context, and outputting the calculated value at the particular cell.
US09665552B2
A form layout system includes a form layout tool that provides a flexible way to lay out forms on a web page. The form layout tool configures a web configuration file with the location of form layout styles, and uses the form layout styles, a number of columns, a number of fields, and a “size” of each field to include in the component of a page layout to create a page layout for a target application. The form layout tool generates a revised application page with the created page layout by applying the form layout style to the created page layout.
US09665551B2
In order to leverage annotation bias in batch annotations, obtained via crowdsourcing, on a set of comments on user posts in a social network, a system may select a subset of the comments for annotation based on how informative expected annotations for the comments in the subset are for the one or more classifiers and probabilities of occurrence of the expected annotations based on a predetermined annotation probability distribution. Note that the classifier may predict how likely the expected annotations are accurate for the comments in a given subset. Moreover, the predetermined annotation probability distribution may specify the annotation bias. In this way, the system may use the annotation bias to select the subset that is likely to receive expected annotations and, thus, are that are easier to use in training the classifier.
US09665550B2
A software interface to increase the efficiency of reading, learning, and accessing information about passages in a selected electronic text document is provided. Passages are “marked” by a selected expert. Marked passages may be used as part of a touch screen menu to access specific and edited resources. The menu may present options related to the marked passages including comments, web video (edited), website (edited) or other resources for study and research purposes.Text Reduction (with) Annotation & Commentary (TRAC) provides a study/research tool that does not alter the text, allowing an e-book user to stay on one screen of an electronic reading device, and examine targeted and edited internet resources. Information generated in a structured way is saved in a database, which in turn will be capable of word and subject searches across e-book documents, or expanded searches related to critical and important materials in the TRAC document.
US09665549B2
Systems and methods for customizing electronic documents based on use patterns are provided. A computer implemented method for customizing an electronic document, comprises automatically monitoring an interaction of a user with the document on an electronic device for reading the document to determine an area of interest of the document, determining the area of interest based on the user interaction, and altering cumulatively at least one of the appearance or behavior of the document on the electronic device at the area of interest, wherein the cumulative alteration is a function of a variable measure of the user interaction over a range.
US09665546B1
Real-time web service reconfiguration and content correction is provided. A web browser receives one or more webpages, each webpage including one or more frames. The received webpages are saved from the web content buffer to a temporary work area. The profile settings in a web browser profile are compared to the respective settings in the saved webpages. The web browser profile settings include lang, script and charset. Differences between the web browser profile and the settings in the saved webpages are detected and corrected to use the preferred setting from the web browser profile.
US09665545B2
An information processing apparatus includes the following units. A first accepting unit accepts specified document data. A second accepting unit accepts a specified processing function to be executed on the document data. A process performing unit performs, on the document data, a process corresponding to the accepted processing function. A memory stores information about processing function groups each constituted by plural processing functions, and stores, in association with one another, the accepted document data, a processing function group to which the accepted processing function belongs, and a processing function that has been executed on the document data. A display controller performs control to display, in a case where the first accepting unit accepts again the specified document data, the processing function group stored in the memory in association with the specified document data in such a manner that the executed processing function is identifiable.
US09665537B2
Method for generating a fractured reservoir mesh with a limited number of nodes in the matrix medium
The invention is a method for optimizing the development of a fluid reservoir using a fractured medium mesh generated from a first-order balanced octree technique is disclosed. A mesh of a discrete fracture network generated by defining a set of cells for each fracture and then a mesh of the matrix medium is generated by dividing each cell by an octree technique, wherein a cell is divided into eight cells. The transmissivities between the cells of the fracture mesh, transmissivities between the cells of the matrix medium mesh and transmissivities between cells of the fracture mesh and cells of the matrix medium mesh are then determined. Finally, the cells and the transmissivities are used for generating an image of the fluid reservoir from which the development of the fluid reservoir is optimized.
US09665531B2
Methods and arrangements for performing synchronized collective operations. Communication calls are accepted from at least two distinct processor groups. Edge disjoint spanning paths are created over a collective comprising the processor groups, and the spanning paths are assigned to the processor groups to facilitate communication within each processor group.
US09665524B2
A method for coupling a first sensor to at least one second sensor is provided, the method including a step of transmitting a first signal from the first sensor to the at least one second sensor. Furthermore, the method includes a step of providing a second signal by way of the second sensor. The second signal is provided in response to the first signal, the second signal representing a measured value of the second sensor. Furthermore, the method includes a step of outputting a third signal for a control unit by way of the first sensor. The outputting of the third signal is carried out in response to the second signal, the third signal representing at least one measured value of the first sensor.
US09665522B2
An embodiment integrates non-PCI compliant devices with PCI compliant operating systems. A fabric system mimics the behavior of PCI. When non-PCI compliant devices do not know how to respond to PCI enumeration, embodiments provide a PCI enumeration reply and thus emulate a reply that would typically come from a PCI compliant device during emulation. Embodiments allow system designers to incorporate non-standard fabric structures with the benefit of still using robust and mature PCI infrastructure found in modern PCI compliant operating systems. More generally, embodiments allow an operating system compliant with a first standard (but not a second standard) to discover and communicate with a device that is non-compliant with the first standard (but possibly is compliant with the second standard). Other embodiments are described herein.
US09665517B1
Multipath I/O in a computer system includes: receiving asynchronously, for a single I/O operation by a memory controller from a plurality of I/O adapters, a request to access a memory page, where each request to access the memory page includes an adapter-specific tag; and for each request received by the memory controller: determining, by the memory controller, whether an adapter-specific tag has been assigned to the memory page; if an adapter-specific tag has not been assigned to the memory page: assigning, by the memory controller, the received adapter-specific tag to the memory page; and allowing, by the memory controller, access to the memory page; and if an adapter-specific tag has been assigned to the memory page, granting access to the memory page only when the received adapter-specific tag is the adapter-specific tag assigned to the memory page.
US09665509B2
Apparatus and methods for handling inter-processor interrupts (IPIs) in a heterogeneous multiprocessor system are provided. The scalable IPI mechanism provided herein entails minimal logic and can be used for heterogeneous inter-processor communication, such as between application processors, real-time processors, and FPGA accelerators. This mechanism is also low cost, in terms of both logic area and programmable complexity. One example system generally includes a first processor, a second processor being of a different processor type than the first processor, and an IPI circuit. The IPI circuit typically includes a first register associated with the first processor, wherein a first bit in the first register indicates whether the first processor has requested to interrupt the second processor; and a second register associated with the second processor, wherein a second bit in the second register indicates whether the second processor has requested to interrupt the first processor.
US09665506B2
A data processing device includes a controller. The controller includes a compression circuit configured to compare a plurality of data groups, each of which has a first burst length and is transmitted in units of an input/output width, with a predetermined pattern, and perform data compression on the data groups based on a result of comparison. The controller further includes a compression data restructuring circuit configured to generate a transmission data group by restructuring the compressed data group to have a second burst length.
US09665502B1
Emulating a Fiber Channel connection to a workstation includes providing a first Fiber Channel emulator that exchanges data between the workstation and a data storage device using a connection mechanism between the workstation and the data storage device, wherein the connection mechanism is incompatible with a Fiber Channel connection and handling emulator events received at the emulator, wherein the events include message events, state events, and driver events. The first Fiber Channel emulator may act as an I/O subsystem providing FICON communication capability. The connection mechanism may be an Ethernet connection. The first Fiber Channel emulator may send a message to a link layer which sends a message to an SLI driver which builds a ring queue message and passes the message to an emulated hardware layer which packages up the message indicating status. The message may be sent using the connection mechanism.
US09665486B2
A hierarchical cache structure comprises at least one higher level cache comprising a unified cache array for data and instructions and at least two lower level caches, each split in an instruction cache and a data cache. An instruction cache and a data cache of a split second level cache are connected to a third level cache; and an instruction cache of a split first level cache is connected to the instruction cache of the split second level cache, and a data cache of the split first level cache is connected to the instruction cache and the data cache of the split second level cache.
US09665483B2
A manner of processing data for transmission in a data communication network. A node having a main memory and an interleaver is provided. Received data is stored in the main memory and a bandwidth map is prepared. The data is then selectively read out and pre-processed according to the bandwidth map and stored in an interleaver memory. The data is later read out and post-processed before interleaving into a downstream data frame. The pre- and post-processing provide the data in a more efficient form for interleaving.
US09665480B2
A memory management method, a memory storage device and a memory control circuit unit are provided. The memory management method includes: grouping a plurality of non-spare physical erasing units into a first physical erasing unit and a second physical erasing unit, and a data updating frequency of the first physical erasing unit is lower than the data updating frequency of the second physical erasing unit; selecting a third physical erasing unit from the physical erasing units belonging to the first physical erasing unit; selecting a fourth physical erasing unit from spare physical erasing units, and copying valid data stored in the third physical erasing unit to the fourth physical erasing unit.
US09665474B2
An analysis system may perform network analysis on data gathered from an executing application. The analysis system may identify relationships between code elements and use tracer data to quantify and classify various code elements. In some cases, the analysis system may operate with only data gathered while tracing an application, while other cases may combine static analysis data with tracing data. The network analysis may identify groups of related code elements through cluster analysis, as well as identify bottlenecks from one to many and many to one relationships. The analysis system may generate visualizations showing the interconnections or relationships within the executing code, along with highlighted elements that may be limiting performance.
US09665472B2
A computer system for executing a system application test case of a runtime system in a server environment is provided. The computer system includes establishing a transmission control protocol connection between a client environment and a server environment, to initiate execution of the system application test case in the server environment. The computer system includes issuing a data transfer protocol transmission request to the server environment for a description script of the system application test case. The computer system includes transmitting an extensible markup language (EML) of the requested description script. The computer system includes issuing a data transfer protocol transmission request to execute a test of the system application test case. The computer system includes executing the system application test case in the server environment. The computer system includes transmitting the EML document of the compiled test results to the client environment.
US09665467B2
In an approach for error and solution tracking a processor identifies that a first occurrence of a first error is present in code. A processor tracks a first set of actions made to the code which affect the first occurrence of the first error. A processor determines that the first occurrence of the first error has been resolved. A processor records the first error and the first set of actions to the code. A processor identifies that a second occurrence of the first error is present in the code. A processor determines that the first error has previously occurred. A processor retrieves the first set of actions. A processor causes the first set of actions to be made to the code to affect the second occurrence of the first error.
US09665463B2
Techniques are described herein that are capable of instantiating and executing in-process wrapped execution engine(s) for tooling a dynamic program across a process boundary. For instance, a dynamic language execution engine may be instantiated in a wrapper object that is hosted in a host process to provide a wrapped execution engine while the host process is running. The wrapped execution engine may be configured to provide information regarding execution of a targeted application of the host process to a requesting application. The wrapped execution engine may be isolated from other execution engine(s) that are included in the host process such that the targeted application does not have access to code that defines the wrapped execution engine. The targeted application may include one or more of the other execution engines.
US09665454B2
Computer-implemented method, computerized apparatus and computer program product for extracting test model from a textual test suite. The method comprises obtaining a test suite comprising test descriptions. The test descriptions are analyzed to extract attributes and values of a test model modeling a test space. Using the extracted attributes and values, the test model may be created. In some cases, the test model may be partial test model that a user can use as a starting point for manually modeling the textual test suite.
US09665453B2
A system for testing a launch vehicle comprises a flight control section including flight electronics, and a non-flight test section coupled to the flight control section. The non-flight test section comprises a first control module in communication with the flight electronics, and a second control module that provides redundancy in communication with the flight electronics. A first network serial interface is coupled to the first control module and configured to provide communication to ground support equipment, and a second network serial interface is coupled to the second control module and configured to provide communication to the ground support equipment. Only one of the first and second control modules is selected at a given point in time to send data to the flight control section. When a non-flight hardware error occurs in the selected control module, the other control module is automatically selected to send data to the flight control section.
US09665452B2
Systems and methods for smart diagnoses and triage of failures with identity continuity. In some embodiments, an Information Handling System (IHS) includes a processor and a memory coupled to the processor, the memory having program instructions stored thereon that, upon execution by the processor, cause the IHS to: execute a Power-On Self Test (POST) routine; in response to a determination that the POST routine has failed, execute a firmware-based diagnostics routine; in response to a determination that the firmware-based diagnostics routine has failed, execute, via a service Operating System (OS), a service OS-based diagnostics routine configured to identify whether the firmware-based diagnostics failure is due to a hardware or software fault; and in response to the service OS-based diagnostics routine identifying a hardware fault or failing to remediate a software fault, obtain a user's account information and report the hardware fault or the software remediation failure.
