US09693471B2
A display device comprises: a mold frame including a support having a quadrilateral loop shape; a display panel having edge portions of a rear surface of the display panel, the edge portions being supported by the support; and a plurality of adhesive tapes disposed between the support and the display panel. The support is disposed between the plurality of adhesive tapes and has at least one protrusion protruding toward the display panel.
US09693466B2
The present invention is to provide a wiring board which can prevent whitening. The wiring board is made of a fiber reinforced resin plate, and has a through hole and a whitening prevention portion. The whitening prevention portion is made only with matrix resin forming the fiber reinforced resin plate, and is integrally formed in the fiber reinforced resin plate. Furthermore, the whitening prevention portion is arranged around the through hole.
US09693464B2
A rack apparatus includes a frame having (i) a power and cooling area and (ii) a block chassis forming one or more information technology (IT) bays that enable insertion of IT components. A plurality of IT components are contained within a component cabinet inserted in the block chassis. When operational, enable the rack apparatus to function as one of an information handling system (IHS) and an extension of a modular, scalable/expandable rack-based IHS. A busbar physically located at a back of the block chassis within the power and cooling area and enables direct coupling to one of another busbar and a power source to supply power to the plurality of IT components from a power interface board. A block controller is contained in the block chassis and communicatively coupled to the other IT components. The block controller performs all localized, block level control for the rack apparatus.
US09693459B2
The circuit board assembly includes a first circuit board having a first plurality of electronic components attached to a major surface of the first circuit board. The first plurality of electronic components is electrically interconnected to a first plurality of conductive pads defined on the major surface of the first circuit board. A second circuit board has a second plurality of electronic components attached to a first major surface of the second circuit board. The second plurality of electronic components is electrically interconnected to a second plurality of conductive pads defined on a second major surface of the second circuit board. The first and second circuit board are attached by coupling the first and second plurality of conductive pads. A portion of the first plurality of electronic components on the first circuit board are disposed within a cavity defined by the second major surface of the second circuit board.
US09693458B2
A method for manufacturing a printed wiring board includes forming a resin layer on an interlayer layer such that the resin layer has first openings exposing circuits in central portion and second openings exposing circuits in peripheral portion of the interlayer layer, forming solder bumps on the circuits in the first openings, forming a plating resist over the bumps and resin layer such that the resist has openings having diameters greater than the second openings and exposing the second openings, forming a seed layer on the resist, in the openings and on the circuits through the second openings, applying electrolytic plating on the resist such that electrolytic plating fills the openings and forms a plated film on the resist and metal posts in the openings, etching the plating such that the plated film is removed and recesses are formed on end surfaces of the posts, and removing the resist.
US09693455B1
A system and method of manufacture of an integrated circuit packaging system includes: a copper film; a first metal layer directly on the copper film; an insulation layer directly on and over the first metal layer, the insulation layer having a via hole through the insulation layer; a conductive via within the via hole and directly on the first metal layer; a second metal layer directly on the conductive via and the insulation layer; a copper post directly on the copper film; a solder pad over the copper post; and an interposer coupled to the copper post and the solder pad.
US09693454B2
A vehicle vision system includes at least one camera operable to capture image data, and an image processor chip operable to process image data captured by the at least one camera for detecting at least one of a vehicle and a pedestrian present in the field of view of the at least one camera. The image processor chip is surface mounted at a mounting location of a circuit board that has a plurality of solder pads established thereat that correspond to a plurality of respective solder points of the image processor chip. The plurality of solder pads include elongated solder pads having respective longitudinal axes. The mounting location includes first, second, third and fourth quadrants. The longitudinal axes of elongated solder pads disposed at the first quadrant are aligned different from the longitudinal axes of elongated solder pads disposed at the second quadrant.
US09693452B2
An apparatus including a substrate; at least one conductive path extending over the substrate and including a first portion of indium tin oxide connected in electrical series to a second portion of a different conductor.
US09693451B2
A wiring board (3) according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an inorganic insulating layer (11A); a first resin layer (12A) on one main surface of the inorganic insulating layer (11A); a second resin layer (13A) on another main surface of the inorganic insulating layer (11A); and a conductive layer (8) partially on one main surface of the second resin layer (13A), the one main surface being on an opposite side to the inorganic insulating layer (11A). The inorganic insulating layer (11A) includes a plurality of first inorganic insulating particles (14) which are bound to each other at a part of each of the first inorganic insulating particles and gaps (G) surrounded by the plurality of first inorganic insulating particles (14). A part of the first resin layer (12A) and a part of the second resin layer (13A) are located inside the gaps (G).
US09693449B2
A power module substrate includes an insulating layer, a circuit layer that is formed on a first surface of the insulating layer, and a metal layer that is formed on a second surface of the insulating layer, in which a first base layer is laminated on a surface of the metal layer on the opposite side of the surface to which the insulating layer is provided, and the first base layer has: a first glass layer that is formed at the interface with the metal layer; and a first Ag layer that is laminated on the first glass layer.
US09693444B2
A mobile terminal is disclosed. A mobile terminal according to the present invention comprises a housing; PCB installed inside the housing; and a battery pack disposed at least one side of the PCB and including at least one heat conductive layer radiating heat generated from the PCB. According to the present invention, a mobile terminal is capable of radiating heat generated from PCB by disposing part of a battery pack on one side of the PCB and of increasing capacity of the battery pack by utilizing a housing for the battery pack.
US09693439B1
Methods and systems for realizing a high brightness liquid metal droplet based x-ray source suitable for high throughput x-ray metrology are presented herein. A high power laser bombards a solid target material to generate liquid metal droplets. The laser generated liquid metal droplets are excited with a focused, high power excitation beam such as an electron or laser beam. The excitation beam is synchronized with the stream of liquid metal droplets stimulated by the high power laser to achieve a stable x-ray emission generated by the excited liquid metal droplets. In some embodiments, x-ray optics are designed to efficiently collect and focus radiation within a desired emission band onto a measurement target. Reliability is improved by shielding the excitation source and the x-ray optics from the region of interaction between the excitation beam and the liquid metal droplet anode by a localized curtain of shielding gas.
US09693436B2
A displaying apparatus includes a flexible substrate, at least one composite layer disposed on the flexible substrate, and an electronic device disposed on the composite layer. The composite layer includes a stack of an organic layer and an inorganic layer, and at least one of the inorganic layer and the organic layer includes at least one anti-static material, such as anti-static particles, an anti-static agent or an anti-static layer (e.g., transparent conductive layer/transparent conductive oxide layer, or polymeric conductive layer). The displaying apparatus of the embodiment enables the electronic device, such as the flexible electronic device, to achieve the product requirements, such as the flexibility, good resistance to water and vapor, and the ability of releasing the electrostatic charges and making the overall structure to release stresses.
US09693423B2
There is provided a metal-based particle assembly comprising 30 or more metal-based particles separated from each other and disposed in two dimensions, the metal-based particles having an average particle diameter in a range of from 200 to 1600 nm, an average height in a range of from 55 to 500 nm, and an aspect ratio, as defined by a ratio of the average particle diameter to the average height, in a range of from 1 to 8, wherein the metal-based particles are disposed such that an average distance between adjacent metal-based particles may be in a range of from 1 to 150 nm. This metal-based particle assembly presents significantly intense plasmon resonance and also allows plasmon resonance to have an effect over a range extended to a significantly large distance.
US09693416B2
In a method, a spectral performance of the electromagnetic radiation is chosen in such a way that an integral of the spectral performance across a wave length interval between 380 nm and 780 nm has a nominal value, an integral of the spectral performance across a wave length interval between 420 nm and 460 nm has a first value, an integral of the spectral performance across a wave length interval between 510 nm and 550 nm has a second value, and an integral of the spectral performance across a wave length interval between 580 nm and 620 nm has a third value. The ratios of these values are chosen to be within certain ranges.
US09693409B1
The textile with integrated illumination feature is a textile that incorporates electrical components in such a manner that: 1) the textile can be illuminated; and 2) the illumination of the textile can be controlled in a programmable manner. The textile is formed with a plurality of wires that are used to provide circuit connections with a plurality of LEDs that are illuminated using a plurality of control circuits. The plurality of control circuits are controlled using a logic module. The plurality of wires are formed into the textile using a plurality of methods discussed in this disclosure. The plurality of LEDs are then connected into the plurality of wires. The plurality of controls circuits control the voltages on each of the plurality of wires. The logic module is used to control the voltage level generated by the plurality of control circuits.
US09693407B2
The invention relates to an LED operating circuit in which a second module (2), preferably a light management module, with an additional sub-module (C), preferably a constant flow source, supplies an LED module (F) which has one or more LED sections (8). A control unit (E) of the second module (2) is embodied such that it can access a memory (4) of the second module (2) in order to read an identification of the LED-module (F) or to read the contents stored in the memory (4).
US09693387B2
A compatible communication device includes an analog front end, a baseband communication unit, a wireless radio frequency module, a power line communication front end and a control unit. The analog front end is connected to each of the baseband communication unit, the wireless radio frequency module and the power line communication front end. The baseband communication unit transmits baseband signals. The analog front end performs signal conversion between digital domain and analog domain. The control unit selects, based on the channel quality for signal transmission, one or two of the power line communication front end and the wireless radio frequency module for communication. The signal receiving or transmission is performed through a power line if the power line communication front end is selected for communication. Or, the signal receiving or transmission is performed through a wireless channel if the wireless radio frequency module is selected for communication.
US09693384B2
A method and a digital device for controlling a connection between a plurality of nodes through an interface are discussed. The method according to an embodiment includes receiving control information including identification information of a destination node and a connection command. During a connection state according to the connection command, the connection between the plurality of nodes is established and the plurality of nodes maintain the connection state until a disconnection command is detected. The method further includes transmitting, according to the control information, response information including identification information of a source node.
US09693383B2
Discontinuous reception (DRX) operation in a wireless communication system is disclosed. According to this, when the UE received configuration information for a long discontinuous reception (DRX) cycle and a short DRX cycle from a network, and receive a data unit comprising at least one DRX command Medium Access Control (MAC) Control Element (CE) from the network, the UE starts using the long DRX cycle, if the data unit comprises two or more DRX command MAC CEs.
US09693380B2
An information processing apparatus includes: a user determination unit that determines whether or not plural user devices are used by a single user on the basis of information transmitted from the plural user devices; a storage unit that stores information of the plural user devices determined to be used by the single user as a set of user devices; a selection unit that selects a second user device to which a service is to be provided in the case where a first user device that requests the service and the second user device are both included in the same set of user devices; and a transmitting unit that transmits service information to the first and the second user device.
US09693379B2
A direct mode communication system and a communication resource scheduling method thereof are provided. The direct mode communication system includes a base station and at least one client direct mode communication apparatus. The at least one client direct mode communication apparatus includes a first client direct mode communication apparatus. The first client direct mode communication apparatus contends in a communication resource contention pool to generate a communication resource contention message, and transmits the communication resource contention message to the base station. The base station decides a communication resource schedule for the at least one client direct mode communication apparatus according to the communication resource contention message.
US09693375B2
A wireless communication device establishes voice communication between a supported user and a selected remote device supporting another user via a point-to-point wireless ad hoc network link. The device selects a particular remote device, establishes an ad hoc network link with the selected remote device, and communicates voice communication signals with the selected remote device. Selection can be based upon a user interaction with the device which specifies the particular remote device. The user interaction can include interaction with a graphical representation of the particular remote device presented in a graphical user interface. The user interaction can include an audio command received via an audio interface of the device. The device can include one or more headset devices, including a pair of headset devices which can be switched between providing audio signals to a single user to supporting communication between separate users via an ad hoc network link.
US09693373B1
In a communication system, a translation server individually associates session control servers with transfer control servers. One of the session control servers receives a registration for a User Equipment (UE) over a first network. The translation server associates the UE with the session control server in the data structure. The session control server exchanges first control signaling with the UE to establish a media session over the first network. The translation server receives a session transfer request for the UE from a second network. The translation server processes the data structure to identify the transfer control server that is associated with the session control server that is associated with the UE. The translation server transfers the session transfer request to the transfer control server. The transfer control server exchanges second control signaling with the second network to transfer the media session from the first network to the second network.
US09693360B2
A method of a network node of a radio access network is provided for detecting interference caused by intermodulation on a receive frequency of the network node. The method comprises determining at least one frequency of a signal which potentially gives rise to an intermodulation product on the receive frequency. The method comprises transmitting a request to a transceiver device, wherein the request includes information about the determined at least one frequency and an instruction to monitor that at least one frequency. The method comprises estimating interference level at the receive frequency at one or more time instants. The method comprises receiving a measurement report from the transceiver device, wherein the measurement report includes information about signal levels on the at least one frequency at one or more time instants. The method comprises determining whether the signal on the at least one frequency is probable to cause intermodulation interference on the receive frequency based on the estimated interference level at the receive frequency and the measurement report. Corresponding method of a transceiver device, a network node and computer programs for implementing the methods are also disclosed.
US09693353B2
A wireless communication terminal apparatus wherein even when a SC-FDMA signal is divided into a plurality of clusters and the plurality of clusters are then mapped to respective discontinuous frequency bands (when C-SC-FDMA is used), the improvement effect of system throughput can be maintained, while the user throughput can be improved. In the apparatus, a DFT unit (210) subjects a symbol sequence of time domain to a DFT process, thereby generating signals of frequency domain. A setting unit (211) divides the signals input from the DFT unit (210) into a plurality of clusters according to a cluster pattern that is in accordance with an MCS set, an encoding size, or the number of Ranks occurring during MIMO transmissions, which is indicated in those signals input, and then maps the plurality of clusters to the respective ones of a plurality of discontinuous frequency resources, thereby setting a constellation of the plurality of clusters in the frequency domain.
US09693344B2
The disclosure relates to the allocation of resources for wireless communications. An index for an uplink control resource is determined in accordance with a predefined rule. The determining takes into account an index associated with a physical downlink resource and the amount of downlink resources to be mapped on the uplink control resource.
US09693336B2
Various embodiments are generally directed to techniques for connectionless small data transmission. In one embodiment, for example, an apparatus may comprise a processor circuit, a configuration component for execution by the processor circuit to establish a connectionless small data transmission (CSDT) mode, and a communication component for execution by the processor circuit to send a small data preamble, receive a resource allocation message identifying an assigned resource, and send a small data item in the CSDT mode using the assigned resource. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US09693334B2
A communication control method according to a first aspect includes: a step A of acquiring, by a user terminal that supports a cellular communication and a WLAN communication, access point location information on a geographical location of a WLAN access point; a step B of transmitting, from the user terminal to a cellular network, the access point location information; and a step C of acquiring, by a cellular base station included in the cellular network, the access point location information.
US09693326B2
The method comprising at least one phase synchronized cellular base station having at least one transmit antenna for transmitting a signal to a at least one non-phase synchronized cellular base station, where it comprises transmitting by said at least one transmit antenna of said phased-synchronized cellular base station a beacon signal to said at least one non-phase synchronized cellular base station, included as part of said transmitted signal, said beacon signal comprising two orthogonal length-8 Walsh-Hadamard sequences to be broadcasted by said at least one phase synchronized cellular base station in order to provide said phase synchronization.
US09693324B2
The embodiments of the present document provide a method and device for reporting a power headroom report, which relates to the field of mobile communications, and solves the problem of lacking a triggering and sending mechanism for a PHR of the dual-connectivity terminal in the related art. The method includes: a terminal triggering to report a PHR when detecting that a first cell is added in a SeNB; and the terminal reporting the PHR to a MeNB and/or the SeNB, to which the terminal belongs. The technical scheme provided in the embodiments of the present document is applicable to a long term evolution system, which implements the PHR reporting of the dual-connectivity terminal.
US09693308B2
A method for estimating a battery consumption state of a mobile communication terminal is provided. The method includes building a database with battery characteristic information changing according to at least one of a temperature and an aging characteristic of a battery supplying power to the mobile communication terminal, and estimating a power consumption of the mobile communication terminal and a battery drain rate based on the battery characteristic information and displaying estimated information.
US09693305B2
There is provided a communication control device including a prefetch controller configured to allow data corresponding to a target of processing to be prefetched through a communication based on information relating to a prefetch of data when a communication for an application being executed is performed in a connection state of being connected to an external device, the target of processing being different from the application being executed.
US09693304B2
A method for rescheduling a resource component of low power nodes (LPNs) in a local coordination set is disclosed. The method can include a local macro node receiving from a neighboring macro node a resource map of blanked resource components and scheduled resource components for physical resources of the neighboring macro node. The local macro node can be grouped with at least one low power node (LPN) within a local coordination set. The neighboring macro node can be grouped with at least one LPN within a neighboring coordination set. The neighboring macro node can be within a neighboring coordination set different from the local coordination set. The local macro node can reschedule using the resource map, a cell-edge resource component for LPNs in the local coordination set in a same frequency-domain index and a same time-domain index as a blanked resource component of the neighboring macro node.
US09693302B2
An OLT of a PON obtains information on discontinuous reception of a UE from a BBU of LTE, and adjusts a sleep start timing and a sleep cycle of an ONU so that a recovery waiting time in the OLT with respect to downlink data transmitted from the BBU to the UE can be minimized.
US09693294B2
A method and an apparatus for selecting a cell of a terminal in a wireless communication system are provided. The method includes detecting, by the terminal, an end of a call, performing, when an end of the call is detected, a cell search based on a cell used during the call, the cell search being performed among at least one cell having been used before the call by the terminal and a cell used just before forming the call, and determining a cell to which the cell selection is performed, based on a result of the cell search and the cell used just before forming the call.
US09693278B2
A user equipment device (UE) comprises physical layer circuitry configured to transmit and receive radio frequency electrical signals with one or more nodes of a radio access network; and processing circuitry. The processing circuitry is configured to receive system information via the network, wherein the system information indicates cell specific priority and frequency priority; identify candidate cells that have a cell specific priority that is higher than a cell priority of the current serving cell, have a frequency priority that is higher than a frequency priority of a current serving frequency, and satisfy a cell suitability criterion; and determine a candidate cell from the identified candidate cells to replace the current serving cell for communicating with the network.
US09693275B2
For traffic offload via a local network, a MME may obtain from a HSS, subscription data including SIPTO related permissions defined on APN basis that indicate SIPTO prohibited, indicate SIPTO allowed excluding SIPTO via Local Network (SIPTO@LN), and/or indicate SIPTO allowed including SIPTO@LN. Then, the MME may obtain information about one or more local Gateways (GWs) capable of offloading selected traffic, such information indicating which of the one or more local GWs provides access to which Packet Data Networks (PDNs), with each PDN being identified by its associated APN. Finally, the MME may process PDN connections and/or PDN disconnections in order to support offloading of the selected traffic. The counterpart UE includes the appropriate means of hardware and/or software that is configured to support and perform SIPTO@LN.
US09693271B2
Embodiments disclosed herein relate to devices and methods that provide adaptive CRE-based offset parameters that take into account the speed of a UE and that take into account the DL/UL traffic balance being experienced by the UE. For example, if the speed of a UE is greater than the predefined speed, the UE utilizes an adaptive CRE-based offset parameter that has a low value or is equal to zero. Similarly, if the balance of downlink/uplink traffic being experienced by a UE is mainly downlink traffic, the UE utilizes an adaptive CRE-based offset parameter that has a low value or is equal to zero. Consequently, the embodiments disclosed herein reduce the handover failure associated with CRE particularly for high speed UEs while also being able to increase downlink system capacity if the balance of the downlink and uplink traffic experienced by the UE is mostly downlink traffic.
US09693259B2
The invention relates to a method 20 in a base station 2 of a communication system 1 comprising a transport network 7 interconnecting the base station 2 with at least a gateway node 8. The communication system 1 further comprises one or more user equipment 3, 4 .The method 20 comprises: obtaining 21 transport network congestion information, and adjusting 22 , based on the transport network congestion information, a radio resource utilization parameter for at least one of the one or more user equipment 3, 4 , wherein the radio resource utilization parameter comprises a ratio of used radio resources in a predefined block of radio resources and the number of network congestion radio resources of the predefined block.
US09693251B2
Systems, methods, and apparatuses are presented for performing parallel uplink wireless signal measurements (UL measurements), in which a signal measuring apparatus determines information on UL measurements being performed or to be performed by the signal measuring apparatus over a predetermined measurement period. The signal measuring apparatus further determines a capability of the signal measuring apparatus to perform parallel UL measurements. The signal measuring apparatus may adjust a measurement requirement or a measurement resource based on a comparison of the UL measurements being performed or to be performed over the measurement period with a capability of the measuring apparatus to perform parallel measurements. The signal measuring apparatus performs the UL measurements based on the adjusted measurement requirement or adjusted measurement resource.
US09693244B2
A sensor system in which it is possible to identify a sufficient number of sensors even in a situation where the data length of a packet is limited, as well as a sensor and a receiving device in the same, are provided. A sensor repeating a measurement period for performing measurement and a transmission period for performing transmission at predetermined cycles, includes: a measurement section (11) that outputs during the measurement period measurement information based on predetermined measurement; and a transmission section (12) that transmits during the transmission period, by using a single packet or a plurality of packets, source identification information for identifying a source of a packet, the measurement information, and sensor-related information for identifying the sensor and/or a measurement target equipment of this sensor.
US09693243B2
A radio terminal, which has a function to collect and report measurement information designated by a radio network, comprises: means for receiving collection/reporting control information related to the radio terminal's execution of at least one of the collection of measurement information and the reporting of the measurement information to the radio network; and control means for executing, based on the collection/reporting control information, at least one of the collection and the reporting if execution determination information, which is related to at least one of the collection of the measurement information and the reporting of the measurement information to be executed by the local terminal, satisfies a given determination criterion.
US09693238B2
Apparatus and methods for the design and dynamic tuning of antenna circuitry for use across multiple radio frequency bands in wireless communication devices is disclosed herein. An antenna apparatus includes antenna tuning control, antenna tuning circuitry, and a set of one or more physical antennas. The antenna tuning controller includes a combination of baseband and front-end hardware and software. The antenna circuitry collectively includes antenna tuning circuitry and the set of one or more physical antennas. Based on a set of radio frequency bands and on communication channel conditions, the antenna tuning controller determines an optimal antenna tuning configuration and provides appropriate parameters to the antenna tuning circuitry. The antenna apparatus configures and optimizes the tuning of the antenna circuitry for a future time period, which can be a next time slot. The antenna tuning controller utilizes a cost/gain function to calculate the optimal antenna tuning configuration.
US09693237B2
A method, a computer readable medium and an apparatus for optimizing a cellular network architecture are disclosed. For example, the method obtains network traffic data for a plurality of different endpoint device types, wherein the network traffic data comprises network traffic data for each of the plurality of different endpoint device types, and predicts a future traffic pattern for one of the plurality of different endpoint device types based on the network traffic data. The method then adjusts a parameter of the cellular network architecture in response to the future traffic pattern predicted for the one of the plurality of different endpoint device types.
US09693234B2
Disclosed embodiments comprise one or more security methods, systems or apparatus suitable to provide additional security to personal property or financial transactions. Embodiments feature a proximity security token which is physically separate from a protected device. A communications link is provided between the proximity security token and the protected device which communications link operates over a limited range. Thus, the presence and active operation of the limited range communications link between the proximity security token and protected device indicates that the protected device has not been lost and stolen. Interruption of the communications link indicates that the protected device may have been lost or stolen causing the commencement of security actions.
US09693222B1
Methods and systems for associating or accessing one or more social media profiles are disclosed herein. The system may include one or more unconnected (Wireless Enabled Devices) WEDs which may broadcast or detect a beacon message, where the beacon message may include the MAC address or other wireless identifier of the broadcasting WED (Wireless Enabled Device). The detecting WED may send a query to an API for accessing or retrieving one or more social media profiles that may be associated with the detected MAC address. The API may check the detected MAC address against a plurality of MAC addresses previously registered in a registry. The API may retrieve links stored in the registry and associated with the registered MAC address. The API may send these links to the detecting WED which may use the links to automatically retrieve one or more social media profiles from third-party providers.
US09693218B2
A mobility management system in which mobility management for a mobile terminal is performed, including a plurality of mobility anchor nodes configured to communicate with an external network; an access gateway configured to communicate with the mobile terminal and the plurality of anchor nodes, and configured to send, to at least one of the mobility anchor nodes, a packet being relayed between the mobility terminal and the external network; and a control unit having at least one hardware processor configured to execute modules to control the access gateway to switch a destination mobility anchor node of the packet.
US09693215B2
An in-vehicle apparatus is capable of connecting to wireless devices by using a plurality of wireless communication modes and includes a wireless device retrieval section configured to retrieve a connectable wireless device for each of the plurality of wireless communication modes, and a wireless communication mode display processing section, a display processing section, and a display device that are configured to display wireless communication modes corresponding to connectable wireless devices whose existence has been checked by the wireless device retrieval section.
US09693212B1
Disclosed are devices, systems, methods, and media for efficient emergency calling using digital devices. In some embodiments, a user is able to make an emergency call by a one-touch or dual-touch process. An authentication process may reduce inadvertent and unauthorized emergency calling. Persistent emergency buttons are also disclosed that may be used for calling emergency in different states of the device.
US09693210B2
A method, computer-readable medium, and apparatus for broadcasting a wireless emergency alert message are disclosed. For example, a method may include a processor receiving a request to broadcast a wireless emergency alert message, determining an anticipated increase in a network usage in response to broadcasting the wireless emergency alert message, determining that a capacity of the network will not be exceeded with the anticipated increase in the network usage, and broadcasting the wireless alert message in an alert area. In one example, the request comprises a type of alert, the alert area, and a message content. In one example, the wireless emergency alert message that is broadcast includes the message content in a format that deviates from a default format when it is determined that the capacity of the network will not be exceeded with the anticipated increase in the network usage.
US09693204B2
The present disclosure discloses a system and a method for conveying information using broadcast frames. Specifically, a network device detects a first wireless signal comprising a beacon frame transmitted by an access point in a network. The network device then identifies a radio Frequency (RF) channel indicated in the beacon frame. Responsive to identifying the RF channel in the beacon frame, the network device selects the RF channel to convey information to one or more network elements using a broadcast frame. Moreover, the network device transmits the broadcast frame to the one or more network elements. Note that, the broadcast frame includes information corresponding to a detected second wireless signal.
US09693203B2
The present invention provides an apparatus of transmitting broadcast signals. The apparatus includes, an encoder encoding service data, a constellation mapper mapping the encoded service data by either QAM, NUQ (Non Uniform QAM) or NUC (Non Uniform Constellation), a mapper mapping the mapped service data into a plurality of OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplex) symbols to build at least one signal frame, a modulator modulating data in the built at least one signal frame by an OFDM scheme and a transmitter transmitting the broadcast signals having the modulated data.
US09693202B2
A computer-implemented method for determining device location of a user device within a venue using a wireless positioning system is provided. The method includes identifying a plurality of signal sample sets, wherein each signal sample set includes a sample location within the venue and one or more wireless signal strengths of associated wireless access points positioned at the venue, wherein the sample location is determined based on location data associated with a corresponding payment card transaction within the venue. The method also includes receiving a subject wireless signal strength sample of the wireless access points captured by the user device at an unidentified location within the venue. The method further includes determining a subject location of the user device based on the plurality of signal sample sets and the one or more subject wireless signal strength samples, and providing the subject location of the user device within the venue.
US09693197B2
Electronic equipment in a system may transmit and receive wireless advertisement messages. Each wireless message may include location information and may have an associated received signal strength indicator when received from transmitting equipment by receiving equipment. The transmitting equipment may be associated with stationary equipment such as equipment installed at a building, adjacent to a road, or in traffic control equipment or other traffic structures. The receiving electronic equipment may be mobile equipment such as a vehicle or mobile computing equipment such as a cellular telephone or portable computer. Satellite navigation system signals may be received by the receiving electronic equipment in addition to the wireless messages. The receiving electronic information can present alerts to a user based on a location determined using the wireless messages and the satellite navigation system signals.
US09693194B2
Determining a location of a user device comprises a wireless computing system supported by an access point. The wireless computing system receives a signal from the user device. The system estimates a location of the user device based on RSSI and calculates a boundary around the estimated location. The wireless computing system selects a plurality of sections inside of the boundary and performs a coarse calculation of a location of the user device based on an angle of arrival of the received signal. The system determines sections of the plurality of sections that have results from the coarse calculation that are more likely to be a location of the user device. The system performs a fine calculation of the location based on the angle of arrival of the received signal within each of the sections. The system identifies a particular section as the location of the user device.
US09693193B2
A method includes receiving wireless signals from consumer devices that are in communicable range of the merchant device. The wireless signals each include a unique identifier associated with one of the consumer devices. The method further comprises generating signal strength data that includes one signal strength value associated with the unique identifier of each of the wireless signals, storing the signal strength data in a data storage device, analyzing the signal strength data to determine how many of the consumer devices achieved various signal strength levels, determining a threshold signal strength value based on the analysis, determining a consumer device is present within a physical area when a subsequent wireless signal from a subsequent consumer device is greater than the threshold signal strength value.
US09693184B2
Techniques for supporting a control plane solution for location services and positioning are described. In an aspect, an Evolved Serving Mobile Location Center (E-SMLC) may communicate with a Mobility Management Entity (MME) to support location services and positioning for a UE. In one design, the E-SMLC may receive a location request from the MME, perform a positioning procedure with the UE in response to the location request, and send a location response to the MME after completing the positioning procedure. For a UE-assisted or UE-based positioning procedure, the E-SMLC may send a downlink positioning message to the UE via the MME and may receive an uplink positioning message from the UE via the MME. For a network-based positioning procedure, the E-SMLC may send a network positioning request message to an eNB via the MME and may receive a network positioning response message from the eNB via the MME.
US09693174B2
A wireless device includes a wireless module and an interface module. One of the wireless module and the interface module generates a first message having a predetermined format and including data, which is to be transmitted to other one of the wireless module and the interface module, and type information representing a type of the data, and transmits the first message to the other one of the wireless module and the interface module. The other one of the wireless module and the interface module generates, in accordance with the type information included in the first message, a second message having the same format as the first message and including data, which is to be replied to the one of the wireless module and the interface module, and type information representing a type of the data, and replies the second message to the one of the wireless module and the interface module.
US09693172B2
A method for operating a machine-type device (MTD) includes determining communications requirements for a machine-type device (MTD), and assigning a first signal waveform selected from a plurality of signal waveforms to the MTD in accordance with the determined communications requirements, wherein each signal waveform has an associated characteristic signal bandwidth.
US09693171B2
A sound field measuring device (1) includes an external output unit (6) configured to output a measurement signal composed of a periodic function having a code length of 2n−1 (n is a natural number) to a speaker (9), a microphone (7) configured to pick up the measurement signal outputted from the speaker (9), a Fourier transform unit (12) configured to obtain frequency characteristics by Fourier transforming measurement sound picked up with a sample length of 2m (m is a natural number), a thinning-out unit (13) configured to remove line spectra except for the (k×2m-n+1)th line spectra (k=0, 1, 2, and the like) from the obtained frequency characteristics, and an averaging unit (14) configured to obtain averaged frequency characteristics of a sound field on the basis of frequency characteristics thinned-out.
US09693169B1
Audio spatial effects are provided using ultrasonic speakers. To better reproduce the audio effects, ultrasound is used to map a room in which the speakers are disposed and the direction of emitted ultrasound from the speakers established using the map.
US09693164B1
Example techniques involve determining a direction of an NMD. An example implementation includes causing two audio drivers to output audio content, where the audio drivers are positioned at a known distance apart in a given azimuthal plane and recording the audio content output by the two audio drivers. The implementation also includes causing a processing device to identify a direction of the NMD relative to a center point of the two audio drivers in the given azimuthal plane. Identifying the direction of the NMD may involve determining a range of possible azimuthal angles between the NMD and the center point, the range of possible angles dependent upon the known distance between the two audio drivers and a phase offset between the two audio drivers indicated by the recorded audio content output. The implementation further includes causing a playback device to adjust calibration based on the identified direction of the NMD.
US09693159B2
A method of fitting a hearing aid having means (104) for determining a real ear response. The invention also provides a hearing aid adapted for improved fitting.
US09693157B2
A hearing aid system with a positioning tool is disclosed. The hearing aid system has a hearing aid, an adhesive interconnection unit and a positioning tool. The interconnection unit can be connected to both the hearing aid and the positioning tool. The positioning tool facilitates a correct positioning of the interconnection unit on the hairless skin area behind the outer ear and ensures that neither the hearing aid nor the interconnection unit touches the skin of the outer ear. The hearing aid position can be fine-tuned by turning it in relation to the interconnection unit.
US09693151B2
In a primary sound pressure-gradient type condenser microphone unit driving a diaphragm by difference in sound pressure applied to acoustic terminals in front and back of the diaphragm, a drive force of the diaphragm and sound collection characteristics in a high frequency band are easily adjusted. The condenser microphone unit includes a first pipe extending forward on the front side of a diaphragm and a second pipe arranged so as to surround the first pipe. A front acoustic terminal communicating with a front surface of the diaphragm is formed on an inner side of either one of the first pipe or the second pipe. A rear acoustic terminal communicating with a back surface of the diaphragm from the rear side of a fixed electrode is formed on an inner side of the other pipe.
US09693149B2
A microphone and method for manufacturing the microphone are provided. The microphone includes a substrate with a penetration aperture, a vibration unit disposed on the substrate to cover the penetration aperture, and a fixed electrode disposed over, and spaced from, the vibration unit. Further, the vibration unit includes a first portion and a second portion disposed on the penetration aperture, and a third portion disposed on the substrate. In addition, the first portion and the third portion are spaced from each other, and the second portion is connected between the first portion and the third portion, and includes a first piezoelectric portion and a second piezoelectric portion.
US09693143B2
The invention relates to a multi-layer composite for the production of membranes for electroacoustic transducers, comprising a first and second cover layer, a first and second damping layer and a separating layer, the first and the second damping layer consisting of adhesive compositions the respective glass transition temperatures TG (DSC) of which differ by at least 10 K.
US09693137B1
A system and method for creating a synchronized audio signal having a variable sound perspective from a plurality of audio signals captured by mobile recording devices. The system includes an audio source for producing an audio signal, mobile devices for capturing the audio signal as audio recordings. The mobile devices are connected to a server via a communications network. The audio recordings are transmitted from the mobile devices to the server over the communications network. The server receives the audio recordings and saves them to a database. A mixer accesses the saved audio recordings and then aligns, mixes, and modifies them according to mixing instructions to produce a synchronized recording having a first sound perspective. A user may provide input to the server to generate new mixing instructions, and the mixer generates an updated synchronized recording having a second sound perspective in response to those new mixing instructions.
US09693136B2
A digital sound system suitable for a digital speaker device to directly convert analog sound by a circuit using a ΔΣ modulator and a mismatch shaping filter circuit to output a plurality of digital signals and a plurality of speakers driven by the plurality of digital signals. A digital speaker driving device includes a ΔΣ modulator, a post filter, s driving circuits, and a power supply circuit to supply power to the ΔΣ modulator, the post filter and the s driving elements, and the s driving circuits are adapted to s digital signal terminals.
US09693135B2
A differential microphone with improved biasing and a well defined common mode output voltage is connected to an amplifier that includes a differential amplifier stage and a common mode feedback circuit. The amplifier is in a feedback configuration.
US09693134B2
A waterproof sound-transmitting member includes a waterproof sound-transmitting membrane and a support layer. The support layer includes a polyolefin-based resin foam. The support layer has a loss modulus of 1.0×107 Pa or less and a loss factor of 1.0×10−1 or more. The waterproof sound-transmitting membrane is, for example, a stretched porous polytetrafluoroethylene membrane. The waterproof sound-transmitting membrane may include an adhesive layer.
US09693127B2
A method and an apparatus are provided for transmitting audio data. The method includes setting a connection with a plurality of slave devices by using a short range wireless communication protocol, generating a data packet comprising the audio data, and repetitively transmitting the data packet to the plurality of slave devices through a multicast/broadcast channel a number of times.
US09693126B1
A speaker assembly and a display device including the speaker assembly are provided. The speaker assembly may include a first speaker, a first connecting portion that is depressed at a side of the first speaker, a first magnetic body provided at the first connecting portion, a second speaker, a second connecting portion that protrudes from a side of the second speaker and configured to be inserted into the first connecting portion, and a second magnetic body provided at the second connecting portion and having a magnetic polarity different from a magnetic polarity of the first magnetic body.
US09693125B2
A stand that is adapted to support an upper loudspeaker cabinet relative to a lower loudspeaker cabinet. The stand has a first structure that is constructed and arranged to be directly coupled to a first portion of the lower loudspeaker cabinet in a stand stowed position wherein the stand is stowed on or in the lower loudspeaker cabinet, and a second structure that is constructed and arranged to be directly coupled to a second portion of the lower loudspeaker cabinet in a stand deployed position wherein the stand is supported by and extends above the lower loudspeaker cabinet. The stand is further constructed and arranged to support the upper loudspeaker cabinet when the stand is in the deployed position.
US09693124B2
A macro-switch is described. This macro-switch includes facing integrated circuits, one of which implements optical waveguides that convey optical signals, and the other which implements control logic, electrical switches and memory buffers at each of multiple switch sites. Moreover, the macro-switch has a fully connected topology between the switch sites. Furthermore, the memory buffers at each switch site provide packet buffering and congestion relief without causing undue scheduling/routing complexity. Consequently, the macro-switch can be scaled to an arbitrarily large switching matrix (i.e., an arbitrary number of switch sites and/or switching stages).
US09693118B2
Systems and methods for prioritizing adaptive bit rate distribution of content are provided. In some aspects, a method includes identifying a plurality of content streams. Each of the plurality of content streams is associated with a variant feature of content to be delivered to the client device. Each variant feature of the content comprises at least one of a bit rate and a non-bit rate feature. The method also includes determining a priority of each of the plurality of content streams relative to one another based at least on the non-bit rate feature associated with each of the plurality of content streams. The method also includes providing an indication of the priority of each of the plurality of content streams to the client device.
US09693108B2
Provided is a method and system for displaying a user selectable picture that enables a user to select a predetermined object from a picture of a camera relayed in real time, and to actively select and thereby view a picture captured to include the selected object.
US09693104B2
A client-side multimedia content targeting system schedules the recording, storing, and deleting of multimedia content on a client system storage device. The system accepts as input a prioritized list of program viewing preferences which is compared with a database of program guide objects that indicate when programs of interest are actually broadcast. The viewer's client system locally retains the viewer's preferences and other personal information that the viewer has entered and is sent targeting information relating to program guide objects by a server. Using the viewer's preferences and personal information, the client system creates a viewer profile, which is used with the targeting information by the client system to record content that is within the viewer profile. The described client-based form of targeting can be applied to almost any multimedia situation, including, but not limited to: TV shows, movies, advertisements, product and service offerings, music, radio, audio, etc.
US09693101B2
A multi-platform television comprises at least one television signal interface to receive premium television services from at least two different television service providers. The television further comprises a programmable conditional access system to enable conditional access to the premium television services received by the at least one television signal interface from the at least two different service providers.
US09693090B2
First apparatuses (1) to be remotely controlled by devices (3) comprise interfaces (11) for receiving first signals from second apparatuses (2) that define that the second apparatuses (2) have received codes from the devices (3), interfaces (12) for sending second signals to the devices (3), and first controllers (21) for detecting the first signals and in response to detection results generating the second signals for providing assistance to the configurations of the devices (3) for remotely controlling the second apparatuses (2). The devices (3) for remotely controlling the first apparatuses (1) comprise interfaces (14) for sending codes to the second apparatuses (2) for remotely controlling the second apparatuses (2), interfaces (15) for receiving the second signals from the first apparatuses (1), and second controllers (22) for detecting the second signals for configuring the devices (3) for remotely controlling the second apparatuses (2).
US09693089B2
A system includes a consumer electronic device adapted to render a media content and a hand-held, portable device having a touch screen display, a transmitter, a receiver, and a processing unit. The processing unit of the hand-held, portable device uses data related to the media content received via the receiver to cause command icons related to rendering of the media content to be defined and displayed in the touch screen display and to cause the transmitter to transmit one or more commands for controlling a functional operation related to rendering of the media content by the consumer electronic device in response to a user interaction with one or more of the command icons caused to displayed in the touch screen display.
US09693082B2
The present invention relates to a device and a method for transmitting/receiving a digital broadcast signal having a three-dimensional image. According to one embodiment of the present invention, a device for receiving a digital broadcast signal comprises: a tuner which receives a digital broadcast signal of a transport packet that contains signaling data and a video stream for implementing a three-dimensional image; a demodulation unit which demodulates said received digital broadcast signal; a decoding module which extracts mode conversion information from said demodulated digital broadcast signal; and an output formatter which outputs a decoded image signal on the basis of said mode conversion information.
US09693075B2
A candidate list construction unit selects a plurality of blocks each having one or two pieces of motion information containing at least information about a motion vector and information about a reference picture from a plurality of neighboring encoded blocks of an encoding target block and constructs a candidate list containing candidates of the motion information used for the motion compensation prediction from the motion information of the selected blocks. A selected candidate generator generates a new candidate of the motion information by combining the motion information of a first prediction list derived by the first motion information deriving unit and the motion information of the second prediction list derived by a second motion information deriving unit.
US09693072B2
A frame sequence of moving picture data is divided into a tile image sequence, and the color space of the tile image sequence is converted to generate a YCbCr image sequence. Each frame is reduced to ½ time in the vertical and horizontal directions, and a compression process is carried out to generate compression data of a reference image. The compression data of the reference image is decoded and decompressed similarly as upon image display to restore a YCbCr image as the reference image, and a difference image sequence is generated from the reference image and the original YCbCr image. Then, compression data of a difference image is generated, and compression data obtained by connecting the compression data of the reference image and the compression data of the difference image is generated for every four frames of a tile image.
US09693064B2
Within a device, one or more subsets associated with one or more frames or pictures of the video signal may be adaptively selected and used for motion vector calculation (e.g., such as in accordance with inter-prediction). For example, a picture or frame of the video signal may be partitioned into a number of respective regions. Any one or more, but typically fewer than all, of the respective regions of that picture or frame may be appropriately selected, and stored, based on any one or more considerations for use in motion vector calculation (e.g., inter-prediction). A sub-sampled or down-sampled picture or frame [or alternatively, a sub-sampled or down-sampled version of one or more respective regions of a picture or frame] (e.g., the sub-sampling or down-sampling ratio which may be adaptively determined based on any one or more considerations) may be stored for use in motion vector calculation (e.g., inter-prediction).
US09693062B2
A method of texture encoding is provided. The method includes obtaining a plurality of textures, assembling a sequence of textures by selecting a first texture of the sequence of textures and then, one or more times, adding to the sequence of textures a texture from the plurality of textures that is calculated to be the one most similar to the current last texture in the sequence of textures. The method then encodes the assembled sequence of textures using a motion vector based video encoding scheme. Meanwhile, a method of texture decoding includes receiving a data file encoded using a motion vector based video encoding scheme, decoding the data file using a corresponding motion vector based video decoding scheme, and obtaining from the decoding scheme a sequence of textures arranged in an order of mutual similarity.
US09693049B2
A projection mapping video pipeline is provided including a system comprising: a lookup table generator; a memory and a communication interface, the memory storing: a three-dimensional (“3D”) model of a physical object; and a mapping of the 3D model onto unwrapped two-dimensional (“2D”) surfaces of the 3D model; the lookup table generator configured to: receive projector data defining a location, an orientation and lens characteristics associated with a given projector, relative to the physical object; generate a lookup table from the 3D model, the mapping and the projector data, the lookup table comprising a respective mapping of projector pixels to the unwrapped 2D surfaces of the 3D model, respective to the given projector; and, transmit, using the communication interface, the lookup table to a given control device in communication with the given projector.
US09693046B2
Embodiments of the invention are generally directed to a multi-view display system. An embodiment of an apparatus includes a display screen to display multiple views simultaneously, and a controller to control the views presented on the display screen. The apparatus is configurable by the controller to provide multiple view settings, the view settings including a first setting in which the apparatus provides a single view to each viewer of the display screen and a second setting in which the apparatus provides a first view to a first viewer of the display screen and a second view to a second viewer of the display screen. A first filtering element filters views presented to viewers of the display screen such that an intended view is displayed to one or more viewers.
US09693039B2
A hand-held electronic device (10) includes an upper housing (21) and a lower housing (11) which are foldable. An upper LCD (22) capable of displaying an image which is stereoscopically visible with naked eyes is provided on an inner side surface of the upper housing (21).
US09693038B2
An imaging device has a light field imager and a processor. The light field imager includes a microlens array, and a light field sensor positioned proximate to the microlens array, having a plurality of pixels and recording light field data of an optical target from light passing through the microlens array. The processor is configured to: receive the light field data of the optical target from the light field sensor, estimate signal to noise ratio and depth of the optical target in the light field data, select a subset of sub-aperture images based on the signal to noise ratio and depth, combine the selected subset of sub-aperture images, and perform image analysis on the combined subset of sub-aperture images.
US09693037B2
An imaging element is configured by arranging a plurality of light receiving elements with respect to each micro lens. A second PD selecting/composing unit has a mode for generating right-eye image data and left-eye image data from the output signal of the imaging element. A phase difference detecting unit detects a phase difference from right-eye image data and left-eye image data. A movement detecting unit detects the movement of an object from right-eye image data or left-eye image data. A CPU calculates an object position based on both the result of phase difference detection and the result of movement detection and drives a focus lens via a driving unit to thereby control focus adjustment.
US09693035B2
A 3D stacked electro-optical radiation imaging device with a plurality of integrated circuit layers, the device having a pixelated array of semiconductor detector elements, in which each detecting element is electrically connected a stacked integrated circuit. The stacked integrated circuit has a mixed signal layer and a reconfigurable layer. The mixed signal layer has a passive signal path and an active signal path. A readout decoder block controls operation of the passive paths. The active signal path triggers readout upon transient event detection and is readout by an address arbitration control block, the address arbitration control block operating independent and asynchronous to the readout of the passive path and transient event detection initiates the identification of the location of and readout of the signaling active path. The reconfigurable layer has processing units that each correspond to one or more pixels in the pixelated array. The processing units are reconfigurable through received signals from either the passive path, the active path, or an external signal. A controller programs and communicates with the mixed signal layer and reconfigurable layer
US09693031B2
A system comprising a lead computer a plurality of receivers and transmitters for capturing audio and/or video signals and converting the audio and/or video signals to a transmittable form, wherein at least one of the plurality of receivers and transmitters is associated with at least one individual of a group, wherein the lead computer includes a computer processor for processing a selection of the group and a selection of the transmittable audio and/or video signals of the at least one individual transmitted over a network to the lead computer, wherein the lead computer includes a display device having one or more view windows for playing the selection of the group alongside the selection of the transmittable audio and/or video signals of the at least one individual.
US09693029B1
A scanning projector and method is provided that generates a feedback signal from at least one photodetector. In the scanning projector, a scanning mirror is configured to reflect laser light into an image region and an over scanned region. The at least one photodetector is configured to receive a portion of the reflected laser light impacting the over scanned region, and provides the feedback signal responsive to the received portion of light. This feedback signal can then be used to provide precise control of the scanning mirror.
US09693024B2
A visual inspection device includes a body having a support portion and a grip portion extending from the support portion. The device also includes a flexible cable having a first end portion coupled to the body and a second end portion, and a camera assembly coupled to the second end portion of the flexible cable. The camera assembly includes an image sensor operable to transmit image data through the flexible cable. The device further includes a display supported by the support portion of the body. The display is electrically connected to the flexible cable to display image date from the image sensor. The device is powered by a rechargeable battery pack removably coupled to the body.
US09693022B2
Surveillance cameras can be used in many buildings accessible to the public to deter criminal activity and promote public safety. Apparatus and corresponding methods, of the disclosed embodiments of the invention promote installation and use of such surveillance devices through an improved camera mounting module and power supply unit using a solar module having solar cells. An example embodiment of the surveillance devices includes an imaging device, power supply unit employing a solar module having solar cells, and a mounting module coupled to the imaging device, the solar cells being configured with the mounting module to collect light and provide available power to the power supply unit. The disclosed surveillance device, and corresponding process of performing surveillance, minimizes installation and maintenance costs and times associated with surveillance systems.
US09693021B2
A device for searching for defects on parts that are masked, such as turbine engine blades, the device including a tubular sheath, a light-guide guiding light, an image-transmission mechanism transmitting images housed inside the sheath, an examination head at a distal end of the sheath including an illumination mechanism and an image-taking mechanism connected to the light-guide and to the image-transmission mechanism housed in the sheath, a mechanism spraying a succession of penetrant test materials on the part for inspection including a capillary slidably guided in a duct housed in the sheath, and a mechanism adjusting orientation of the examination head at the distal end of the sheath.
US09693020B1
A system and method for producing a video-based group conversation for viewing over a network. The system is configured to generate a display at a first user computer which includes a plurality of sections in a single screen display, including at least a preview section configured for displaying an indicator for each of one or more viewers who are viewing the video-based conversation, and a media player section configured for displaying a video signal including at least some of the video feeds. The creator of the publically viewable video-based group conversation controls which users can participate in the publically viewable video-based group conversation by enabling video streams provided by those users to be displayed on the screen and viewable to other users who access the group conversation.
US09693005B2
The present invention discloses an electric apparatus and operation method thereof. The electric apparatus includes: display unit to display the output content from said electric apparatus: operation unit used to operate said electric apparatus; the apparatus further includes: the primary indication unit, when the primary indication unit is started up, the operation unit is in visible status and otherwise the operation unit is in invisible status. The design of the present invention improves the front visual effect and the interactive performance of the electrical apparatus.
US09692999B2
A solid-state imaging device includes a pixel unit in which a plurality of pixels converting physical quantities into electric signals are arranged in a two-dimensional shape, a vertical signal line for reading signals from the pixels, and column circuits arranged corresponding to columns of the pixel unit and collecting the signals from the vertical signal line at the inside of the pixel unit.
US09692996B2
A sensor for suppressing a background signal is provided. The sensor includes: a pixel array that detects a signal by using a plurality of pixels; an accumulator that converts a differential signal between two signals detected from an arbitrary pixel of the pixel array at predetermined times into a digital signal and accumulates the digital signal; and a digital memory that stores the accumulated digital signal.
US09692992B2
Embodiments of a color filter array include a plurality of tiled minimal repeating units, each minimal repeating unit comprising an M×N set of individual filters, and each individual filter in the set having a photoresponse selected from among four different photoresponses. Each minimal repeating unit includes a checkerboard pattern of filters of the first photoresponse, and filters of the second, third, and fourth photoresponses distributed among the checkerboard pattern such that the filters of the second, third, and fourth photoresponses are sequentially symmetric about one or both of a pair of orthogonal axes of the minimal repeating unit.
US09692966B2
A bus interface/camera control interface connects a processor and a plurality of imaging units. A control data pass-through logic exchanges data between the bus interface/camera control interface and the plurality of imaging units. A pass-through mask register includes: a write register used to specify, of the plurality of imaging units, one or more imaging units to be selected so as to selectively supply write data to the one or more imaging units; and a read register used to specify, of the plurality of imaging units, a single imaging unit to be selected so as to selectively receive read data from the single imaging unit. The control data pass-through logic can use the pass-through mask register to switch between input and output operations.
US09692964B2
Modification of post-viewing parameters for digital images using image region or feature information
A method of generating one or more new digital images using an original digitally-acquired image including a selected image feature includes identifying within a digital image acquisition device one or more groups of pixels that correspond to the selected image feature based on information from one or more preview images. A portion of the original image is selected that includes the one or more groups of pixels. The technique includes automatically generating values of pixels of one or more new images based on the selected portion in a manner which includes the selected image feature within the one or more new images.
US09692961B2
A virtual image rotation method activates a camera to capture an image on a first side of an electronic device, analyzes the captured image to identify one or more facial images from the captured image, and identifies one of the one or more facial images from the captured image as a primary facial image. The method further calculates a directional value of the primary facial image in the captured image, and rotates a virtual image displayed on a display screen based on a preset rotational value associated with a preset directional value range in which the directional value of the primary facial image falls. A related electronic device and a related non-transitory storage medium are provided.
US09692953B2
A camera-lens automatic pop-up assembly and a terminal device are provided. The assembly comprises a camera lens, a first elastic member, a rotating member, a slide-rail switch and a second elastic member. The camera lens is connected with one end of the first elastic member and a body of the terminal device, respectively. A side of the camera lens is provided with a connection groove and the other end of the first elastic member is connected with the body. The slide-rail switch is connected with the body through the second elastic member.
US09692952B2
A camera module including a cover part having an opening, a lens mounted to the opening of the cover part, a lens guide formed in the opening at an upper portion of the cover part to prevent removal of the lens, a back cap contacted with the lens and mounted to the opening, a first protrusion part protruded from a lower portion of the cover part, a second protrusion part protruded from the lower portion of the cover part and spaced from the first protrusion part, and a cavity disposed between the first and second protrusion parts, wherein a protruding length of the first protrusion part is longer than a protruding length of the second protrusion part.
US09692950B2
A display method for video conferencing and an associated video conferencing system are provided. The video conferencing system includes a display, an image capturing unit, and a network interface unit. The method includes the steps of: utilizing the image capturing unit to capture images of a local user in a video conference; performing foreground segmentation on the captured images to obtain a foreground object; flipping the foreground object horizontally; identifying a human face from the flipped foreground object and correcting a facing angle of the human face; determining interaction data from the local user on the display; encoding the interaction data and the flipped foreground object into an interaction stream and a video stream, respectively; packing the interaction stream and the video stream into an output stream; and transmitting the output stream to a remote user of the video conference through the network interface unit.
US09692936B2
An aspect of the present invention provides an image processing apparatus that includes a reading unit configured to read a plurality of documents, a display control unit configured to display on a screen a first image corresponding to a first document among the plurality of documents read by the reading unit, a receiving unit configured to receive a position serving as an area starting point for of a designated area in the first image, and a specifying unit configured, according to the position serving as the area starting point received by the receiving unit, to specify an area of a second image corresponding to a second document read by the reading unit, wherein the display control unit displays on the screen, along with the first image, the area of the second image specified by the specifying unit.
US09692935B2
In a case where one of setting information relating to image adjustment and setting information relating to stepwise charging is changed, an influence that is exerted on the other is immediately checked. A corresponding information processing apparatus includes a first reception unit configured to receive an image adjustment setting value that specifies a degree of adjustment processing for image data, and a second reception unit configured to receive a setting value in stepwise charging in which a charging amount increases stepwise as a toner consumption amount increases, and in the information processing apparatus, in the case where one of the received image adjustment setting value and the received setting value in stepwise charging is changed, the other is changed in accordance with the changed value.
US09692934B2
A communicating apparatus receives a request command which requires a response, and determines whether the communication mode of a partner apparatus corresponding to the request command matches a communication mode executed by the self communicating apparatus. If it is determined that the communication mode of the partner apparatus matches the communication mode executed by the self communicating apparatus, the communicating apparatus transmits a response command to the request command. If it is determined that the communication mode of the partner apparatus does not match the communication mode executed by the self communicating apparatus, the communicating apparatus transmits no response command to the request command.
US09692929B2
A method for correcting an image acquired by a hand-held scanning device. A binarized image of an acquired image is cropped by removing columns on the left end and on the right end of only first components. A work image is created from the cropped image by replacing in each row of components series of first components smaller than a predetermined distance with series of second components. In the work image, a central line is identified. The identified central line in the work image is used to identify the corresponding central line in the cropped image forming a central line image, and in the central line image, the central text line is straightened.
US09692927B2
A device includes an input part configured to input data, a first transmission part configured to transmit the data to a predetermined transmission destination, a second transmission part configured to transmit the data to a transmission destination different from the predetermined transmission destination, and a transmission control part configured to cause the second transmission part to transmit the data in response to receiving a request to transmit the data from the first transmission part.
US09692920B2
A multi-function apparatus includes a body, an image reading unit, a document cover and a locking member. The image reading unit is movable between a closed position and an opened position. The document cover is movable between a closed position and an opened position. The locking member is movable to a first position and a second position and includes a first engagement portion and a second engagement portion. In response to a movement of the document cover to the opened position, the locking member moves to the first position and locks the image reading unit to the closed position. In response to a movement of the image reading unit to the opened position, the locking member moves to the second position and locks the document cover to the closed position.
US09692919B2
An image forming apparatus includes a position detecting section detecting a position of contact with a display screen of a display section and forms an image on a recording medium based on a display image displayed on the display section. The display image includes an object image indicative of an object for an image formation and a medium image indicative of the recording medium, and the image forming apparatus selectively edits the object image or the medium image based on positions of two points detected by the position detecting section.
US09692901B2
An apparatus and methods for a call routing system is disclosed whereby the call routing service provider is associated with a series of partners. By providing a system supporting not only the main user, but also the partners, efficiencies are gained through cost-spreading. Agents can be qualified to field calls for multiple business entities. Cross-selling and proactive servicing based on caller demographic and profile data can be effectuated. The system employs a centralized or global bank of shared Interactive Voice Response (IVR) units so that unnecessary post-routing and call site interflow are reduced. The system comprises a central server system that interfaces with a long distance provider so that route requests are received, caller data is retrieved from one or more databases, routing and handling strategies are developed, load balancing is effectuated, and calls are appropriately routed to one of a plurality of geographically separated call center systems with queues staffed by agents. Each call center system is designed to support various queues, and agents may be qualified or assigned to various queues based on their skill sets and skill levels.
US09692891B1
Methods and systems are described for processing call blocking instructions and for managing mobile messaging. A method of processing call blocking instructions is described. A call processing system receives a call from a caller intended for a first user. A notification regarding the call is transmitted to a mobile device associated with the first user. A message from the user is received via the mobile device, wherein the message is a text or multimedia type message. At least partly in response to the message, the caller is placed on a blacklist indicating that future calls from the caller to the user are to be blocked.
US09692883B2
To provide flexible capabilities to agencies, an agency service configures a virtual number for wiretapping communications between subjects and an informant. A wiretap module executing on the informant's device registers with the agency service for authorization to utilize a virtual number for wiretapping the informant device. The wiretapping module works in conjunction with the agency service to covertly route communications between the informant device and subject device through the virtual number, which may be monitored by agency personnel and the communications thereon recorded. Through the described wiretapping system, the informant may communicate with subjects in a traditional fashion utilizing the informant device all the while the communications are monitored and recorded with low cost to the agency.
US09692882B2
A gain control system for dynamically tuning an echo canceller, the echo canceller being configured to estimate an echo of a far-end signal and subtract that estimate from a microphone signal to output an echo cancelled signal, the system comprising an echo measurement unit configured to calculate a ratio of the microphone signal to the far-end signal, an attenuation unit configured to attenuate at least one of the microphone signal and the far-end signal to output a second microphone signal and a second far-end signal to the echo canceller, the ratio of the second microphone signal to the second far-end signal being different from the calculated ratio, and an attenuation controller configured to control the attenuation unit, in dependence on the calculated ratio, so as to alter the ratio of the second microphone signal to the second far-end signal and control the echo-cancelled signal.
US09692870B2
In a monitoring camera system, a master device registers a smart phone and a wireless router therein in advance. If sensor detection information is received from a human sensor, the master device requests a monitoring camera to transmit image/audio data, and sends image/audio data transmitted from the monitoring camera to the smart phone via the wireless router. The smart phone displays the image data sent from the monitoring camera on a touch panel.
US09692859B2
Principles, apparatuses, systems, circuits, methods, and computer program products for performing a software upgrade in a MoCA network includes receiving an image of a software upgrade at a server and sending the image in the MoCA network using an L2ME message channel to a client that is enabled to receive the image and store the image in a client memory. The image may be broken up into packets, and a sequence number may be assigned to each packet to assist the client in assembling them. CRC information may also be appended to the packets to enable the client to verify their contents.
US09692857B2
A network device receives a packet that includes a plurality of header fields. The packet is parsed to sequentially obtain the plurality of header fields. One or more header fields not yet available at the network device are predicted based on one or more header fields that are available at the network device. A network processing decision is generated for the packet based on the predicted one or more header fields and the one or more header fields that are available at the network device.
US09692854B2
New functionality to be added to a web-based application and a desktop application is expressed as declarative and/or procedural code that a conventional rendering engine of the web-based application and the desktop application can use to directly update the state of the applications. Users need not update client-side components—such as the desktop application and/or any plug-ins used by the browser hosting the web-based application—to take advantage of new types of functionality.
US09692850B2
Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide improved mechanisms and techniques for integrating complex data structures with collaboration environments. Various embodiments involve creating a collaboration group around a selected complex data structure, and including the selected complex data structure as well one or more other related complex data structures in the collaboration group. In some embodiments, an object consumption definition is applied to metadata associated with the complex data structure to determine the related complex data structures.
US09692848B2
According to some embodiments, a proxy server populates a proxy server cache with first user content and sends the first user content to a secure client application executing on a user's mobile device. The proxy server determines a usage pattern based on a portion of the first user content consumed by the secure client application, prioritizes unrequested user content according to the usage pattern, and populates the proxy server cache with at least a portion of the unrequested user content based on priority.
US09692846B2
Disclosed are a system for providing a push service using a feedback message including: a service providing device to transmit a push message to a client device and receive a feedback message with respect to the transmitted push message; and a push service device to receive the push message from the service providing device and transmit the push message to the client device, store the feedback message when the push message transmitted to the client device fails and a connection with the service providing device is disconnected, and transmit the stored feedback message to the service providing device.
US09692838B2
In one embodiment, a method includes receiving, from beacons of a third-party content provider (e.g., a business), session information for users of an online social network. A mobile device of each user may have been in at least one wireless communication session with at least one beacon, and during the session the mobile device was proximate to the at least one beacon. The session information may include an identifier for each of the users, which may be used to access social-networking information for each user. A report of business insights may be generated based on aggregated social-networking information (e.g., demographics) and aggregated session information (e.g., average duration of sessions) of the users. For example, the report may include statistics regarding the business' clientele. User-specified permissions may delimit which information may be included in the report. The report may be sent to a third-party system for display.
US09692835B2
A method for managing the provision of services in a telecommunication network, wherein the services are offered through a set of servers and the telecommunication network includes at least one first network entity and a plurality of second network entities, each second network entity being adapted to access a sub-set of the servers. The method includes: 1) receiving at the first network entity a request for a predetermined service from user equipment; and 2) at the predetermined first network entity, identifying, based on the service requested by the user equipment, the second network entity which, among the plurality of second network entities, has access to the server that, among the set of servers, allows meeting the request for the predetermined service.
US09692832B2
A client device configured to access a remote device via a communication network. The client device is configured to: a) detect a termination of a network connection to the remote device and b) in response to detecting the termination of the network connection, record an idle time duration associated with the network. The client device repeats a) and b) until a plurality of idle time durations have been recorded. The client device then determines from the plurality of idle time durations a timeout value associated with the network and sets a transmission period of a keep-alive signal transmitted from the client device to the remote device based on the determined timeout value. The client device transmits the determined timeout value and information identifying the network to a timeout value server that may be accessed by other client devices.
US09692829B2
A medication delivery system includes a medical server configured to send and receive and process data, a medication device configured to administer a preselected medication, a sensor circuit configured to detect selected parameters relating to medication delivery and transmit information, a transmission hub configured to communicate with the medical server and the sensor circuit. The transmission hub is configured to receive a signal from the sensor circuit and exchange the information. An application is configured to facilitate exchange of information between the sensor circuit and the medical server. The application has a preselected set of protocols. The application monitors usage of the medication device and location of the medication device by connecting to the medication device via the transmission hub.
US09692814B2
In one embodiment, a method includes receiving a message associated with a user at an information exchange system. At least one correspondent associated with the user may be determined, based on the message. A social connection between the user and the at least one correspondent may be assessed with respect to a social-networking system. The information exchange system may provide an interface for display to the user, the interface comprising information associated with the message. If the social connection is confirmed, the interface may include social-networking information associated with the at least one correspondent. Otherwise, the interface may provide functionality to create a social connection between the user and the at least one correspondent with respect to the social-networking system.
US09692809B2
A first computer utilizes a logical connection with a second computer. The logical connection comprises multiple physical network connections using multiple physical network devices on the first computer. Two or more of the physical network devices of a logical connection are used to transfer packets of a single data transfer such as a database request or response. A logical connection can include a single physical network device on the second computer creating a one-to-many logical connection or may also include multiple physical network devices on the second computer creating a many-to-many logical connection.
US09692798B2
Aspects of the present disclosure involve systems, methods, computer program products, and the like, for collaboration conferencing with multiple participants over a communications network, and more specifically for a conferencing routing service for managing and routing collaboration participants. A collaboration conferencing routing server may provide configurability in routing a collaboration conference to a conference bridge based on any number of criteria and information about the requester and the communications network on which the conference occurs.
US09692783B2
According to an example, a client device determines at least one virus sample according to at least one anti-virus engine, transmits sample information of the at least one virus sample to a server, such that the server determines a first virus sample set needs to be reported according to the sample information of the at least one virus sample and a predefined sample information list in the server, and returns to the first virus sample set to the client device. The client device receives the first virus sample set needs to be reported and performs a virus reporting operation according to the virus sample set.
US09692781B2
The present invention relates to a device for detecting unwanted intrusions into an information network comprising a module for receiving raw data from the network, a plurality of search engines configured to detect an attack indicator and any derived data which may be corrupted, a distribution module suitable for allocating at least one search engine to each piece of raw data, an administrator module linked to the search engines and to the distribution module and configured to transmit each piece of derived data to said module as new raw data if it has not already been processed by said same search engine(s), so as to provide recursive analysis of each piece of raw data received by said receiving module. The invention further relates to a process implemented by a device of this type.
US09692767B2
Systems and methods for managing access data are disclosed. One method can comprise receiving prediction information relating to one or more content options and requesting access information associated with the prediction information. At least a portion of the received access information can be processed to provide a preliminary access decision. A request for access relating to the one or more data options can be received and an access decision based at least in part on the preliminary access decision can be provided.
US09692766B2
Aspects of the present disclosure relate to a method, a system, and a computer program product for validating a location resource, e.g., a hyperlink, embedded in a message for one or more recipients. The method includes receiving, by a computing node in a distributed computing environment and from a messaging application on a remote client computer, an identifier of a user profile and a location resource. The location resource is embedded in a message and that indicates a path to a computing resource outside of the remote client computer. The method also includes querying a repository in the distributed computing environment to obtain access permission information about the location resource. The method also includes determining, based upon the access permission information about the location resource, whether the user profile has access permission for the location resource.
US09692760B2
In a web browser (100) access is controlled with respect to at least one user data providing device (102), the web browser comprising a browser engine (106), a browser application (104) and a device access proxy, DAP (108). Access is acquired, in the DAP, to at least one user data providing device and a request is received from a web application (110) for user data from a first user data providing device. In response to the request, default data (112) is transmitted from the DAP to the web application. A user data access confirmation signal is obtained, and in response to the user data access confirmation signal, the transmission of the default data is discontinued and the requested user data is transmitted from the DAP to the web application.
US09692759B1
A system for controlling access to cloud applications includes a cloud security server that receives network traffic stream from cloud application clients of a private computer network. The cloud security server examines the network traffic stream to identify a cloud application that is associated with the network traffic stream and directs the network traffic stream to one of several application handlers that is configured to process network traffic stream for the cloud application. The application handler enforces on the network traffic stream an application policy that is applicable to the cloud application.
US09692757B1
A server obtains a challenge from another computer system during a negotiation with a client according to a protocol. The server injects the challenge into a message of the protocol to the client. The client uses the challenge in an authentication request. The server submits the authentication request to the other computer system for verification. The other computer system verifies the authentication request using a key registered to the client. The server operates further dependent at least in part on whether verification of the authentication request was successful.
US09692756B2
Methods, apparatuses, systems, and storage media for creating, discovering, and/or resolving spells using a wand are provided. In embodiments, a computing device or a wand may detect one or more gestures and sensors in the wand may generate sensor data representative of the one or more gestures. The one or more gestures may be movements performed using the wand. The sensor data representative of the one or more gestures may be converted into a spell sequence. The wand may transmit the spell sequence to a computing device, and receive, from the computing device, an authentication spell output when the spell sequence corresponds with an authentication spell sequence or an inactivation spell output when the spell sequence does not correspond with the authentication spell sequence. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed.
US09692753B2
A system and method is presented for use of a password encode card to create multiple random passwords at a variety of computerized service providers. The encode card contains a plurality of ciphers, each assigned to a different service provider. Using only a single memorized master password, the user encodes the master password using the appropriate cipher and then uses the encoded password at that service provider. The card can be implemented as a plurality of substitution ciphers printed on a single card, or as an electronic card capable of either displaying a plurality of substitution ciphers or of implementing the plurality of ciphers on the inputted text of the master password.
US09692751B1
A technique provides a secret to authenticate a user. The technique involves storing, by processing circuitry, an initial secret in local memory. The technique further involves receiving, by the processing circuitry, a release command after the initial secret is stored in the local memory. The technique further involves, in response to the release command and based on the initial secret, outputting a released secret through an audio jack which is coupled to the processing circuitry. With such a technique, the secret is only exposed in response to user actuation thus providing improved security against an attacker vis-à-vis a conventional authentication token which constantly generates and outputs a series of one-time use passcodes (OTPs) on a display based on a seed stored in memory.
US09692747B2
Embodiments of authenticating linked accounts are presented herein. In an implementation, an authentication service provides functionality to form links between a plurality of user accounts. A client may then authenticate by providing credentials for one account in a group of linked accounts, and is permitted access to each account in the group of linked accounts based upon the linking. Thus, a single sign-in of a client to one account may permit the client to obtain services for service providers corresponding to multiple linked accounts, without an individual sign-in to each account.
US09692746B2
Systems, methods and computer-readable media are disclosed for performing single sign-on processing between associated mobile applications. The single sign-on processing may include processing to generate an interaction session between a user and a back-end server associated with a mobile application based at least in part on one or more existing interaction sessions between the user and one or more back-end servers associated with one or more other mobile applications. In order to establish an interaction session with an associated back-end server, a mobile application may leverage existing interaction sessions that have already been established in connection with the launching of other associated mobile applications.
US09692744B2
A method, apparatus and/or computer program provides secure user authentication in a network having a dynamic set of services. The method comprises a client authenticating with an edge service and generating a query key. The edge service issues a request to the dynamic set of services. The request comprises (i) an encrypted identifier associated with the client, (ii) a private portion of the request being encrypted with the query key, and (iii) a public portion of the request. In response to ascertaining from the public portion of the request that it is able to respond to the request, one or more of the dynamic set of services respond to the edge service with (i) an identifier associated with the dynamic set of services, and (ii) the identifier associated with the client. The edge service then authenticates that it is able to respond to the request, including generating a session key.
US09692738B1
Disclosed are various embodiments for facilitating item returns on behalf of customers of an electronic commerce site. Embodiments of the disclosure can, in one example, facilitate item returns on behalf of a buyer where the seller is a seller in a multi-seller marketplace. A return shipping label can be generated on behalf of the seller as well as communications between buyer and seller archived in the event of a subsequent dispute.
US09692735B2
Systems and methods for decryption of payloads are disclosed herein. In various embodiments, systems and methods herein are configured for decrypting thousands of transactions per second. Further, in particular embodiments, the systems and methods herein are scalable, such that many thousands of transactions can be processed per second upon replicating particular architectural components.
US09692730B2
Methods and systems for applying surveillance to client computers that communicate via proxy servers. A decoding system accepts communication packets from a communication network. Based on the received packets, the decoding system identifies that a certain client computer conducts a communication session with a target server via a proxy server. The decoding system processes the packets so as to correlate the identity of the client computer with the identity of the target server. The correlated identities may comprise, for example, Internet Protocol (IP) addresses or Uniform Resource Locators (URLs).
US09692729B1
A connectivity manager (CM) of a provider network selects, from a plurality of ERGs (edge resource groups), a particular ERG comprising an edge router and a network marker translation agent to be used for routing traffic between a resource collection of a VCS (virtual computing service) and a client network. The CM detects a condition that triggers the selection of a second ERG to be used for at least a subset of the resource collection's traffic, and initiates a set of configuration changes to enable the use of the second ERG for connectivity between the first resource collection and the client network.
US09692725B2
Systems and methods are described for using a client agent operating in a virtual private network environment to intercept HTTP communications. Methods include: intercepting at the network layer, by a client agent executing on a client, an HTTP request from an application executing on the client; modifying the HTTP request; and transmitting, via a transport layer connection, the modified HTTP request to a server. Additional methods may comprise adding, removing, or modifying at least one cookie in the HTTP request. Still other methods may comprise modifying at least one name-value pair contained in the HTTP request. Corresponding systems are also described.
US09692715B2
In an embodiment an interface unit includes a transmit pipeline configured to transmit egress data, and a receive pipeline configured to receive ingress data. At least one of the transmit pipeline and the receive pipeline being may be configured to provide shared resources to a plurality of ports. The shared resources may include at least one of a data path resource and a control logic resource.
US09692707B2
The present invention discloses a Virtual Resource Object Component; it achieves the goal of mapping logical POD to physical POD. The technical solution is: the Virtual Resource Object Component abstractly represents the physical resources in a physical POD as virtual resources. An embodiment of the Virtual Resource Object Component is utilized in a service delivery platform which automatically organizes and connects the physical resources in the physical POD(s), and transforms them into virtual resources which will be delivered to a logical POD.
US09692695B2
Techniques for aggregating hardware routing resources in a system of devices are provided. In one embodiment, a device in the system of devices can divide routing entries in a software routing table of the system into a plurality of route subsets. The device can further assign each route subset in the plurality of route subsets to one or more devices in the system. The device can then install, for each route subset that is assigned to the device, routing entries in the route subset into a hardware routing table of the device.
US09692694B2
The present invention relates to a multi-protocol routing system, comprising a route determining module and a forwarding module which are located in network layer, wherein the route determining module is used for determining, based on the related information of applications and networks, the types of routable protocols and the next-hop path which are to be selected in the current routing phase; the forwarding module, including different routable protocols and corresponding routing information, is used for periodically calculating the newest remaining network resources and the state of link during a routing process and updating the forwarding table in current state. By integrating various characteristics and states of applications as well as different routable protocols, the present invention realizes real-time protocol selection and dynamic routing. Moreover, the present invention is easy to be expanded to other protocols, thus being adaptive to the continuous development and evolution of network services.
US09692692B1
A high-performance, scalable data center switch fabric and infrastructure is described that provides a clean separation between of routing and forwarding information between a transport layer of the data center and a service layer of data center that includes the endpoint devices, such as virtual or physical machines deployed within the data center. For example, techniques are described that enable the automatic creation of a transport hierarchy of label switched paths (LSPs) across the transport layer of the data center. For example, the techniques may be applied with the Border Gateway Protocol (BGP) labeled unicast (LU) in a manner that constructs a hierarchy of LPSs in the transport layer of the data center.
US09692691B1
In general, techniques are described for configuration of label switched paths in multi-protocol label switched networks. A router comprising a control unit and an interface may be configured to perform the techniques. The control unit may determine a label to bind to the LSP. The interface may transmit a message specifying the label that has been bound to the LSP prior to confirming that the LSP has been successfully configured within the support router to use the bound label.
US09692674B1
Described herein are systems, mediums, and methods for simultaneously determining multiple types of changes in time series data. A plurality of potential change points may be selected in a signal representing the time series data. For each potential change point the signal may be a split into two segments including data points before and data points after the potential change point, respectively. Estimate of cumulative distribution function for each segment may be determined. A normalized difference of the respective estimates of cumulative distribution functions may be determined. The normalized difference may be compared to a threshold value to determine whether the potential change point qualifies as valid change point. The techniques discussed herein may determine at least two valid change points representing at least two different types of changes in the signal.
US09692669B2
Internet access or connectivity is determined by sending a request to a third-party service to which connectivity is desired with an application on a client computing device and responsive to receiving a response, attempting to rule out a false positive response from an entity other than the third-party service.
US09692668B2
A method and non-transitory computer readable medium for provisioning services for machine to machine communication devices in a communications network. For example, the method receives a request from a third party service provider to provision a service to a user of the third party service provider, determines whether a communication network service provider of the communications network and the third party service provider have a pre-existing agreement to provision the service, and provisions the service of the third party service provider to the user via the communications network in accordance with the pre-existing agreement, wherein the user is a subscriber of the communication network service provider.
US09692666B2
The present invention relates to a method for managing containers in a could computing environment, the method comprising obtaining current information on resources available at hosts, obtaining information on host resources needed for a new container and allocating the new container to a selected host based on the resources available at the host and the host resources needed for the container. The present invention further relates to an apparatus and a computer program product implementing the method for managing containers. The method and the apparatus beneficially speeds up the process of allocating and replacing containers and ensures that only the latest version of the applications placed in containers are available in the cloud computing environment for client devices.
US09692656B2
A policy distribution server provides, on a subscription basis, policy updates to effect desired behaviors of network intermediary devices. The policy updates may specify caching policies, and may in some instances, include instructions for data collection by the network intermediary devices. Data collected in accordance with such instructions may be used to inform future policy updates distributed to the network intermediary devices.
US09692655B2
Some embodiments provide a managed network for implementing a logical switching element. The managed network includes several managed edge switching elements that are each for (1) receiving packets for forwarding through the logical switching element and (2) forwarding packets that are known to the managed edge switching element to other managed edge switching elements in the several managed edge switching elements. The managed network includes a set of managed non-edge switching elements for (1) receiving packets from the several managed edge switching elements that are unknown to a particular managed edge switching element in the several managed edge switching elements and (2) forwarding packets to the several managed edge switching elements that are unknown to the several managed edge switching elements.
US09692651B2
A method for improving performance of a network includes identifying at least two communities of users within the network, analysing a structure of each community and clustering the communities according to community performance. The method further includes comparing a structure of a lower performing community with a structure of a higher performing community, and changing the structure of the lower performing community substantially to resemble the structure of the higher performing community. Related computer program product for carrying out a method of introducing connections among users of a network and an apparatus configured to introduce connections among users in a network are disclosed.
US09692650B2
A control apparatus includes: a topology management unit that manages a network topology formed by including a plurality of relay apparatuses; a link aggregation group management unit that groups ports of the plurality of relay apparatuses, having a physical link with an arbitrary node of the network topology and manages the grouped ports as a port of a virtual logical link between the plurality of relay apparatuses and the arbitrary node; and a relay apparatus control unit that controls the plurality of relay apparatuses, having the grouped ports, so that, when one of the plurality of relay apparatuses receives a broadcast packet or a multicast packet, a plurality of same packet are not forwarded to the physical links that form the virtual logical link.
US09692642B2
A processing device sends a set of executable instructions to a network interface controller (NIC). The processing device accesses a report generated by the NIC after the NIC has executed at least one instruction from the set of executable instructions.
US09692641B2
A first electronic device stores first configuration information of the first electronic device collected by a tamper-resistant chip on the first electronic device and approved by a third-party device in the portable medium. A second electronic device stores second configuration information of the second electronic device collected by a tamper-resistant chip on the second electronic device and approved by the third-party device in the portable medium and acquires the first configuration information from the portable medium. The first electronic device transmits the first configuration information of the first electronic device and the second configuration information of the second electronic device acquired from the portable medium to the second electronic device over a long-distance network. The second electronic device controls connection between the first and the second electronic devices over the long-distance network based on the first configuration information and the second configuration information received from the first electronic device.
US09692620B2
A high-speed serial interface includes a transmitter having an output module with settings that select an output impedances of the output module and a tuning value for the output impedance, and a receiver having a plurality of compensation modules each to provide a selectable level of equalization to a data bitstream from the transmitter, and a control module that directs the transmitter to successively select each of the tuning values, that directs the compensation modules, for each tuning value, to successively select each of the levels of equalization, that evaluates an indication of a performance level of the receiver for each of the successively selected levels of equalization and for each of the tuning values, and that selects a particular tuning value based upon the indications of the performance level of the receiver.
US09692617B2
Electronic apparatus and method for improving quality of transmitted signal, and system for the same
The present disclosure relates to an improvement in the quality of a transmitted signal, and more particularly, to an electronic apparatus and a method which are provided with a passive equalizer improving the quality of a transmitted signal when a signal is transmitted/received to/from an external apparatus, and a system for the same. The present disclosure provides a signal transmission system for improving the quality of a transmitted signal. The signal transmission system may include a transmitter that transmits a signal; a receiver that receives the signal from the transmitter; a channel that is formed between the transmitter and the receiver and transmits the signal delivered by the transmitter; and a passive equalizer that is formed between the transmitter and the receiver and controls the signal so as to have a higher impedence than a predetermined impedance at a lower frequency than a predetermined frequency of the signal.
US09692603B2
A mobile device obtains an encryption key pair, including a public key and a private key, and engages in a process, that uses the private key, for requesting a digital certificate from a Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) Certificate Authority. The mobile device receives a digital certificate signed by the PKI Certificate Authority, and obtains, via a biometric input unit device, biometric data related to an identity of a user of the device. The mobile device derives a password using the biometric data, and stores, and password protects using the derived password, the public key, the private key, and the digital certificate in a secure key store.
US09692587B2
Techniques for pilot-aided carrier frequency and phase synchronization may use a three-pass process. In a first pass, initial frequency offset may be addressed, and a frame start time may be established. In a second pass, a fine frequency correction may be performed. In a third pass, phase variation may be tracked and corrected using a minimum set of pilot symbols.
US09692575B2
A method and a base station for receiving uplink control signals in a wireless communication system are described. The base station receives a first uplink control channel in a mixed resource block from a first user equipment. The mixed resource block includes a plurality of subcarriers. The base station receives a second uplink control channel in the mixed resource block from a second user equipment. The first uplink control channel is identified by a first cyclic shift value. The second uplink control channel is identified by a second cyclic shift value that is different from the first cyclic shift value. The first uplink control channel carries a Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ) acknowledgement/negative acknowledgement (ACK/NACK) of the first user equipment. The second uplink control channel carries a channel quality indicator (CQI) for the second user equipment and a HARQ ACK/NACK of the second user equipment.
US09692562B2
A communication apparatus includes an output portion and a controller. The output portion outputs an output signal. The output signal includes a synchronization signal, a data signal, and an end signal in this order. The controller includes a measuring portion that measures a length of a received pulse, a signal determiner that determines whether the received pulse corresponds to the synchronization signal based on the length of the received pulse, and a signal acquisition portion. The signal acquisition portion skips the received pulse in a case where the signal determiner determines that the received signal does not include the synchronization signal. The signal acquisition portion considers the received signal as the synchronization signal and reads a pulse following the received pulse to the end signal in a case where the signal determiner determines that the received signal includes the synchronization signal.
US09692554B2
A band of interest is divided into band segments. A scan frame is sent by a transmitter at a transmitting PLC node across each band segment. A receiver at a receiving node scans the band segments, listening for the scan frame. Upon detecting a scan frame, the receiving node measures the signal quality of each OFDM subcarrier modulated with symbols from the scan frame. The subcarrier signal quality values are stored in a table. Upon completion of the scan process, the table contains a signal quality value for each subcarrier within the band of interest. The table is then analyzed to find an operating band consisting of subcarriers with a highest average signal quality or a band that results in greater than a pre-determined minimum signal quality. The invented methods and embodiments may operate periodically to readjust the operating band configuration in the presence of electromagnetic interference including time-variant interference.
US09692549B2
Presented are methods that utilize wavefront multiplexing for enabling linearly-polarized terminals to access circularly-polarized satellite transponders. The methods disclosed herein feature (1) polarization formation capability that renders transmitted signal conditioned on circularly-polarized channels through multiple linearly-polarized feeds, and (2) polarization-conversion capability that compensate path differentials introduced by electromagnetic wave propagation channels. Data streams to be transmitted are pre-processed by a wavefront multiplexer into multiple wavefront components in linear polarization formats, where signals from respective data streams are replicated into linearly-polarized sub-channels. These replicated data streams are linked via a unique complex weighting vector (amplitude and phase or their equivalents), or “wavefront”, which are also linked by various spatially independent wavefronts. Additionally, a probing signal is sent on the transmitting side and linked via some of the independent wavefronts. Aggregated signals in linearly-polarized sub-channels are unique linear combinations of all input data streams. Aggregated signals in turn appear in circularly-polarized formats and propagate through circularly-polarized channels including circularly-polarized satellite transponders and a circularly-polarized teleport on the receiving side. Correlation between the circularly-polarized signal and the probing signal is sent back to the transmitting side that drives the polarization-conversion function toward the optimal state such that this correlation is lower than a pre-defined level. Accordingly, an optimally configured satellite communication system either (1) enables the linearly-polarized terminal on the transmitting side to access right-hand circularly-polarized satellite transponder without interfering the left-hand circularly-polarized satellite transponder, or (2) enables the linearly-polarized terminal on the transmitting side to access left-hand circularly-polarized satellite transponder without interfering the right-hand circularly-polarized satellite transponder.
US09692543B2
A receiver is configured to have two coherent receivers using two pieces of local oscillator of optical frequencies f11 and f12 close to optical frequency f1 of signal light, the two pieces of local oscillator being controlled to have a predetermined optical frequency spacing ΔF, and a digital signal processor demodulating transmission data signal sequences based on outputs from the coherent receivers. When the frequency difference Δf1 of one of the two pieces of local oscillator from a virtual reference frequency f1′ close to the optical frequency f1 of the signal light is set, the digital signal processor obtains the frequency difference Δf2 of the other of the two pieces of local oscillator by calculating Δf1−ΔF, inputs electric signals output from the two coherent receivers, and compensates the phase rotation caused in the electric signals by frequency differences Δf1 and Δf2.
US09692542B2
A method for generating a channel code, in particular for a frame-header, wherein at least a code-word of the channel code is obtained by means of at least a concatenation of code-words of two constituent codes and such concatenation is performed on subsets of code-words of a first constituent code, having maximum length, with code-words of a second constituent code.
US09692539B2
Incremental interference cancelation (IC) capability management and signaling is disclosed. A mobile device selects certain groups of its individual IC capabilities to deactivate in response to various operating conditions it is experiencing. The mobile device reports its currently active IC capability to a serving base station, which uses information to determine whether to modify any existing communication conditions with respect to the reporting mobile device. The base station detects and analyzes the current communication conditions with respect to the reporting mobile device in light of the mobile device's currently active IC capabilities. The base station may modify such conditions through actions such as signaling the mobile device to activate or deactivate certain other groups of IC capabilities. The base station can make other modifications such as changing the communication schedule for the mobile device, modifying the control loop for channel quality indicator (CQI) reporting, and the like.
US09692532B2
A method of antenna deployment determination in a wireless communication device is disclosed. The method includes transceiving a radio signal via the a first antenna port of the wireless communication device, obtaining a first strength result corresponding to the radio signal transmitted or received via the first antenna port, and determining a connecting status of the first antenna port according to the first strength result.
US09692523B2
Methods of digital communication utilizing entangled qubits are disclosed. The communication methods exploit selective entanglement swapping to transfer an entangled state between a sending device and a receiving device. Each device includes pairs of qubits that are independently entangled with pairs of qubits in the other device. By selectively entangling the qubits within a pair in the sending device, the qubits of the corresponding pair in the receiving device also are selectively entangled. When the qubits are entangled, they are projected onto a particular entangled state type. Though no information may be transferred through selective entanglement of one qubit pair, the disclosed methods determine whether a set of pairs of qubits are entangled by determining whether the distribution of pairs is a correlated or uncorrelated distribution (a probabilistic approach) and transform the distribution type to a classical bit of data to transfer classical bits in a qubit-efficient approach.
US09692521B1
This disclosure provides systems, methods, and apparatus for mitigating the effects of an optical link in a communication system on polarization angles of signals transmitted over the optical link. The communication system can include an optical transmitter transmitting polarization-division multiplexed (PDM) optical signals over the optical link and a direct-detection receiver for receiving the PDM optical signals. The transmitter can include a polarization compensation unit for receiving estimated values of link polarization parameters from the receiver. The receiver uses the estimated values to pre-distort modulator drive and bias signals and to adjust the relative phase between modulated optical signals. The transmitter can also transmit training optical signals to the receiver over the optical link. The receiver uses the training optical signals to estimate the values of link polarization parameters. The receiver also can include a crosstalk mitigation unit for mitigating effects of crosstalk between the PDM optical signals.
US09692519B2
An apparatus includes an optical transmitter configured to provide an optical signal amplitude-modulated among M different levels. A constellation control module is configured to provide a drive signal to control the optical signal. A feedback module is configured to receive a measure of spacing between amplitude peaks of a symbol constellation of the optical signal. The feedback module is further configured to regulate the constellation control module to adjust the optical signal in response to the measure of spacing.
US09692503B2
A first reconfigurable optical add/drop multiplexers (ROADM) and a second ROADM are connected by a primary light path and a protection light path. The first ROADM includes a first direction and a second direction, and the second ROADM includes a third direction and a fourth direction. The primary light path is coupled between the first direction and the third direction, and the protection light path is coupled between the second direction and the fourth direction. Transmissions on the primary light path are monitored, and when a problem is detected on the primary light path, the first and third directions are deactivated and the second and fourth directions are activated so that additional light signals are sent on the protection light path and not on the primary light path.
US09692498B2
Example methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture (e.g., physical storage media) to extend wireless signal coverage with drones are disclosed. Example methods disclosed herein to extend wireless signal coverage include determining whether a status of a wireless communication link being received at a first device from a second device meets a trigger condition. Such disclosed example methods also include, after determining the status meets the trigger condition, deploying a drone to a target location determined based on a first device location associated with the first device and a second device location associated with the second device, the drone being equipped with a signal extender capable of extending the wireless communication link.
US09692496B2
Embodiments herein relate a wireless terminal for handling channel feedback for a channel from a radio base station to the wireless terminal in a MIMO system. The wireless terminal computes a Signal to Noise Ratio, SNR, or Signal to Interference plus Noise Ratio, SINR, for each entity in a precoding codebook for a plurality of transmission ranks. The wireless terminal either computes a capacity for each entity based on the computed SNR or SINR and then computes an averaged capacity by averaging the computed capacities for a plurality of layers; or the wireless terminal computes an averaged capacity for each entity based on an average of the computed SNR or SINR for a plurality of layers. Then the wireless terminal selects a preferred precoding control index, PCI, and a preferred transmission rank as channel feedback, which preferred PCI and preferred transmission rank maximize the computed averaged capacity.
US09692494B2
Methods, systems, and apparatuses are described for dynamic switching between wireless multiple access schemes. In some aspects, a plurality of characteristics corresponding to a respective plurality of transmit/receive beam forming direction pairs of a wireless communication channel may be identified, and a wireless multiple access schemes used for communication in the wireless communication channel may dynamically be switched based at least in part on the identified plurality of characteristics, the wireless multiple access schemes comprising orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) and single-carrier frequency division multiple access (SC-FDMA).
US09692489B1
A wireless transceiver using a phased array antenna panel for concurrently transmitting and receiving wireless signals is disclosed. The wireless transceiver includes receive antennas forming a receive configuration and transmit antennas forming a transmit configuration. The receive antennas form a receive beam at a receive frequency based on phase and amplitude information provided by a master chip in the phased array antenna panel. The transmit antennas form a transmit beam at a transmit frequency based on phase and amplitude information provided by the master chip in the phased array antenna panel. The phase and amplitude information for the receive antennas is provided by an RF front end chip that is connected to the master chip. The phase and amplitude information for the transmit antennas is provided by the RF front end chip that is connected to the master chip.
US09692487B2
A wireless power transmitter for transmitting power by wireless to a terminal includes a power conversion unit and a power transmission control unit. The power conversion unit forms a wireless power signal for wireless power transfer using power supplied from a power supply unit. The power transmission control unit regulates a characteristic of the supplied power, based on orientation information of the terminal. A terminal includes a power receiving unit and a control unit. The power receiving unit receives a wireless power signal formed by a wireless power transmitter. The control unit detects whether or not an orientation of the terminal is changed while the wireless power signal is received, and transmits a control message for power regulation to the wireless power transmitter when the change in the orientation of the terminal is detected.
US09692484B2
A method of operating a communication system is disclosed. The method includes forming a data frame having plural orthogonal frequency division multiplex (OFDM) symbols. A first set of preamble subcarriers is allocated to at least one of the OFDM symbols. A second set of data subcarriers is allocated to said at least one of the OFDM symbols.
US09692483B2
The invention relates to a communication device using power line communication provided in a first system coupled to a second system via a power cable comprising a pilot line having a first impedance, which encounters at least second and third impedances and through which a first analog signal passes in a first frequency band. The device is arranged so as to: i) generate, from a local digital signal, a second analog power line communication signal having frequencies included in a second frequency band that has minimal overlap with the first frequency band; ii) supply the second analog signal to the pilot line via a capacitive means and iii) extract, from the analog signals passing through the pilot line, each second analog signal in order to convert the latter into a digital signal to be processed by the system.
US09692482B2
A method includes identifying, at a processor, a set of communication lines from a plurality of communication lines, the set of communication lines including a first communication line and a second communication line. A first crosstalk characteristic of the first communication line is correlated with a second crosstalk characteristic of the second communication line. The method also includes modifying, at the processor, a first signal corresponding to the first communication line based on a second signal corresponding to the second communication line.
US09692479B2
A decoder for a radio-frequency module includes a control signal output, first control signal generator circuitry configured to receive an input signal indicating an operational state of a radio-frequency core communicatively coupled to the decoder, and generate an output control signal for controlling one or more radio-frequency devices of the radio-frequency core, second control signal generator circuitry configured to generate an intermediate output signal, and transition detection circuitry configured to receive a least a portion of the input signal and selectively provide the intermediate output signal on the control signal output when the input signal indicates a transition of the radio-frequency core for a first operational state of a first group of operational states to a second operational state of a second group of operational states.
US09692473B2
Aspects of this disclosure relate to compensating for an offset in a receiver. In one embodiment, the receiver comprises a mixer, a feedback amplifier, and an offset correction circuit. The offset correction circuit can generate an indication of an offset in a differential input to the feedback amplifier and apply an offset compensation signal at an offset compensation node. The offset compensation node can be in a signal path of the feedback amplifier. Such offset compensation can reduce or eliminate leakage from a local oscillator at an input port of the mixer and/or at an antenna port of the receiver.
US09692465B1
A computer implemented hybrid method determines a modeled aggregate interference power distribution at a receiver resulting from multiple radio frequency (RF) interferers. The method determines a respective interference power distribution for each interferer. The method also determines, among the interference power distributions, (i) first interference power distributions that meet a Central Limit Theorem (CLT) criterion, and (ii) second interference power distributions that do not meet the CLT criterion. The method combines the first interference power distributions using the CLT to produce the normal combined interference power distribution, and convolves the second interference power distributions with each other and the normal combined interference power distribution to produce the aggregate interference power distribution.
US09692463B2
A wireless transmission system includes a first device and a second device that are connected by an optical transmission line. The first device includes: a generating unit that generates a transmission signal; and a first attenuation unit that attenuates the transmission signal generated by the generating unit and that inputs the transmission signal to the optical transmission line. The second device includes: a second attenuation unit that attenuates the transmission signal output from the optical transmission line; an amplifying unit that amplifies the transmission signal attenuated by the second attenuation unit; and a transmitting unit that wirelessly transmits the transmission signal amplified by the amplifying unit. The first device or the second device further includes a control unit that controls attenuation in each of the first attenuation unit and the second attenuation unit.
US09692454B2
A transmitting apparatus is provided. The transmitting apparatus includes: an encoder configured to generate a low density parity check (LDPC) codeword by LDPC encoding based on a parity check matrix; an interleaver configured to interleave the LDPC codeword; and a modulator configured to map the interleaved LDPC codeword onto a modulation symbol, wherein the modulator is further configured to map a bit included in a predetermined bit group from among a plurality of bit groups constituting the LDPC codeword onto a predetermined bit of the modulation symbol.
US09692446B2
An integrated circuit (IC) chip containing a Delta-Sigma (ΔΣ) filter module for a ΔΣ analog-to-digital converter and a method of providing analog to digital conversion are disclosed. The IC chip includes a ΔΣ filter that is connected to receive a digital data stream created by a ΔΣ modulator, provide a multibit data value when a counter reaches a selected number of received bits, and reset the counter responsive to receiving a synchronization pulse. The IC chip also includes a FIFO buffer connected to store the multibit data value only when a synchronization flag is on and to send an interrupt towards a processing unit only after storing a selected number of multibit data values. The IC chip further includes a synchronization module connected to turn on the synchronization flag responsive to receiving the synchronization pulse and to turn off the synchronization flag responsive to the sending of the interrupt.
US09692437B2
Provided is an analog-to-digital converting device. The analog-to-digital converting device may include a determination circuit that determination whether a reference digital signal or a determination digital signal obtained by conversion of a reference voltage or a determination voltage matches a test pattern for the reference voltage, and it is possible to monitor whether the analog-to-digital converting device normally operates, according to whether there is matching.
US09692429B1
Systems and methods are disclosed relating to fields of clock/data acquisition or handling, such as clock/data locking and the like. In one exemplary implementation, phase lock loop (PLL) circuitry may comprise voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) circuitry, phase frequency detector, converting circuitry, and frequency detector (FD) circuitry that outputs a frequency difference signal proportional to frequency difference between frequencies of a feedback clock signal and a reference clock signal.
US09692425B2
An oscillator includes a control voltage generator that generates a control voltage between a first reference voltage and a second reference voltage with a digital signal, and a voltage controlled oscillation circuit that outputs a signal at a frequency in response to the control voltage. The control voltage generator includes a first D/A conversion circuit of resistor voltage-dividing type that generates a voltage between the first reference voltage and the second reference voltage.
US09692416B1
A buffer that drives components during a standby mode includes a first combination of two standard voltage threshold (SVT) transistors and two high voltage threshold (HVT) transistors that generate a logic 1 signal at a first output. A second combination of two SVT transistors and two HVT transistors generates a logic 0 signal at a second output. A power supply operates the buffer, wherein the power supply generates a voltage less that the threshold voltages of the HVT transistors.
US09692411B2
A level sensing circuit board featuring at least one processor and at least one memory including computer program code, where the at least one memory and computer program code are configured, with the at least one processor, to cause the apparatus at least to: respond to a signal containing information related to the electrical conductivity of a material causing a stimulus to a sensing plate that corresponds to a positive plate of a capacitor directly connected to an input of a comparator that forms part of a variable frequency oscillator; and determine a proportional response containing information about the material causing the stimulus to the sensing plate based at least partly on the signal received. The level sensing circuit may be used as a means to turn a pump on or off based on a sensed fluid level.
US09692408B2
An electronic switching system and device comprising driver circuits for power transistors are disclosed, with particular application for MOSFET driven, normally-on gallium nitride (GaN) power transistors. Preferably, a low power, high speed CMOS driver circuit with an integrated low voltage, lateral MOSFET driver is series coupled, in a hybrid cascode arrangement, to a high voltage GaN HEMT and provides for improved control of noise and voltage transients. Monitoring and control functions, including latching and clamping, are based on monitoring of Vcc conditions for shut-down and start-up conditioning to enable safer operation, particularly for high voltage and high current switching. Preferred embodiments also provide isolated, self-powered, high speed driver devices, with reduced input losses.
US09692407B2
There is described a method for driving paralleled electronic switches via a drive signal processing circuit (1) connected to respective driver circuits (5A, 5B) associated with said electronic switches (7 A, 7B). During the turn-off intervals of the electronic switch, the driver circuit sends a fault signal to the drive signal processing circuit. During the turn-off intervals of the electronic switch, the driver circuit masks the fault signal coming from the drive circuit of the electronic switch.
US09692402B2
In an example, a system and method for centering in a high-performance interconnect (HPI) are disclosed. When an interconnect is powered up from a dormant state, it may be necessary to “center” the clock signal to ensure that data are read at the correct time. A multi-phase method may be used, in which a first phase comprises a reference voltage sweep to identify an optimal reference voltage. A second phase comprises a phase sweep to identify an optimal phase. A third sweep comprises a two-dimensional “eye” phase, in which a plurality of values within a two-dimensional eye derived from the first two sweeps are tested. In each case, the optimal value is the value that results in the fewest bit error across multiple lanes. In one example, the second and third phases are performed in software, and may include testing a “victim” lane, with adjacent “aggressor” lanes having a complementary bit pattern.
US09692399B2
An example of the invention provides a digital delay unit that is made up of a plurality of NAND gates. The digital delay unit includes a first delay path and a second delay path. The first delay path is coupled between a first input terminal and an output terminal to provide a basic time delay which is caused by one NAND gate. The second delay path is coupled between a second input terminal and the output terminal to provide at least three basic time delays.
US09692393B2
A radio communication receiver apparatus is configured to process multiple radio frequency bands in a telecommunication system. The apparatus includes a plurality of digital receiver chains wherein each digital receiver chain is coupled to receive a digital representation of the multiple radio frequency bands, including a particular radio frequency band for processing by the respective digital receiver chain. Each digital receiver chain includes a digital receiver that is programmable to select a particular radio frequency band from the digital representation of the multiple radio frequency bands, and configured to down convert the selected radio frequency band into a digital baseband signal associated with the particular radio frequency band. Built in calibration is provided by operation of direct radio frequency technology.
US09692386B2
An inductor is provided on a substrate that includes a capacitor. The inductor comprises a series of wire loops. An end of the wire loop is wire bonded to the capacitor.
US09692384B2
Method for audio volume control, the method comprising the steps of: receiving (301) a volume change request; changing (304) the volume according to a volume change step; the method being characterized in that the volume change step determination (302) is executed by applying one or more rules wherein each rule provides a definition of at least two ranges, with respect to a monitored condition, wherein the volume change step, associated with each such range, is different; storing a new volume change step in a volume step register (120).
US09692379B2
Embodiments of the present invention relate to adaptive audio capturing. A method for adaptive audio capturing is disclosed. The method comprising obtaining an audio signal through an audio channel associated with an audio capturing element on a user terminal; calculating a signal amplitude for the audio channel by processing the obtained audio signal; and determining a functionality of the audio capturing element based on the signal amplitude and a further signal amplitude for at least one further audio channel associated with at least one further audio capturing element on the user terminal. Corresponding apparatus, computer program product, and user terminal are also disclosed.
US09692378B2
Disclosed examples include programmable gain amplifier (PGA) circuits with an operation amplifier circuit having a first amplifier input and a second amplifier input including a plurality of second input nodes, a resistor array including a plurality of resistor sections connected in series with one another between the amplifier output and a reference voltage node, and a trim select circuit coupled between the second amplifier input and the resistor array circuit to deliver a feedback voltage signal to each individual one of the second input nodes from a given selected one of a plurality of the tap points of the resistor array circuit according to a trim code to provide analog gain trimming by interpolation.
US09692376B2
A switched capacitor circuit including two or more capacitors arranged in a switched capacitor circuit configuration with a comparator comparing a node whose potential varies with the charging of one or more of the switched capacitors. The switched capacitor circuit also has two or more current sources scaled relative to one another coupled to the capacitors and to the comparator, where the current from one current source charges at least two of the capacitors in series during the charge portion of the cycle, and the other current source charges at least one of but at least one fewer of the capacitor(s) during the charge portion of the cycle, and where the current sources are enabled at the beginning of the charge portion of the cycle, but where the comparator disables the current sources once the node reaches a reference potential.
US09692368B2
An apparatus includes amplification circuitry configured to amplify a radio frequency (RF) signal. The apparatus also includes differential inductors coupled to an output of the amplification circuitry. The differential inductors include a first inductor serially coupled to a second inductor, and the differential inductors are configured to filter the RF signal and to provide a differential output.
US09692361B2
A two-way Doherty amplifier for amplifying a modulated or non-modulated carrier signal, said carrier signal having a carrier frequency; wherein the Doherty amplifier comprises a first amplifier having a first amplifier output node, a second amplifier having a second amplifier output node, a combining node connected or connectable to a load, a first amplifier output line connecting the first amplifier output node to the combining node, and a second amplifier output line connecting the second amplifier output node to the combining node, and wherein the first amplifier output line has an electrical length of substantially one quarter wavelength of the carrier signal and the second amplifier output line has an electrical length of substantially one half wavelength of the carrier signal.
US09692358B2
Trans-impedance amplifier circuitry having an amplifier; a feedback resistor arranged between an output of the amplifier and an input of the amplifier; and at least one further resistor arranged physically parallel to the feedback resistor.
US09692341B2
An apparatus for detecting speed of a motor is disclosed, the apparatus including an amplifier configured to amplify a two-phase sine-wave signal inputted from an encoder based on rotation of a motor; a first conversion unit configured to convert the two-phase sine-wave signal to a digital data; a second conversion unit configured to convert the two-phase sine-wave signal to a square-wave signal; a counter unit configured to accumulate by counting the square-wave signal; and a speed determination unit configured to determine a speed of the motor, by receiving the digital data from the first conversion unit and the accumulated count from the counter unit.
US09692332B2
A failure in the activation, of a motor, caused by external noise superimposed on an induced voltage is reduced. A detection circuit is connected to a connection node provided between an upper-arm switching element and a lower-arm switching element, and detects the induced voltage of a fan motor before activation. The switching controller activates the fan motor in accordance with a result of detection by the detection circuit. While the detection circuit detects the induced voltage, the switching controller performs switching control which involves alternately turning ON and OFF of the lower-arm switching element.
US09692328B2
The present invention provides a motor driving circuit to reduce switching loss, which is applied to a motor. The motor driving circuit comprises a motor driving unit, a push-pull output unit, and a control unit. The control unit is coupled to the motor driving unit and the push-pull output unit. The control unit transmits a driving voltage to drive the push-pull output unit such that the push-pull output unit generates amplified currents which are transmitted to the motor driving unit. The motor driving unit reduces charge/discharge periods thereof based on the received amplified currents.
US09692324B2
A system for contactless transmission of energy and control signals between a primary device and a secondary device. The primary device has a primary set with at least one primary coil and an electronic supply driver for supplying primary signals to the primary set of primary coils. A secondary device has a secondary set with at least one secondary coil, at least one piezoelectric actuator, and electronic components including a resonant circuit powered by the secondary set. The piezoelectric actuator is powered and controlled through the secondary set of secondary coils and the electronic components.
US09692320B2
Systems, methods, and devices relating to control systems for grid-connected inverters. Because grid conditions may vary and because control system stability is dependent on the parameters of the components within the inverter, the present invention adaptably monitors the varying values of these components. Based on the sensed values and on predicted values, controller gains are adaptably adjusted to maintain system stability.
US09692312B2
A power conversion apparatus includes a rectifier, a converter including a reactor, a switching element, and a reverse current prevention element, a smoothing capacitor configured to smooth the output voltage, a current detector configured to detect a reactor current, a voltage detector configured to detect the output voltage, and a converter control unit configured to control operation of the switching element of the converter. The converter-control unit includes a switching command calculation unit configured to calculate a switching command value responsive to a ratio of the rectified voltage to the output voltage in accordance with the output voltage and the reactor current, a switching control unit configured to control operation of the switching element in accordance with the switching command value, and a supply abnormality determination unit configured to determine occurrence of a momentary power failure or voltage sag in accordance with the switching command value.
US09692296B1
Single-input-multiple-output (SIMO) DC-DC converters and SIMO DC-DC converter control circuits are disclosed. An example DC-DC converter control circuit includes a switch controller to control respective switches of a SIMO DC-DC voltage converter that has multiple output circuits. The example control circuit also includes an arbitration circuit that determines a first one of the output circuits to have priority over other ones of the output circuits based on a priority signal, and selects a first output circuit to be charged during a first time slot based on the priority signal and based on first kick signals indicating that the at least two output circuits are to be charged. The control circuit also includes a next kick detector that determines a second one of the output circuits to be charged during a second time slot after the first time slot based on the priority. The control circuit also includes a time slot controller that determines a first time duration of the first time slot based on the determined second one of the output circuits, the arbitration circuit to output a second kick signal to the switch controller to control the switches to charge the first one of the output circuits during the first time slot.
US09692295B2
In a power converter, an external terminal, a case, and capacitors are arranged to provide a conductive loop. The conductive loop defines thereinside a first region through which magnetic flux of an AC magnetic field penetrates, and a second region through which the magnetic flux penetrates. A magnetic-flux shielding member partly shields at least one of the first region and the second region from penetration of the magnetic flux of the AC magnetic field to adjust at least one of an amount of the magnetic flux penetrating through one of the first region and the second region, and an amount of the magnetic flux penetrating through the other thereof.
US09692287B2
A vibration electricity generation device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a fixed unit provided with a coil and a movable unit provided with a magnet. The movable unit is supported on the fixed unit in a suspended manner via a pair of coil springs. The movable unit is thus configured to vibrate in the up and down direction with a rather simple structure. A coil supporting member of the fixed unit is configured to cover a coil accommodating portion from both thickness direction sides thereof and a friction reducing treatment is applied to the surfaces of both thickness direction sides of the coil supporting member. The coefficient of kinetic friction is thus maintained low enough and a pair of guide shafts conventionally used are not required, thereby the electricity generation efficiency being improved.
US09692286B2
A first weight portion of a vibration actuator includes an inner-side enlarged portion that protrudes from an end portion of a solid head in a direction of a vibration axis and that is inserted into an opening portion extending within a first compression coil spring along the direction of the vibration axis. An outer peripheral surface of the inner-side enlarged portion becomes continuously smaller in diameter from a base end towards a free end, with the vibration axis being the center of the diameter. That is, the inner-side enlarged portion has the shape of a truncated cone. The inner-side enlarged portion is inserted into the opening portion of the first compression coil spring and the opening portion is utilized to change the length of the inner-side enlarged portion in the direction of the vibration axis, thereby changing the mass of the first weight portion.
US09692281B2
There is provided a method for producing a rotor laminated core by laminating circular core pieces. The method determines a first blanking area, a second blanking area and a third blanking area in the magnetic steel board, wherein the first blanking area defines a shape of the core piece, the second blanking area defines a shape of a magnet-insertion hole, and the third blanking area defines a shape of an arbitrary part in the magnetic steel board. The method also forms a temporary aperture in the second blanking area, forms a thinning part which extends from the temporary aperture to the third blanking area, and blanks the first blanking area, the second blanking area and the third blanking area, thereby producing each circular core piece including the thinning part and magnet-insertion holes formed in a circumferential direction.
US09692280B2
A production method for a rotor core for a VR type resolver has a structure in which one protrusion is formed on an inner edge thereof in which the rotor cores can be rotated and laminated without increasing cost. In a production method of a rotor core for a VR type resolver, a plurality of tabular rotor core pieces are laminated. In this case, in the rotor core pieces, four protrusions are simultaneously formed, one of them is left, the remainder thereof is removed, and rotating lamination is carried out.
US09692257B2
In a control device configured to control power to be supplied to a specific load from at least one of a converter that has a power generator and a storage battery, and a commercial power supply, the control device determines whether the commercial power supply is in a power failure state or a power distribution state, in which: when determining that the commercial power supply is in a power distribution state, the control device causes both of the converter and the commercial power supply to be connected to the specific load; and when determining that the commercial power supply has made a transition from a power distribution state to a power failure state, the control device causes the commercial power supply to be disconnected from the specific load while maintaining the connection between the converter and the specific load.
US09692251B2
Some demonstrative embodiments include apparatuses, systems and/or methods of wireless power transfer. For example, a Wireless Power Receiver (WPR) may include a rectifier to convert a wireless charging signal received from Wireless Power Transmitter (WPT into a Direct Current (DC) power signal; a voltage regulator to regulate a voltage of the DC power signal according to a voltage range; a bypass path to bypass the voltage regulator; and a bypass controller to select between directing the DC power signal to the voltage regulator or to the bypass path, based on a voltage level of the DC power signal and the voltage range.
US09692250B2
Systems and methods for power distribution allocation are provided. A system may establish a first wireless connection between the system and a first mobile device. The system may receive a first charge request from the first mobile device comprising first mobile device information, and may identify charging system policies based at least in part on the first charge request. The system may determine a first charge program for the first mobile device based at least in part on the first charge request and the one or more charging system policies, where the first charge program comprises a power allocation of the first mobile device with respect to other mobile devices connected to the charging system. The system may wirelessly charge the first mobile device, based at least in part on the first charge program.
US09692241B2
A method of operating an electronic device is provided. The method includes determining whether a specific event has occurred, when the specific event has occurred, determining whether a battery level is less than a set level, and when the battery level is less than the set level, changing a path of an electric current introduced from a power supply from a first path to a second path.
US09692239B2
A battery equalization circuit is provided, including: a positive battery node connecting to a positive node of a battery cell in a battery circuit with a plurality of other battery cells; a negative battery node connected to a negative node of the battery cell; a transformer winding receiving an AC voltage, the transformer winding having an upper transformer node and a lower transformer node; an upper triac connected between the positive battery node and the upper transformer node; a lower triac connected between the negative battery node and the lower transformer node; a control circuit for controlling the upper triac and the lower triac based on a measured cell voltage between the positive battery node and the negative battery node, and a total battery voltage of the battery circuit; and an isolation element connected between the control circuit and a data bus.
US09692222B2
It is an object of the present invention to provide a heat-recoverable article which heat-shrinks in an appropriate temperature range, in which the occurrence of bloom and bleeding is small, and which has excellent resistance to copper-induced damage; and a wire splice and a wire harness each including the heat-recoverable article. A heat-recoverable article according to the present invention has a cylindrical shape and includes a base material layer, in which the base material layer contains an antioxidant and two or more polyolefin resins, the base material layer has one melting-point peak temperature, the melting-point peak temperature is 112° C. to 128° C., the heat of fusion of all of the resin components of the base material layer is 80 to 130 J/g, and the oxidation induction temperature of the base material layer is 265° C. to 280° C.
US09692216B2
An electric wire protective tube is configured such that a straight tube section in a shape of a straight tube and a bendable tube section that is bendable are provided along a longitudinal direction, and is configured to have a shape of a tube that allows an electric wire to be arranged therein. The electric wire protective tube has a tubular inner shield portion made of an electrically conductive material and forming an inner surface of the tube, and an exterior portion made of resin and forming an outer surface of the tube. The inner shield portion is provided such that it is firmly attached to an inner surface of the exterior portion in the straight tube section, and such that it is separable from an inner surface of the exterior portion in the bendable tube section.
US09692205B2
A semiconductor laser module includes: a semiconductor laser element emitting a laser light; an optical fiber, into which the laser light emitted from the semiconductor laser element is incident, guiding the laser light; and an optical-fiber-holding unit having a fixing agent and holding the optical fiber, the fixing agent being for fixing the optical fiber. The fixing agent is provided at an area in which a power of a leakage light of the laser light having been incident into the optical fiber and then emitted to outside the optical fiber is low.
US09692203B2
An optical module includes: a wiring substrate that has a wiring pattern including a connecting portion and is arranged on an optical subassembly so as to be electrically connected thereto; and a flexible insulating layer formed between the optical subassembly and the wiring substrate. The optical subassembly includes: a conductive stem that has a surface opposed to the wiring substrate, the conductive stem being shaped so that the surface has a through hole opened therein and being connected to a reference potential; and a signal lead for transmitting a signal, the signal lead passing through the through hole while being electrically insulated from the conductive stem. The signal lead passes through the flexible insulating layer to be joined to the connecting portion. The flexible insulating layer is in contact with the connecting portion, the signal lead, and the surface of the conductive stem.
US09692201B2
A bundle structure is obtained by arranging optical fibers having equal diameters in a close-packed arrangement around the outer circumference of a center optical fiber. The optical fibers are signal light optical fibers that transmit signal lights. The optical fiber is a pump light optical fiber that transmits pump light. The number of optical fibers is equal to the number of cores in the multi-core fiber. The bundle structure and the multi-core fiber are connected to one another by adhering or fusing. The cores and the cores are optically connected, and the core and the cladding are optically connected. When connecting, the mode field diameter of the cores and the cores are substantially equivalent. In addition, the outer diameter (diameter of circumscribed circle including optical fibers) of the bundle structure is set so as not to be greater than the outer diameter of the multi-core fiber.
US09692198B2
An electrically conductive spring having first and second coils defining first and second electrical pathways for completing an electric circuit between two components which may move relative to each other. In one embodiment, the spring is a double start helical spring with first and second coils extending between respective, electrically insulated ends with the coils extending in alternating, spaced relation to each other.
US09692189B2
A safety socket includes one or multiple socket bodies. A socket body has a live wire receptacle and a neutral wire receptacle, and includes a live wire connection circuit, a neutral wire connection circuit, and a locking and controlling mechanism. When the live wire pin and the neutral wire pin of a power plug are respectively inserted into the live wire receptacle and the neutral wire receptacle of the socket body, the locking and controlling mechanism is activated and is switched to the operating state so as to connect the live wire connection circuit and the neutral wire connection circuit. When the locking and controlling mechanism is in the idle state, the live wire connection circuit and the neutral wire connection circuit are disconnected. The safety socket can effectively prevent electric shock and is water-proof, thereby preventing electric shock accidents and ensuring the safe usage of the safety socket.
US09692173B2
A feedthrough filter capacitor assembly comprising a terminal pin connector is described. The terminal pin connector is designed to facilitate an electrical connection between the terminal pin comprising a multitude of compositions to a circuit board of an implantable medical device. The terminal pin connector comprises a clip portion positioned within a connector housing. The connector clip mechanically attaches to the terminal pin of the feedthrough with at least one prong and an exterior surface of the connector housing electrically contacts the circuit board, creating an electrical connection therebetween. The connector housing comprises a material that is conducive to a weld or solder attachment process to the circuit board. The feedthrough filter capacitor assembly is particularly useful for incorporation into implantable medical devices such as cardiac pacemakers, cardioverter defibrillators, and the like, to decouple and shield internal electronic components of the medical device from undesirable electromagnetic interference (EMI) signals.
US09692171B2
A waterproof connector includes a connector housing. The connector housing includes: a terminal housing part for housing a terminal; a core-wire housing part which is provided continuously to the terminal housing part and houses a core wire part of an electric wire; and a covered end insertion part into which a covered end of the electric wire is inserted. The covered end insertion part is provided with a waterproof partition wall, so that respective interiors of the core-wire housing part and the terminal housing part are kept in a waterproof state. The core-wire housing part is provided, around the core wire part, with a hollow part which allows the core wire part of an end of the electric wire to move freely within the core-wire housing part.
US09692169B2
A connection system between an electrical or electronic device and a plug connector unit, the device including first electrical terminals, which are aligned in parallel to one another with the aid of a first positioning device within a connection area of the device, and second electrical terminals, which cooperate with the first electrical terminals, being aligned with the first electrical terminals with the aid of a second positioning device in a plug connector housing of the plug connector unit.
US09692157B2
A method is provided for operating a power tool having a motor powered by a battery. The method includes: delivering power from the battery to the motor in accordance with an operator input; detecting a condition of the power tool indicating a shutdown of the power is imminent; and fading the power delivered from the battery to the motor, in response to the detected condition, through the use of a controller residing in the power tool.
US09692155B2
A dual conductive electrical jumper clamp system has two jumper clamps, each jumper clamp having upper and lower clamp frames and an electrical conductive contact plate positioned within each frame. An electrical conductive sleeve is positioned between the contact plates. In this manner, electricity is transmitted from an electric power source to only one of the contact plates, then solely to the other contact plate via the conductive sleeve, and ultimately to electrical terminal attaching jaw members at the ends of the contact plates.
US09692150B2
A coaxial cable connector includes a cylindrical body having a longitudinal axis, a front end, an opposed rear end, an interior, and an inner surface bounding the interior. A cylindrical inner post extends through the cylindrical body, supports the cylindrical body, and has an outer surface. A coupling nut is carried on the inner post at the front end of the cylindrical body. A first thread is formed on the inner surface of the body and has a ramped entrance directed toward the rear end of the body and a blunt end directed toward the front end of the body. A second thread is formed on the outer surface of the inner post and has a ramped entrance directed toward the rear end of the body, a blunt end directed toward the front end of the body, and a plurality of stops therebetween.
US09692149B2
A coaxial connector includes a housing, and a bushing which is attached to the housing and on which the leading end of the coaxial cable is placed. In the coaxial connector, the housing includes a first circular cylinder and a crimping portion holding the bushing, the bushing is press-contacted to an insulation film by a force from the crimping portion, a socket includes a contact portion enclosed by the first circular cylinder and an attachment portion that is press-contacted to the insulation film by a force from the bushing and is connected to a second central conductor through cutting and removing part of the insulation film, and a minimum length from the center of the first circular cylinder to the crimping portion is longer than a maximum length from the center of the outer conductor to an outer edge of the receptacle.
US09692148B2
A connection terminal includes: an electric wire connection part; a terminal connection part formed in a flat-plate shape; an insertion hole provided in the terminal connection part and connected to a mated member by insertion of a bolt; an erect wall located around the insertion hole and provided integrally with and protrusively from the terminal connection part; and a fracture part provided at the terminal connection part between the erect wall and the insertion hole and configured to separate a part of the terminal connection part from the mated member by a pull force in a state where the bolt is inserted. The fracture part includes: a first slit provided so as to be partially curved along the insertion hole between the erect wall and the insertion hole; and a second slit provided so as to continue to the first slit and to reach the erect wall.
US09692145B2
The present invention is directed to a mechanical lug with interlocking features that secures an electrical conductor. The mechanical lug has a main body and a mounting tongue extending from the main body. The main body includes an inner flange and an outer flange. The inner flange has a horizontal member and an interlocking member with angled pockets. The outer flange has hooks with a tapered face positioned in the angled pockets of the interlocking member of the inner flange thereby forming a dovetail interlock.
US09692143B2
Electrical connection device for producing a solder connection and method for the production thereof
This invention relates to an electrical connection device on a plate-type or strip-type material (1, 1′), which cannot be soldered or is difficult to solder or which is provided with a surface that cannot be soldered or is difficult to solder, having the following characteristics: A self-clinching bolt (5) is provided with a bolt head (7) that, relative to the bolt body (9) beneath, has a tapered cross section such that the bolt head (7) transitions, by way of a conical or shoulder-like sloping flank (11), into the bolt body (9) having an outer circumference (9′) that has a diameter larger than that of the bolt head (7). The outer circumference (9′) of the bolt body (9) is of smooth design, or is provided with a knurling (15). In the penetration area of the self-clinching bolt (5), the plate-type or strip-type material (1, 1′) is provided with a non-flanged material edge (101). Within the material edge (101), the self-clinching bolt (5) is press-fit with a peripheral area of the bolt body (9) thereof, thus creating a force fit.
US09692136B2
A monocone antenna includes a conical radiation element having a feed point at a vertex of the conical radiation element being connected to a feed transmission line and a capacitive ring radially outside of the conical radiation element and in proximity to the conical radiation element. The capacitive ring is connected to a ground plane of the monocone antenna. Optionally, a capacitive gap may be defined between the conical radiation element and the capacitive ring that is substantially filled with dielectric material.
US09692135B1
An assembly for confining electromagnetic radiation in a waveguide. The assembly comprises a waveguide, comprising walls surrounding a cavity and an aperture in the walls that opens to the cavity, and a substrate assembly disposed in the aperture. The substrate assembly comprises a substrate comprising an antenna, wherein the antenna is located within the cavity and is configured for transmission of radiation within the cavity. The substrate assembly comprises an integrated circuit (IC) electrically connected to the substrate, where the IC comprises semi-conductor components and a ground plane on one side of the IC. The ground plane is located between the IC semi-conductor components and the antenna. The ground plane is located across the aperture to reduce the area of the aperture and to reflect some of the radiation directed to the aperture back into the cavity.
US09692131B2
A method of manufacturing an antenna is provided. The method includes steps of providing a substrate including a feed-in terminal and a ground terminal; and forming a ground conductor structure on the substrate extended from the feed-in terminal to the ground terminal and including a first conductor extended along a first direction, a second conductor extended from the first conductor along a second direction, a third conductor extended from the second conductor along a third direction, and a fourth conductor extended from the third conductor along a fourth direction, wherein a first obtuse angle is formed between the first direction and the second direction, a second obtuse angle is formed between the second direction and the third direction, and an acute angle is formed between the third direction and the fourth direction.
US09692124B2
A system that incorporates the subject disclosure may include, for example, a circuit for receiving a request to initiate a first multiple-input and multiple-output (MIMO) communication session and a second MIMO communication session, and configuring a first antenna configuration and a second antenna configuration to enable the first MIMO communication session and the second MIMO communication session. The first MIMO communication session shares spectrum from the first antenna configuration and the second antenna configuration, and the second MIMO communication session utilizes spectrum from the second antenna configuration that differs from the shared spectrum. Other embodiments are disclosed.
US09692123B2
In a particular embodiment, a method of controlling a radiation pattern includes selecting a signal processing characteristic to vary based on a radiation pattern to be emitted by an antenna array of a wireless device, wherein the antenna array includes a plurality of antennas, wherein the signal processing characteristic provides a target resultant radiation pattern, and wherein the signal processing characteristic is applies to less than all elements of the antenna array, and varying the signal processing characteristic across time, frequency, or a combination thereof.
US09692118B2
An antenna apparatus and a portable device having the same are provided. The antenna apparatus includes a main antenna having a first radiator pattern, and an auxiliary antenna separated from the main antenna by a metal surface adjacent to the main antenna. The auxiliary antenna is resonant at a resonant frequency which is a function of at least one capacitor provided in a cut-out area of a printed circuit board (PCB) adjacent to the metal surface.
US09692114B2
A compact, rugged, environmentally-sealed, electrically non-conductive, antenna radome protects an antenna of a handheld radio frequency (RF) identification (RFID) reader operative for scanning RFID tags. A rear housing is directly connected to a front housing, each constituted of an electrically non-conductive material. A support structure in the housings supports the antenna to enable RF signals to be transmitted or received by the antenna forwardly through the housings during scanning without being detuned by electrically conductive materials and electrically conductive fasteners located forwardly of the antenna. A seal environmentally seals the antenna inside the housings.
US09692106B2
Antenna devices, antenna systems and methods of their fabrication are disclosed. One such antenna device includes a semiconductor chip and a chip package. The semiconductor chip includes at least one antenna that is integrated into a dielectric layer of the semiconductor chip and is configured to transmit electromagnetic waves. In addition, the chip package includes at least one ground plane, where the semiconductor chip is mounted on the chip package such that the ground plane(s) is disposed at a predetermined distance from the antenna to implement a reflection of at least a portion of the electromagnetic waves.
US09692104B2
A transmission system that can continue communication even if a tracking error exists and to reduce interference on other transponders when transmitting a video and audio between an endstation facility and another endstation facility via a transponder mounted on communications satellite. This transmission system includes a tracking antenna that tracks a transponder, a tracking error calculation circuit that obtains a tracking error in a tracking operation of the tracking antenna, a transmission level control circuit that obtains a transmission level of a signal in response to the tracking error, and a transmitter that transmits the signal at the obtained signal level via the tracking antenna to the transponder of the communication target.
US09692098B2
A coupling is provided for coupling non-adjacent resonators of a radio frequency filter. The coupling joins together non-adjacent resonators with a metal strip. The metal strip is physically connected to but electrically isolated from resonators located between the connected non-adjacent resonators. The metal strips include tabs the length of which may be varied. The coupling works with different resonator configurations including horizontally aligned resonators. The coupling allows for the jumping of an even number of resonators can produce zeros at high and low bands. A single coupling of this configuration enables two negative couplings.
US09692093B2
A vehicle includes a traction battery that is comprised of a number of cells. A controller operates the traction battery according to a temperature for each of the cells. The temperature is based on a number of coefficients representing a contribution of at least one cell boundary thermal condition and a heat generated in the cell to a steady-state temperature at a predetermined location within the cell. The contributions may be filtered to predict a dynamic response of the temperature to changes in the boundary thermal conditions and the heat generated in the cell. The coefficients may be derived from a full-order model. The resulting reduced-order model requires less execution time while achieving accuracy similar to the full-order model. In addition, a range of characteristic temperatures may be obtained for each cell.
US09692092B2
A battery pack includes a battery module having a set of battery cells and at least one cooling device. Each cooling device includes a heat collecting plate, a heat duct, and a heat dissipating element. The heat collecting plate is in contact with an outer surface of at least one battery cell of the set of battery cells. The heat duct is in contact with the heat collecting plate. The heat dissipating element has a circular orifice in which the heat duct is positioned. The heat duct contains a fluid. A connection between the heat dissipating element and the heat duct is established by tinning. A method for producing the battery pack is provided.
US09692088B2
This method for restoring battery capacity is provided with an oxygen-generating/exhausting step for charging a nickel-metal-hydride storage battery, causing the generation of oxygen gas in a positive electrode, opening a safety valve device, and discharging at least a portion of the oxygen gas through the safety valve device to the outside of the battery. The battery temperature when starting the step is in the range of −30 to 10° C. and the SOC is in the range of (30-Ta) to 100%, or the battery temperature (Ta) is in the range of 10 to 50° C. and the SOC is in the range of 20-100%.
US09692087B2
A rechargeable battery whose ohmic resistance is modulated according to temperature is disclosed.
US09692085B2
It is an object of this exemplary embodiment to provide a lithium ion secondary battery using a positive electrode active material having an operating potential of 4.5 V or more, the lithium ion secondary battery having excellent high temperature cycle characteristics. This exemplary embodiment is a lithium ion secondary battery comprising a positive electrode and a negative electrode capable of intercalating and deintercalating lithium, a separator between the positive electrode and the negative electrode, and an electrolytic solution containing a nonaqueous electrolytic solvent, wherein the positive electrode comprises a positive electrode active material operating at a potential of 4.5 V or more versus lithium, the separator comprises cellulose, a cellulose derivative, or a glass fiber, and the nonaqueous electrolytic solvent comprises a fluorinated solvent.
US09692079B2
An improved SOFC repeating fuel cell unit comprising three flat plates and a cell retainer. The three flat plates are metallurgically joined (brazed or laser welded) into a subassembly to which is added the fuel cell and cell retainer (which may also be joined as a second subassembly). Each flat plate performs a specific set of functions and can be optimized for those functions. Since the plates are flat and designed to overlap in loaded areas, the fuel cell unit is not prone to dimensional collapse which eliminates the internal reinforcements of the prior art design. The cell retainer is formed to provide a self-locating and locking feature for the fuel cell and decouples thermal stresses from the thin ceramic fuel cell.
US09692066B2
A device (13) for discharging liquid water from a water separator (12) in a fuel cell system (1), having a valve device (15), a liquid sensor (16) and a control unit (17) which controls the valve device (15) depending on measured values of the liquid sensor (16). The liquid sensor (16) is arranged downstream of the valve device (15) in the flow direction.
US09692063B2
A fuel cell separator comprises a first plate and a second plate. The first plate has a plurality of first projections protruded toward the second plate to define reactive gas flow paths, the second plate has a plurality of second projections protruded toward the first plate to define reactive gas flow paths. A top of each of the plurality of first projections is in contact with an intermediate part between adjacent two of the plurality of second projections formed on the second plate, and a top of each of the plurality of second projections is in contact with an intermediate part between adjacent two of the plurality of first projections formed on the first plate.
US09692052B2
According to one embodiment, an electrode material for a battery includes a tungsten oxide powder or a tungsten oxide composite powder provided with a coating unit containing at least one selected from a metal oxide, silicon oxide, a metal nitride, and silicon nitride.
US09692041B2
A lithium battery and a method of preparing the lithium battery, wherein the lithium battery includes: a cathode layer including a cathode active material including a core, and an ion conductive phosphate coating layer on a surface of the core; an anode layer; and a solid electrolyte layer that is disposed between the cathode layer and the anode layer, wherein the solid electrolyte layer includes a sulfide solid electrolyte.
US09692040B2
A method of preparing an electrochemical electrode which is partially or totally covered with a film that is obtained by spreading an aqueous solution comprising a water-soluble binder over the electrode and subsequently drying same. The production cost of the electrodes thus obtained is reduced and the surface porosity thereof is associated with desirable resistance values.
US09692034B2
A secondary battery includes an electrode assembly comprising a first electrode plate, a second electrode plate and a separator located between the first electrode plate and the second electrode plate; a case accommodating the electrode assembly; a cap plate sealing the case; a first collector plate comprising a first vertical part electrically connected to the first electrode plate, a first horizontal part bent from the first vertical part and extending between the electrode assembly and the cap plate, and a first protrusion protruding from the first horizontal part; and a first electrode terminal electrically connected to the first collector plate and extending through the cap plate, wherein the first electrode terminal has a coupling opening engaged with the first protrusion.
US09692033B2
The invention provides a manufacturing method of a sealed battery that includes a power generating element, a housing member, a lid member, a collector terminal member, and a first insulating member. This manufacturing method includes compressing the first insulating member with a protruding portion of the lid member. The method includes measuring a position of the lid member and a compression load applied by the lid member, and stopping compressing when a slope of the change in the compression load with respect to the position of the lid member reaches a predetermined value.
US09692024B2
A cover mechanism includes a cover which is detachably attached to a housing and a slide member which is slidably attached to the housing. The slide member includes a lock portion which locks the cover to keep the cover closed and a push-up portion which pushes up the cover as the slide member slides in a direction to release the lock.
US09692015B2
An organic light emitting device having a photonic crystal structure and a manufacturing method thereof are provided. The organic light emitting device comprises: a substrate through which light passes; a photonic crystal layer formed on the substrate and having a photonic crystal structure; an intermediate layer formed on the photonic crystal layer and having a large refractive index compared with the photonic crystal layer; a first electrode layer formed on the intermediate layer; a light emitting layer formed on the first electrode layer and emitting light according to current flow; and a second electrode layer formed on the light emitting layer.
US09691995B2
Provided are a method of manufacturing a substrate, a method of manufacturing an organic electronic device (OED), a substrate, an OED, and a use thereof. The method of manufacturing a substrate which may provide an OED having an element with improved efficiency may be provided. In addition, a substrate having excellent surface roughness, and a refractive index or a light scattering property, which is suitably controlled according to a desired effect may be manufactured, and therefore the substrate capable of forming an OED having excellent reliability and efficiency and the method of manufacturing an OED may be provided. Moreover, a substrate and an OED, which are manufactured by the above methods, and their uses may be provided. The manufacturing method may be effectively applied to manufacture, for example, a flexible element.
US09691989B2
The subject invention provides compositions of and methods of using carbo- and heterocyclic spiro compounds as donor materials for organic photovoltaic (OPV) devices. In preferred embodiments, spiro compounds comprising triarylamine and derivatives thereof demonstrate effective hole-transporting properties in OPV devices, achieving up to 5.46% of power conversion efficiency. Advantageously, preferred compounds provided herein are thermally stable and volatile enough to form thin films for the photoactive layer of an OPV device by vacuum deposition or by spin-coating.
US09691982B2
A method of manufacturing a thin film transistor is disclosed. In one aspect, the method includes forming an active layer over a substrate and forming a gate insulating layer containing a dopant over the active layer. The method also includes irradiating laser light onto the gate insulating layer such that the dopant of the gate insulating layer diffuses into the active layer.
US09691980B1
A method for forming a memory device is provided. The method includes forming a plurality of memory cells. The method also includes performing a first baking on the memory cells. The method further includes setting a specified current, and after performing the first baking, performing a test process on the memory cells. The test process includes reading the current of the memory cells. When the read current of the memory cells is larger than or equal to the specified current, the test process of the memory cell is done. When the read current of the memory cells is smaller than the specified current, a re-forming process is performed on the memory cells to form a plurality of re-formed memory cells, and then the test process is performed on the re-formed memory cells.
US09691974B2
A method for manufacturing a phase-change device may include the following steps: preparing a substrate; preparing a first dielectric layer, which may be positioned on the substrate; preparing a first electrode, which may be positioned in the first dielectric layer; forming a phase-change material layer, which may overlap the first electrode; processing (e.g., etching) the phase-change material layer to form a phase-change member, which may be electrically connected to the first electrode; forming an etch-stop layer, which may overlap and/or cover the phase-change member; forming an intermediary layer, which may be positioned on the etch-stop layer; forming a second dielectric layer, which may be positioned on the intermediary layer; and forming a second electrode, which may extend through the second dielectric layer, the intermediary layer, and the etch-stop layer and may be electrically connected to the phase-change member.
US09691971B2
Integrated circuits that include a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) for a magnetoresistive random-access memory (MRAM) and methods for fabricating such integrated circuits are provided. In one example, a method for fabricating an integrated circuit includes forming a lower electrode on a metal interconnect. The metal interconnect is disposed above a semiconductor substrate and is aligned with a normal axis that is substantially perpendicular to the semiconductor substrate. The lower electrode includes a conductive metal plug. A MTJ stack is formed on the lower electrode aligned with the normal axis.
US09691951B2
The present invention provides a hydrosilylation curable silicone composition for forming a cured product which inhibits the discoloration of silver electrodes or a silver-plated substrate in an optical semiconductor device due to a sulfur-containing gas in the air, and for sealing, covering, or adhering an optical semiconductor element, the curable silicone composition comprising: (A) an organopolysiloxane having at least two silicon-bonded alkenyl groups per molecule; (B) an organohydrogenpolysiloxane having at least two silicon-bonded hydrogen atoms per molecule; (C) a tetrazole-based compound; and (D) a hydrosilylation reaction catalyst. In addition, the present invention provides an optical semiconductor device in which an optical semiconductor element is sealed, covered, or adhered by the cured product of the composition so that the discoloration of silver electrodes or a silver-plated substrate due to a sulfur-containing gas in the air is inhibited.
US09691938B2
Semiconductor structures and methods for forming those semiconductor structures are disclosed. For example, a p-type or n-type semiconductor structure is disclosed. The semiconductor structure has a polar crystal structure with a growth axis that is substantially parallel to a spontaneous polarization axis of the polar crystal structure. The semiconductor structure changes in composition from a wider band gap (WBG) material to a narrower band gap (NBG) material or from a NBG material to a WBG material along the growth axis to induce p-type or n-type conductivity.
US09691920B2
A thermophotovoltaic (TPV) converter includes spectrally-selective metamaterial emitters disposed on peripheral walls of an all-metal box-like enclosure, and associated photovoltaic (PV) cells configured to efficiently convert in-band photons having optimal conversion spectrums into electricity. The peripheral walls surround a substantially rectangular interior cavity having an inlet opening through which heat energy (e.g., concentrated sunlight) is supplied, and an outlet opening through which waste heat exits the cavity. Concentrated sunlight passing through the box-like enclosure heats the peripheral walls to a high temperature (i.e., above 1000° K), causing thermally excited surface plasmons generated on the emitters' concentric circular ridges to produce highly-directional radiant energy beams having a peak emission wavelength roughly equal to a fixed grating period separating the ridges. The metamaterial emitter is optionally provided with multiple bull's eye structures in a multiplexed (overlapping) pattern and with different grating periods to produce a broad emission spectrum overlapping the optimal conversion spectrum.
US09691915B2
A solar cell with an anti-reflection structure comprises a solar cell substrate, a meshed electric-conduction layer formed on one surface of the solar cell substrate, a plurality of microspheres disposed on the meshed electric-conduction layer, and a dielectric layer. The microspheres have a diameter of 0.1-50 μm. The dielectric layer is formed between the meshed electric-conduction layer and the microspheres, and has a thickness smaller than the diameter of the microspheres to make the microspheres protrude from the dielectric layer. The meshed electric-conduction layer is formed via a screen-printing method. The present invention uses the microspheres and the meshed electric-conduction layer to achieve an excellent anti-reflection effect. Further, the present invention has the advantages of a simple fabrication process and a low fabrication cost.
US09691912B1
In one embodiment, a device includes a substrate having a top surface and cavity that defines generally vertical walls, a thin film of material that has been deposited on the walls of the cavity, and a further material that fills the cavity, wherein a top edge of the thin film is exposed and forms a trace that is flush with the top surface of the substrate and has substrate material on one side and the further material on the other side.
US09691903B2
In a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device, a fin structure including a first semiconductor layer, an oxide layer disposed over the first semiconductor layer and a second semiconductor layer disposed over the oxide layer is formed. An isolation insulating layer is formed so that the second semiconductor layer of the fin structure protrudes from the isolation insulating layer while the oxide layer and the first semiconductor layer are embedded in the isolation insulating layer. A third semiconductor layer is formed on the exposed second semiconductor layer so as to form a channel.
US09691901B2
A semiconductor device includes a substrate, a gate structure, a sidewall spacer, and an epitaxial layer. The gate structure is disposed on the substrate, and the substrate has at least one recess disposed adjacent to the gate structure. The sidewall spacer is disposed on at least two sides of the gate structure. The sidewall spacer includes a first spacer layer and a second spacer layer, and the first spacer layer is disposed between the gate structure and the second spacer layer. The epitaxial layer is disposed in the recess, and the recess is a circular shaped recess. A distance between an upmost part of the recess and the gate structure is less than a width of the sidewall spacer.
US09691895B2
A device includes a plurality of isolation regions formed in a substrate, wherein a top surface of a first isolation region is lower than a top surface of the substrate and a second isolation region has a first portion in a high voltage region and a second portion in a low voltage region, a first gate electrode layer over the high voltage region, a second gate electrode layer over the second isolation region and a third gate electrode layer over the low voltage region, wherein a bottom surface of the first gate electrode layer is higher than a bottom surface of the third gate electrode layer.
US09691893B2
Provided are a low-cost semiconductor device manufacturing method and a semiconductor device made using the method. The method includes forming multiple body regions in a semiconductor substrate, forming multiple gate insulating layers and multiple gate electrodes in the body region; implementing a blanket ion implantation in an entire surface of the substrate to form a low concentration doping region (LDD region) in the body region without a mask, forming a spacer at a side wall of the gate electrode, and implementing a high concentration ion implantation to form a high concentration source region and a high concentration drain region around the LDD region. According to the examples, devices have favorable electrical characteristics and at the same time, manufacturing costs are reduced. Since, when forming high concentration source region and drain regions, tilt and rotation co-implants are applied, an LDD masking step is potentially omitted.
US09691892B2
A semiconductor device includes a first load contact, a second load contact and a semiconductor region positioned between the first and second load contacts. The semiconductor region includes: a first semiconductor contact zone in contact with the first load contact; a second semiconductor contact zone in contact with the second load contact; a first conductivity type semiconductor drift zone between the first and second semiconductor contact zones, wherein the semiconductor drift zone couples the first semiconductor contact zone to the second semiconductor contact zone. The semiconductor device further comprises: a trench comprising a control electrode and an insulator. The control electrode extends for at least 75% of the semiconductor drift zone. A drift zone doping concentration and an extension of the semiconductor drift zone defines a blocking voltage of the semiconductor device. The insulator is configured for insulating a voltage that amounts to at least 50% of said blocking voltage.
US09691890B2
A compound semiconductor device includes a compound semiconductor stacked structure, the compound semiconductor stacked structure including: an electron transit layer; an electron supply layer formed above the electron transit layer, the electron supply layer containing an n-type impurity; and a cap layer formed above the electron supply layer and containing the n-type impurity, in which in the electron supply layer, a concentration of the n-type impurity contained therein is non-uniform in a film thickness direction and a concentration of the n-type impurity in a surface of the cap layer side is lower than a maximum concentration of the n-type impurity in the electron supply layer.
US09691875B2
A method of manufacturing a nitride semiconductor device includes: forming a transistor having a gate electrode Schottky-joined to a nitride semiconductor layer; performing high-temperature annealing at a temperature of 200 to 360° C. for 8 to 240 hours on the transistor; and after the high-temperature annealing, performing RF burn-in by applying radiofrequency power to the transistor at a channel temperature of 180 to 360° C.
US09691867B2
The semiconductor device structures and methods for forming the same are provided. The semiconductor device structure includes a metal gate over a substrate. A first spacer is formed over sidewalls of the metal gate and having a first height. A second spacer is formed over the sidewalls of the metal gate and having a second height. The first height is higher than the second height. The first spacer is farther from the sidewalls of the metal gate than the second spacer. In addition, the semiconductor device structure includes a dielectric layer formed over the substrate to surround the first spacer and the metal gate.
US09691863B2
Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a self-aligned contact for a trench power MOSFET device. The device has a layer of nitride provided over the conductive material in the gate trenches and over portions of mesas between every two adjacent contact structures. Alternatively, the device has an oxide layer over the conductive material in the gate trenches and over portions of mesas between every two adjacent contact structures. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.
US09691861B2
A method analyzes traps in a semiconductor device by determining a first-order derivative of a signal representing an operation of the semiconductor device over time to produce a signal rate change. The traps in the semiconductor device are analyzed based on lifetimes corresponding to peaks of the signal rate change.
US09691860B2
A strain-relieved buffer is formed by forming a first silicon-germanium (SiGe) layer directly on a surface of a bulk silicon (Si) substrate. The first SiGe layer is patterned to form at least two SiGe structures so there is a space between the SiGe structures. An oxide is formed on the SiGe structures, and the SiGe structures are mesa annealed. The oxide is removed to expose a top portion of the SiGe structures. A second SiGe layer is formed on the exposed portion of the SiGe structures so that the second SiGe layer covers the space between the SiGe structures, and so that a percentage Ge content of the first and second SiGe layers are substantially equal. The space between the SiGe structures is related to the sizes of the structures adjacent to the space and an amount of stress relief that is associated with the structures.
US09691857B2
A group III-N nanowire is disposed on a substrate. A longitudinal length of the nanowire is defined into a channel region of a first group III-N material, a source region electrically coupled with a first end of the channel region, and a drain region electrically coupled with a second end of the channel region. A second group III-N material on the first group III-N material serves as a charge inducing layer, and/or barrier layer on surfaces of nanowire. A gate insulator and/or gate conductor coaxially wraps completely around the nanowire within the channel region. Drain and source contacts may similarly coaxially wrap completely around the drain and source regions.
US09691853B2
According to example embodiments, an electronic device includes channel layer including a graphene layer electrically contacting a quantum dot layer including a plurality of quantum dots, a first electrode and a second electrode electrically connected to the channel layer, respectively, and a gate electrode configured to control an electric current between the first electrode and the second electrode via the channel layer. A gate insulating layer may be between the gate electrode and the channel layer.
US09691852B2
An element isolation trench is formed in a substrate and is formed along each side of a polygon in a planar view. A first trench is formed in the substrate and extends in a direction different from that of any side of the trench. A first-conductivity type region is formed on/over apart located on the side of an end of the first trench in the substrate. Accordingly, when an impurity region that extends in a depth direction in the substrate is formed by forming the trench in the substrate and diagonally implanting an impurity into the trench, the impurity is prevented from being implanted into a side face of a groove such as a groove for element isolation and so forth impurity implantation into the side face of which is not desired.
US09691837B2
An organic light emitting diode display includes a plurality of pixels. At least one pixel is connected to a scan line receive a scan signal, a data line to receive a data signal, and voltage line to receive a driving voltage. The at least one pixel includes a switching transistor including a switching drain electrode to output the data voltage, a driving transistor including a driving source electrode connected to the switching drain electrode, and an organic light emitting diode connected to a driving drain electrode of the driving transistor. The driving source electrode is separated from the data line.
US09691828B2
The invention provides a display apparatus and a method for manufacturing the same, relates to the field of display technology, and solves the problem of low display luminance due to the existing display apparatus being affected by other film layers. A display apparatus comprises a light emitting unit and further comprises several layers of thin film located in the light emission path of the light emitting unit, and at least one of the several layers of thin film has nanoparticles.
US09691823B2
Image sensors, and electronic devices including the image sensors, include a first photoelectronic device including at least one of a blue photoelectronic device sensing light in a blue wavelength region, a red photoelectronic device sensing light in a red wavelength region, and a green photoelectronic device sensing light in a green wavelength region, and a second photoelectronic device stacked on one side of the first photoelectronic device without being interposed by a color filter, wherein the second photoelectronic device senses light in an infrared region.
US09691821B2
An ultra-high-density vertical cross-point array comprises a plurality of horizontal line layers having horizontal lines interleaved with a plurality of vertical lines arranged in rows and columns. The vertical lines are interleaved with the horizontal lines such that a row of vertical lines is positioned between each consecutive pair of horizontal lines in each horizontal line layer. Each vertical line comprises a center conductor surrounded by a single or multi-layered memory film. Accordingly, when interleaved with the horizontal lines, two-terminal memory cells are integrally formed between the center conductor of each vertical line and each crossing horizontal line. By configuring the vertical and horizontal lines so that a row of vertical lines is positioned between each consecutive pair of horizontal lines, a unit memory cell footprint of just 2F2 may be realized.
US09691820B2
Three-dimensional memory structures that are configured to use area efficiently, and methods for providing three-dimensional memory structures that use area efficiently are provided. The vertical memory structure can include a number of bit line bits that is greater than a number of word line bits. In addition, the ratio of bit line bits to word line bits can be equal to a ratio of a first side a memory cell included in a memory array of the memory structure to a dimension of a second side of the memory cell.
US09691818B2
A 3D semiconductor device and a method of manufacturing the same are provided. The 3D semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate, an active line formed on the insulating layer, including a source region, a drain region and a channel region positioned between the source region and the drain region, a gate electrode located on a portion of the active line, corresponding to a region between the source region and the drain region, and extending to a direction substantially perpendicular to the active line, and a line-shaped common source node formed to be electrically coupled to the source region and extending substantially in parallel to the gate electrode in a space between gate electrodes. The source region and the drain region of the active line are formed of a first material and the channel region of the active line is formed of a second material being different from the first material.
US09691814B2
A chip-on-film (COF) package includes a base film, an integrated circuit chip, and a plurality of signal interconnections. The base film includes a bonding region and a non-bonding region. The integrated circuit chip is at the non-bonding region. Each of the plurality of signal interconnections is coupled to the integrated circuit chip and extend to the bonding region along a first direction. The plurality of signal interconnections are spaced from each other along a second direction substantially crossing the first direction. The plurality of signal interconnections alternate on a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface of the base film along the second direction.
US09691804B2
Some embodiments of the present disclosure provide a back side illuminated (BSI) image sensor. The back side illuminated (BSI) image sensor includes a semiconductive substrate and an interlayer dielectric (ILD) layer at a front side of the semiconductive substrate. The ILD layer includes a dielectric layer over the semiconductive substrate and a contact partially buried inside the semiconductive substrate. The contact includes a silicide layer including a predetermined thickness proximately in a range from about 600 angstroms to about 1200 angstroms.
US09691802B2
Provided is an image-acquisition device including a first image-acquisition surface including a photoelectric conversion film capable of subjecting incident light to photoelectric conversion while transmitting some of the incident light; a second image-acquisition surface including a photoelectric conversion layer that subjects the incident light transmitted by the first image-acquisition surface to photoelectric conversion; and a polarizing filter that is disposed between the two image-acquisition surfaces and that extracts polarization information from the incident light transmitted by the first image-acquisition surface.
US09691796B2
A display device is disclosed. In one aspect, the display device includes a substrate, a first signal line formed over the substrate and a first insulating layer formed over the substrate and the first signal line. The display device also includes a second signal line formed over the first insulating layer and including an overlapping area that overlaps the first signal line, a second insulating layer formed over the second signal line and having a via hole that exposes at least a part of the overlapping area. The display device further includes an auxiliary wiring layer covering the via hole and connected to the overlapping area through the via hole.
US09691791B2
A display device includes: a substrate partitioned into a display area including a plurality of pixels for displaying images thereon and a non-display area around the display area; a plurality of first gate lines and a plurality of data lines extended in one direction on the display area; a plurality of pads on one side of the non-display area; a plurality of gate fan-out lines, each coupling one of the first gate lines and a corresponding one of the pads; and a plurality of data fan-out lines, each coupling one of the data lines and a corresponding one of the pads, wherein the gate fan-out lines and the data fan-out lines may be alternately disposed.
US09691790B2
A display substrate includes a gate metal pattern including a gate line on a base substrate and extending in a first direction, and a gate electrode electrically connected with the gate line, a data metal pattern on the gate metal pattern and including a data line extending in a second direction crossing the first direction, a source electrode electrically connected with the gate line and a drain electrode spaced apart from the source electrode, a first electrode pattern on the data metal pattern, a low-resistance electrode pattern on the first electrode pattern and entirely overlapping with the gate metal pattern and the data metal pattern and a second electrode pattern overlapping with the first electrode pattern.
US09691786B1
A semiconductor memory device according to an embodiment includes: a first semiconductor layer; and a memory cell array on the first semiconductor layer, the memory cell array including a source line, a second semiconductor layer, and a conductive layer, those are sequentially disposed in a first direction and the memory cell array further including a third semiconductor layer which is columnar and extends in the first direction and a charge accumulation film disposed between the conductive layer and the third semiconductor layer, wherein the second semiconductor layer includes a first impurity region of a first conductivity type disposed at a position of the third semiconductor layer as viewed from the first direction and a second impurity region adjacent to the first impurity region which has a second conductivity type different from the first conductivity type.
US09691781B1
A vertical, columnar resistor in a semiconductor device is provided, along with techniques for fabricating such a resistor. The resistor may be provided in a peripheral area of a 3D memory device which has a two-tier or other multi-tier stack of memory cells. The structure and fabrication of the resistor can be integrated with the structure and fabrication of the stack of memory cells. The resistor may comprise doped polysilicon. In an example implementation, a polysilicon pillar extends a height of a first tier of the stack and a metal pillar above the polysilicon pillar extends a height of a second tier of the stack.
US09691777B2
A semiconductor memory device includes a semiconductor substrate, a first insulating film disposed on the semiconductor substrate, a first conductive film disposed on the first insulating film, a second insulating film disposed on the first conductive film, a second conductive film disposed on the second insulating film, a first electrode disposed on the first conductive film through an opening formed in the second conductive film and the second insulating film, and having a first width, a second electrode that is formed on the first electrode and having a second width, and a wiring layer that is formed on the second electrode. A first width of the first electrode is wider than a second width of the second electrode.
US09691776B2
A nonvolatile memory device may include: an isolation layer formed in a substrate and defining an active region; a control plug formed over the isolation layer; a floating gate formed over the substrate and including a plurality of fingers adjacent to the control plug with a gap provided therebetween; and a charge blocking layer formed on sidewalls of the floating gate so as to fill the gap. The control plug may include: a first control plug formed between the plurality of fingers and having sidewalls facing inner walls of the fingers; and a second control plug formed outside the floating gate and having sidewalls facing outer walls of the fingers.
US09691771B2
Vanadium-containing film forming compositions are disclosed, along with methods of synthesizing the same, and methods of forming Vanadium-containing films on one or more substrates via vapor deposition processes using the Vanadium-containing film forming compositions.
US09691765B1
A semiconductor device that includes a first plurality of fin structures in a first device region and a second plurality of fin structures in a second device region. The first plurality of fin structures includes adjacent fin structures separated by a lesser pitch than the adjacent fin structures in the second plurality of fin structures. At least one layer of dielectric material between adjacent fin structures, wherein a portion of the first plurality of fin structures extending above the at least one layer of dielectric material in the first device region is substantially equal to the portion of the second plurality of fin structures extending above the at least one layer of dielectric material in the second device region. Source and drain regions are present on opposing sides of a gate structure that is present on the fin structures.
US09691762B2
A transistor includes: a semiconductor substrate; a plurality of gate electrodes, a plurality of source electrodes, and a plurality of drain electrodes on the semiconductor substrate; a drain pad on the semiconductor substrate and connected to the plurality of drain electrodes; a metal wiring on the semiconductor substrate and arranged spaced apart from, adjacent to and parallel to the drain pad; and a ground pad on the semiconductor substrate and connected to both ends of the metal wiring.
US09691759B2
A semiconductor device includes a first silicon carbide semiconductor layer, a source including a source pad and a source wiring, a gate including a gate pad and a gate wiring, first unit cells disposed in a first element region, and second unit cells disposed in a second element region. In a plan view, the first and second element regions are adjacent to each other with the gate wiring between the first and second element regions. A first electrode including the gate electrode of each first unit cell is disposed in the first element region and electrically connected to the gate. A second electrode including the gate electrode of each second unit cell is disposed in the second element region and not electrically connected to the gate. The first and second electrodes are separated below the gate wiring.
US09691758B1
A semiconductor device and method for fabricating such a device are presented. The semiconductor device includes a fin extending away from a substrate, a plurality of epitaxially grown regions disposed along a top surface of the fin, and at least two contacts that provide electrical contact to the fin. The plurality of epitaxially grown regions are arranged to alternate with regions having no epitaxial material grown on the top surface of the fin. A resistance exists between the two contacts that is at least partially based on the arrangement of the plurality of epitaxially grown regions.
US09691752B1
An ESD protection device and a method of forming the same, the ESD device includes a substrate, a first doped well, a second doped well, a source and drain regions and a guard ring. The first doped well with a first conductive type is disposed in the substrate. The source and drain regions with the second conductive type are disposed in the first doped well. The guard ring with the first conductive type is also disposed in the first doped well and has a first portion extending along a first direction and a second portion extending along a second direction different from the first direction. The second doped well with the second conductive type is also disposed in the first doped well between the drain region and the second portion of the guard ring to in contact with the drain region in the first direction.
US09691751B2
A method of fabricating an integrated circuit (IC) includes etching a trench in a semiconductor substrate having an aspect ratio (AR) ≧5 and a trench depth ≧10 μm. A dielectric liner is formed along the walls of the trench to form a dielectric lined trench. In-situ doped polysilicon is deposited into the trench to form a dielectric lined polysilicon filled trench having a doped polysilicon filler therein. The doped polysilicon filler after completion of fabricating the IC is essentially polysilicon void-free and has a 25° C. sheet resistance ≦100 ohms/sq. The method can include etching an opening at a bottom of the dielectric liner before depositing the polysilicon to provide ohmic contact to the semiconductor substrate.
US09691750B2
In some embodiments, a semiconductor device comprises a first active region, a second active region, and a conductive metal structure. The second active region is separate from the first active region. The conductive metal structure is arranged to connect the first active region and the second active region. The conductive metal structure includes a first leg, a second leg and a body. The second leg is separate from the first leg and a body extending between and connecting the first leg and the second leg.
US09691737B2
Provided is a semiconductor device having as many input/output pads as possible using a chip having a small number of input/output pads. The semiconductor device includes a substrate including first and second extending input/output pads, a first memory structure disposed on the substrate and including first connecting input/output pads, a second memory structure disposed on the first memory structure and including second connecting input/output pads, and a wiring structure formed on lateral surfaces of the first and second memory structures and connecting the first and second connecting input/output pads and the first and second extending input/output pads, respectively; wherein the wiring structure includes a first wiring connecting the first connecting input/output pads and the first extending input/output pad and a second wiring connecting the first connecting input/output pads and the second extending input/output pad, and the second wiring is offset relative to the first wiring.
US09691734B1
A method of forming a plurality of electronic component packages includes attaching electronic components to a carrier, wherein high aspect ratio spaces exist between the electronic components. A dielectric sheet is laminated around the electronic components thus filling the spaces and forming a package body. The spaces are completely and reliably filled by the dielectric sheet and thus the package body has an absence of voids. Further, an upper surface of the package body is planar, i.e., has an absence of ripples or other non-uniformities. Further, lamination of the dielectric sheet is performed with a low cost lamination system.
US09691733B1
A bonded semiconductor structure includes a first substrate and a second substrate. The first substrate includes a first interconnection structure, a first dielectric layer, and a first silicon carbon nitride (SiCN) layer sequentially stacked thereon. And at least a first conductive pad is formed in the first dielectric layer and the first SiCN layer. The second substrate includes a second interconnection structure, a second dielectric layer, and a second SiCN layer sequentially stacked thereon. And at least a second conductive pad is formed in the second dielectric layer and the second SiCN layer. The first conductive pad physically contacts the second conductive pad, and the first SiCN layer physically contacts the second SiCN layer.
US09691726B2
A method includes forming a first composite wafer including molding a plurality of device dies and a plurality of through-vias in a first molding material, and forming redistribution lines on opposite sides of the first molding material. The redistribution lines are inter-coupled through the plurality of through-vias. The method further includes forming a second composite wafer including stacking a plurality of dies to form a plurality of die stacks, and molding the plurality of die stacks in a second molding material. The second molding material fills gaps between the plurality of die stacks. The first composite wafer is bonded to the second composite wafer to form a third composite wafer.
US09691723B2
Methods of forming connectors and packaged semiconductor devices are disclosed. In some embodiments, a connector is formed by forming a first photoresist layer over an interconnect structure, and patterning the first photoresist layer with a pattern for a first portion of a connector. A first metal layer is plated through the patterned first photoresist layer to form the first portion of the connector which has a first width. A second photoresist layer is formed over the interconnect structure and the first portion of the connector. The second photoresist layer is patterned with a pattern for a second portion of the connector. A second metal layer is plated through the patterned second photoresist layer to form the second portion of the connector over the first portion of the connector. The second portion of the connector has a second width, the second width being less than the first width.
US09691722B2
A surface mount high-frequency circuit is configured such that a plurality of ground pads 41 and a plurality of external connection ground conductors 51 are discretely disposed to surround a signal line pad 42 and an external connection signal line conductor 52, and a plurality of interlayer connection ground conductors 31 and that a plurality of columnar ground conductors 12 are discretely disposed to surround an interlayer connection signal line conductor 32. Thus, it is possible to suppress radiation of an unnecessary signal to the outside using a simple production process that is completed by only a wafer process without separately preparing a component such as a shield cover case.
US09691719B2
A semiconductor device is a semiconductor device in which one chip region is formed through divided exposure. An interlayer insulating film has a via and an interconnection trench in an element formation region and has a guard ring hole in a guard ring region. An interconnection conductive layer is formed in the via and the interconnection trench. A guard ring conductive layer is formed in the guard ring hole. A minimum dimension of a width of the guard ring conductive layer is greater than a minimum dimension of a width of the interconnection conductive layer in the via.
US09691713B2
A semiconductor device includes: a semiconductor substrate having an element; a front surface electrode connected to the element; a rear surface electrode connected to the element; a protective film disposed on the front surface of the semiconductor substrate in a separation region; and a temperature sensor disposed on a front surface side of the semiconductor substrate. The front surface electrode is divided into multiple pieces along at least two directions with the protective film. The separation region includes an opposing region located between opposing sides of divided pieces of the front surface electrode adjacent to each other, and an intersection region, at which the opposing region intersects. The temperature sensor is disposed in only the opposing region.
US09691709B2
Semiconductor device security is provided as follows. A unique identification is generated by randomly forming a plurality of defects in one or more circuit elements of the semiconductor device. This method may yield a semiconductor device which is not susceptible to being replicated or cloned.
US09691703B2
A bond pad structure with dual passivation layers is disclosed. The bond pad structure includes: a pad material layer on a first passivation layer; a protection layer on the top surface of the pad material layer; a second passivation layer covering on the first passivation layer and the protection layer; and an opening formed through the second passivation layer and the protection layer to expose the pad material layer.
US09691698B2
A method is for making an electronic device and includes forming an interconnect layer stack on a sacrificial substrate and having a plurality of patterned electrical conductor layers, and a dielectric layer between adjacent patterned electrical conductor layers. The method also includes laminating and electrically joining through an intermetallic bond a liquid crystal polymer (LCP) substrate to the interconnect layer stack on a side thereof opposite the sacrificial substrate. The method further includes removing the sacrificial substrate to expose a lowermost patterned electrical conductor layer, and electrically coupling at least one first device to the lowermost patterned electrical conductor layer.
US09691697B2
A terminal pressing frame of a semiconductor device is disposed so as to form a first gap partially from the bottom surface of an L-shaped leg portion of an external terminal and a second gap from an inside surface of a resin case. Adhesive spreads to the second gap and further spreads to the first gap connected to the second gap, consequent to the pressure when a metal base is assembled. The spreading of the adhesive to the first gap fixes an L-shaped leg portion of the external terminal and the terminal pressing frame to each other; and the spreading of adhesive to the second gap fixes the resin case and the terminal pressing frame to each other.
US09691694B2
An integrated circuit device that includes a package substrate and a die coupled to the package substrate. The package substrate includes at least one dielectric layer, a first stack of first interconnects in the at least one dielectric layer, and a second interconnect formed on at least one side portion of the at least one dielectric layer. The first stack of first interconnects is configured to provide a first electrical path for a non-ground reference signal, where the first stack of first interconnects is located along at least one side of the package substrate. The second interconnect is configured to provide a second electrical path for a ground reference signal.
US09691693B2
A component, e.g., interposer has first and second opposite sides, conductive elements at the first side and terminals at the second side. The terminals can connect with another component, for example. A first element at the first side can comprise a first material having a thermal expansion coefficient less than 10 ppm/° C., and a second element at the second side can comprise a plurality of insulated structures separated from one another by at least one gap. Conductive structure extends through at least one insulated structure and is electrically coupled with the terminals and the conductive elements. The at least one gap can reduce mechanical stress in connections between the terminals and another component.
US09691691B2
A semiconductor package having a structure in which a decoupling capacitor is disposed to be adjacent with a semiconductor chip using a vertical chip interconnection (VCI) to improve power integrity. The semiconductor package includes a semiconductor substrate including a first finger pad and a second finger pad, a semiconductor chip mounted on the semiconductor substrate and including a first chip pad and a second chip pad, a bonding tape electrically connecting the first finger pad and the first chip pad, and a bonding wire electrically connecting the second finger pad and the second chip pad. Here, the bonding tape is formed to make contact with a sidewall of the semiconductor chip in a vertical direction of the semiconductor chip.
US09691679B2
A microelectronic assembly (10) includes a substrate (12) having a first and second opposed surfaces. A microelectronic element (22) overlies the first surface and first electrically conductive elements (28) can be exposed at at least one of the first surface or second surfaces. Some of the first conductive elements (28) are electrically connected to the microelectronic element (22). Wire bonds (32) have bases (34) joined to the conductive elements (28) and end surfaces (38) remote from the substrate and the bases, each wire bond defining an edge surface (37) extending between the base and the end surface. An encapsulation layer (42) can extend from the first surface and fill spaces between the wire bonds, such that the wire bonds can be separated by the encapsulation layer. Unencapsulated portions of the wire bonds (32) are defined by at least portions of the end surfaces (38) of the wire bonds that are uncovered by the encapsulation layer (42).
US09691678B2
The semiconductor device has the CSP structure, and may include a plurality of electrode pads formed on a semiconductor integrated circuit in order to input/output signals from/to exterior; solder bumps for making external lead electrodes; and rewiring. The solder bumps may be arranged in two rows along the periphery of the semiconductor device. The electrode pads may be arranged inside the outermost solder bumps so as to be interposed between the two rows of solder bumps. Each trace of the rewiring may be extended from an electrode pad, and may be connected to any one of the outermost solder bumps or any one of the inner solder bumps.
US09691675B1
A method for forming an electrical device includes attaching a semiconductor die on a carrier. The method further includes dispensing a fillet material at at least one edge of the semiconductor die arranged on the carrier. The method further includes dispensing an underfill material into a gap between the semiconductor die and the carrier after dispensing the fillet material.
US09691674B2
Provided are a semiconductor device including a terminal, a circuit substrate, and a case body and a method for manufacturing the semiconductor device. A semiconductor device (100) includes a terminal (13), a circuit substrate (42), a case body (1), and a positioning component (21). The terminal (13) includes a first end portion (13a), a trunk portion (13b), and a second end portion (13c). The first end portion (13a) of the terminal (13) is secured to the circuit substrate (42). The case body (1) includes a main surface (1s), an opening portion (1op) on a side opposing the main surface (1s), and a groove hole (2) on the main surface (1s) side. A sidewall (5) and a through hole (4) are formed in the groove hole (2). The terminal (13) passes through the through hole (4) toward the main surface (1s) side from the opening portion (1op) side of the case body (1), and the second end portion (13c) protrudes from the main surface (1s) of the case body (1). The positioning component (21) with an inclined protrusion portion (23a) formed thereon is secured in the groove hole (2). The trunk portion (13b) of the terminal (13) is pressed by the inclined protrusion portion (23a) of the positioning component (21) in a direction of the sidewall (5) of the groove hole (2) to be sandwiched between the inclined protrusion portion (23a) and the sidewall (5) and supported in the groove hole (2).
US09691672B1
An IC includes logic cells, selected from a standard cell library, and fill cells, configured for compatibility with the standard logic cells. The fill cells contain structures configured to obtain in-line data via non-contact electrical measurements (“NCEM”). The IC includes such NCEM-enabled fill cells configured to enable detection and/or measurement of a variety of open-circuit and short-circuit failure modes, including at least one via-open-related failure mode, one GATE-short-related failure mode, one GATECNT-short-related failure mode, and one metal-short-related failure mode.
US09691668B2
A wafer carrier comprises a supporting body having an opening therein, wherein said opening in said supporting body has a concave sidewall and a bottom surface in said supporting body which is curved in cross section; a plurality of vertical supporting rods configured to support and contact a wafer received in said opening and to displace said wafer from the bottom surface of the opening in said supporting body; wherein one of said supporting rods has an end for contacting and supporting said wafer; and wherein when viewing from a top view of the wafer carrier, one of said supporting rods has a base lining on the concave sidewall of said opening in said supporting body, a first concave side opposite to the base and two second concave sides connecting the base and the first concave side.
US09691665B2
A method of fabricating a semiconductor with self-aligned spacer includes providing a substrate. At least two gate structures are disposed on the substrate. The substrate between two gate structures is exposed. A silicon oxide layer is formed to cover the exposed substrate. A nitride-containing material layer covers each gate structure and silicon oxide layer. Later, the nitride-containing material layer is etched to form a first self-aligned spacer on a sidewall of each gate structure and part of the silicon oxide layer is exposed, wherein the sidewalls are opposed to each other. Then, the exposed silicon oxide layer is removed to form a second self-aligned spacer. The first self-aligned spacer and the second self-aligned spacer cooperatively define a recess on the substrate. Finally, a contact plug is formed in the recess.
US09691660B2
A method of forming an interconnect composed of metallized lines and vias in a workpiece includes forming metal lines in a workpiece, with the metal lines disposed in longitudinally spaced-apart line segments, the line segments spaced apart from each other end-to-end; and forming vias in a workpiece, wherein at least one end of a first formed metal line constrains one cross-sectional dimension of a second formed via, or wherein at least one end of a first formed via constrains one cross-sectional dimension of a second formed metal line.
US09691657B2
A dielectric layer and a method of forming thereof. An opening defined in a dielectric layer and a wire deposited within the opening, wherein the wire includes a core material surrounded by a jacket material, wherein the jacket material exhibits a first resistivity ρ1 and the core material exhibits a second resistivity ρ2 and ρ2 is less than ρ1.
US09691656B2
Interconnect structures containing metal oxide embedded diffusion barriers and methods of forming the same. Interconnect structures may include an Mx level including an Mx metal in an Mx dielectric, an Mx+1 level above the Mx level including an Mx+1 metal in an Mx+1 dielectric, an embedded diffusion barrier adjacent to the Mx+1 dielectric; and a seed alloy region adjacent to the Mx+1 metal separating the Mx metal from the Mx+1 metal. The embedded diffusion barrier may include a barrier-forming material such as manganese, aluminum, titanium, or some combination thereof. The seed alloy region may include a seed material such as cobalt, ruthenium, or some combination thereof.
US09691652B2
A ceramic member, in a carrier device, including: a plurality of ceramic layers; a clamping electrode formed on a first ceramic layer among the plurality of ceramic layers and inside of the plurality of ceramic layers, and configured to attract a dielectric material by electrostatic force; an electric heating element formed on a second ceramic layer, which is more distant from a side holding a carried object than the first ceramic layer among the plurality of ceramic layers, and configured to generate heat using electric power; a power feed port; a land formed on a third ceramic layer among the plurality of ceramic layers, and configured to receive electric power through the power feed port; and a via arranged to pass through at least one of the plurality of ceramic layers and provided as a conductive material to electrically connect the electric heating element with the land.
US09691646B2
A liquid processing apparatus includes a substrate holding and rotating unit provided with a rotating plate and a substrate support unit, and a liquid supply unit. The rotating plate is connected to a rotating shaft and a central portion of the rotating shaft is exposed to outside through an opening of the rotating plate. A ring-shaped retro-reflective sheet is attached to the central portion of the rotating shaft. The central opened part of the ring-shaped retro-reflective sheet is positioned on the extended line of the central axis of the wafer holding and rotating unit. Further, a supply pipe penetrates through the central opened part of the retro-reflective sheet. Laser light is irradiated to the retro-reflective sheet from the slanted upper side, the reflected light is received by the laser light projecting/receiving part, and presence or absence of the wafer is detected by a substrate detection unit.
US09691642B2
A device for measuring undulation of a brake disc in a railway wheel with brake discs includes a wheel support supporting a hub's bore of the railway wheel; a first displacement gauge for measuring a height displacement of the brake disc frictional surface for one round to follow rotation of the wheel support; and a second displacement gauge for measuring a height displacement of a railway wheel rim surface for one round to follow rotation of the wheel support. A computing unit calculates a difference between maximum and minimum values of the height displacement of the frictional surface by acquiring measurement data from the first displacement gauge, calculates a difference between the maximum and minimum values of the height displacement of the rim's surface by acquiring measurement data from the second displacement gauge, and derives a difference between the both calculated differences as brake disc undulation.
US09691640B2
Embodiments of mechanisms for cleaning load ports of semiconductor process tools are provided. The automatic system includes a vacuum cleaner, a rail, and a transport mechanism. The transport mechanism is moveably disposed on the rail and transfers the vacuum cleaner along the rail. The automatic system also includes a system controller. The system controller is connected to the semiconductor process tools and the transport mechanism to detect which load port is unoccupied, such that the system controller controls the transport mechanism to transfer the vacuum cleaner to the unoccupied load port to perform a cleaning process.
US09691632B2
An epitaxial wafer comprises a silicon substrate wafer having first and second sides, and a silicon epitaxial layer deposited on the first side, and optionally one or more additional epitaxial layers on top of the silicon epitaxial layer, at least one of the silicon epitaxial layer or at least one of the one or more additional epitaxial layers being doped with nitrogen at a concentration of 1×1016 atoms/cm3 or more and 1×1020 atoms/cm3 or less. The epitaxial wafer is produced by depositing the silicon epitaxial layer and/or at least one of the one or more additional epitaxial layers, at a deposition temperature of 940° C. or less through chemical vapor deposition in the presence of a deposition gas atmosphere containing one or more silicon precursor compounds and one or more nitrogen precursor compounds.
US09691630B2
An etching method includes loading a target substrate W into a chamber 40, the target substrate W having a silicon nitride film formed thereon and at least one of a polysilicon film and a silicon oxide film formed adjacent to the silicon nitride film; supplying a fluorine (F)-containing gas and an O2 gas into the chamber 40, while at least the O2 gas is excited; and selectively etching the silicon nitride film with respect to at least one of the polysilicon film and the silicon oxide film using the F-containing gas and the O2 gas.
US09691617B2
A IIIA-VA group semi-conductor single crystal substrate (2) has one of or both of the following two properties: an oxygen content of 1.6×1016-5.6×1017 atoms/cm3 in a range from the surface to a depth of 10 μm of the wafer, and an electron mobility of 4,800 cm2/V·s-5,850 cm2/V·s. Further, a method for preparing the semi-conductor single crystal substrate (2) comprises: placing a single crystal substrate (2) to be processed in a container (4); sealing said container (4), and keeping said single crystal substrate (2) to be processed at a temperature in the range of from the crystalline melting point −240° C. to the crystalline melting point −30° C. for 5 hours to 20 hours; preferably, keeping a gallium arsenide single crystal at a temperature of 1,000° C. to 1,200° C. for 5 hours to 20 hours.
US09691615B2
After forming a material stack including, from bottom to top, a dielectric material layer, a transfer layer, a hard mask layer and a neutral layer over a substrate, the neutral layer and the hard mask layer is patterned to create trenches therein that correspond to areas where unnecessary lines generated by a self-assembly of a self-assembling material subsequently formed and/or unnecessary portions of such lines are present. The self-assembling material is applied over the top surfaces of the patterned neutral layer and the transfer layer to form a self-aligned lamellar structure including alternating first and second domains. The second domains are removed selective to the first domains to provide a directed self-assembly (DSA) pattern of the first domains. Portions of the first domains not intersecting the trenches can be transferred into the patterned hard mask layer, resulting in a composite pattern of a pattern of trenches and the DSA pattern.
US09691606B2
There is provided a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, including pre-treating a surface of an insulating film formed on a substrate by supplying a precursor containing a first element and a halogen element to the substrate; and forming a film containing the first element and a second element on the pre-treated surface of the insulating film by performing a cycle a predetermined number of times, the cycle including supplying the precursor to the substrate; and supplying a reactant containing the second element to the substrate, wherein the act of supplying the precursor and the act of supplying the reactant are performed non-simultaneously.
US09691604B2
A LDMOS transistor includes a semiconductor substrate with a first doping type; a plurality of first trenches formed in the semiconductor substrate; a wave-shaped drift region with an increased conductive path and a second doping type formed on the semiconductor substrate between adjacent first trenches and the semiconductor substrate exposed by side and bottom surfaces of the first trenches; a first shallow trench isolation (STI) structure formed in each of the first trenches; a body region with the first doping type formed in semiconductor substrate at one side of the drift region; a gate structure formed over portions of the body region, the drift region and the first STI structure most close to the body region; a source region formed in the body region; and a drain region formed in the drift region at one side of the first STI structure most far away from the body region.
US09691595B2
Systems and methods are used to analyze a sample using variable detection scan resolutions. A tandem mass spectrometer is instructed to perform at least two scans of a sample with different detection scan resolutions using a processor. The tandem mass spectrometer includes a mass analyzer that allows variable detection scan resolutions. The selection of the different detection scan resolutions can be based on one or more properties of sample compounds. The properties may include a sample compound molecular weight distribution that is calculated from a molecular weight distribution of expected compounds or is determined from a list of molecular weights for one or more known compounds. The tandem mass spectrometer can also be instructed to perform an analysis of the sample before instructing the tandem mass spectrometer to perform the at least two scans of the sample.
US09691594B2
A thermal analysis step, a molecule ionization step and a molecular structure analysis step are executed in parallel to a temperature increasing step. In the molecule ionization step, component molecules contained in gas evolved from a sample S due to temperature increase are ionized, and in the molecular structure analysis step, any selected ion out of molecular ions obtained in the molecule ionization step is dissociated to generate fragment ions corresponding to the structural factors of the molecule, and the structure of the molecule is analyzed on the basis of the fragment ions.
US09691593B2
To provide a plasma processing device and a plasma processing method capable of performing high-speed processing. In an inductively-coupled plasma torch unit, a coil, a lid and a first ceramic block are bonded together, and a long chamber has an annular shape. Plasma generated in the chamber is ejected from an opening in the chamber toward a substrate. The substrate is processed by moving the long chamber and the substrate mounting table relatively in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the opening. The first ceramic block is cooled efficiently by allowing a refrigerant to flow in a refrigerant flow path.
US09691580B2
An embodiment of a power distribution system has been disclosed. The power distribution system includes a fuse holder having a plurality of line-side terminals. The power distribution system also includes a bus module having an enclosure and a conductor disposed within the enclosure. The conductor includes a comb-type bus bar having a base member and a plurality of branch members extending from the base member and each embodying a terminal connectable to one of the line-side terminals of the fuse holder.
US09691578B2
In some aspects, a relay assembly having an exhaust cover is provided. The relay assembly can include a housing, a relay enclosed within the housing, and the exhaust cover. The exhaust cover can be positioned in an opening of the housing that is adjacent to the relay. The exhaust cover can move in a direction away from the relay in response to a pressure generated inside the housing by the relay being communicated to the exhaust cover.
US09691577B2
Disclosed is a relay. The relay includes a first fixed contact, a second fixed, a movable contact, and a first magnet and a second magnet. The first contact part is disposed at a position which is closer to a distance to the second magnet than a distance to the first magnet, and the second contact part is disposed at a position which is closer to the distance to the first magnet than the distance to the second magnet. Accordingly, arcs are prevented from gathering at one position, and a contacting force between the movable contact and the fixed contacts is prevented from being reduced.
US09691573B2
A slider assembly is for an electrical switch such as, for example, a dimmer switch. The dimmer switch includes a switching member and a housing member. The housing member overlays the switching member and includes an exterior surface, an interior surface, and an elongated slot. The slider assembly includes a slider structured to cooperate with the switching member. The slider includes an interface portion and an attachment portion. The attachment portion extends through the elongated slot of the housing member. The interface portion is movably disposed on the exterior surface of the housing member. A shutter is coupled to the slider. The shutter includes a plurality of resilient elements structured to engage the interior surface of the housing member, thereby creating a friction force associated with movement of the slider.
US09691562B2
An electric switch is disclosed. The electric switch has a first terminal, a second terminal, a contact sub-assembly comprising at least two contact members disposed in a current path between the first and second terminals, the contact sub-assembly having a connecting position in which the contact members contact each other and an interrupting position in which the contact members are spaced apart from each other a Lorentz force generator comprising a first conductor member and a second conductor member, and at least one support Lorentz force generator. The Lorentz force generator and the at least one support Lorentz force generator both bias the contact sub-assembly into the connecting position, the current path extending from the first terminal to the second terminal through the contact sub-assembly in the connecting position.
US09691556B2
Disclosed herein are embodiments of an electrochemical device comprising graphene material made using embodiments of the method disclosed herein. Also disclosed is a graphene electrode comprising the graphene material made using embodiments of the method disclosed herein. The graphene material disclosed herein for use in the disclosed electrochemical devices has superior properties and activity compared to carbon-based materials known and used in the art. The disclosed graphene material can be used in multiple different technologies, such as water treatment, batteries, fuel cells, electrochemical sensors, solar cells, and ultracapacitors (both aqueous and non-aqueous).
US09691552B2
In order to render an electrolytic solution not leak from a sealed part even at a higher temperature of the environment or in a high-humidity condition to enhance the reliability of an electrolytic capacitor, an electrolytic solution for an aluminum electrolytic capacitor is described. The electrolytic solution includes an aprotic solvent (A), an electrolyte (D) containing a salt composed of a cation (B) represented by formula (1) and an anion (C), and a compound (E) represented by formula (2) and having a content of 0.01 to 3 wt % relative to the total weight of (A) and (D): wherein in formulae (1) and (2), R1 to R3 are each C1-3 alkyl, R4 to R7 are each C1-3 alkyl or a hydrogen atom, and R8 to R14 are each C1-3 alkyl or a hydrogen atom.
US09691549B2
Laminated ceramic capacitor having rare-earth element in crystal grains of dielectric ceramic layers
A laminated ceramic capacitor that includes a laminated body that has dielectric ceramic layers including crystal grains and crystal grain boundaries and has internal electrode layers; and external electrodes on the surface of the laminated body and electrically connecting the internal electrode layers exposed at the surfaces of the laminated body. When a direct-current voltage is applied to the laminated ceramic capacitor, the voltage/current curve has a critical point dividing the curve into a first area on the lower-voltage side and a second area on the higher-voltage side, an electric field obtained by dividing the critical voltage at the critical point by the thickness of one of the dielectric ceramic layers when the voltage (V)/current (I) characteristics are measured at 25° C. is 10 V/μm or more, and the voltage/current curve has a slope of 3 or less in the second area.
US09691546B2
An electronic part including an electronic part main body and an external electrode on the surface of the electronic part main body. The external electrode includes at least one alloy layer selected from among a Cu—Ni alloy layer and a Cu—Mn alloy layer, and an antioxidant film formed on the outer side of the alloy layer. The antioxidant film is one of a Sn-containing film, a noble metal film, and an organic substance film.
US09691545B2
A method of making a bulk exchange spring magnet by providing a magnetically soft material, providing a hard magnetic material, and producing a composite of said magnetically soft material and said hard magnetic material to make the bulk exchange spring magnet. The step of producing a composite of magnetically soft material and hard magnetic material is accomplished by electrophoretic deposition of the magnetically soft material and the hard magnetic material to make the bulk exchange spring magnet.
US09691543B2
A high voltage transformer arrangement for supplying power to a high voltage tank assembly is disclosed. The high voltage transformer arrangement includes a first core arranged in the high voltage tank assembly and a secondary winding configured on the first core, a second core positioned outside of the high voltage tank assembly and at a predefined distance from the first core, and a primary winding configured on the second core. The second core and the primary winding transfers current received from an external power source to the first core and secondary winding for supplying power to the high voltage tank assembly.
US09691533B2
A magnetic circuit, provided with a short magnet and short magnet that are arranged in an array, and a yoke and a yoke provided so as to sandwich the short magnet and short magnet. The short magnet and short magnet, are arranged, that have a space between them that is a predetermined gap or less in the arrangement direction of the array respectively. In addition, the short magnet and short magnet are arranged so that one magnetic pole is located on the side toward one of the pair of yokes and, and the other magnetic pole is located on the side toward the other yoke.
US09691531B2
A magnet apparatus which comprises a first vacuum chamber, a second vacuum chamber, a first magnet disposed within the first vacuum chamber such that the first magnet can be thermally isolated from the exterior of the first vacuum chamber, and a load connector extending from the first vacuum chamber into the second vacuum chamber so that a load on the first magnet can be transferred to the second vacuum chamber, wherein the load connector is in thermal contact with the first magnet and can be thermally isolated from the exterior of the first vacuum chamber and the exterior of the second vacuum chamber.
US09691530B2
A coil device with at least one electrical coil winding with superconducting conductor material and a vacuum container is described in which the vacuum container surrounds the coil winding. The coil winding is part of a self-contained circuit for the formation of a continuous current. The closed circuit has a switchable conductor section, the conductor of which can be switched between a superconducting state and a normally conducting state by a magnetic device. The magnetic device has an internal part arranged inside the vacuum container and an external part arranged outside the vacuum container.
US09691528B2
The present invention relates to ferrite particles for bonded magnets having a bulk density of not more than 0.75 g/cm3 and a degree of compaction of not less than 65%, a resin composition for bonded magnets using the ferrite particles and the composition, and a rotor. The ferrite particles for bonded magnets and the resin composition for bonded magnets according to the present invention are capable of providing a bonded magnet molded product having a good tensile elongation and an excellent magnetic properties.
US09691526B2
A method for making carbon nanotube composite film is provided. An original carbon nanotube film includes carbon nanotubes joined end to end by van der Waals attractive force. The carbon nanotubes substantially extend along a first direction. A patterned carbon nanotube film is formed by patterning the original carbon nanotube film to define at least one row of through holes arranged in the original carbon nanotube film along the first direction. Each row of through holes includes at least two spaced through holes. The patterned carbon nanotube film is treated with a polymer solution. The patterned carbon nanotube film is shrunk into the carbon nanotube composite film.
US09691521B2
A rectangular insulated wire includes a rectangular conductor having a generally rectangular cross section, a thermosetting resin layer provided to cover the rectangular conductor, and a plurality of thermoplastic resin layers provided on the thermosetting resin layer. An adhesion strength between the thermosetting resin layer and the thermoplastic resin layer is 50 gf/mm to 100 gf/mm.
US09691518B2
A medical cable includes a plurality of cables, a braided shield covering a circumference of the plurality of cables together and being formed of tubular braided strands, and a jacket covering a circumference of the braided shield. The braided strands includes a copper foil yarn, which includes a highly stretchable polyethylene terephthalate monofilament yarn having a tensile strength of not lower than 700 MPa and an elongation of not lower than 50 percent and not higher than 100 percent, and a copper strip wound helically at a pitch around a surface of the highly stretchable polyethylene terephthalate monofilament yarn. The copper foil yarn has an entire push and recover ratio of not lower than 80 percent.
US09691514B2
An electrical assembly including a first element, such as a connector body, formed of a conductive composite material and a second element formed of a solid metallic material, such as a sheet metal electromagnetic interference shield, defining a fibrous conductive region formed of a plurality of metallic filaments. The conductive composite material forming the first element completely surrounds a portion of the fibrous conductive region. Conductive fibers in the conductive composite material are in intimate contact with the fibrous conductive region, forming a very high number of electrical contact points between the conductive fibers in the conductive composite material and the fibrous conductive region and thereby providing a robust electrical connection between the first element and the second element.
US09691512B2
A chopper disc for a device for the processing of neutron beams is made of carbon fibers and has a concentric, hollow cylindrical recess for receiving a hub for connection to a pivot bearing. The chopper disc also includes a concentric absorber area for absorbing neutrons striking the chopper disc and at least one window in the absorber area through which neutrons of the neutron beam can pass. The carbon fibers extend from the outer periphery of the chopper disc radially in the direction of the recess and contact the recess tangentially.
US09691501B2
A method of testing non-volatile memory arrays. A first test stage including at least a first stage read uses a first step size for setting current for BCC testing and/or voltage for VT testing for reading at least some memory cells. A second test stage including at least one second stage read uses an adjusted step size less in magnitude than the first step size for reading at least some memory cells. Provided no bit pattern match by the second test stage and/or the adjusted step size does not meet a predetermined minimum resolution (PMR), one or more additional test stages including additional array searching are added using a fixed step size less in magnitude than the adjusted step size including at least one read until a final read determines the predetermined repeating bit pattern is matched and a fixed step size for the final read meets the PMR.
US09691500B2
A digital memory device includes a moveable element that is configured to move between a first stable position and a second stable position, where the moveable element comprises a first conducting area. The digital memory device further includes a second conducting area on the surface of a substrate. At the first stable position of the moveable element, a first gap exists between the first conducting area and the second conducting area. At the second stable position of the moveable element, a second gap that is smaller than the first gap exists between the first conducting area and the second conducting area. In at least the second stable position, an attractive Casimir force between the moveable element and the substrate holds the moveable element in the stable position.
US09691498B2
A semiconductor integrated circuit according to an embodiment includes a plurality of first wiring lines electrically connected to a plurality of input wiring lines; a plurality of second wiring lines electrically connected to a plurality of output wiring lines, the second wiring lines crossing the first wiring lines; and a plurality of cell arrays each of which includes memory elements disposed at intersection regions of a part of the first wiring lines and a part of the second wiring lines, each of the memory elements including a first terminal and a second terminal, the first terminal being electrically connected to one of the first wiring lines, the second terminal being electrically connected to one of the second wiring lines, and each of the second wiring lines being electrically connected to at most one of the cell arrays.
US09691486B2
A method of programming a non-volatile memory device includes programming memory cells selected from the plurality of memory cells by increasing turn values of program loops based on an incremental step pulse program (ISPP) algorithm; detecting a first turn value of a first program loop wherein, in the first program loop, a first number or a first ratio of first unprogrammed memory cells is smaller than or equal to a first set value; calculating a second turn value of a second program loop based on the first turn value wherein, in the second program loop, a second number or a second ratio of second unprogrammed memory cells is expected to be smaller than or equal to a second set value, the second set value being smaller than the first set value; executing subsequent program loops on the unprogrammed memory cells up to the second program loop; detecting a third number or a third ratio of third unprogrammed memory cells in the second program loop; comparing the third number or the third ratio of the third unprogrammed memory cells to the second set value; determining a program pass when the third number or the third ratio of the third unprogrammed memory cells is smaller than or equal to the second set value; and determining a program fail when the third number or the third ratio of the unprogrammed memory cell exceeds the second set value.
US09691479B1
A method of operating a plurality of memristive cells coupled as a memristor array includes initializing a first select line, and, in parallel for a number of memristor cells in the first select line, determining whether a level of conductance of the memristor cells in the first select line are within a tolerance of a reference conductance, and, in response to a determination that the level of conductance is not within the tolerance of the reference conductance, adjusting the level of conductance for the memristor cells in the first select line.
US09691477B2
A resistive memory system having a plurality of memory cells includes a memory device having a resistive memory cell array and a controller. The controller generates write data to be written to the memory cell array by encoding input data such that the input data corresponds to an erase state and a plurality of programming states that a memory cell may have. The input data is encoded such that at least one of the number of memory cells assigned a first programming state and the number of memory cells assigned a second programming state is smaller than at least one of the numbers of memory cells in the erase state and the other programming states. The first programming state has a highest resistance level among the plurality of programming states, and the second programming state has a second highest resistance level among the plurality of programming states.
US09691464B2
A method of programming an MTJ includes selecting the MTJ and an access transistor coupled thereto. The gate of the selected access transistor is coupled to a selected word line (WL), which is raised to a first voltage, Vdd, and is then allowed to float. The first voltage and a second voltage, Vx, are respectively applied to a selected bit line (BL) coupled to the selected MTJ and a selected source line (SL) coupled to the selected access transistor, thereby driving a switching current through the selected MTJ from the selected BL to SL. Alternatively, the switching current may be reversed by applying 0 V and Vdd to the selected BL and SL, respectively. Moreover, the second voltage is applied to other BLs not coupled to the selected MTJ and the first voltage is applied to other SLs not coupled to the selected access transistor, thereby boosting the voltage of the floating WL to above the first voltage.
US09691463B1
Techniques for writing magnetic random access memory (MRAM) using the spin hall effect with a self-reference read are provided. In one aspect, an MRAM device is provided. The MRAM device includes: a plurality of first spin hall wires oriented orthogonal to a plurality of second spin hall wires; a plurality of magnetic memory cells configured in an array between the first spin hall wires and the second spin hall wires; and a plurality of transistors connected to the magnetic memory cells by the first spin hall wires. Methods of operating an MRAM device are also provided.
US09691449B2
Provided is a memory control technique for avoiding that the issue of a refresh command and the issue of a calibration command are arranged in succession.The memory control circuit issues a refresh command to make a request for a refresh operation based on a set refresh cycle, and issues a calibration command to make a request for a calibrating operation based on a set calibration cycle, for which the control function of suppressing the issue of the calibration command only for a given time after the issue of the refresh command, and suppressing the issue of the refresh command only for a given time after the issue of the calibration command is adopted.
US09691447B2
A memory controller having a time-staggered request signal output. A first timing signal is generated while a second timing signal is generated having a first phase difference relative to the first timing signal. An address value is transmitted in response to the first timing signal and a control value is transmitted in response to the second timing signal, the address value and control value constituting portions of a first memory access request.
US09691443B2
Apparatuses and methods for compensating for process, voltage, and temperature variation in a memory
Systems and methods are described for compensating for variations in process, voltage, temperature, or combinations thereof in an apparatus. An example apparatus may be a memory circuit. A pre-driver circuit and driver circuit may be associated with the memory circuit. A reference generator may provide the pre-driver circuit with reference signals that are insensitive to process, voltage, and temperature. The pre-driver circuit may receive the reference signals and the pre-driver circuit output ramping rate may then be made less sensitive to variations in process, voltage, and temperature. The pre-driver circuit output may then be supplied to a driver circuit that may then output a final driver data output with reduced noise.
US09691435B2
Technology is provided for a memory drive carrier. The memory drive carrier adapts a memory drive for insertion into a drive bay that is larger than the memory drive. The memory drive carrier includes an adapter body having a frame that defines an envelope compatible with the drive bay. The adapter body also includes a plurality of spaced apart walls defining a slot sized to receive the memory drive and position the memory drive's connector within the envelope adjacent an associated drive connector of the drive bay. The frame includes a plurality of interconnected wall portions and partitions that have one or more vent openings.
US09691431B2
A method includes grouping media items associated with a user into segments based on a timestamp associated with each media item and a total number of media items. The method also includes selecting target media from the media items for each of the segments based on media attributes associated with the media item. The method also includes generating a video that includes the target media for each of the segments by generating a first animation that illustrates a first transition from a first item from the target media to a second item from the target media with movement of the first item from an onscreen location to an offscreen location, wherein the first item is adjacent to the second item in the first animation and determining whether the target media includes one or more additional items. The method also includes adding a song to the video.
US09691428B2
System, apparatuses, and methods can provide customized exercise sessions and customized videos corresponding to the exercise session. Exercise components that are available to a user for an exercise category can be determined based on a user rank in the category and a rank of the components in the category. Certain available components can be selected to include in a customized session.
US09691427B2
A method and apparatus for detecting tightness of a pick-up head, and a method and apparatus for controlling the moving of the pick-up head are disclosed. The method for detecting the tightness of the pick-up head includes moving the pick-up head to an inner area of the disc reading device when then disc reading device is powered on, moving the pick-up head to an outer area of the disc reading device within a predetermined time period, moving the pick-up head from the outer area of the disc reading device to the inner area at a constant speed by a first fixed force, and recording the moving duration for moving the pick-up head from the outer area of the disc reading device to the inner area at the constant speed.
US09691426B2
According to an optical disc, a track, where data is recorded in predetermined block units, is formed by wobbling at a spatial period in accordance with a radial position, and the track is divided into zones in a radial direction. Data is recorded in each of the zones at a predetermined line density based on a ratio n/m of the number of bits of a bit pattern of recording data to one wavelength of wobbling. The optical disc includes a first area having one of the zones, a second area having one of the zones different from the one of the zones in the first area, and a line density of data different from a line density of data in the first area, and a BCA where a zone format identifier specifying a zone table defining a boundary position of each of the zones and the ratio n/m is recorded.
US09691425B2
A laminating structure includes a first magnetic layer, a second magnetic layer, a first spacer disposed between the first and second magnetic layers and a second spacer disposed on the second magnetic layer.
US09691422B1
Disclosed herein are hard disk drive sliders having an air-bearing surface (ABS) with an efficiency-flattening hole (EFH). The sliders comprise a trailing edge pad that has a first surface at a first level with a first perimeter, a second surface at a second level, the second level being below the first level, the second surface being substantially parallel to the first surface, the second surface having a second perimeter, wherein the second perimeter is within the first perimeter, and a third surface at a third level, the third level being below the second level, the third surface being substantially parallel to the first and second surfaces, the third surface having a third perimeter, wherein the third perimeter is within the second perimeter.
US09691421B2
A reference spiral is written on a recording surface of a magnetic storage disk that is free of position or timing information. The reference spirals are written on the recording surface with a substantially uniform slope by using open loop control of the position of a read/write head in conjunction with an iterative learning control scheme. A voltage profile applied to a voice coil motor is adapted over multiple iterations of moving the read/write head across the recording surface to closely approximate a target voltage profile, and the reference spiral is written using the adapted voltage profile. In addition, ramp contact detection based on actuator current profile may be employed to achieve full utilization of available actuator stroke.
US09691416B1
A magnetic write head having a heat sink structure located adjacent to a trailing magnetic shield. The heat sink structure prevents heat generated by the magnetic oscillator current from causing damage to and reducing reliability of the magnetic write head. The trailing magnetic shield is substantially aligned with the magnetic oscillator, allowing the heat sink structure to wrap around the sides and back of the trailing magnetic shield and to provide good heat conduction away from the write pole, magnetic oscillator and trailing magnetic shield. The heat sink structure can be constructed of a material such as Ru, TiN, Cu, Au, Ag and AlN, and is preferably constructed of Au, which has excellent thermal properties.
US09691413B2
Methods and systems for identifying sound from a source of interest are provided for herein. In some embodiments, a first audio feed is captured by a first microphone and a second audio feed is captured by a second microphone. The first microphone may be located closer in proximity to the source of interest than the second microphone. The first audio feed can be processed utilizing the second audio feed to produce a first processed audio feed that can enable identification of sound originating from the source of interest. In some embodiments, the second audio feed can be additionally processed utilizing the first audio feed to produce a second processed audio feed. In such embodiments, frequencies from the first processed audio feed can be compared against frequencies of the second processed audio feed to identify sound originating from the source of interest. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed herein.
US09691411B2
A method for assessing suicide risk for a human subject including receiving recorded voice data of the subject; and classifying the subject as suicidal or non-suicidal based upon a computerized analysis of one or more nonverbal characteristics of the speech data, especially features associated with a breathy phonation type. The analysis of the nonverbal characteristics of the voice data can include an analysis of acoustic characteristics of speech, and/or an analysis of prosodic and voice quality-related features of the voice data. Related apparatus, systems, techniques and articles are also described.
US09691409B2
Disclosed are an earset that may correct a frequency band of a voice coming from a user's ears into a frequency band of a voice coming from the user's mouth, and a control method for the same.According to an embodiment, the control method for the earset including a first earphone unit that is inserted into ears of a user while including a first microphone and a first speaker, and a main body in which a second microphone is disposed, the control method includes: determining whether a voice correction function is activated; and correcting a frequency band of a voice input to the first microphone into a frequency band of a voice input to the second microphone, when the voice correction function is activated.
US09691400B1
The present invention relates to a new method and apparatus for improvement of High Frequency Reconstruction (HFR) techniques using frequency translation or folding or a combination thereof. The proposed invention is applicable to audio source coding systems, and offers significantly reduced computational complexity. This is accomplished by means of frequency translation or folding in the subband domain, preferably integrated with spectral envelope adjustment in the same domain. The concept of dissonance guard-band filtering is further presented. The proposed invention offers a low-complexity, intermediate quality HFR method useful in speech and natural audio coding applications.
US09691397B2
A device for embedding data upon a prediction coding of a multi-channel signal includes a storage unit to store a code book that includes a plurality of prediction parameter sets, each of the plurality of prediction parameter sets including a plurality of kinds of prediction parameters for a processing regarding the prediction coding. The device extracts a plurality of candidates of a prediction parameter set for the multi-channel signal from the code book, wherein the plurality of candidates are capable of suppressing a prediction error in the prediction coding within a predetermined range, converts an embedding object that is at least part of the data in accordance with a number corresponding to a number of the candidates, selects, from the plurality of candidates, the prediction parameter set corresponding to the converted embedding object, and multiplexes the selected prediction parameter set with coded data which are down-mixed from the multi-channel signal.
US09691396B2
The present invention discloses a speech/audio signal processing method and apparatus. In an embodiment, the speech/audio signal processing method includes: when a speech/audio signal switches bandwidth, obtaining an initial high frequency signal corresponding to a current frame of speech/audio signal; obtaining a time-domain global gain parameter of the initial high frequency signal; performing weighting processing on an energy ratio and the time-domain global gain parameter, and using an obtained weighted value as a predicted global gain parameter, where the energy ratio is a ratio between energy of a historical frame of high frequency time-domain signal and energy of a current frame of initial high frequency signal; correcting the initial high frequency signal by using the predicted global gain parameter, to obtain a corrected high frequency time-domain signal; and synthesizing a current frame of narrow frequency time-domain signal and the corrected high frequency time-domain signal and outputting the synthesized signal.
US09691394B2
An embodiment provides a modular framework for managing multiple router applications in an interactive voice response (IVR) system. In an embodiment, a single table-driven framework approach is taken in which multiple IVR router applications, including menu/response type call routing applications and/or frequently asked question (FAQ)/response applications, may be managed in a more streamlined fashion. In an embodiment, a menu is presented to the caller. The menu is part of the router application which references information stored in a database, e.g., voice files and grammars, defined in a format, e.g., in table format. An embodiment analyzes the caller's responses against the menu's information to determine the appropriate actions to take and the appropriate data to retrieve. An embodiment also provides a centralized authentication process that may be used for all self-service router applications that require or somehow make use of authentication.
US09691390B2
A system and method is presented for performing dual mode speech recognition, employing a local recognition module on a mobile device and a remote recognition engine on a server device. The system accepts a spoken query from a user, and both the local recognition module and the remote recognition engine perform speech recognition operations on the query, returning a transcription and confidence score, subject to a latency cutoff time. If both sources successfully transcribe the query, then the system accepts the result having the higher confidence score. If only one source succeeds, then that result is accepted. In either case, if the remote recognition engine does succeed in transcribing the query, then a client vocabulary is updated if the remote system result includes information not present in the client vocabulary.
US09691388B2
Differential dynamic content delivery including providing a session document for a presentation, wherein the session document includes a session grammar and a session structured document; selecting from the session structured document a classified structural element in dependence upon user classifications of a user participant in the presentation; presenting the selected structural element to the user; streaming presentation speech to the user including individual speech from at least one user participating in the presentation; converting the presentation speech to text; detecting whether the presentation speech contains simultaneous individual speech from two or more users; and displaying the text if the presentation speech contains simultaneous individual speech from two or more users.
US09691387B2
A conversation support apparatus includes: a speech input unit configured to input speech signals of two or more users; a speech recognizing unit configured to recognize the speech signals input from the speech input unit; a display unit configured to display the recognition results of the speech recognizing unit; and an image processing unit configured to set display areas respectively corresponding to the users into an image display area of the display unit.
US09691385B2
According to some aspects, a method of associating dictation with an electronic record in a system having a dictation system comprising a dictation application for capture of speech input and a separate electronic records system for managing electronic records is provided. The method comprises receiving, by the dictation application, speech input from a user corresponding to a dictation to be associated with an electronic record of the electronic records system, obtaining, by the dictation application, a job identifier associated with the dictation, providing, by the dictation application, the job identifier and audio data based on the speech input for transcription, obtaining, by the dictation application, a dictation marker comprising the job identifier and one or more delimiters, and causing the dictation marker to be inserted into the electronic record.
US09691371B1
An air adsorbing and sound absorbing structure with a first portion comprising a first material comprising an open-celled foam with an air-adsorbing material coupled to the foam, where the first portion has a first air adsorption capacity and a first density. There is a second portion fixed to or integral with the first portion, wherein the second portion comprises one or more of: a different material than the first material, a second air adsorption capacity that is different than the first air adsorption capacity, and a second density that is different than the first density.
US09691359B2
The invention pertains to display method, a computer program for performing the steps of the display method and a display system (1), the display system having for example: at least one display unit (13, 16) arranged to present at least one display image, at least one memory unit (12, 15) comprising information related to for example descriptions of a set of default graphics display objects (W1-W3) and configuration data. The configuration data is arranged to define: at least one transparent display layer (L1-L3), at least one transparent display container (CO0-CO2) associated to the at least one transparent display layer and at least one display mode. Each of said at least one display mode comprising a predetermined selection of one or more of said at least one transparent display container of one or more of said at least one display layer.
US09691355B2
A method of reading data for a display drive IC of a panel is provided. The method includes receiving a write format and at least one image packet, generating a synchronization signal according to the write format, and reading data of the at least one image packet according to the synchronization signal such that the panel uses a video mode to display the data of the at least one image packet.
US09691348B2
A pixel circuit for an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display is disclosed. In one aspect, the pixel circuit includes a current provider electrically connected to a current source and configured to perform a current sinking operation in response to a first scan signal and to adjust a driving current based on the current sinking operation. The pixel circuit also includes a digital driver configured to control a flow of the driving current provided from the current provider in response to a data signal and a second scan signal. The pixel circuit further includes a plurality of pixel selectors configured to provide the driving current received from the digital driver to an OLED in response to a third scan signal.
US09691344B2
According to one embodiment, a power reception section connects to the battery side, and receives supply of power, a detection section detects a singular state where a voltage of the battery side has fallen to a value less than or equal to a predetermined voltage value, a shifting section receives a detection output of the singular state from the detection section to thereby shift to singular control, and a driver connection section connects the plurality of drivers to each other. If the detection section in one of the liquid crystal display drivers has detected the singular state, the shifting section executes the singular control, and the driver connection section notifies the other liquid crystal display drivers that the singular state has been detected.
US09691342B2
A display device includes a display device, a driver to drive the source line of the display device, and a control unit to compress image data and generate compression data, and supply transfer data containing compression data to the driver. The control unit includes a first sorter circuit to perform a sorting process on image data, and a compression circuit to perform a compression processing on a first sorted image data output from the sorter circuit and generate compression data. The compression processing performs different processing on image data of sub-pixels corresponding to different colors. The driver includes a decompression circuit to decompress compression data and generate decompression data, a second sorter circuit to perform the sorting process on the image data and generate a second sorted image data, and a display drive circuit to drive a source line in response to the second sorted image data.
US09691340B2
Polarity reversion driving method and apparatus of liquid crystal display and a liquid crystal display are provided. In the method, four frames constitute one polarity reversion driving period, in which a first frame and a third frame have a same polarity arrangement with reversed polarities; a second frame and a fourth frame have a same polarity arrangement with reversed polarities; the first frame and the second frame have different polarity arrangements and corresponding pixels in adjacent two frames have complementary charging effects. The apparatus includes a time schedule controller, a logic controller and a source driver. Charging effects of pixels in frames are controlled by setting a polarity arrangement of pixels in each frame so that charging effects of corresponding pixels are complementary in adjacent two frames, thereby relieving the problem of reduced display quality due to inconsistent charging effects of pixels on two sides of data lines.
US09691326B2
Provided is a display device including: a plurality of pixels, each of the pixels including: a first switching transistor including a gate electrode coupled to a scan line, a first electrode coupled to a data line, and a second electrode coupled to a first node; a first driving voltage transistor including a gate electrode coupled to the first node, and a first electrode coupled to a first driving voltage; a write transistor including a gate electrode coupled to a write line, a first electrode coupled to a second electrode of the first driving voltage transistor, and a second electrode coupled to a second node; a second switching transistor including a gate electrode coupled to the second node, a first electrode coupled to a first power voltage, and a second electrode coupled to an organic light emitting diode; and a first capacitor coupled between the first node and the second node.
US09691318B2
An image display method, device and electronic apparatus avoid to some extent a problem of a poor display effect due to adjusting an image purely depending on an RGB image conversion algorithm. The solution comprises obtaining a brightness value of current ambient light; performing image conversion on a frame of image having three primary color components to obtain a first display information, the first display information comprising four primary color gray scale values of each pixel in the image; adjusting the first display information to a second display information according to the brightness value, the second display information comprising four primary color gray scale values of each adjusted pixel; and displaying the image according to the second display information.
US09691315B2
A touch-type input device includes a touch panel including drive electrodes and sensor electrodes. Capacitors are formed at intersections of the drive electrodes and sensor electrodes. A controller determines whether a conductive foreign matter exists on the touch panel from raw data values indicating changes in the capacitances of the capacitors from initial reference values. The controller determines touching of the touch panel from control data values indicating changes in the capacitances of the capacitors from control reference values changed when a conductive foreign matter exists. When the raw data values indicate existence of a conductive foreign matter, the controller sets the control reference value of each capacitor to a raw data reference value corresponding to the present raw data value. The controller updates the initial reference value when the touch-type input device is activated and updates the control reference value when the control reference value is erroneous.
US09691311B1
A banner stand assembly. The banner stand assembly includes pair of horizontal members that are insertable through channels in a banner, a plurality of vertical members removably securable therebetween, and a plurality of triangular support members having a flexible central portion slidably and removably secured to the vertical members. The support members are angularly adjustable via movement along the vertical members. The flexible central portion allows the angle of the banner to be adjusted and allows the banner stand assembly to maintain even footing on sloped terrain. The support members are individually height adjustable so that the banner stand assembly can support a banner on varied terrain.
US09691304B2
An apparatus for hanging and manipulating items that are suspended from a ceiling or wall. The apparatus includes hanging structures to suspend items from a wall or ceiling, a remotely controlled motorized take up reel system to raise and lower the items by way of suspension lines so the items can either be positioned, replaced, repaired or displayed, and a leveling system. The system can be safely operated without a person having to move a ladder in place and go up the ladder to work with the suspension item.
US09691298B1
Methods, computer-readable media, software, and apparatuses provide an interactive application, such as a video game, that presents gaming and driving challenges to facilitate improvement of driving skills and development of safe driving behavior. Drive data may be collected while a user is driving a vehicle and the drive data may be used to define a graphically simulated virtual world. A drive score may also be calculated based on the drive data. Portions of the graphically simulated virtual world may be unlocked based on the drive score. Also, attributes of a character within the graphically simulated virtual world may be modified based on the drive score.
US09691296B2
In exemplary implementations of this invention, a display screen and speakers present an audiovisual display of an animated character to a human user during a conversational period of a coaching session. The virtual character asks questions, listens to the user, and engages in mirroring and backchanneling. A camera and microphone gather audiovisual data regarding behavior of the user. After the conversational period, the display screen and speakers display feedback to the user regarding the user's behavior. For example, the feedback may include a plot of the user's smiles over time, or information regarding prosody of the user's speech. The feedback may also include playing a video of the user that was recorded during the conversational period. The feedback may also include a timeline of the human user's behavior. The virtual coaching may be provided over the Internet.
US09691292B1
A method for providing interactive training, whereby a video display and a base station are coupled in communication with a computer. A plurality of wireless handheld remotes are configured for wirelessly communicating with the base station, and each of the remotes is operable by a respective trainee of a group of trainees. Each remote has a remote ID unique from all other remotes and is stored in non-volatile memory of the computer; and the base station includes a base station ID code unique from all other base stations, and the base station ID is stored in non-volatile memory of each remote. Unique IDs prevents interference from other wireless devices including remotes paired with other base stations. It also makes it unnecessary for one training system to operate on a different channel from another training system.
US09691287B1
A method. The method includes receiving user input data from a user interface system. The user input data includes user gesture data, wherein the user gesture data is associated with one or more detected user gestures. The method also includes manipulating one or more graphical flight path elements based at least upon received user gesture data. The method further includes performing at least one flight path modification operation based at least upon one or more factors and the received user gesture data. The method additionally includes outputting updated graphical data to the user interface system, wherein the updated graphical data includes updated graphical flight path element data and updated graphical flight path data.
US09691285B2
A computer-implemented method of communicating with an unmanned aerial vehicle includes transmitting a first message via a communications transmitter of a lighting assembly for receipt by an unmanned aerial vehicle. The first message includes an identifier associated with the lighting assembly, and the lighting assembly is located within a proximity of a roadway. The method also includes receiving a second message from the unmanned aerial vehicle via a communications receiver of the lighting assembly. The second message includes an identifier associated with the unmanned aerial vehicle. The method further includes transmitting a third message via the communications transmitter of the lighting assembly for receipt by the unmanned aerial vehicle. The third message includes an indication of an altitude at which the unmanned aerial vehicle should fly.
US09691282B2
A method for a driver assistance system for a vehicle is specified, wherein objects in the surroundings of a vehicle are detected on the basis of data of a system that covers the surroundings, and a potential free zone in which only no objects and/or objects which the vehicle can drive over have been reliably detected is determined. The potential free zone is verified by further vehicle and/or surroundings information.
US09691278B2
Systems and methods for real-time emergency vehicle authentication at traffic signal and tollgates are disclosed. In certain example embodiments, a dispatch server can provide identifying credentials and time-bounded intersection tickets (TBIT) to traffic signals and tollgates for conducting authentication of emergency vehicles. The emergency vehicles can transmit a traffic light control message requesting expedited access through a traffic signal or tollgate. The traffic signal or tollgate can decrypt the message using the TBIT. It can further determine if the identifying credential received from the emergency vehicle is authorized for expedited access and if the message was received within a required time period. In response, the traffic signal or tollgate can determine its current signal or gate position and determine if a change needs to be made to provide expedited access to the emergency vehicle.
US09691277B2
Devices capable of capturing still and motion imagery are integrated with an accurate distance and speed measuring apparatus. By measuring the changing distance of the target over that time, a target's speed can be determined. At substantially the same time as the target's speed is determined, imagery of the target is captured in both a still and moving format. Using a queuing mechanism for both distance and imagery data along with time stamps associated with each, a target's image, both in motion and still, can be integrated with its speed. In situations in which a still image is unavailable, a target's speed can be associated with a portion of a continuous stream of motion imagery to a point where a positive identification can be captured with a still image.
US09691276B2
A method, apparatus, computer program product, and device with various means are disclosed for determining the time it takes to a traverse a transportation structure by enclosing a representation of a transportation structure with a bounding polygon, specifying a plurality of gates which represent legitimate entry or exit points of the transportation structure as one or more edges of the bounding polygon, and computing the travel time for a probe traveling through the bounding polygon via the gates. Computing the probe's travel time comprises generating a location trace of movement of the probe, determining an entry and exit time, and calculating the difference between the exit time and the entry time. Determining the entry and exist time can be done by interpolation. An average of a set of computations can be used to get an average of the time it takes traverse the transportation structure.
US09691268B2
A system for automatically controlling intrusion thresholds of intrusion detectors deployed in a premises, the system including intrusion detector output receiving functionality operative to receive at least one output from at least a first intrusion detector deployed in the premises, intrusion detector output comparison functionality operative to compare the at least one output from the at least a first intrusion detector with at least one of a multiplicity of premises intrusion detection patterns, and intrusion detector threshold controlling functionality operative, in response to ascertaining that the at least one output from the at least a first intrusion detector matches at least one of the multiplicity of premises intrusion detection patterns, to automatically tune a threshold of at least a second intrusion detector deployed in the premises.
US09691266B2
Systems and methods for initiating a drill by receiving an indication to start a drill. The indication to start the drill is received via a first network interface having a first network interface type. The drill is propagated to other devices in a network via a second network interface having a second network interface type.
US09691261B2
A system includes a computing device programmed to receive an alert signal indicating an issue associated with a customer premises. The computing device is further programmed to transmit a notification signal to a plurality of remote devices, determine whether at least one of the plurality of remote devices has responded to the notification signal, and transmit an update signal to the other of the plurality of remote devices after one of the plurality of remote devices has responded to the notification. The update signal indicates that one of the plurality of remote devices has responded to the notification signal.
US09691260B2
Methods and apparatuses are disclosed that allow an electronic device to autonomously adapt one or more user alerts to the current operating environment of the electronic device. For example, some embodiments may include a method comprising providing a plurality of alert devices in an electronic device, determining an operating environment of the electronic device using a sensor of the electronic device, and actuating at least one of the plurality of alert devices that corresponds to the determined operating environment.
US09691258B2
Ambient amount of a hazardous condition may be monitored. A mode may be set to a state indicative of the hazardous condition being present in the ambient environment. It may then be determined that the amount of the hazard in the ambient environment has dropped below an alarm criterion. A time period may then be tracked during which the amount of the hazardous condition present in the ambient environment of the hazard detector has remained below the alarm criterion. It may be determined that the time period has reached at least a threshold duration, during such time period the amount of the hazardous condition present in the ambient environment of the hazard detector having remained below the alarm criterion. An indication of the hazardous condition easing may be output in response to the time period being at least the threshold duration.
US09691255B2
To improve the accuracy of the determination on whether or not a moving object is present in a predetermined region, a control device for use in a system configured to conduct presence-or-absence determination on whether or not a moving object is present on the basis of detection by a first sensor provided in a predetermined compartment region, the control device comprising: a mode control section configured to control switching of an operation mode for the detection by the first sensor or the presence-or-absence determination; and an acquisition section configured to acquire a determination result of whether or not a moving object is present in an adjacent region adjacent to the predetermined compartment region and not including the predetermined compartment region; wherein the mode control section controls the switching of the operation mode in response to the determination result acquired by the acquisition section, is provided.
US09691254B2
A real-time alarm system for field safety management, including: an RF communication module for outputting a warning sound or making an LED emit light, as a warning signal is received through an RF transmit and receive unit; a field management communication terminal for monitoring in real-time a body temperature displacement value, a heartbeat displacement value or a slope displacement value transmitted from the RF communication module and creating the warning signal; and a general server for periodically receiving the body temperature displacement value, the heartbeat displacement value or the slope displacement value at intervals of a day, a week, a month or a year through a wired or wireless communication network previously connected to the field management communication terminal and deriving a plurality of quantitative graphs related to safety management status of a field where the RF communication module is located.
US09691249B1
The vehicular child or pet alarm is an alarm system adapted for use with vehicles. The vehicular child or pet alarm is an in-vehicle sensor system that identifies when occupants, particularly children and pets, are in the vehicle. The sensor system is in communication with a key alarm and a case alarm. If sensor system detects an occupant within the vehicle and determines that either the key alarm or the case alarm are greater than a predetermined distance from the sensor system than an alarm is generated on the key alarm or the case alarm, respectively, and a text message is sent to a designated personal data device that is configured to receive text messages. The vehicular child or pet alarm comprises a sensor system, a key alarm, and a case alarm.
US09691248B2
An approach is disclosed that provides assistance to disabled individuals when utilizing public spaces. In the approach, a wireless message is received at a detector of the system with the wireless message being from a device worn by a disabled individual. The wireless message includes impairment data pertaining to the disabled individual. In addition, reception of the wireless message indicates that the disabled individual has entered a physical area that provides accommodations to disabled individuals. The approach identifies an impairment pertaining to the disabled individual and adjusts a device setting of a device in the physical area based on the identified impairment of the disabled individual.
US09691245B2
The present invention is directed to providing a method and system that enables a first responder police Incident Commander to take command and control of a building having an active suspect ongoing event. Using the method and system herein, the Police Incident Commander is able to clearly distinguish the positions of his building entry teams (BETs) in the building relative to the position of the suspect through a graphic display of Friend and Foe designation whereupon he can precisely direct their maneuver to close with the suspect. The incident commander communicates to a Command and Control Center to arm non-lethal chemical canisters pre-located in “Hot Zones” for use in remotely incapacitating the intruders. When the intruders, boxed in by the BETs, enter a “Hot Zone” the incident commander gives the command to release the non-lethal chemical/smoke, ammonia spray that disorients and blinds the intruders allowing the BETs to safely end the incident.
US09691240B2
A floor covering system can include sensors below a top surface of a floor covering and that can communicate data to a controller for monitoring events occurring in the room with the floor covering. The sensors can include a wireless transmitter associated with a tile connector, a pressure sensor, and a force sensor. The tile connector is positioned between a floor and a floor covering to connect tiles of the floor covering together. The pressure sensor is positioned between the floor and the floor covering. The force sensor is positioned between the floor and the floor covering. The controller is configured for receiving data from the pressure sensor, the wireless transmitter, and the force sensor.
US09691235B2
A communication apparatus that can be driven with a battery includes: an authentication unit arranged to authenticate a battery attached to the communication apparatus; and a wireless communication unit arranged to communicate with an external apparatus via a wireless network. The wireless communication unit of the communication apparatus is arranged to output a result of authentication by the authentication unit to the external apparatus via the wireless network.
US09691233B2
In an example embodiment, a document holding cassettes that can be used in an automated banking machine that includes circuitry that is wirelessly powered through inductive coupling. The cassette can wirelessly communicate with the automated banking machine through induction.
US09691215B2
Gaming apparatus and methods of conducting a wagering game of chance. A gaming machine is disclosed which is configured for mutually concurrent play of a plurality of games of chance on a single display screen. A method of conducting a wagering activity includes providing a player with a plurality of differing games of chance, at least some of which are mutually concurrently playable on a single screen display of a gaming device and enabling mutually concurrent play of the plurality of differing games of chance on the single screen display. Various other gaming machine configurations and methods of play related to multiple differing games of chance on a single display screen are also disclosed herein. Networked gaming machines are also disclosed.
US09691211B2
An image processing apparatus includes an image acquiring unit that reads the front surface of a medium irradiated with first light to acquire a first image, and reads the front surface of the medium irradiated with second light including ultraviolet rays to acquire a second image, by driving an image sensor, a first corrected-image generating unit that generates a first corrected image by decreasing brightness of the first image, a second corrected-image generating unit that generates a second corrected image by increasing contrast of the second image, and a synthetic image generating unit that generates a synthetic image by synthesizing the first corrected image and the second corrected image.
US09691199B1
Methods and devices for using a backend system to allow access to a residence are provided herein. In some embodiments, a call box located at a residence may call a telephone number associated with a user account on the backend system that corresponds to a resident of the residence. When the call box calls the telephone number associated with the user account, an audio message may be provided that includes a question whose answer is a user selected passphrase. A response to the question is then analyzed to determine whether or not the response includes the passphrase. If so, a signal, such as an audible tone, is provided to the call box. The audible tone, when played, may cause a door of the residence to become unlocked.
US09691195B2
Vehicle event recorder systems are arranged to be in constant communication with remote servers and administrators via mobile wireless cellular networks. Vehicle event recorders equipped with video cameras capture video and other data records of important events relating to vehicle use. These data are then transmitted over special communications networks having very high coverage space but limited bandwidth. A vehicle may be operated over very large region while maintaining continuous communications connections with a remote fixed server. As such, systems of these inventions may be characterized as including a mobile unit having: a video camera; a microprocessor; memory; an event trigger; and mobile wireless transceivers, and a fixed network portion including: mobile wireless cellular network, a protocol translation gateway, the Internet and an application-specific server.
US09691190B2
In embodiments of the disclosure, location information can be used to automatically set a parking meter time reminder on a user's mobile device. For example, after determining that the user has parked once a destination has been reached, the user's location can be used to determine if the vehicle has been parked at a parking meter (or other timed parking), and a reminder can be set based on a time limit associated with that parking location. The reminder can display periodic notifications on the user's mobile device until it is detected that the user has driven the vehicle away from the parking spot.
US09691189B1
Accident assessment and reconstruction systems and applications are described. A computer system and software application to reconstruct the scene of an automobile accident by rendering two-dimensional or three-dimensional visual perspectives of an accident. Furthermore, a computer system and software application to assess damage to a vehicle following an accident by rendering a three-dimensional perspective of a vehicle. The three-dimensional perspective of a vehicle illustrates the severity of damage to the vehicle. The rendered visual perspectives create more realistic and detailed documentation of an accident may be useful in accident reporting and insurance claim reporting.
US09691188B2
System, arrangement and method for tolling includes a location determining system arranged at least partly in a vehicle to determine the vehicle location during vehicular travel, a toll database including data about tolls for use of a plurality of lanes of a multi-lane roadway at a plurality of different geographic points, the toll data being different for different lanes of the multi-lane roadway at at least one geographic point, and a communications device arranged on the vehicle. A processor directs transmission including the determined vehicle location and an identification of the vehicle by the communications device to a remote site separate and apart from the vehicle. A toll is determined at the remote site based on the toll database and the vehicle location which is the lane-specific location of the vehicle or based on at least two vehicle locations each of which is a lane-specific location of the vehicle.
US09691182B1
An apparatus for improving the safety of a driver while driving a car, the apparatus comprising a headset for combining an unobstructed view with a virtual overlay, the virtual overlay created from a virtual output provided to the headset, the virtual output having one or more portions, a memory, a processor, at least one input device coupled to the memory and capable of delivering input device data to the memory, an application stored in the memory that when executed by the processor determines characteristics of the driver or an environment around the driver based upon data from the at least one input device, and a controller that based on the determined characteristics performs one or more of the following: block a portion of the virtual output to the virtual overlay, alters at least a portion of the virtual output to the virtual overlay, or adds a new portion to the virtual output.
US09691173B2
There is provided a system and method for rendering in accordance with location of virtual objects in real-time. There is provided a method for persistent association of a graphic overlay with a virtual object in a displayable environment, comprising receiving a first three-dimensional coordinate of the virtual object in the displayable environment, determining a three-dimensional coordinate of the graphic overlay in accordance with the first three-dimensional coordinate of the virtual object, tracking a movement of the virtual object in the displayable environment by receiving one or more second three-dimensional coordinates of the virtual object, and modifying the three-dimensional coordinate of the graphic overlay in accordance with the one or more second three-dimensional coordinates of the virtual object.
US09691172B2
Apparatuses, methods and storage medium associated with animating and rendering an avatar are disclosed herein. In embodiments, the apparatus may comprise an avatar animation engine to receive a plurality of fur shell texture data maps associated with a furry avatar, and drive an avatar model to animate the furry avatar, using the plurality of fur shell texture data maps. The plurality of fur shell texture data maps may be generated through sampling of fur strands across a plurality of horizontal planes. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed.
US09691153B1
Example systems and methods are disclosed for determining the direction of an actor based on image data and sensors in an environment. The method may include receiving point cloud data for an actor at a location within the environment. The method may also include receiving image data of the location. The received image data corresponds to the point cloud data received from the same location. The method may also include identifying a part of the received image data that is representative of the face of the actor. The method may further include determining a direction of the face of the actor based on the identified part of the received image data. The method may further include determining a direction of the actor based on the direction of the face of the actor. The method may also include providing information indicating the determined direction of the actor.
US09691151B1
Methods, apparatus, systems, and computer-readable media are provided for generating and using a spatio-temporal model that defines pose values for a plurality of objects in an environment and corresponding times associated with the pose values. Some implementations relate to using observations for one or more robots in an environment to generate a spatio-temporal model that defines pose values and corresponding times for multiple objects in the environment. In some of those implementations, the model is generated based on uncertainty measures associated with the pose values. Some implementations relate to utilizing a generated spatio-temporal model to determine the pose for each of one or more objects an environment at a target time. The pose for an object at a target time is determined based on one or more pose values for the object selected based on a corresponding measurement time, uncertainty measure, and/or source associated with the pose values.
US09691150B2
An image processing apparatus includes: an image obtaining unit configured to obtain a first image by imaging an object using a first imaging apparatus, a second image by imaging the object using a second imaging apparatus, a third image by imaging the object using an image capturing unit whose position is associated with the second imaging apparatus; and an alignment unit configured to align the object in the first image with the object in the second image so that observation information of the object in the first image matches observation information of the object in the third image.
US09691140B2
Global matching of pixel data across multiple images. Pixel values of an input image are modified to better match a reference image with a slope thresholded histogram matching function. Visual artifacts are reduced by avoiding large pixel value modifications. For large intensity variations across the input and reference image, the slope of the mapping function is thresholded. Modification to the input image is therefore limited and a corresponding modification to the reference image is made to improve the image matching. More than two images may be matched by iteratively modifying a cumulative mass function of a reference image to accommodate thresholded modification of multiple input images. A device may include logic to match pixel values across a plurality of image frames generated from a plurality of image sensors on the device. Once matched, image frames may be reliably processed further for pixel correspondence, or otherwise.
US09691135B2
A computer determines one or more brightness levels associated with a first set of pixels within a light source in an image. The computer determines a brightness effect on a second set of pixels in the image based on the one or more brightness levels associated with the first set of pixels within the light source. The computer receives input to alter at least one of the one or more brightness levels associated with the first set of pixels within the light source. The computer alters one or more brightness levels associated with the second set of pixels in the image based on the received input and the determined brightness effect.
US09691128B2
A map interface presents a geographic map with markers identifying geographic locations associated with content items. When the geographic distance between two or more content items is less than a threshold distance, multiple content items are grouped to create an aggregated content item. Based on the geographic locations associated with the grouped content items, a geographic location is associated with the aggregated content item. A single marker identifies the geographic location for the aggregated content item on the geographic map. When a user viewing the map interface accesses the single marker, content selected from the content items combined to generated the aggregated content item is presented as well as the geographic location associated with the aggregated content item.
US09691122B2
A mechanism is described for facilitating dynamic and efficient pre-launch clipping for partially-obscured images on computing devices. A method of embodiments, as described herein, includes receiving state data relating to an image having partially-obscured regions, where the image is capable of being processed on a graphics processing unit of a computing device, and evaluating the state data, where evaluating includes computation of at least one of visible pixels and invisible pixels of the image. The method may further include selecting the visible pixels to be included in processing of the image, where the invisible pixels are ignored. The method may further include processing the image based on the visible pixels.
US09691119B2
A recording medium stores a plurality of commands which are executed by a visual interface apparatus including a display panel and a control unit. The commands comprise controlling the control unit to integrate a display data and a transmission data, and controlling the control unit to transmit the integrated display data and transmission data to the display panel. The commands also include controlling the control unit that the display panel displays an image according to a display data, and controlling the control unit to couple an encoded signal containing the transmission data to an operation apparatus through an electrode of the display panel. A data transmission system is also disclosed in the invention. Thus, the wireless transmission function can be achieved by the display panel without the need of adding other components and the application of the electronic apparatus can be thus expanded.
US09691114B2
A method of managing an inventory includes associating an identifier with a container system component such as a container, a sensor or a substance, where the sensor is configured to determine an indication of an attribute of the substance stored in the container. The method further may include associating an identifier with a container system member within a dataset remote to the container; remotely receiving container system data including the identifier and the indication of the attribute; and performing at least one data processing task associated with the container system data.
US09691104B2
Processor-executable methods, computing systems, and related processing for the creation, transaction, administration, management and communication of data relating to weather-related guarantees or revenue protection policies for mitigating the risk of loss of recurrent merchant revenue due to one or more weather conditions, based on analysis of revenues resulting from payment card transactions associated with the merchant.
US09691099B2
A system to alert a user of a network-based marketplace event. The system receives the network-based marketplace event and determines if the network-based marketplace event is associated with a network-based marketplace alert that has been requested by the user. If so, the system communicates the network-based marketplace alert to the client machine over a persistent connection, the network-based marketplace alert to alert the user of the network-based marketplace event.
US09691090B1
Data processing systems and methods for retrieving data regarding a plurality of data privacy campaigns and for using that data to assess a relative risk associated with the data privacy campaign. In various embodiments, the system may be adapted to: (1) display one or more visual summaries of one or more data flow diagrams that visually depicts key features of the data flow, such as whether data is confidential and/or encrypted; (2) allow for multiple users to be assigned responsibility for populating different respective questions that are required to define the data flow; (3) automatically assess and display a relative risk associated with each campaign; and (4) automatically set, monitor, and facilitate the timely completion of an audit schedule for each campaign.
US09691086B1
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer-readable storage medium for rendering a content item. A method includes: providing a request to a server computer, the request in the form of a request for a content item to fill a content item slot on a page to be displayed on a client device or a request for search results; receiving, in response to the request, a content item for display on the client device; and initiating the display of the content item including executing a script that identifies a plurality of layout options for the display of the content item, evaluates the plurality of layout options based on one or more criteria, and renders the content item in accordance with one of the plurality of layout options based on the evaluation.
US09691085B2
Combining the natural language processing of product descriptions and statistical analysis of payment data to classify consumers based on products purchased and merchants based on products sold. Systems and methods use natural language processing techniques to interpret the descriptions of item level purchase data to classify products that have been purchased by customers into micro-categories. Statistical deviation methods are applied to the payment data to calculate normalized mean product cost, after removing outliers. After determining the micro-categories of the products purchased and the mean product cost of the purchased products, the system and methods classify consumers and merchants into categories based at least in part on the product micro-categories, mean costs, and relative volume of product types sold by merchants to predict which consumers are likely to purchase from which merchants.
US09691084B1
Methods, systems and apparatus, including computer program products are described for providing temporally relevant targeted content items. A set of user data is used to determine current user interests as indicated by one or more recent events. Content items relevant to those events are identified and ranked based on a time that the corresponding event occurred. One or more of the top ranked content items can be delivered to a user.
US09691075B1
The present disclosure extends to comparing two or more names in a database of contact records. In embodiments, systems of the present disclosure execute a comparison of submitted names to determine if the records should be linked and/or merged. Embodiments of the present disclosure can compensate for irregularities in the database of contact records, including inconsistent name prefixes and suffixes, misspellings, typographical errors, misordered first/last names, and nicknames.
US09691068B1
Some implementations include searching for and analyzing public-domain-status information about works (such as e-books) over the Internet. A computer system may search for works recently made available online that are categorized as being in the public domain. Associated metadata is analyzed to generate a confidence level regarding whether the works are in the public domain or protected by copyright. Based on the confidence level, decisions can be made, such as whether to make the works available for free in a particular country.
US09691067B2
The present invention consists of methods whereby local/mobile computing devices are registered by collecting a set of hardware and/or software distinctive identifiers to be saved in a validation database residing on a validation database server/Web server, such that the local/mobile computing device can be used as a digital hardware key for right of access and authorization of electronic transactions. This is done by comparing a regenerated set of hardware and/or software distinctive identifiers with those previously registered in the validation database in order to validate the identity of the local/mobile computing device. The invention consists of a first software program executing on a local/mobile computing device that generates the set of hashed and/or encrypted hardware and/or software distinctive identifiers and a second software program resident residing on a validation database server/Web server that manages the validation database.
US09691065B2
Embodiments of the present invention are related to systems and methods of verifying the integrity of transactions that traverse through complex system workflows, and particularly, verifying the integrity of financial and non-financial transactions that traverse through a plurality of financial systems making up one or more system workflows. In one embodiment, a clearing system is disclosed to include a central clearing engine configured for processing a plurality of transactions by retrieving transaction data of at least one transaction of the plurality of transactions from at least one data source based on a selection received. After parsing the transaction data, the central clearing engine may verify transaction data integrity based on the transaction data and determine a result, and generate a report based on the result.
US09691054B2
A noninstrusive system and method of scanning an object having component parts includes a vendor based data repository of component parts and a matching processor to receive a scanned image representative of the assembled object and to provide suggested and/or matched component parts for purchase from the vendor.
US09691052B2
The present disclosure relates to a method, a system and a server using text messages for scheduling of business appointments. A server receives an initial text message having been transmitted over a wireless network by a mobile terminal. The initial text message includes a function keyword. Based on the function keyword, the server determines a type of requested service and creates a unique page identification for a scheduler page. The server transmits toward the mobile terminal over the wireless network, a reply text message including the unique page identification. The server detects an access of the scheduler page by the mobile terminal, the access including an entry of appointment data. An appointment is scheduled in the scheduler page, using the entered appointment data.
US09691048B1
A chipless RFID transponder is disclosed. The transponder comprises an antenna and a plurality of resonant structures that together define a spectral signature of the RFID transponder. Each of the resonant structures comprises conductive portions separated by interstitial regions. A reversible photoconductive material is disposed in the interstitial regions of the resonant structures between the conductive portions. The photoconductive material is positioned so as to shift the spectral signature of the RFID when exposed to radiation.
US09691046B1
A planning method that supports go/no-go decisions to launch or continue transformative programs that typically have durations of several years to achieve desired outcomes. Examples include organizational centralization and decentralization, process improvement, continuous improvement, Agile Management and Enterprise Resource Management. A multi-step method provides a seamless path from human judgments regarding desired outcomes and their associated accomplishments, obstacles and risk factors, to financial risk assessments for achieving those desired outcomes. The methods use of Project and Project Risk management technology provides a seamless path to more detailed granularity required for project management of program implementations as well as a return to less granularity to repeat earlier steps of the multistep method, to reassess program progress. Techniques from several planning disciplines including, Project Management, Project Risk Management, Scenario Planning, Financial Modeling, and most notably Backcasting are used.
US09691042B2
A method and system is provided to manage and track changes in enterprise architectures. The invention provides a hierarchical visual management tool to manage and update relational information within an enterprise in a controlled fashion. The relationship may be maintained in a database and displayed via graphical user interface. Enterprise assets are categorized into such categories as goals, customer values or requirements, capabilities, resources, and the like. A hierarchy is constructed so that relationships between these various categories are identified and captured using the invention. Weights may be assigned to each element of the categories so that any proposed change to an enterprise architecture may be viewed so that a value can be ascertained and compared between other values of other proposed changes. In this manner, tracking and management of evolutionary changes to an architecture may be accomplished using relational information.
US09691038B2
A method and apparatus for examining workflow processes can include monitoring system having a definition element that selectively defines one or more workflow process elements of a corresponding workflow, and a monitor element that identifies one or more monitoring parameters for each of the workflow process elements. The system can also include one or more operational aspects of the one or more workflow process elements according to corresponding definitions and monitoring parameters.
US09691032B2
Techniques are disclosed herein for making predictions with respect to how content consumers will interact with a digital asset. For example, in the context of website visitors browsing digital assets provided via a website, web traffic data can be collected and modeled using a belief network. The belief network may represent a probability distribution for a set of variables that define the web traffic data. Examples of such variables include browser type, browsing session duration, geographic location, visitor demographic characteristics, and a browsing outcome. Certain of the embodiments disclosed herein can be used to extract knowledge from the belief network, thereby allowing statistical inferences to be drawn with respect to how certain classes of website visitors will interact with the website. The influence of one or more first variables (for example, geographic location) can be quantified with respect to one or more second variables (for example, the successful result indicator).
US09691031B2
An efficient fact checking system analyzes and determines the factual accuracy of information and/or characterizes the information by comparing the information with source information. The efficient fact checking system automatically monitors information, processes the information, fact checks the information efficiently and/or provides a status of the information.
US09691030B2
Electrical usage of devices in a building may be monitored to assist a user in labeling devices. In some implementations, a user may provide information about a first device, and this information may be used to obtain a plurality of mathematical models that each correspond to a device or a class of devices. The mathematical models may be used to process an electrical signal, and a score may be generated for each mathematical model. A mathematical model may be selected from the plurality of mathematical models using the scores, such as selecting a mathematical model with a highest score. The first device may be associated with the selected mathematical model.
US09691029B2
The present disclosure provides methods for classifying food products and predicting appropriate ages and/or developmental stages that children should be provided with certain food products. In an embodiment, the methods include mathematical models that use the measurements of key texture attributes to predict the minimum age and/or developmental stage of food products. Using the methods of the present disclosure, classification of food products can be directed during early product development. Additionally, the methods of the present disclosure have generated an understanding of which key texture attributes differentiate appropriate products across developmental stages.
US09691027B1
Machine-learning based detection (MLD) profiles can be used to identify sensitive information in documents. The MLD profile can be used to generate a confidence value for the document that expresses the degree of confidence with which the MLD profile can classify the document as sensitive or not. In one embodiment, a data loss prevention system provides or suggests a confidence level threshold to a user of the data loss prevention system by providing a confidence level threshold for the MLD profile to the user, the confidence level threshold to be used as the boundary between sensitive data and non-sensitive data. In one embodiment the provided confidence level threshold is determined by scanning a random data set using the MLD profile.
US09691023B2
Methods, apparatuses, and computer readable mediums for exercise behavior prediction are provided. In a particular embodiment, the prediction evaluation controller is configured to generate an exercise activity pattern based on correlations between scheduling of a user's historical non-exercise events and the user's historical exercise events. In the particular embodiment, the prediction evaluation controller is also configured to generate, based on the generated exercise activity pattern, by the prediction evaluation controller, a future exercise event to correspond with a future non-exercise event scheduled on the user's calendar. In the particular embodiment, the prediction evaluation controller is also configured to provide an indication of the generated future exercise event.
US09691016B2
An RFID tag to is attached to a metal member including a slit, the RFID tag including conductive members attached to a surface of the metal member at corresponding sides of the slit in a width direction of the slit through an isolator; and an IC chip that receives power through the conductive members. Each of the conductive members has a shape to avoid overlapping with storing portions, each of the storing portions being configured to store one of tablets.
US09691007B2
An identification apparatus performs classification using a plurality of classifiers, and calculates the reliability of its classification result. A data obtaining unit obtains input data. A feature quantity obtaining unit obtains a feature quantity corresponding to the input data. A plurality of classifiers receive input of the feature quantity and perform classification based on the input feature quantity. An identification unit inputs the feature quantity into each of the classifiers, and generates a single second classification result based on a plurality of classification results obtained from the classifiers. A reliability generation unit generates a reliability of the second classification result based on variations across the plurality of classification results.
US09691005B2
A machine-executable process comprises receiving a request to take a screenshot of a display and receiving page source information of the display. The page source information is compared to stored page source information of displays that have had a screenshot taken to determine whether a screenshot of the display has already been taken. If a screenshot has not already been taken of the display, then a screenshot is taken and the page source information of the display is added to the stored page source information.
US09691003B2
The present application relates to a method of generating a keypoint descriptor for identifying an object in an image or a sequence of images, the keypoint descriptor being substantially invariant to a transformation of the object in the image. The present application further relates to a method of identifying an object in an image using a keypoint descriptor; and processing apparatus and computer program products for implementing a method of the present application.
US09690993B2
A method and a device for analyzing trafficability use a computer to perform the following steps: receiving image data representing an image of surroundings in front of a vehicle, analyzing the image data to identify different zones in the image of the surroundings, and analyzing the identified different zones in terms of trafficability thereof for the vehicle.
US09690990B2
A method of classifying images includes extracting parameters from each of the images. The parameters of each image is quantized. Once the quantization data of each image is obtained, each image is classified according to quantization data.
US09690989B2
In some embodiments, an apparatus and a system, as well as a method and an article, may operate to acquire fluid image information from an imaging device having a field of view including fluid, the fluid image information including fossil image information. Additional activities may include processing the fossil image information to identify fossil types in the fluid as data that associates the fossil types with a formation from which the fluid was acquired, determining the location of a first borehole in the formation based on the data and offset records associated with a second borehole, and publishing the data in conjunction with indications of the location. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.
US09690981B2
A system and a method for motion evaluation. The system for motion evaluation includes: a plurality of sensor apparatuses photographing a user to acquire user's joint data; an analysis apparatus performs calibration and synchronization on the joint data input from the plurality of sensor apparatuses to generate a user's skeleton and uses pose vectors calculated for each body part to compare a user's pose with an expert's pose; and a display apparatus outputting a user character moved depending on a user's motion by using the skeleton, together with an expert character and outputting the comparison result.
US09690978B2
A time difference measurement system includes: a first face detection unit for detecting face areas from images photographed by first camera and that slices them as face images; a first face feature extraction unit for extracting first face feature amounts from the face images, and a memory that stores the first face feature amounts in association with shooting time instants. The system includes, for a second camera, an analogous second face detection unit, a second overlap deletion unit and a second face feature extraction unit. The system includes: a face collation unit for collating the second face feature amounts with the first face values; and a time difference calculation unit for calculating time difference between the first and second shooting time instants. The system further includes at least one of first and second overlap deletion units for comparing a plurality of face images sliced from different frames.
US09690973B2
In one aspect, methods that use a novel representation, referred to as an octant feature vector (OFV), are used for matching distorted fingerprints. For instance, a feature-based matcher for distorted fingerprint matching may use a two-step local and global matching scheme to compare a set of feature vectors that are derived from minutiae of a reference fingerprint and a search fingerprint. The relative geometric relationships between the reference minutia and nearest minutiae may be derived and encoded into a feature vector based on orientation difference. The OFV is invariant to the rigid transformations and is insensitive to nonlinear distortions since the relative geometric relationships are independent from the rigid transformation.
US09690968B2
A method of electronically authenticating an electronic ticket upon entry to a venue can include displaying a first scannable code on a display of a user device, placing the user device adjacent to a scannable code reader device, scanning the first scannable code of the user device with the scannable code reader device, generating a second scannable code and displaying the second scannable code on the scannable code reader device, scanning the second scannable code with a camera on the user device, generating a user ticket code on the display of the user device, and displaying the user ticket code on the user device to gain admittance into the venue.
US09690966B2
An information collecting system and method based on two-dimensional code are provided. The information collecting system comprises an intelligent terminal and an information collecting end. The intelligent terminal comprises: a first communication module; a first storage module; a display module; a first processing module; an input module; a two-dimensional code output module I; and a two-dimensional code generation module I. The information collecting end comprises: a second communication module; a second storage module; a two-dimensional code recognition module II; and a second processing module. The information collecting process of the present invention is easy, convenient, quick and efficient to operate, thus increasing information collecting efficiency greatly, reducing user time consumption, avoiding the defects that mistakes of information collecting mode are prone to being made and important user information is prone to being revealed due to manual filling or dictation in the prior art, and ensuring the user information safety effectively.
