US09730362B2
A heat exchanger is configured to be arranged on a first housing of an electronic device, wherein the first housing has a top surface and a sidewall neighboring on the top surface, wherein the first housing has multiple first metal sheets protruding from the sidewall of the first housing. The heat exchanger includes a second housing configured to be mounted to the first housing, wherein a first opening is at a bottom of the second housing and configured to have the electronic device extend into an inner space in the second housing through the first opening, and a second opening is at a wall of the second housing and communicates with the inner space. The heat exchanger includes multiple second metal sheets in the inner space, wherein the second metal sheets are configured to be arranged over the top surface of the first housing, and a first heater in the inner space and thermally connected to the second metal sheets.
US09730358B2
An exemplary heat dissipation apparatus includes a bracket, a reticular cover fixed to the bracket and a receiving space being defined with the bracket, and a tray received in the receiving space. The tray includes a first surface and a second surface. A number of first through holes is defined on the bracket. A number of second through holes is defined on the tray respectively corresponding to the first through holes, each of the second through holes extends obliquely from the first surface of the tray to the second surface of the tray relative to a vertical line of the first and second surfaces of the tray. A first magnet is installed on the first surface of the tray, a second magnet corresponding to the first magnet is installed on the bracket.
US09730355B2
An information handling system (IHS) has a lightweight server (LWS) chassis that is user selectable from multiple LWS chassis. Each LWS chassis includes a chassis base having structural configuration that enables placement of the LWS chassis in a nested, stacked configuration with a second LWS chassis placed atop the LWS chassis and a third LWS chassis placed below the LWS chassis. Multiple LWS chassis can be stacked in a vertical space whose height is less than a sum of individual heights of each of the multiple LWS chassis. The IHS further includes compute components inserted into the LWS chassis and one or more connecting cabling interconnecting the at least two compute components.
US09730352B2
A system includes (i) a module configured to be mounted on a panel and (ii) a clamp. The clamp includes a retaining section configured to receive and retain a threaded structure. The retaining section is also configured to be connected to and apply force against the module. The clamp also includes a contact section configured to contact the panel and apply force against the panel. The clamp further includes a connecting portion connecting the retaining section and the contact section. The connecting portion is configured to allow part of the threaded structure to contact the contact section in order to create the forces applied against the panel and the module. The connecting portion can be elastic such that a separation of the retaining section and the contact section changes as the threaded structure pushes against the contact section.
US09730344B2
A display apparatus includes: a display panel configured to display an image; a window on the display panel having a transmissive area through which the image is transmitted and a non-transmissive area adjacent to the transmissive area, a case configured to accommodate the display panel and being coupled to the window; and a light sensor accommodated in the case at the non-transmissive area. The window includes a base member and a printed layer, and the base member has a first portion at the non-transmissive area and a second portion extending from the first portion at the transmissive area. The first portion has a curved upper surface and a recess. The printed layer is on a lower surface of the first portion and has an opening corresponding to the light sensor. The recess has a flat bottom surface overlapping the light sensor.
US09730338B2
Portable electronic devices are provided. Each device may be formed from two parts. A first part may be provided with components such as a display, a touch screen, a cover glass, and a frame. A second part may be provided with a plastic housing, circuit boards containing electrical components, and a bezel. Engagement members may be connected to the first and second parts. The engagement members may be formed from metal clips with holes and springs with flexible spring prongs that mate with the holes in the clips. The metal clips may be welded to frame struts on the frame and the springs may be welded to the bezel. Hard stop structures may be used to vertically align the first and second parts. A frame in the device may have an integral gasket.
US09730328B2
A printed circuit board with embedded component includes a double-sided printed circuit board, an electronic component, a plurality of conductive paste blocks, an insulating layer and a wiring layer near the first wiring layer, an insulating layer and a wiring layer near the second wiring layer. The double-sided printed circuit board comprising a first wiring layer, a base, and a second wiring layer. The first wiring layer and the second wiring layer are arranged on opposite sides of the base. The second wiring layer includes a plurality of electrical contact pads. The base defines a number of conductive vias. Each electrical contact pad is aligned with and electrically connected to one corresponding conductive via. The conductive paste blocks are electrically connecting to the conductive vias. The electronic component is electrically connected to the conductive paste blocks. The two insulating layers cover the electronic component and the second wiring layer.
US09730322B2
A component-embedded substrate includes a cavity including through-holes penetrating through resin sheets in a stacked body of resin sheets having flexibility. An electronic chip component including external electrodes is disposed in the cavity. The resin sheet on which the electronic chip component is located is provided with through-holes into which conductive pastes are filled. The resin sheet includes cut-away portions communicating with a through-hole and located at a distance from each other across the through-hole. When this stacked body is hot-pressed, the conductive pastes overflow from the through-holes. However, the overflowing conductive pastes enter the cut-away portions.
US09730321B2
Compositions and methods for silver plating onto metal surfaces such as PWBs in electronics manufacture to produce a silver plating which is greater than 80 atomic % silver, tarnish resistant, and has good solderability.
US09730303B1
A dimming control device is configured to be electrically connected to a pull switch for controlling a lighting device. The dimming control device includes a control module and a power module. The control module is configured to be electrically connected to the pull switch for receiving a trigger signal that is indicative of a pulled duration for which a cord of the pull switch is pulled and held in a pulled state. The power module is controlled by the control module according to the trigger signal to operate the lighting device by turning on/off lighting elements of the lighting device, or steplessly adjusting brightness of light emitted from any lighting element that is turned on.
US09730290B2
A dimmable alternating current (AC) driven light emitting diode (LED) illuminating apparatus including a TRIAC dimmer configured to perform a dimming control using a phase control.
US09730284B2
A LAM/ICM assembly comprises an integrated control module (ICM) and an LED array member (LAM). The ICM includes interconnect through which power from outside the assembly is received. In a first novel aspect, active circuitry is embedded in the ICM. In one example, the circuitry monitors LED operation, controls and supplies power to the LEDs, and communicates information into and out of the assembly. In a second novel aspect, a lighting system comprises an AC-to-DC converter and a LAM/ICM assembly. The AC-to-DC converter outputs a substantially constant current or voltage. The magnitude of the current or voltage is adjusted by a signal output from the LAM/ICM. In a third novel aspect, the ICM includes a built-in switching DC-to-DC converter. An AC-to-DC power supply supplies a roughly regulated supply voltage. The switching converter within the LAM/ICM receives the roughly regulated voltage and supplies a regulated LED drive current to its LEDs.
US09730274B2
An electrical raft 200 comprising electrical conductors 252 embedded in a rigid material are provided to a gas turbine engine. The raft 200 is used to transport electrical signals (which may be, for example power and/or control signals) around a gas turbine engine. The electrical raft 200 has an electrical connector 700 embedded therein which is used to connect the electrical raft to an electrical unit, such as an EEC of a gas turbine engine The electrical connector 700 is resiliently biased so as to ensure a reliable electrical connection.
US09730245B2
Methods, systems, and devices are described for wireless communication at a user equipment (UE). In some examples, a base station may allocate, to a UE, time and/or frequency resources for transmitting physical random access channel (PRACH) signals. The resource allocation may be apportioned based on a type and class of PRACH signal. For instance, a UE may be assigned a first subset of resources to transmit regularly scheduled traffic and a second subset of resources to transmit on-demand traffic. Regularly scheduled traffic may include, for example, sensor measurements reported to the base station on a predetermined time interval (e.g., 24 hour time interval). In contrast, an on-demand traffic may include an impromptu transmission, initiated based on a detection of at least one reporting trigger (e.g., sensing an abnormality at the UE).
US09730243B2
A user equipment (UE) is provided in a long term evolution (LTE) frequency division duplex (FDD) system. The UE receives a downlink control information (DCI) including a UL grant for transmitting the UL signal in an N-th subframe, and transmits the UL signal using the UL grant, in at least one of an (N+4)-th subframe and an (M+4)-th subframe. An M-th subframe is a subframe in which both of a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) and an enhanced PDCCH (EPDCCH) are not transmitted. N and M are integers, and M is greater than N.
US09730229B2
A method for allocating a resource by a Mobile Station (MS) in a mobile communication system includes performing a measurement operation and a measurement report operation; and being allocated a resource from a small cell Base Station (BS) or a macro BS based on a neighbor small cell BS change probability and a neighbor small cell BS list, wherein the neighbor small cell BS list includes information on neighbor small cell BSs, and the neighbor small cell BSs are neighbor small cell BSs of which received signal strengths for reference signals measured by the MS are equal to or greater than a threshold received signal strength, and wherein the neighbor small cell BS change probability is determined using a neighbor small cell BS list which is generated at a current timing point and a neighbor small cell BS list which is generated at a previous timing point.
US09730225B2
A wireless communication base station device which makes it possible to provide a base station, terminal and CCE allocation method capable of reducing the number of times blind decoding of a terminal is performed, without increasing the CCE block rate, even when a plurality of unit bands are set in a terminal. In this device, a search space setting section (103) sets in each of a plurality of unit bands a common search space in respect of a terminal which is communicating using the plurality of unit bands and other terminals, and sets in each of the plurality of unit bands an individual search space in respect of the terminal. An allocation section (106) allocates control information solely to CCEs within the common search spaces set in specified unit bands among the plurality of unit bands, or solely to CCEs within individual search spaces set in specified unit bands.
US09730216B2
A method (900) for medium access reservation in a multiband wireless network comprises determining available slots (220) for reservation in a superframe (210) for reservation across multiple channels (S910); generating channel reservation protocol (CRP) availability information element (IE) (310) to indicate the available slots on a main channel; generating one or more Extended-Channel CRP availability IEs (500) to indicate the available slots on one or more respective extended channels (S920); exchanging the CRP availability IE and the Extended-Channel CRP availability IEs between a receiving device and a transmitting device (S930); and generating a Multiband CRP IE (600) to reserve slots that are available on the receiving device and the transmitting device (S940).
US09730211B2
The present invention relates to a wireless communication system, and more specifically, to a method and an apparatus for transmitting or receiving a downlink signal considering an antenna port relationship. The method for enabling a terminal to receive a physical downlink sharing channel (PDSCH) signal in the wireless communication system according to one embodiment of the present invention can determine a PDSCH start symbol index according to the predetermined priority and receive the PDSCH signal therethrough. The PDSCH start symbol index can be determined when a PDSCH start symbol value included in a PDSCH resource element mapping and Quasi co-location Indicator (PQI) parameter set is determined by an upper layer. The PDSCH start symbol index can be determined according to the PDSCH start symbol value for a cell receiving the PDSCH when the PDSCH start symbol value included in the PQI parameter set is not determined by the upper layer.
US09730210B2
A method is provided for receiving a downlink signal at a downlink reception entity in a wireless communication system. Downlink control information is received by demodulating a Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) in a first resource block (RB) pair within an RB bundle by using a first Demodulation Reference Signal (DMRS) in the first RB pair. Further, downlink data is received by demodulating a Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH) in one or more second RB pairs within the RB bundle by using a second DMRS in the one or more second RB pairs. The second DMRS is used based on an assumption that a same precoder is applied to the one or more second RB pairs.
US09730207B2
The present invention relates to a method of transmitting/receiving a signal by a UE in a wireless communication system supporting carrier aggregation. The method includes the steps of: receiving a configuration for aggregating a component carrier in a frequency division duplex (FDD) mode and a component carrier in a time division duplex (TDD) mode; and transmitting/receiving a signal using a primary component carrier and a secondary component carrier determined according to the configuration, wherein the primary component carrier and the secondary component carrier support different modes.
US09730202B2
A method for monitoring a control channel in a wireless communication system and a wireless device using the same are provided. The wireless device monitors a downlink control channel in at least one physical resource block (PRB) pair of a subframe that is assigned for an enhanced physical downlink control channel (EPDCCH) set. A beatstream for downlink control information of the downlink control channel is scrambled by a scrambling sequence that is initialized on the basis of a scrambling initialization value allocated to the EPDCCH set.
US09730199B2
Provided are a method for a terminal transmitting uplink control information (UCI) through a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) in a wireless communication system, and a terminal using the method. A transmission power to be applied to the uplink control channel is determined on the basis of a value subordinate to a PUCCH format, and at least one type of UCI is transmitted from the physical uplink control channel by using the transmission power that is determined, wherein when the PUCCH format is PUCCH format 3, and the at least one type of UCI includes acknowledgement/negative-acknowledgement (ACK/NACK) and periodic channel state information (CSI), the value subordinate to the PUCCH format is determined on the basis of the number of bits of the ACK/NACK and the number of bits of the periodic CSI.
US09730195B2
A radio communication method, includes: notifying a radio terminal of first set information, from at least one communication point among a plurality of communication points, based on information of a reception level on the radio terminal, the first set information specifying one or more candidates of reception points to receive a signal transmitted from the radio terminal among one or more communication points capable of coordinated communication from the plurality of communication points; and notifying the radio terminal of second set information, from at least one communication point among the plurality of communication points, in reception of a signal from the radio terminal, the second set information specifying one or more reception points to be used for reception of a signal transmitted by the radio terminal among one or more reception points specified in the first set information.
US09730194B2
A terminal that communicates with a base station monitors a physical downlink control channel allocated in a physical downlink control channel region and an enhanced physical downlink control channel allocated in a physical downlink shared channel region different from the physical downlink control channel region. If the physical downlink control channel is detected, the terminal reports response information via a physical uplink control channel resource corresponding to the resource in which the physical downlink control channel was detected. If the enhanced physical downlink control channel is detected, the terminal reports via a prescribed physical uplink control channel resource.
US09730187B2
An apparatus is configured to perform a method for performing distributed scheduling by a reception device configuring a target link corresponding to one of a plurality of links in a network in which the plurality of links for device to device communication exist. The method includes adding up resource allocation demand amounts included in resource information broadcasted by a counterpart device configuring the target link and one or more adjacent transmission devices by a preset Resource Unit (RU), and adjusting self resource information in consideration of resource position information included in the broadcasted resource information and the added resource allocation demand amount and transmitting the adjusted self resource information to the counterpart transmission device.
US09730183B2
The present invention relates to a method for reporting a channel quality indicator for a relay node-dedicated physical downlink shared channel (R-PDSCH) from a base station by a relay node in a wireless communication system. More particularly, the method comprises the following steps: receiving one or more reference signals from the base station; calculating a channel quality indicator for the R-PDSCH on the basis of one or more reference signals; and reporting the channel quality indicator to the base station.
US09730175B2
The present document discloses a method and a system for determining a delay difference, and a base station and UE, the method includes: a serving cell receiving information of time measured by a neighboring cell at which uplink channel/signal information of UE for determining a synchronization delay is received; and the serving cell determining a synchronization delay difference between the UE to the serving cell and the UE to the neighboring cell according to information of time measured by the serving cell at which the uplink channel/signal information of the UE for determining the synchronization delay is received, and the information of time measured by the neighboring cell and at which the uplink channel/signal information of the UE for determining the synchronization delay is received, wherein the uplink channel/signal information measured by the serving cell is the same as the uplink channel/signal information measured by the neighboring cell.
US09730174B2
Disclosed are a method for transmitting a signal for device-to-device (D2D) communication of a user equipment in a wireless communication system and an apparatus for the same. Specifically, the method includes transmitting a D2D signal assigned at least one of a first synchronization information, a second synchronization information and a scheduling assignment information in a scheduling assignment resource unit. The first synchronization information and the second synchronization information are configured to be transmitted with different periodicities.
US09730173B2
This document discloses a solution for synchronizing two apparatuses of the same or different wireless network. A synchronization control apparatus may receive measurement reports from a first apparatus and a second apparatus, wherein at least one of the measurement reports comprises at least one information element indicating an offset between clocks of the first apparatus and the second apparatus. The synchronization control apparatus may synchronize the first apparatus and the second apparatus with each other on the basis of the measurement reports.
US09730160B2
Systems and methods for processing, transmitting and displaying data received from an analyte sensor, such as a glucose sensor, are provided. The data can be displayed on a hand-held display device having a display such as a key fob device including a user interface, such as an LCD and one or more buttons that allows a user to view data, and a physical connector, such as USB port.
US09730159B2
The present invention relates to a wireless communication system, and more specifically, disclosed are a method and an apparatus for accessing a channel in a WLAN system. A method for accessing the channel from a station (STA) in the wireless communication system, according to one embodiment of the present invention, comprises receiving from an access point (AP) setting information of a time window, which does not allow channel access of the STA in a traffic indication map (TIM) mode and which is repeatedly set in a cyclic manner; and carrying out the channel access on the basis of the time window, wherein the setting information includes starting point information of a specific time window and cycle information of the time window, wherein the time window is repeatedly set for every cycle that is indicated by the cycle information of the time window.
US09730153B2
Embodiments are provided for a multi-objective scheme for solving a cell switch-off problem. The multi-objective solution seeks to minimize or reduce network energy consumption by switching off some of the cells in the network while allowing enough capacity according to traffic needs and quality of service requirement. An embodiment method includes determining, for each one of a plurality of established traffic profiles, a set of solutions with respect to a number of active cells from a plurality of cells in the network and an aggregate network capacity. The method further includes matching a given traffic profile to one of the established traffic profiles, and evaluating performances of the solutions corresponding to that traffic profile. A solution from the solutions is then selected in accordance with the evaluation. The selected solution indicates which of the cells in the wireless network to be switched off.
US09730151B2
A system and method are disclosed that may allow a STA to request one or more non-associated APs to initiate channel sounding operations with the STA. In response to the request, a number of the non-associated APs may send one or more NDPs to the STA. The STA may use the received NDPs to determine a goodput value for each of the number of non-associated APs. The STA may then use the determined goodput values to select one of the number of non-associated APs with which to associate. Thereafter, the STA may initiate an association operation with the selected AP.
US09730149B2
Aspects of the disclosure provide a method for use in a mobile communication device having at least a first communication system and a second communication system. The method includes conducting a network search with the first communication system to obtain network search information and providing the network search information to the second communication system in the mobile communication device to reduce a network search time of the second communication system.
US09730131B2
A method and system for managing handover from a first radio access network to second radio access network is provided. The method includes receiving information associated with one or more neighboring cells from a User Equipment (UE). The information associated with the one or more neighboring cell is measurement reports. Thereafter, the method deciding to perform Handover (HO) based on the measurement reports for the UE from the first radio access network to the second radio access network. Further, the method identifies a target cell from the one or more neighboring cells. The method then determines target cell capabilities. Thereby, the method sends at least one of a handover required message and a relocation required message along with the target cell capabilities to a core network element. The core network element then manages voice bearers and non-voice bearers based on the target cell capabilities.
US09730122B2
A method for processing data transmission services and a terminal are disclosed. The method includes: after a radio link disconnection occurs in a process of only performing the data transmission services of a packet-switched domain in a dedicated state, if judging that a timing value configured with a first timer is 0, a terminal deleting a radio access bearer and a signaling connection of the packet-switched domain; and if judging that a timing value configured with a second timer is not 0, initiating a cell update process, wherein, the first timer is a timer used for monitoring reestablishment of packet-switched domain services; the second timer is a timer used for monitoring reestablishment of circuit-switched domain services. According to the above scheme, the flow of processing a stream interruption of the terminal in a data transmission process can be perfected, and the drawbacks of the existing flow can be solved.
US09730114B2
Embodiments described herein relate generally to a random procedure between wireless transmit/receive units (“WTRUs”) and access nodes. A WTRU may be adapted to determine a repetition level that corresponds to a number of repetitions associated with communication with the access node. The WTRU may then determine at least one of a resource and/or a logical root sequence index associated with the random access procedure. The WTRU may transmit a random access preamble based on the resource and/or a logical root sequence index. The access node may be adapted to determine a repetition level associated with the WTRU based on the random access procedure. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed.
US09730109B2
Random access operation is performed under a communication environment in which a plurality of communication modes having different transmission rate coexist with small overhead. A high-grade communication station spoofs information of a packet length and a rate in a decoding portion so that a value of (packet length)/(rate) corresponds to a duration where the communication is hoped to be stopped. The other station receiving the spoofed information receives the rest of the packet with the designated rate during the interval designated by the value of (packet length)/(rate). In this case, the packet length and the rate are not those of actually transmitted packet so that this packet is discarded.
US09730108B2
Methods and apparatuses for Wi-Fi network operation are disclosed. In one example, a plurality of Wi-Fi bases are discovered, each Wi-Fi base associated with a wireless Wi-Fi device. A Wi-Fi channel associated with a group of Wi-Fi bases is selected and its use evaluated. An operational parameter is configured responsive to the Wi-Fi channel utilization.
US09730104B2
An apparatus and method for performing procedures (protocols) of a PDCP (Packet Data Convergence Protocol) layer and an RLC (radio layer in an E-UMTS (Evolved Universal Mobile Telecommunications System) which has evolved from UMTS, among radio protocols of a mobile communication system. The PDCP layer performs ciphering on data (i.e., PDCP SDU) received from an upper layer, generates an indicator discriminating ciphered data and non-ciphered data (i.e., an ROHC feedback packet directly generated by the PDCP layer), and transmits the same to a lower layer (i.e., MAC layer). A PDCP SN (Sequence Number) is defined as an algorithm for ciphering the data in the PDCP layer to perform ciphering in the PDCP layer.
US09730098B2
Joint provisioning of cell sector capacity (CSC) and a defined customer service level (CSL) is provided utilizing a knowledge discovery and data mining-assisted multi-radio access technology controller. For example, Strategic Performance Indexes, CSC and CSL, are identified. The relationships between CSC, CSL, ergodic channel capacity (ECC) and an interface load (IL) for a radio network (RN) (or cell sector of an RN) are determined. Extensive information associated with the RN is collected and neural networks analysis is employed to reduce the information to a manageable set including the specific information associated with ECC and IL. The reduced set of information is mapped to ECC and IL using eigenvalue analysis, and the relationships between the ECC, IL, CSC and CSL are employed to determine the CSC and CSL for the RN (or cell sector of the RN). Network assignments and/or parameters can be updated based on the results.
US09730096B2
As disclosed herein, a method, executed by a computer, for analyzing a performance metric includes distributing link connection information for a network to each node in the network, pairing each node with another node in the network to provide paired nodes, testing a performance metric for the paired nodes, and generating a performance report for the network. The method may further include receiving link connection information for the network. The method may further include constructing a connectivity graph based on the received link connection information. The method can be used to test link performance within non-homogeneous networks.
US09730094B2
A method of interference management for a wireless device in a wireless communication system may comprise monitoring a packet error metric associated with transmissions over a communication channel of the wireless communication system, modifying a packet size attribute associated with MPDUs processed at the wireless device, identifying a bursty interference condition on the communication channel based on a change in the packet error metric in response to the modified packet size attribute, and generating a bursty interference indicator based on the identification of the bursty interference condition. Another method may comprise receiving a bursty interference indicator identifying a bursty interference condition on a communication channel of the wireless communication system, adjusting a packet size attribute associated with MPDUs processed at the wireless device based on the bursty interference indicator, and transmitting one or more MPDUs over the communication channel according to the adjusted packet size attribute.
US09730091B2
A system is provided that includes a plurality of sensors that detect threats within a secured geographic area, a control panel that monitors the plurality of sensors for activation, a primary control unit that forms a primary mesh network coupling the plurality of sensors with the control panel based upon relative link quality, wherein the primary mesh network is defined by a primary routing table, and a redundant control unit that forms a secondary mesh network coupling the plurality of sensors with the control panel based upon the relative link quality, wherein the secondary mesh network includes a respective relationship of each of the plurality of sensors defined by a secondary routing table, wherein the redundant control unit is located in a different geographic location than the primary control unit within the secured geographic area, and wherein the secondary routing table is different than the primary routing table.
US09730081B2
Small cell deployment may be provided. First, access point data may be captured by a technician device from an access point. Next, the access point data may be transmitted from the technician device to a backend server. The technician device may then receive post-check results corresponding to the access point from the backend server. The post-check results may be based on the transmitted access point data.
US09730078B2
An interactive software-based network design tool that may be used to simulate and view the operation of a wireless mesh device network used in a process plant, such as a wireless HART device network, allows a user to create a model of a wireless network, input several design requirements, and automatically generate and view communication routes and schedules for the wireless network. The network design tool provides an interactive graphic interface for the addition, removal, and positioning of nodes and devices within the wireless network and a menu including several interactive screens for specifying threshold values, network topology selections, routing preferences, and other configuration parameters related to generating and optimizing communication routes and schedules within the wireless mesh network. The network design tool automatically applies a set of optimization rules along with the parameters input by user to the network model in order to generate efficient network configuration data.
US09730074B2
A method in a system for providing information about an association between an IP address of a UE and an ICCID of a SIM card used in the UE in a first security domain to an entity in a second security domain. The system comprises a MME, an HSS and a PDN-GW. The method comprises the MME retrieving at least the ICCID and optionally an IP address for the UE from the HSS, and sending the ICCID and optionally the IP address towards the PDN-GW. The method comprises the HSS receiving a request from the MME, and sending the ICCID and optionally the IP address to the MME. Still further, the method comprises the PDN-GW receiving the ICCID and optionally the IP address, if no IP address is received then the PDN-GW assigning an IP address, associating the IP address with the ICCID and informing the entity in the second security domain about the association between the IP address and ICCID in the first security domain.
US09730071B1
The disclosed computer-implemented method for connecting purpose-built appliances to secure wireless networks may include (1) receiving, via an unsecured wireless network, an identifier from a network device that is not connected to a secure wireless network associated with the computing device, (2) sending, via the unsecured wireless network, a token to the network device, (3) receiving confirmation from a user of the network device that the network device correctly displayed the token and that the user would like to connect the network device to the secure wireless network, and (4) in response to the confirming that the user would like to connect the network device to the secure wireless network, sending, via the unsecured wireless network, network credentials for the secure wireless network to the network device to enable the network device to connect to the secure wireless network. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.
US09730068B2
A system including a smartphone or tablet of a visiting user accessing a web site and security system of a visited person, the security system having a secured area with the visited person located at a predetermined location within the secured area, the web site downloading an initial geographical location of the visiting user from the smartphone or tablet of the visiting user, a processor of the web site generating and sending a map to the smartphone or tablet based upon the downloaded initial geographic location of the visiting user and the predetermined location of the visited person, the smartphone or table displaying the generated map on a display of the smartphone or tablet guiding the visiting user from the initial location of the visiting user to the predetermined location of the visited person and the processor of the website dynamically updating the map displayed on the smartphone or tablet.
US09730059B2
Apparatus and associated methods relate to securely transmitting, directly between two mobile devices, AES-256 encrypted file attachments which are decrypted within an application program (APP) using a decryption key that is available only to the APP. In an illustrative embodiment, the encrypted file may be attached to an e-mail. The e-mail may be transmitted directly to another mobile device via direct Wi-Fi, for example. The e-mail may be transmitted directly to another mobile device using Bluetooth, for example. In encrypted attachment may be deciphered only within the APP running on the receiving mobile device using a private key accessible to only the APP.
US09730054B2
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for efficiently controlling inter-cell interference power in a wireless communication system. According to the present invention, a measurement method to be performed by a terminal in a wireless communication system comprises the following steps: receiving, from a base station, an RRC connection reestablishment message containing pattern information for measuring a serving cell or an adjacent cell; measuring, for an object to be measured indicated by said RRC reestablishment message, the serving cell or adjacent cell using the pattern information; and reporting the result of the measurement to the base station.
US09730050B2
In embodiments, apparatuses, methods, and storage media may be described for reducing the overhead associated with the transmission of channel training signals from an eNodeB (eNB) of a wireless network. Specifically, the eNB may receive feedback from a user equipment (UE) regarding the received signal energy of a first and second beamformed signal produced with a first and second beamforming vector, respectively. The eNB may identify, based on the feedback of the received signal energy, a signal subspace and a null subspace. The eNB may then transmit a channel training signal to the signal subspace.
US09730047B2
An example system includes: a search communication apparatus searching for another communication apparatus; and search subject communication apparatuses searched for by the search communication apparatus. The search communication apparatus includes a search request transmission section transmitting a search request signal. The search subject communication apparatuses each includes: a search request reception section receiving the search request signal transmitted from the search communication apparatus; a search response transmission section transmitting a search response signal as response to the search request signal received by the search request reception section, to the search communication apparatus; and a search response monitoring section monitoring the search response signal transmitted from another search subject communication apparatus to the search communication apparatus. The search response transmission section transmits, as proxy response signal, to the search communication apparatus, the search response signal transmitted from the other search subject communication apparatus and monitored by the search response monitoring section.
US09730041B2
An emergency call sending system includes a telematics unit including a determiner configured to determine whether a telematics antenna of a vehicle has a fault and a telematics terminal, and a user terminal connected to the telematics unit. An emergency call sending method includes determining whether a telematics antenna of a vehicle of an accident has a fault, and sending an emergency call to a telematics center through a user terminal connected to the telematics unit.
US09730036B2
A method is provided for redirecting a call initiated from a portable communication device. The method includes screening calls initiated from the portable communication device, and on the portable communication device, automatically redirecting the call initiated from the portable communication device from a normal communication network to a specified service provider communication network when the screening determines that the call matches predetermined criteria. The method also includes authenticating a user account, executing a visual IVR application that visually interacts with a user of the portable communication device upon authentication of the account, and forwarding the redirected call via a communication network to an alternate system when the authentication of the account fails. The method further includes retrieving personalized account information from the service provider for use by the visual IVR application upon authentication of the account, and displaying selected retrieved personalized account information.
US09730035B2
A method and system for controlling the use of a short message service in a telecommunication system that includes a telecommunication network, a terminal device by which a subscriber is connected to the network, a mobile services switching center connected to the network, a gateway connected to the network, a short message service center connected to the gateway, and a database (DB) connected to or associated with the gateway. A short message sent by an originating subscriber is checked as to whether the short message is among those deemed non-allowed. Forwardable short messages are directed to the gateway, from which the database is queried to determine whether the originating subscriber is permitted the short message to the intended recipient or, alternatively, whether the message should been blocked based on predetermined criteria.
US09730028B2
Systems and methods including a database storing the identifiers of cells representing residential parcels of real estate properties. Mobile devices determine the coordinates of their locations during a period of time using a location determination system, such as a global positioning system. The coordinates are converted to cell identifiers to look up corresponding residential parcels that have been visited by the mobile devices. A server generates a visitation data set for each residential parcel visited by each mobile device, including different types of frequencies of the mobile device visiting the residential parcel (e.g., night, weekend). A server filters the residential parcels based on visitation frequencies to identify home candidates and then further filters the home candidates based on the count of mobile devices having the home candidates. A home parcel, and thus its address, is identified from the filtered home candidate(s) for each mobile device.
US09730026B2
Communication groups are formed based on mobile station location history. The process includes receiving, at a controller device, a group formation request from a requesting device, the request specifying a location and a time window, identifying one or more mobile stations determined to be within a threshold area relative to the location during the time window, and causing a communication group to be created including the identified one or more mobile stations. A further process includes a requesting device configured to identify a location and time window associated with an event, transmit a group formation request specifying the location and the time window and requesting formation of a communication group comprising mobile stations located within a threshold area relative to the location during the time window, and transmit using a communication group identifier provided to the requesting device.
US09730025B2
A method includes receiving geo-location data collected over time period. The geo-location data is associated with a monitoring device. The method further includes receiving motion tracking data of the monitoring device. The motion tracking data is collected over time period. The method includes identifying one or more activities. The activities are identified based on inference rules that identify certain activities to have occurred when at least part of the motion tracking data is correlated to the received geo-location data. The method further includes defining a metric for one or more of the identified activities. The metric is associated to a calendar date. The method includes sending the metric to a calendar application with integration instructions. The integration instructions define the calendar date to which the metric will be added.
US09730022B1
A method of utilizing location information to augment biometric screening. In some aspects, the method includes determining a mobile computing device's likely location, the mobile computing device associated with a user, and augmenting biometric analysis with the device's likely location. Augmenting biometric analysis with the device's likely location may involve increasing or decreasing a confidence level of the biometric analysis based on the device's likely location. The method may also include determining that the mobile computing device is not moving and entering into a waiting state until the mobile computing device is moving, and/or predicting the mobile computing device's likely location. The subject technology also encompasses mobile computing devices and/or systems programmed and/or configured to perform and/or facilitate the above methods.
US09730021B2
An electronic device provides location-based services. The electronic device may include a communication module configured to receive information on a wireless network device, including identification information of at least one electronic device, from the wireless network device. The electronic device may also include a controller configured to perform at least some functions of the electronic device, based on at least one piece of action information corresponding to the identification information, when the identification information corresponding to the electronic device is included in the received information.
US09730016B2
Implementations generally relate to broadcast of content data to geographic areas by devices. In some implementations, a computer-implemented method to broadcast data includes obtaining an indication at a first device to broadcast a content post, determining a broadcast area based on a stored broadcast history for one or more previous content posts related to the content post, and broadcasting the content post. The broadcast is configured such that the content post is to be received by one or more receiving devices located in the broadcast area.
US09730011B2
Embodiments of the disclosure relate to determining location of client devices in a distributed antenna system (DAS) based on detecting uplink received power. In this regard, a client device location system is provided in the DAS to configure each remote unit in the DAS to generate a power-regulated UL communications signal based on an assigned power pattern. If a respective power pattern of a reference signal(s) uniquely identifying a client device corresponds to the assigned power pattern of the remote unit that generates the power-regulated UL communications signal, the client device location system reports the location of the remote unit as the location of the client device in the DAS. Hence, it is possible to locate the client device based on the location of the remote unit, thus providing the location of the client device with higher degree of accuracy.
US09730006B1
Systems and methods are disclosed that may selectively determine network connection information in a wearable wireless device. A wearable wireless device may communicate with a first wireless device associated with a wireless network, estimate a separation distance to the first wireless device, and compare a first network identifier of the wearable wireless device with a second network identifier of the first wireless device. The wearable wireless device may then selectively receive, from the first wireless device, network connection information for the wireless network based, at least in part, on the comparison and the separation distance.
US09729999B2
In peer-to-peer (P2P) communications, it has been recognized herein that various context information needs to be exchanged between peer devices (PDs) or between different layers/protocols within a peer device (PD). Various embodiments described herein address how to design effective management functions, services, and primitives for context management across and/or within different protocol layers to enable context-aware peer-to-peer communications in proximity. This disclosure proposes multiple embodiments for cross-layer context management in context-aware peer-to-peer communication in proximity. For example, embodiments described herein provide context management to efficiently enable context-aware P2P communications, such as, for example, social networks.
US09729981B2
An auditory prosthesis comprising an actuator for providing mechanical stimulation to a recipient. The auditory prosthesis comprises a measurement circuit for use in determining the resonance peak(s) of the actuator. In an embodiment, the measurement circuit measures the voltage drop across the actuator and/or current through the actuator during a frequency sweep of the operational frequencies of the actuator. These measured voltages and/or currents are then analyzed for discontinuities that are indicative of a resonance peak of the actuator. In another embodiment, rather than using a frequency sweep to measure voltages and/or currents across the actuator, the measurement circuit instead applies a voltage impulse to the actuator and then measure the voltage and/or current across the actuator for a period of time after application of the impulse. The measured voltages and/or currents are then analyzed to identify resonance peak(s) of the actuator.
US09729973B2
A method, apparatus and software are disclosed for wireless power transmission in which the power transmission frequency is optimised.
US09729963B2
A programmable acoustic sensor is disclosed. The programmable acoustic sensor includes a MEMS transducer and a programmable circuitry coupled to the MEMS transducer. The programmable circuitry includes a power pin and a ground pin. The programmable acoustic sensor also includes a communication channel enabling data exchange between the programmable circuitry and a host system. One of the power pin and the ground pin can be utilized for data exchange.
US09729962B2
There is provided an external stereo microphone device that makes it possible to change orientations of microphones over a wide range.An external stereo microphone attached to a mobile electronic device includes a pair of symmetrically-positioned microphones 60, a holder unit 40 having a pair of holders 46 symmetrically positioned so as to accommodate the pair of microphones 60 respectively and a joint 48 for joining the pair of holders 46 together, and a case 14 having a substantially-cylindrical portion 20 that rotatably supports the holder unit 40 and a body 18 that accommodates a circuit board 22 of the case 14. The joint 48 is a substantially-plate-shaped region that joins outer circumferential edges of the holders 46 together and that has a circumferential width which is one-half or less of an entire circumference of the holder unit.
US09729933B2
Systems and methods for efficiently loading interactive media guide data based on user history are provided. A plurality of asset descriptions associated with a first media asset is received. A second media asset related to the first media asset is identified. An asset description is selected form the plurality of asset descriptions based on user history of accessing the second media asset. Data for the first media asset is loaded. Data for the first media asset comprises the selected asset description.
US09729932B2
A system and method for preordering content includes a content processing system and a user device in communication with the content processing system. The content processing system receives program guide data for linear channels and receives future available content data at the user device. The future available content data comprises an availability window having an availability start time and an availability end time. The user device stores the program guide data in the user device storing the future available content data in a memory of the user device, forms a future content selection, and stores the future content selection in a queue until the availability window is reached. When within the availability window, the user device communicates a material identification to the content processing system. The content processing system communicates the content corresponding to the material identification to the user device.
US09729930B2
Tracking and analysis of the location of user and device access to telecommunications services may be used to validate that a given user or device is part of an authorized subscriber household and is therefore properly accessing those services in accordance with the terms of service. A service provider may determine, based on previously collected data and user information collected while a user accesses a service, whether the user's pattern of access establishes a required pattern of access determined by the service provider, such as access on a minimum periodic basis from the home of an authorized subscriber.
US09729921B2
The present disclosure relates generally to the field of television program optimization for user exercise. In various embodiments, systems, methods and computer program products are provided.
US09729920B2
A method implemented in a computer system for controlling the delivery of data and audio/video content. The method delivers primary content to the subscriber device for viewing by a subscriber. The method also delivers secondary content to the companion device for viewing by the subscriber in parallel with the subscriber viewing the primary content, where the secondary content relates to the primary content. The method extracts attention estimation features from the primary content, and monitors the companion device to determine an interaction measurement for the subscriber viewing the secondary content on the companion device. The method calculates an attention measurement for the subscriber viewing the primary content based on the attention estimation features, and the interaction measurement, and controls the delivery of the secondary content to the companion device based on the attention measurement.
US09729918B2
Methods and apparatus for efficiently directing communications are disclosed. On example entails receiving, from a mobile terminal, a communication directed to a cellular communication network, the communication being received in an alternative channel that differs from a channel of the cellular communication network. The communication is then converted for a relayed communication to the cellular communication network on behalf of the mobile terminal, the relayed communication being made through the cellular communication network.
US09729916B2
A broadcast targeting system is provided where third party database information is utilized in conjunction with broadcast network client information to identify households within the broadcast network including one or more desired recipients of targeted assets. In instances where a user equipment device of the targeted household includes multiple users (i.e., a multiple-user device), use of third party data in conjunction with an indication of which household member is currently using the multiple user device (e.g., set top box, etc.) allows for more effectively delivering assets targeted to a specific member(s) of the household.
US09729910B2
A content server monitors media preferences of a user associated with a partial user profile specifying partial demographic information about the user. The content server deconstructs the monitored media preferences to identify preferences of the user for musicological features of the media items. The content server infers profile information missing from the partial user profile responsive to the preferences of the user for musicological features of the media items, the inferring using baseline information associating profile information of a plurality of baseline users with preferences for musicological features of media items. The content server selects an advertisement using the inferred profile information, and provides the selected advertisement to a client device used by the user.
US09729909B2
A method includes receiving a media request for a target device. The signaling information may be received from the target device and a media server. At least one attribute of the target device and the media server may be identified using the signaling information. At least one attribute of the target device and the media server may be evaluated against a service level objective to select a media format. The service level objective may include consideration of the target device and available bandwidth over a provider network. The media may be provided in the selected media format over the provider network to the target device.
US09729902B2
A system includes a session and resource manager and a video pump. The session and resource manager negotiates encryption keys from a headend controller and provides the encryption keys to a video pump. The video pump uses the encryption keys from the session and resource manager to encrypt content. Thus, the video pump uses encryption keys to encrypt the content so that it is encrypted right from the video pump prior to transmission over the entire transport system. A generic modulation device may thus be used to modulate the encrypted content over the delivery network.
US09729894B2
An image decoding method is provided which includes a time information determination step of determining time information of a current picture, a first reference picture referred to by the current picture and a second reference picture referred to by the current picture; a scaling parameter calculation step of calculating a scaling parameter based on a time distance between the first reference picture and a second reference picture; a weighting coefficient determination step of determining two weighting coefficients based on the scaling parameter; a predictive pixel value generation step of generating a predictive pixel value of the current picture by scaling a pixel value of the first reference picture and a pixel value of the second reference picture using the two weighting coefficients determined in the weighting coefficient determination step; and a decoding step of decoding the current picture using the predictive pixel value.
US09729892B2
An image encoding and decoding apparatus and method, the image encoding and decoding apparatus includes: an encoding unit adjusting at least one weight value adaptively to the number of bits expressing each pixel of a current image, predicting a pixel value of a block of interest by performing an operation on a pixel value of at least one block having a pixel value similar to the pixel value of the block of interest among blocks included in a previous image and the at least one adjusted weight value, and encoding the pixel value of the block of interest using the predicted pixel value of the block of interest; and a decoding unit adjusting the at least one weight value adaptively to the number of bits, restoring the predicted pixel value of the block of interest by performing an operation on the pixel value of the at least one block having the pixel value similar to the pixel value of the block of interest among blocks included in the restored previous image and the at least one adjusted weight value, and decoding the pixel value of the block of interest using the restored pixel value, wherein the previous image refers to an image displayed prior to a current image, and the block of interest is a target block of interest among blocks belonging to the current image.
US09729889B2
Described herein are techniques related to multi-pass quantization and bit-packing (PAK) parameters algorithm in video encoding.
US09729886B2
Method and apparatus for the digital encoding of a first raw file, the method includes: a first step of capturing the raw file, the raw file being an audio and/or image and/or video file; a second step of encoding the captured raw file into a second file, in a proprietary format (P); then, a third step for re-encoding the second file into a third file in a compatible format (C).
US09729885B2
Embodiments are provided for compressing a color index map in video coding applications including screen content images. An embodiment method includes obtaining, at a video codec device, an image block, and generating a color index map comprising a plurality of entries and representing the image block. Each one of the entries is assigned a color index indicating a respective color. The method further includes assigning, in a correct prediction map, a first bit-value for each one of the entries that is predictable by a neighboring entry in the color index map, and a second bit-value for each one of the entries that is unpredictable by any neighboring entry in the color index map. Further, an actual value from the color index map for the each one of the entries that is unpredictable by any neighboring entry is added in a sequence of non-predictable color indices.
US09729883B2
An entropy decoder is configured to, for horizontal and vertical components of motion vector differences, derive a truncated unary code from the data stream using context-adaptive binary entropy decoding with exactly one context per bin position of the truncated unary code, which is common for horizontal and vertical components of the motion vector differences, and an Exp-Golomb code using a constant equi-probability bypass mode to obtain the binarizations of the motion vector differences. A desymbolizer is configured to debinarize the binarizations of the motion vector difference syntax elements to obtain integer values of the horizontal and vertical components of the motion vector differences. A reconstructor is configured to reconstruct a video based on the integer values of the horizontal and vertical components of the motion vector differences.
US09729879B2
A method and apparatus for improved deblocking filter are disclosed. In one embodiment according to the present invention, determining the non-zero transform coefficients existence for a PU-only boundary is skipped and therefore the deblocking filter for PU-only boundary is eliminated if the condition of boundary strength equal to 1 is not fulfilled to avoid unnecessary deblocking. In another embodiment of the present invention, three gradients are determined for two pixel lines and filter ON/OFF decision is made based on the three gradient values of the two pixel lines. One aspect of the invention is related to filter strength selection between strong and weak filters. According to one embodiment, the filter strength selection is based on various gradient values of a pixel line across the block boundary. Another aspect of the invention is related to the weak filter.
US09729878B2
An image encoding method includes: generating a first bitstream by encoding an input image, and a first decoded image by encoding and decoding the input image; and generating a second bitstream by encoding the input image using the first decoded image, and a second decoded image by encoding and decoding the input image; wherein the second decoded image has resolution or image quality higher than resolution or image quality of the first decoded image, the generating of a second bitstream and a second decoded image includes generating a prediction block for a current block by intra prediction, and in the generating of a prediction block, the prediction block is generated using (i) pixels included in the second decoded image as top and left reference pixels for the current block, and (ii) pixels included in the first decoded image as right and bottom reference pixels for the current block.
US09729876B2
The present invention generally relates to a method for predicting a block of pixels from at least one patch comprising a block of pixels and a causal neighborhood around this block of pixels. The method comprises the following steps: determining a mapping of a causal neighborhood, around that block of pixels to be predicted, on the block of pixels to be predicted in order that the block of pixels of each patch is best predicted by mapping the neighborhood of that patch on the block of pixels of that patch, and predicting the block of pixels from a prediction block computed by applying the determined mapping on the neighborhood of the block of pixels to predict.
US09729873B2
An example video encoder is configured to receive an indication of merge mode coding of a block within a parallel motion estimation region (PMER), generate a merge mode candidate list comprising one or more spatial neighbor motion vector (MV) candidates and one or more temporal motion vector prediction (TMVP) candidates, wherein motion information of at least one of the spatial neighbor MV candidates is known to be unavailable during coding of the block at an encoder, determine an index value identifying, within the merge mode candidate list, one of the TMVP candidates or the spatial neighbor MV candidates for which motion information is available during coding of the particular block, and merge mode code the block using the identified MV candidate.
US09729872B2
A video encoding apparatus encodes intra-prediction mode information of the current block by excluding information on overlapping or unnecessary intra-prediction modes from a candidate mode group and/or based on whether predicted values of intra-prediction modes of at least a preset number of subblocks are matched with actual intra-prediction modes.
US09729864B2
The disclosure provides methods and systems for warning a user of a head mounted display that the user approaches an edge of field of view of a camera or one or more tangible obstacles. The warning includes presenting audio and/or displayable messages to the user, or moving the display(s) of the head mounted displays away of the user's eyes. The determination that the user approaches the edge of scene or a tangible obstacle is made by dynamically tracking motions of the users through analysis of images and/or depth data obtained from image sensor(s) and/or depth sensor(s) secured to either the head mounted display, arranged outside of the scene and not secured to the head mounted display, or a combination of both.
US09729860B2
A depth-sensing method for a time-of-flight depth camera includes irradiating a subject with pulsed light of spatially alternating bright and dark features, and receiving the pulsed light reflected back from the subject onto an array of pixels. At each pixel of the array, a signal is presented that depends on distance from the depth camera to the subject locus imaged onto that pixel. In this method, the subject is mapped based on the signal from pixels that image subject loci directly irradiated by the bright features, while omitting or weighting negatively the signal from pixels that image subject loci under the dark features.
US09729854B2
This disclosure also teaches a system and method for scanning a specimen to create a multidimensional scan. In one embodiment, a method for scanning the specimen to create a multidimensional scan can comprise illuminating a specimen with a light and dividing the specimen into a plurality of regions. The specimen can comprise a topography. The depths of the topography can be variable along a z-axis. Each of the regions can comprise a minimum depth and a maximum depth. The topography is between the minimum depth and the maximum depth. The method can also comprise sampling each of the regions at a plurality of focal planes orthogonal to the z-axis by capturing, at each focal plane, an image of the region. The image can be focused on the focal plane. Lastly, the method can comprise stitching together the images into a dimensional image for each of the focal planes.
US09729851B2
The present invention is for more optimally performing recording and reproduction of stereoscopic video. In the present invention, parallax information is utilized to store, in a recording medium, stereoscopic video including left-eye images and right-eye images. Particularly, for video content that contains stereoscopic images, information is obtained regarding the amount of variation in parallactic angle having a given or larger value, a variation time that the variation in parallactic angle takes, and the number of times that the variation in parallactic angle occurs. An evaluation value is calculated that corresponds to the degree of eye fatigue on the basis of the amount of variation, the variation time, and the number of times of the variation. According to the present invention, the video content is encoded in such a manner that the evaluation value is within a given range, and then recorded in the recording medium.
US09729849B2
Systems, apparatus, articles, and methods are described including operations for 3D video coding including depth based disparity vector calibration.
US09729848B2
The display device includes a display panel on which sub-pixel pairs are arranged in a lateral direction, and a parallax barrier shutter panel on which sub-openings that can be changed between a light transmittance state and a light-shielding state are arranged in a lateral direction. Arbitrary allocated number of adjacent sub-openings among the plural sub-openings belonging to a reference parallax barrier pitch are put into a light transmittance state, and the remaining sub-openings are put into a light-shielding state, so that a general opening is formed on the parallax barrier shutter panel. A sub-opening pitch of the sub-opening on the boundary part between the adjacent common driving areas is different from the sub-opening pitch of the other sub-openings.
US09729847B2
The disclosed embodiments relate to determining transmit formats and receive formats for a 3D video communication service. Sets of available 3D video communication transmit formats are received. Each set is associated with a client device. Sets of available 3D video communication receive formats are received. Each set is associated with one of the client devices. One format for transmission of 3D video communication from the at least one client device to the other client devices is determined for at least one of the client devices. The one format is a member of both the set of available 3D video communication transmit formats associated with the at least one client device and the received available 3D video communication receive formats associated with other client devices.
US09729845B2
A stereoscopic image synthesis method includes the following: receiving a first image corresponding to a first view angle and a second image corresponding to a second view angle; obtaining a disparity map corresponding to the first image and the second image; determining a zero disparity region according to the disparity map; adjusting the disparity map according to the zero disparity region to obtain a shifted disparity map; linearly or non-linearly adjusting the shifted disparity map according to the shifted disparity map and a preset maximum range to obtain an adjusted disparity map; generating a plurality of virtual view angle images according to the adjusted disparity map, the first image, and the second image; and enhancing a two-dimensional depth cue of the virtual view angle images according to the adjusted disparity map.
US09729835B2
A method is provided for switching operation of a monitoring system from a first monitoring mode to a second monitoring mode. An overview image is presented when the monitoring system is in a first monitoring mode. A direction signal is received from a control means when the monitoring system is in the first monitoring mode. A camera is directed in an absolute direction indicated by the direction signal in accordance with a first camera control scheme. The monitoring system enters into a second monitoring mode in response to receiving the direction signal presenting a detailed image view captured by the camera when directed in the direction indicated by the direction signal. When in the second monitoring mode, a camera head of the camera is moved in response to control signals from the control means in accordance with a second control scheme.
US09729831B2
A wireless surgical loupe enables a user to use the wireless loupe to perform a procedure, transmit information acquired by the wireless loupe and display patient information on a wireless loupe display. The transmitted information is able to be used to aid the operating room procedure, enhance education and be recorded for later use.
US09729815B2
A method and an apparatus for controlling content integrity. A method for operating in an electronic device can include including unique information of content in a watermark image, and inserting the watermark image to the content.
US09729813B2
A signal determination apparatus for determining a format of an input image signal input from an image data output apparatus includes a storage unit to store numerical values of at least three parameters for defining a format of each of a plurality of image signals; and a determination unit to determine a format of the input image signal based on numerical values of at least three parameters of the input image signal and the numerical values of at least three parameters stored in the storage unit.
US09729810B2
A global shutter (GS) image sensor pixel includes a pinned photodiode connected to a memory node by a first transfer gate transistor, and a floating diffusion connected to the memory node by a second transfer gate transistor. The memory node includes a buried channel portion disposed under the first transfer gate transistor and a contiguous pinned diode portion disposed between the first and second transfer gate transistors, where the two memory node portions have different doping levels such that an intrinsic lateral electrical field drives electrons from the buried channel portion into the pinned diode portion. The floating diffusion node similarly includes a buried channel portion disposed under the second transfer gate transistor and a contiguous pinned diode portion that generate a second intrinsic lateral electrical field that drives electrons into the pinned diode portion of the floating diffusion. A 6T CMOS pixel is disclosed that facilitates low-noise CDS readout.
US09729802B2
Systems and methods disclosed herein provide for some embodiments infrared camera systems for maritime applications. For example in one embodiment, a watercraft includes a plurality of image capture components coupled to the watercraft to capture infrared images around at least a substantial portion of a perimeter of the watercraft; a memory component adapted to store the captured infrared images; a processing component adapted to process the captured infrared images according to a man overboard mode of operation to provide processed infrared images and determine if a person falls from the watercraft; and a display component adapted to display the processed infrared images.
US09729782B2
Systems and methods for controlling camera settings of a camera to improve detection of faces in an uncontrolled environment are described. A first image is received from the camera, where the first image is captured by the camera at a first set of camera settings. A face is detected in the first image. The camera is adjusted to a second set of camera settings based on the detected face, where the second set of camera settings different from the first set of camera settings. A second image is received from the camera, where the second image is captured by the camera at the second set of camera settings. The face is detected in the second image. A quality metric of the face in the second image is determined where the quality metric is indicative of an image quality of the face in the second image. The camera is adjusted to a new set of camera settings to increase the quality metric of the face in subsequent images, the new set of camera settings different from both the first set of camera settings and the second set of camera settings. Once a sufficient quality metric of the face is achieved, the face is acquired, or otherwise captured, by the camera or other sensors.
US09729775B2
An auto-focusing method for use in a device, includes: after performing a manual focusing on a target object through receiving a user operation on the target object in a viewfinder of the device, acquiring first spatial data of the target object; when detecting a change of contents of a view in the viewfinder, acquiring position variation data of the target object; acquiring second spatial data of the target object according to the first spatial data and the position variation data; and performing an auto-focusing on the target object according to the second spatial data.
US09729770B2
A mobile device case for coupling around a mobile device that includes a miniature camera module has defined therein a lens attachment aperture shaped both to permit light from an object to be captured as a digital image to travel along the optical path of the miniature camera module to a built-in image sensor of the miniature camera module of the mobile device, and to facilitate stable coupling of an auxiliary lens in optical alignment with the miniature camera module. The case comprises electric circuit components positioned to balance an attached auxiliary lens approximately at a grip location.
US09729769B2
The present invention provides the following camera. A first camera-side contact pin is a pin corresponding to detection of a signal change caused by coupling of a camera accessory. A second camera-side contact pin is a pin corresponding to supply of power for communication with the coupled camera accessory. A third camera-side contact pin is a pin corresponding to supply of a driving force to an actuator of the camera accessory. The first, second, and third camera-side contact pins are disposed in such a manner that, when a camera-side mount shifts from a first state to a second state, the third camera-side contact pin contacts first and second accessory-side contact surfaces, the second camera-side contact pin contacts the first accessory-side contact surface, and the first camera-side contact pin does not contact the second and third accessory-side contact surfaces.
US09729763B2
Method and apparatus for processing multimedia data received via different networks by synchronizing time stamps of video frames of multimedia data received via the different networks using time codes in the multimedia data.
US09729762B2
The present invention relates to a reception device and a method for the processing of multimedia data flows in said device comprising an interface to a first network and an interface to a second network, said method comprising the following steps: receive, from the first network, a first flow comprising multimedia data through a first transport protocol fitted with a first data synchronization system; receive, from the second network, a second flow comprising multimedia data through a second transport protocol fitted with a second data synchronization system, said second synchronization system being based on timing references different from those of the first data synchronization system; characterized in that said first and second flows transport the same synchronization information in the payload field of the first and of the second transport protocol, said synchronization information comprising data indicating the moment from which said multimedia data must be rendered; synchronize said first and second flows by using said synchronization information; and perform a step for rendering said first and second multimedia flows.
US09729761B2
A color management system includes a memory and a controller. The memory stores a correction profile for a first medium, the correction profile being provided for correcting a difference between multiple colorimeters. The controller uses, as an evaluation index and on a basis of a result of colorimetry performed on a second medium that is different from the first medium, at least one of a color difference, a hue difference, or a lightness difference between the first medium and the second medium and uses the correction profile for the first medium as a correction profile for the second medium in a case where the evaluation index is equal to or lower than a corresponding one of thresholds.
US09729751B2
A printing system includes: a printing apparatus printing an image acquired from a providing apparatus which provides a service for sharing the image; and a communication apparatus. The printing apparatus includes: a first acquiring unit configured to acquire service information; a first transmitting unit configured to transmit the service information; a first receiving unit configured to receive print setting information; a second transmitting unit configured to transmit a command to request the image; a second receiving unit configured to receive the image from the providing apparatus; and a first printing unit configured to print the image on the basis of the print setting information, and the communication apparatus includes: a third receiving unit configured to receive the service information; a second acquiring unit configured to acquire the print setting information corresponding to the service information; and a third transmitting unit configured to transmit the print setting information.
US09729748B1
An apparatus has an optical scanner generating image signals, and a processor electrically connected to the optical scanner. The processor converts the electrical signals into image data. Also, a printing engine is electrically connected to the processor, and a light guide is positioned between the printing engine and the optical scanner. The optical scanner generates operating condition signals when optically scanning the light guide. The optical scanner transmits the operating condition signals to the processor, and the processor adjusts operations of the printing engine based on the operating condition signals.
US09729740B2
An image display device according to the embodiment includes a display screen, an operation input unit, a control unit, and a notification unit. The display screen displays an image using a display mechanism in which scanning can be optically performed in a copy machine. The operation input unit is arranged at a position of being operated in a state in which a display screen is placed on a glass original document table so as to face the glass original document table of a copy machine, and receives an operation input of a user. When a plurality of images are set to display targets in the display screen, the control unit switches an image displayed on the display screen according to the operation input of a user with respect to the input operation unit. The notification unit notifies of switching of an image when the image displayed on the display screen is switched.
US09729738B2
An image reading device including: a magnetic circuit comprising a magnet disposed on one side of a conveyance plane, the magnetic circuit generating a magnetic field in a direction perpendicular to the conveyance plane; a magnetoresistive effect element chip disposed between the magnetic circuit and the conveyance plane and detecting a strength change of a conveyance direction component of the magnetic field in the magnetic reading area when a medium to be read is conveyed on the conveyance plane; a light guide disposed on a side opposite to the magnetic circuit side with respect to the conveyance plane, and irradiating light onto the magnetic reading area on the conveyance plane; and an image forming optical system disposed on the side opposite to the magnetic circuit side with respect to the conveyance plane.
US09729735B2
A method for pre-rendering a print job to a print-ready document format in a print system comprising a plurality of print devices. The method may include receiving a print job from a user via a mobile electronic device and predicting at least one print device in the print system that the user may use for printing the print job. The prediction is based on at least one of the following: user activity data relating to printing in the print system by the user, print device information relating to the plurality of print devices, user information received from the mobile electronic device, or a plurality of print job criteria provided by the user. The method may further include recommending at least one print-ready document format that the at least one print device may use for printing the print job, and pre-rendering the print job to the recommended at least one print-ready document format.
US09729733B2
A method autonomously represents an acquisition of an electronic document file from a request destination on behalf of a requestor. The method includes: configuring a request specification corresponding to input received from the requestor, the request specification including at least one electronic-document file request destination, a requested item specifying electronic-document file content, and storage location information indicating an electronic-document file storage location in a storage unit; creating a request communication file including content signifying that submission of an electronic document file prepared based on the requested item is requested of the at least one request destination; and transmitting the created request communication file to the request destination, monitoring response from the request destination to the transmission, and storing the electronic document file submitted from the request destination in the storage unit, based on the storage location information.
US09729732B2
A transmission apparatus transmits second metadata when it receives a second acquisition request of metadata (e.g., playlist) after the transmission apparatus has received a first acquisition request of the metadata. Segment data indicated by the second metadata to be acquirable by a reception apparatus includes not segment data already transmitted to the reception apparatus but segment data yet to be transmitted to the reception apparatus among segment data indicated by first metadata transmitted in response to the first acquisition request.
US09729709B1
Systems and methods for developing, deploying, providing, and/or operating location-based services for controlled-environment facilities are disclosed. In some embodiments, a method may include receiving, from a resident of a controlled-environment facility, a request to establish a remote communication with a mobile device operated by a non-resident of the controlled-environment facility. The method may also include allowing or denying the request depending, at least in part, upon a physical location of the mobile device at the time of the request to establish the remote communication and subsequent monitoring during the allowed communication. The method may also include terminating an allowed remote communication based on the monitored location of the mobile device during the remote communication. In some cases, the method may also include comparing an indication of the physical location with a geo-fencing rule and taking a predetermined action in response to the comparison.
US09729705B2
A user may have multiple devices that are associate with a single user address such as an email address, a telephone number, a user name, a user ID, etc. When a communication is addressed to the single user address, each of the devices is queried to determine its location, and any devices that are co-located within a common geographic area are identified. For those devices within the common geographic area, one of the devices is selected and instructed to play an audible alert. The other devices within the common geographic area are not instructed or are specifically instructed not to play the audible alert. All of the user's multiple devices may present a visual alert.
US09729701B2
The present invention relates to a small computing device with an improved interface. The interface comprises a display screen which extends the majority of length of the face of the housing, and a plurality of multi-function buttons extending on either side of the display screen.
US09729686B2
An electronic device is provided. The electronic device includes a case member that includes an opening, an electric component provided on the case member, and a circuit board connected to the electric component via the opening, wherein a portion of the circuit board contacts the case member to seal the opening.
US09729684B2
The present invention provides for, in one or more embodiments, a casing system for a mobile device. The system includes an upper cover, a lower cover and a hinge mechanism providing for both axial movement and radial movement of the upper cover in relation to the lower cover. The system enables a user to have improved protection of the mobile device while also being able to better insert, remove and secure their mobile device in the present invention. The present invention provides for a unified retractable casing system which is easier to use, provides improved protection and yields a unified structure.
US09729683B2
Particular embodiments described herein provide for an electronic device, such as a tablet, that includes a circuit board coupled to a plurality of electronic components (which includes any type of components, elements, circuitry, etc.). One particular example implementation of the electronic device may include a first housing and a second housing removably coupled to the first housing, where the second housing is configured to function as a stand for the first housing. The stand configuration can allow for user desired viewing of a first display located on the first housing and of a second display located on the second housing. Further, the second housing can be removed from the first housing and replaced with a different second housing.
US09729673B2
A method and system of providing remote access at a client computer that executes a client remote access program that simultaneously communicates with first and second server remote access programs. The first and second server remote access programs determine first and second presentation data indicative of an application state of first and second application programs. The client remote access program receives the first and the second presentation data and determines display data in dependence thereupon for substantially simultaneously displaying the first and the second presentation data. The first and second application programs are provided with an out-of-band communication path to synchronize data between themselves, without the synchronization occurring through the client remote access program.
US09729671B2
Existing program code, which is executable on one or more computers forming part of a distributed computer system, is analyzed. The analysis identifies log output instructions present in the program code. Log output instructions are those statements or other code that generate log messages related to service requests processed by the program code. A log model is generated using the analysis. The log model is representative of causal relationships among service requests defined by the program code. The log model can then be applied to logs containing log messages generated by execution of the program code, during its normal operation, to group log messages for improved analysis, including visualization, of the performance and behavior of the distributed computer system.
US09729670B2
In an information processing system, a speculative DL content information acceptor 324 accepts identification information of content selected by a server. A list generator generates a speculative DL list of the accepted content identification information. Based on the speculative DL list, a DL processor sets the time of start of download of content data and downloads the content data at the set time.
US09729669B2
Various exemplary embodiments relate to a method and related network node including one or more of the following: receiving, at the first network device, a message to be forwarded; determining a destination address for the message; determining whether the destination address is assigned to the first network device; if the destination address is not assigned to the first network device, querying a second network device for a next hop of the destination address; receiving, in response to the query, an indication of the next hop for the destination address; and forwarding, by the first network device in response to the indication of the next hop, the message to the next hop.
US09729668B2
The disclosure generally describes computer-implemented methods, software, and systems, including a method for automatically extending a service associated with data access. A request is received from a client, the request being for data associated with a first service. The first service is identified by a service identifier included in the request and defining a first behavior associated with the first service and use of the requested data. Using the service identifier, an extension service is identified that is associated with the first service. The identifying occurs automatically based on additional registry entries for the extension service, without modifying original registry entries for the first service, and without modifying a first service implementation associated with the first service. Data responsive to the received request is provided to the client. The data is provided according to a second behavior associated with the extension service.
US09729663B2
Methods, systems and computer program products for delivering content objects over the Internet are disclosed. Use of a packet size digest allows for look-up of known or discovered maximum packet sizes for network paths to various receiving systems by servers within one or more points of presence of a content delivery network, such that the packet size information can be advantageously re-used by the multiple servers to reduce delays associated with lost packets and time spent determining a path maximum packet size or maximum transmission unit by each of the multiple servers within the point of presence as they transmit content objects over the Internet.
US09729662B2
A network node can use reputation values to determine when to forego validating a cached Content Object's authenticity. During operation, the network node can receive an Interest over a Content Centric Network (CCN). If the Content Store includes a matching Content Object that satisfies the Interest, the node obtains the cached Content Object. The node then determines whether the Interest includes a validation token that is to be used to validate the Content Object's authenticity. If so, the node determines a reputation value for the Content Object, such that the reputation value indicates a likelihood that validation of the Content Object's authenticity will be successful. If the network node determines that the reputation value exceeds a predetermined threshold, the node returns the Content Object without validating the Content Object's authenticity.
US09729661B2
Method and system are provided for optimization of mobile data communication using byte caching. The method includes: intercepting data communications at a base station, wherein the data communications are between a user equipment and a network; and implementing byte caching at the base station to optimize data transfer between the base station and a byte cache server in the network at a peering point; wherein the network containing the base station supports mobility management of data transfer to and from the user equipment. The method includes providing a byte cache server as a transparent proxy with byte caching functionality where traffic for the user equipment is no longer tunnelled.
US09729657B2
A near end network optimizer receives, from a client device, a request for a network resource. Responsive to determining that a version of the network resource is stored in the near end network optimizer, a request for the network resource is transmitted to a far end network optimizer along with a version identifier that identifies that version. The near end network optimizer receives, from the far end network optimizer, a response that includes a differences file that specifies the difference(s) between the version of the network resource stored in the near end network optimizer with a most current version of the network resource. The response does not include the entire network resource. The near end network optimizer applies the specified difference(s) to the version that it has stored to generate an updated version of the network resource, and transmits the updated version of the network resource to the client device.
US09729655B2
A method and apparatus for managing a transfer of data in a data network identifies data associated with a communication session between a first node and a second node in the data network. Further processing of the communication session occurs when a portion of the communication session meets a criterion and the communication session is permitted to continue when the portion of the communication session does not meet the criterion.
US09729639B2
The invention provides control systems and methodologies for controlling a process having computer-controlled equipment, which provide for optimized process performance according to one or more performance criteria, such as efficiency, component life expectancy, safety, emissions, noise, vibration, operational cost, or the like. More particularly, the subject invention provides for employing machine diagnostic and/or prognostic information in connection with optimizing an overall business operation over a time horizon.
US09729631B2
Methods, program products, and systems of synchronizing data while the data is being edited by a user are disclosed. A web application system implementing a notification-based web application framework can allow a user to focus or edit data in a browser on a client device while the data displayed in the browser is being synchronized with data stored on a database server. The user edit and the synchronization can be asynchronous with one another, where editing can occur before a response from the database server is received. Accordingly, user perceived response time is improved over a conventional system where a user must wait for the response from the server before the user can proceed to edit the data.
US09729626B2
A file sharing method executed by a first terminal, and including selecting from among multiple terminals including the first terminal and based on a remaining battery level of the terminals and a processing time of a shared process, a second terminal to execute the shared process for sharing multiple files among the terminals; and assigning the shared process to the second terminal.
US09729624B2
The invention provides methods of encoding content for distribution over a network and methods for decoding encoded content which has been distributed over the network. In a first example in which the content is divided into a plurality of segments and each segment comprising a plurality of blocks of data, the method comprises selecting a segment from the plurality of segments and selecting at least two blocks of the selected segment from a store of blocks. A new encoded block is created from a linear combination of the selected blocks.
US09729606B2
A method and system for providing a metadata driven user interface for a web application are disclosed. A system includes a host component, a metadata interpreter, a rendering engine, and a response component. The host component is configured to receive, from a client, a request for at least a portion of a web application. The metadata interpreter is configured to retrieve metadata describing a user interface of the web application. The rendering engine is configured to render an initial screen based on the metadata. The initial screen is for display by the client in relation to an activity of the web application. The response component is configured to send the metadata and the initial screen to the client.
US09729602B2
Technologies are generally described for a method for measuring a quality of an audio signal in a mobile device. In some examples, the mobile device includes a receiving unit configured to receive an audio signal transmitted from another device; an audio quality measuring unit configured to measure a quality of the received audio signal; and a transmission unit configured to transmit the measured quality of the audio signal to the another device.
US09729601B2
Various of the disclosed embodiments present systems and methods for improving improve audio and video quality in a Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) connection including that includes both audio and video. Particularly, different audio and video codecs may be used and parameters assigned based upon the context in which the communication occurs. For example, audio quality may take precedence to video quality when discussing a matter in a chatroom. Conversely, video quality may take precedence to audio quality when playing a collaborative video game. VP9 may be used to encode video while a combination of ISAC and SPEEX may be used to encode audio. Bandwidth determinations for each channel may also influence the respective codec selections.
US09729600B2
A method and system for switching media streams of a video in a client system. A first media stream of the video is played in a SHOW mode in the client system as the first media stream is received from a content providing system. During playing the first media stream, an environmental change is detected within or adjacent to the client system and in response, a switch is made from playing the first media stream to playing a second media stream of the video in the SHOW mode as the second media stream is being received from the content providing system. After playing first media stream is paused, the switching may occur upon matching timecodes distributed in the first and second media streams, by transitioning playing the second media stream in a HIDE mode to playing the second media stream in the SHOW mode.
US09729599B2
An example implementation may involve a computing system receiving a request from a first media playback system for access to a queue of media items, and a request from a second media playback system for access to the queue of media items. The computing system may grant a first type of access to the first media playback system and a second type of access to the second media playback system. The first type of access and the second type of access may authorize a first set of operations and a second set of operations on the queue of media items, respectively. The computing system may provide an indication that the first media playback system may access the queue as authorized by the first type of access, and an indication that the second media playback system may access the queue as authorized by the second type of access.
US09729586B2
To maximize efficiencies and to reduce termination costs of inter-carrier exchanges, an auto-dialer detection system enables an inter-carrier network switch to detect, in real-time or in near real-time, calls that are originated by auto-dialers. A call router of the switch may receive an incoming call attempt that includes a particular Automatic Number Identification (ANI). The auto-dialer detection system allows for a real-time or near-real time determination, based on the ANI and contents of a cache during a sliding window of time coincident with the reception of the origination, whether or not the call should be routed through the switch. Further, the auto-dialer detection system provides a real-time or a near real-time update to the cache contents to enable further real-time or near-real time detection and blocking of auto-dialed calls. Overrides to the cache (e.g., to always allow and/or to always block calls that include certain ANIs) may be provided.
US09729584B2
Systems and methods for software defined behavioral DDoS attack mitigation are provided. According to one embodiment, a method is provided for controlling multiple distributed denial of service (DDoS) mitigation appliances. A DDoS attack mitigation central controller configures attack mitigation policies for the DDoS attack mitigation appliances. The DDoS attack mitigation policies are sent to the DDoS attack mitigation appliances through a network connecting the DDoS attack mitigation central controller and the DDoS attack mitigation appliances.
US09729583B1
Data processing systems and methods, according to various embodiments, perform privacy assessments and monitor new versions of computer code for updated features and conditions that relate to compliance with privacy standards. The systems and methods may obtain a copy of computer code (e.g., a software application or a website) that collects and/or uses personal data, and then automatically analyzes the computer code to identify one or more privacy-related attributes that may impact privacy assessment standards. In various embodiments, the system is adapted to monitor one or more locations (e.g., an online software application marketplace, and/or a specified website) to determine whether the application or website has changed. The system may, after analyzing the computer code, display the privacy-related attributes, collect information regarding the attributes, and automatically notify one or more designated individuals (e.g., privacy office representatives) regarding the attributes and information collected.
US09729575B1
Methods, systems, and computer readable mediums for managing credential information are disclosed. According to one method, the method includes, at a credential management module (CMM) associated with a converged infrastructure system (CIS), establishing communication with at least one or more converged infrastructure elements (CIEs) included in a CIS. The method further includes receiving a credential policy corresponding to each of the at least one or more CIEs and generating credential information in accordance with the received credential policy.
US09729569B2
A new paradigm for security analysis is provided by transitioning code analysis reporting from the problem space (the warnings themselves), to a solution space (potential solutions to the identified problems). Thus, instead of reporting raw findings to the user, the automated system as described here outputs proposed solutions to eliminate the defects identified in the security analysis. A consequence of this approach is that the report generated by the analysis tool is much more consumable, and thus much more actionable. Preferably, the report provides the user with one or more candidate location(s) at which to apply a fix to an identified security problem. These locations preferably are identified by processing overlapping nodes to identify one or more solution groupings that represent an API for a sanitization fix. The report also includes one or more recommendations for the fix, and preferably the report is generated on a per-vulnerability type basis.
US09729557B1
A lightweight throttling mechanism allows for dynamic control of access to resources in a distributed environment. Each request received by a server of a server group is parsed to determine tokens in the request, which are compared with designated rules to determine whether to process or reject the request based on usage data associated with an aspect of the request, the token values, and the rule(s) specified for the request. The receiving of each request can be broadcast to throttling components for each server such that the global state of the system is known to each server. The system then can monitor usage and dynamically throttle requests based on real time data in a distributed environment.
US09729549B2
Disclosed herein are example embodiments for behavioral fingerprinting with adaptive development. For certain example embodiments, one or more devices may: (i) determine at least one indication of utilization for at least one authorized user via at least one user-device interaction; and (ii) incorporate at least one indication of utilization into at least one behavioral fingerprint that is associated with at least one authorized user, with the at least one behavioral fingerprint including one or more indicators of utilization of one or more user devices by the at least one authorized user. However, claimed subject matter is not limited to any particular described embodiments, implementations, examples, or so forth.
US09729545B2
An apparatus for managing a passcode comprises: one or more processors; a memory; and one or more programs stored in the memory and configured to be executed by said one or more processors. The program comprises: a storage module for storing passcode management data; an input window module for displaying the input window on which multiple key buttons are arranged; a combination code generating module for checking the code corresponding to each inputted key button in the code table included in the passcode management data, when the key button is inputted via the input window, and generating a combination code by combining each checked code; and a passcode acquiring module for receiving the passcode with a set storage address from a passcode storage server based on the generated combination code.
US09729543B2
A service provider may provide one or more services to and/or for a client. Providing a service may involve receiving a service request including a security token at the service provider and determining whether the security token is valid. Providing the service may also involve determining a session security token if the security token is valid and generating a service response including the session security token. Providing the service may further involve receiving a service request including the session security token, determining whether the session security token is valid, and, if the session security token is valid, generating a second service response.
US09729540B2
A system and method for providing authentication of a user is disclosed. The use of a non-confidential and unique user identification number and a temporary access code separates authentication of the user from transmission of any user passwords or user-identifiable data, as well as provides a ubiquitous means to authenticate the user with unrelated organizations, without any information passing between those organizations.
US09729539B1
This disclosure describes techniques for verifying the identity of a user with a network access control (NAC) device in response to receiving a security assertion request for the user. To verify the identity of a user, an NAC device may, in response to receiving a security assertion request from a user agent executing on a client device, cause the user agent to redirect a session verification request to an NAC client executing on the client device. The NAC client may detect the session verification request, and provide information indicative of a valid network access session for the user to the NAC device. The NAC device may verify the identity of the user based on the information indicative of the valid network access session. In this way, an NAC device may verify the identity of a user without requiring the user to re-authenticate with the NAC device.
US09729530B2
A communication device includes an antenna for transmitting and receiving signals with a reader/writer of a service issuing terminal; a recording unit recorded with data, and also recorded with a pattern in which information specifying an authentication key and access attribute indicating whether or not a readout process or a write process on the data is possible using the authentication key are corresponded; and a control unit for, when receiving one or plural information specifying a region of the data from the reader/writer of the service issuing terminal via the antenna, holding the received one or plural information specifying the region of the data.
US09729521B2
Devices, methods, systems, and computer-readable media for auto-commissioning of devices in a communication network are described herein. One or more embodiments include a method for auto-commissioning of a device added to a communication network, comprising: determining properties of signal transitions of the communication network via a device added to the network while the signal transitions of the communication network are passing unchanged, and processing the signal transitions of the communication network, via the device, based on the properties of the signal transitions.
US09729518B1
A method of operating an integrated circuit may include generating a session key with a random number generator circuit. The session key may then be used to establish a secure communications channel between the integrated circuit and a remote server. The integrated circuit may be placed in a non-operational mode prior to establishing the secure communications channel. Accordingly, in response to establishing the secure communications channel, the integrated circuit may be placed in an operational mode to allow user operation. In some scenarios, the integrated circuit may receive license files from the remote server to enable implementation of specific logic blocks on the integrated circuit via the established secure communications channel.
US09729513B2
A system for processing a file using a file issue exclusion policy to manage risk is disclosed. If a file does not conform to a set of rules and would otherwise be quarantined, a file issue exclusion policy can be reviewed. If the file issue exclusion policy indicates that the reason why the file did not conform to the set of rules is acceptable, the file can be delivered to the recipient despite not conforming to the set of rules.
US09729512B2
A novel method for stateful packet classification that uses hardware resources for performing stateless lookups and software resources for performing stateful connection flow handshaking is provided. To classify an incoming packet from a network, some embodiments perform stateless look up operations for the incoming packet in hardware and forward the result of the stateless look up to the software. The software in turn uses the result of the stateless look up to perform the stateful connection flow handshaking and to determine the result of the stateful packet classification.
US09729511B2
Systems and methods for filtering unsafe content by a network security device are provided. According to one embodiment, a network security device captures network traffic and extracts a media file from the network traffic. The network security device then determines the presence of a hidden data item embedded in the media file in a machine-readable form. When such a hidden data item is identified, the network security device performs one or more actions on the media file based on a predefined security policy.
US09729501B2
Disclosed are a system and data card for stateless automatic configuration of an IPv6 address and the method for implementing the same, and the method includes: an IPv6 address configuration way of a data card is set and stored according to an IPv6 address allocation strategy of a current network, after successful establishment of an IPv6 dialup connection and reception of a router advertisement request message transmitted by a terminal for acquiring a prefix address, the data card determines the set IPv6 address allocation way, and when the set IPv6 address allocation way is a static configuration way, a router advertisement response message is discarded and a valid IPv6 global unicast address is reported to the terminal. By means of the system, data card and method, it is possible to solve a problem that data transmission can not be normally performed by an existing data card implementing dialup in an Ethernet link way when interface identifiers are allocated by a network.
US09729492B2
A system for providing media services on behalf of a customer contact center includes: a processor; and a memory, wherein the memory has stored thereon instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to: transmit and receive signaling messages to and from a control server over an established data network connection; in response to the signaling messages, invoke a media device for transmitting media to an end-user device; detect loss of the data network connection; identify a configurable parameter for determining whether a failed message transmission should be retried; and in response to determining that the failed message transmission should be retried, re-transmitting the failed message to the control server.
US09729491B2
An electronic information system which enables email based transactions comprises an information database storing information regarding a plurality of individuals in a group and selections available to individuals in the group. A first email message with a mail to hyperlink having a plurality of fields including actionable parameter is generated and sent. A reply email message is received in response to selection of the mail to hyperlink. The received email message includes the plurality of fields and the actionable parameter that indicates that a specific selection has been made. A processor performs the action indicated by the actionable parameter in response to the received email message, including updating the information database to indicate the specific selection that has been made.
US09729479B2
In providing contextual hints in an electronic message, a mail client receives a command to create a reply message to an original electronic message with original text. Topic(s) that summarize context(s) in the original text are determined and displayed in a body of the reply message as temporary text. The mail client receives response text corresponding to the topics entered into the body of the reply message. When displayed, the topics function as contextual hints for the original text. The user may use these contextual hints while composing the reply message, reducing the need for the user to scroll or jump to the original text in order to view the content to which the user is replying. When a command to send the reply message is received, the display of the topics is removed, and the reply message is sent with the response text and without the topics.
US09729477B2
A method, system and computer program product for instant message communication in a wireless and non-wireless environment. A message is sent from a mobile unit device over a wireless communication network. The message includes a destination address, information associated with the mobile unit device's user, message content and message address. If, according to information previously stored for the mobile unit device's user at the instant message system, the destination address is associated with an instant message function, the associated instant message function is executed at the instant message system using the information contained in the message content, if required as determined by the associated instant message function. If, according to information previously stored for the mobile unit device's user at the instant message system, the destination address is associated with an instant message name, an instant message is created according to the message content and is sent to the user with the associated instant message name. For instant messages sent or received by a mobile unit device with known buddies, the instant message is optimized by tagging the instant message with a routing phone number that is unique to the mobile unit device and buddy combination, whose identity is stored both in the mobile unit device address book and in the instant message routing server.
US09729474B2
A method includes, in a wireless data network, monitoring communication conditions at an intermediate location between a wireless communication terminal and a network element that provides voice-call services over the network to the wireless communication terminal. Upon detecting that the communication conditions are expected to cause the wireless communication terminal to send a notification to the network element, an early notification is sent to the network element on behalf of the terminal. Another method includes detecting a notification in which a terminal notifies a network element of degraded reception performance. A modification, which the network element is expected to perform in a transmission characteristic to the terminal in response to the notification, is predicted. In-flight communication traffic, which is en-route to the terminal and whose transmission characteristic is not yet modified in response to the notification, is intercepted. The predicted modification is applied to the in-flight communication traffic.
US09729473B2
A method in a network element that includes multiple interfaces for connecting to a communication network includes receiving via an ingress interface packets that are not allowed to undergo re-routing and that are addressed to a destination via a first egress interface. The packets are forwarded via the first egress interface when there is a valid path from the first egress interface to the destination. When there is no valid path from the first egress interface to the destination, a second egress interface is selected from a group of multiple egress interfaces that have respective paths to the destination and are assigned to packets for which re-routing is allowed, and the packets are forwarded via the second egress interface until recovering a path to the destination.
US09729470B2
A method, apparatus, and system for implementing node port virtualization on a fiber channel in the field of communication technologies are provided. Multiple different virtual Node Port (N_port) identifications (IDs) are allocated to each of multiple N_ports, of an N_port virtualization (NPV) switch, corresponding to an N_port ID of a remote node. Because a virtual N_port ID is allocated, to each remote node, for more than one N_port of the NPV switch, regardless of which N_port of these N_ports a node connected to the NPV switch is registered for, the node can obtain the virtual N_port ID that is of each remote node and that is corresponding to the N_port. Therefore, any node connected to the NPV switch can communicate with any remote node, thereby improving communication efficiency.
US09729469B2
Methods, systems, and computer programs are presented for networking communications. One method includes an operation for receiving a packet in a first format by a virtual driver providing a communications interface of a first type (CI1), the first format being for CI1. Further, the method includes an operation for encapsulating the packet in a second format by a processor, the second format being for a communications interface of a second type (CI2) different from CI1. In addition, the method includes an operation for sending the encapsulated packet in the second format to a switch module. The switch module includes a switch fabric, one or more CI1 ports, and one or more CI2 ports, and the switch module transforms the packet back to the first format to send the packet in the first format to a CI1 network via one of the CI1 ports in the switch module.
US09729463B2
A technique allows stations to utilize an equal share of resources (e.g., airtime or throughput). This prevents slow stations from consuming too many resources (e.g., using up too much air time). Fairness is ensured by selective dropping after a multicast packet is converted to unicast. This prevents slow stations from using more than their share of buffer resources. Multicast conversion aware back-pressure into the network layer can be used to prevent unnecessary dropping of packets after multicast to unicast (1:n) conversion by considering duplicated transmit buffers. This technique helps achieve airtime/resource fairness among stations.
US09729454B2
Methods, systems, and computer readable media for providing a workload balancer for balancing message traffic received over long-lived Diameter connections are disclosed. One exemplary workload balancer includes at least one connection front end processor for terminating Diameter connections with external nodes. The workload balancer further includes a plurality of Diameter back end processors for performing application or routing processing for the Diameter messages received over the Diameter connections. The at least one connection front end processor load shares Diameter messages received over existing Diameter connections among the back end processors.
US09729453B2
Described is a method for channel management on one or more digital signal processors. The method distinguishes itself by the fact that channel management occurs at any time based on a current load utilization of each digital signal processor, taking into account an actual load requirement of each channel and a maximum total performance capacity of each digital signal processor. The invention also relates to a device for carrying out the method.
US09729452B2
Systems and techniques are described which improve performance, reliability, and predictability of networks without having costly hardware upgrades or replacement of existing network equipment. An adaptive communication controller provides WAN performance and utilization measurements to another network node over multiple parallel communication paths across disparate asymmetric networks which vary in behavior frequently over time. An egress processor module receives communication path quality reports and tagged path packet data and generates accurate arrival times, send times, sequence numbers and unutilized byte counts for the tagged packets. A control module generates path quality reports describing performance of the multiple parallel communication paths based on the received information and generates heartbeat packets for transmission on the multiple parallel communication paths if no other tagged data has been received in a predetermined period of time to ensure performance is continually monitored. An ingress processor module transmits the generated path quality reports and heartbeat packets.
US09729449B2
Use of a Location ID in addition to normal information to allow development of non-shortest path routes. The edge switches which terminate the distance links between locations are identified. Shortest path routes are determined for all switches in the same location. For each edge switch, routes over the distance links to other locations are determined, marking the interface connected to the distance links. The two determined sets of routes are combined. For devices directly connected to the edge switch, only the marked interface is used to reach the other location. For switches directly connected to the edge switch, use only routes from non-marked interfaces to marked interfaces and remove any routes from marked to marked or non-marked to non-marked interfaces. This operation for the directly connected switches allows single hops that are non-shortest path to an edge switch and removes certain potential loopback situations due to shortest path routes.
US09729447B2
A network switch includes a memory configurable to store alternate table representations of an individual trie in a hierarchy of tries. A prefix table processor accesses in parallel, using an input network address, the alternate table representations of the individual trie and searches for a longest prefix match in each alternate table representation to obtain local prefix matches. The longest prefix match from the local prefix matches is selected. The longest prefix match has an associated next hop index base address and offset value. A next hop index processor accesses a next hop index table in the memory utilizing the next hop index base address and offset value to obtain a next hop table pointer. A next hop processor accesses a next hop table in the memory using the next hop table pointer to obtain a destination network address.
US09729445B2
A collision detection unit detects whether a first entry that is associated with a value obtained by hashing a first MAC address is present in each area in a MAC address table and detects whether a second entry that is associated with a value obtained by hashing a second MAC address is present in each area in the MAC address table. If the first entry is present in each of the areas, a collision avoidance control unit acquires the second MAC address stored in the first entry that is present in one of the areas and inputs the second MAC address in the collision detection unit. If the second entry is not present in any of the areas in the MAC address table, a registration unit stores the second MAC address in the second entry and stores the first MAC address in the first entry.
US09729434B2
Provided are a computer program product, system, and method for processing requests for multiple services in a service request. A receiving controller, comprising one of a controlling forwarder or a data forwarder, receives a service request for a service from an originating device node. The receiving controller forwards an internal service request to a processing controller providing response information for the service request. The processing controller comprises a data forwarder when the receiving controller comprises the controlling forwarder or comprises the controlling forwarder when the receiving controller comprises one of the at least one data forwarder. The processing controller processes the internal service request to generate response information requested by the service request and forwards a reply including the response information to the receiving controller, which forwards the response information in a reply to the service request to the originating device node.
US09729431B1
A method of processing one or more packets includes receiving, at a first processing unit, a first packet including first information bits. The first information bits indicate a first control parameter. The method also includes determining whether the first control parameter will be utilized to process the first packet in at least a second processing unit and, at least partially in response to determining that the first control parameter will not be utilized to process the first packet in at least the second processing unit, replacing one or more bits of the first information bits in the first packet with second information bits. The second information bits indicate a second control parameter. The method also includes providing the first packet including the second information bits to the second processing unit.
US09729429B2
A method of parallel processing by networked devices, in which distributed data in a network is accessed in parallel to provide results. Commands and queries by a user station define a set of such distributed data. The networked devices access the distributed data in portions, individually process each portion, conduct peer-to-peer communication to aggregate results from processing each portion, and individually determine whether and when to report results. Making effective use of network assets (such as processing and storage at each node), making effective use of concurrency of network assets, limiting bandwidth use between network assets and user stations, and limiting use of assets (such as processing and storage) at user stations.
US09729428B2
A peer-to-peer connection system for peer-to-peer connection path routing provides an optimal connection path between a client electronic device and a target subsystem. The peer-to-peer connection system comprises a target subsystem, at least one relay subsystem and the client electronic device. The target subsystem and the relay subsystem connect to internet via different routers respectively. The target subsystem comprises a target device; the relay subsystem comprises a relay device. The target device and the relay device transmit a connection quality table to the client electronic device respectively. The client electronic device determines the optimal connection path according to the connection quality tables. This application program can provide the optimal peer-to-peer connection path via making the relay device be a relay node of peer-to-peer connection according to the connection quality tables.
US09729426B2
A method and system that takes advantage of processes that are efficient for determining the topology of small to medium size networks to determine individual network topologies for such networks, and then merges these individual topologies into a consolidated topology for the entire network. Each of the processes that determines the topology of the smaller networks provides the determined network topology, as well as a list of factors that may be relevant in the determination of how the given topology might be attached to any other given topology, such as the identification of a node that is not included in the given topology, or other indications of external connections. The merging process is configured to substantially restrict its analysis to these factors, thereby limiting the extent, and therefore the time consumed, by this stitching and merging process.
US09729417B2
An information terminal sequentially transmits one or more packets to an information distribution server, receives acknowledgments for the transmitted packets from the information distribution server, and records a round trip time and occurrence of packet loss for each of the transmitted packets. Among one or more packet sequences, the information terminal counts the number of packet sequences which are such that the number of packet losses included in each of the packet sequences and an increase state of the round trip time for packets included in the packet sequence satisfy respective predetermined conditions. Each of the one or more packet sequences has multiple continuous packets including one or more packets, for which packet loss is recorded among the transmitted packets, at the top. The information terminal calculates a packet loss ratio on the basis of the counted number and the number of transmitted packets.
US09729411B2
A centralized device management system for monitoring and controlling a device on granular object level in a plurality of datacenters is provided. The system includes a memory unit, a display unit, and a processor. The memory unit stores a database and a set of modules. The processor executes the set of modules. The set of modules includes a discover module, and a backup and restore module. The discover module is configured to discover a device to the device to the centralized device management system. The backup and restore module includes a backup module, a compare module, and a restore module. The backup module is configured to create backups for a configuration of the device. The compare module is configured to compare the backed up configuration with existing configuration of the device. The restore module is configured to restore the backed up configuration of the device.
US09729407B2
VoIP networks and methods are disclosed for distributing media resources in a VoIP network for providing services. VoIP endpoints, media gateways, and/or other network nodes in the VoIP network report available media resources (i.e., available processing capacity) that are able to provide services, such as providing announcements, DTMF digit collection, etc, to a distributed resource server. The distributed resource server then assigns the available media resources among the VoIP endpoints and/or media gateways to perform services for calls in the VoIP network in order to distribute the tasks of performing services among different nodes of the VoIP network.
US09729402B2
A first network device executing a device simulation tool receives a selection of a second network device in a communications network. The first network device receives a selection of at least one use case, scenario or error condition associated with operation of the second network device or the communications network, and executes a network simulation of the communications network based on the at least one use case, scenario or error condition. The first network device generates a call flow diagram, which involves the selected second network device, based on the executed network simulation, and provides a graphical display of the generated call flow diagram.
US09729398B1
Described are techniques for performing compliance testing. Configuration state information is received for one or more devices managed using a configuration management system. The configuration state information is stored in a data container. One or more compliance tests are executed using the configuration state information to determine if the one or more devices are compliant. The one or more compliance tests are defined using one or more queries and one or more compliance rules. The one or more queries are used for retrieving a portion of said configuration state information from said data container and generating one or more result sets. The one or more compliance rules specifying compliance criteria are used for determining whether the one or more result sets include configuration state information which is compliant.
US09729389B2
A switching system includes memory and a switching circuit. The memory stores a port priority table and a trigger source and condition table. The switching circuit for switches network traffic between a number of ports based on the port priority table, the trigger source and condition table, and port health status data. Switching network traffic includes: determining a priority path for a first port using the port health status data and the trigger source and condition table; determining a second port specified as a destination for network traffic arriving at the first port by the port priority table for the priority path; and routing incoming network traffic from the first port to the second port.
US09729385B2
Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a service provisioning method in a coaxial cable system, the method comprises: a CMC receives a DHCP Ack message from a DHCP server and replaces an address of a TFTP server in the DHCP Ack message with an IP address of the CMC; the CMC sends the DHCP Ack message carrying the IP address of the CMC to the CM; and the CMC receives a request message from the CM for delivering a configuration file, acquires a configuration file corresponding to the CM, and after converting the configuration file corresponding to the CM into a format identifiable by the CM, sends the configuration file to the CM.
US09729382B2
The disclosure discloses a method and an apparatus for realizing load balance in a DHT network, wherein the method comprises: determining the quantity Z of first virtual identifiers according to the node planning of the DHT network and a preset threshold of load unbalance degree, wherein Z is a natural number; equally dividing the whole load space of the DHT network into Z portions, and each portion of the load space is respectively identified by a different first virtual identifier; allocating the Z first virtual identifiers to each node according to the ability of each node so that each node is in charge of the load space corresponding to the first virtual identifier allocated to the node. The disclosure can reduce workload for managing and transferring virtual identifiers while realizing data storage load balance in the DHT network.
US09729365B2
A DARC signal demodulation circuit assemblage for recovering a DARC signal (DARC data) from an FM multiplex transmission signal includes: a pilot tone regulation circuit to obtain first and second mutually orthogonal oscillation synchronous with a stereo pilot tone encompassed by the FM multiplex transmission signal; a frequency quadruplication section for obtaining third and fourth mutually orthogonal oscillation having a frequency quadrupled as to the stereo pilot tone; a first multiplication section for obtaining a first multiplication signal from the FM multiplex transmission signal and from the third oscillation; a second multiplication section for obtaining a second multiplication signal from the FM multiplex transmission signal and from the fourth oscillation; first/second low-pass filters for obtaining first/second DARC signal components by low-pass filtration of the first and second multiplication signals; and an FM demodulation section for obtaining the DARC signal from a frequency demodulation of the first/second DARC signal components.
US09729363B2
A frequency discriminator comprising a power splitter for splitting a signal into first and second paths, wherein the first path is configured to provide a first, straight-through signal and the second path includes a frequency-dependent element, such as low-pass filter, so as to provide a second signal. The frequency discriminator further comprises a circuit configured to compare the first and second signals and generate an instantaneous frequency signal in dependence thereon.
US09729361B2
A fractional delay estimation module estimates a delay of a section of a forward processing path between a first point and a second point. The fractional delay estimation component determines an integer component and a fractional component of a first path delay based on a transform of a first vector inserted into the forward processing path at the first point and based on a transform of a first feedback vector received from a feedback path, determines an integer component and a fractional component of a second path delay in the forward processing path based on a third transform of a third vector inserted into the forward processing path at the second point and based on a fourth transform of a second feedback vector received from the feedback path, and further determines the estimated delay of the section based on a difference between the first and second path delays.
US09729360B2
A manner of processing bit-interleaved data traffic in a communication network. In the increasingly-common scenario where data traffic is bit interleaved and scrambled using a PRBS (pseudo-random binary sequence) before it is transmitted from a sender to a receiver, the receiver is configured to receive the transmitted bit stream and decimate it, that is, remove the bits of the bit stream that are allocated for the receiver, prior to descrambling. To accomplish this, the receiver employs an LFSR (linear feedback shift register) similar or identical to the one used by the sender to scramble the data. The LFSR is initialized by employing helper bits inserted by the sender or an initialization unit, and may employ other techniques for phase adjustment or state skipping depending on the nature of the transmitted bit stream.
US09729357B1
A system for transmitting control systems over twisted pair cabling. The system includes a first microcontroller transmitting a first single ended signal and receiving a second single ended signal. It also includes a first differential transmitter coupled to the first microcontroller for receiving the first single ended signal from the first microcontroller and converting it to a differential signal over a first differential line and a second differential line; and, a first differential receiver coupled to the first microcontroller for receiving a third differential line and a fourth differential line and converting it to a differential receiver signal, the differential receiver signal coupled to the second single ended signal. The system has a first transformer having first, second, third, and fourth center-tapped coils, the first differential line coupled to the center tap of the first coil, the second differential line coupled to the center tap of the fourth coil, the third differential line coupled to the center tap of the second coil, and the fourth differential line coupled to the center tap of the third coil, whereby the common mode of the first transformer is used to transmit a first control signal and to receive control signal responses over the twisted pair at the first processor.
US09729353B2
An NFA hardware engine includes a pipeline and a controller. The pipeline includes a plurality of stages, where one of the stages includes a transition table. Both a first automaton and a second automaton are encoded in the same transition table. The controller receives NFA engine commands onto the NFA engine and controls the pipeline in response to the NFA engine commands.
US09729352B1
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for assisting participation in a social network. In one aspect, a method is performed by a system of one or more data processing devices. The method includes receiving, at the system, a historical record of message exchange between an individual and members in a member network, the system determining, for each of the members, whether the individual is likely to want to be related to the respective member, each determination considering the number and transactional characteristics of the message exchange between the individual and the respective member in the historical record, and the system outputting the determinations that the individual is likely to want to be related to at least two of the respective members.
US09729349B2
A method for specialized processing of data in a port-extended network comprises receiving, by the control node of the port-extended network, a data frame that includes, at a first field of the data frame, information indicative of an incoming port at which the data frame was received, the first field having been inserted by a satellite node associated with the port. The method also comprises determining that one or more packets of a frame require specialized processing, and replacing the information contained in the first field with information indicative of the specialized processing. The method further comprises replacing information contained in a second field with information indicative of an outgoing port of a second satellite node of the port-extended network. A modified data frame is transmitted onto the port-extended network, the modified data frame that includes the information indicative of the specialized processing in the first field.
US09729347B2
A system and method are disclosed herein for managing conference bridge communication sessions. The system and method involves receiving a plurality of calls containing user media from users into a conference bridge, then connecting the plurality of calls via a load balancer to a plurality of conference servers on a network. A master broker dynamically selects a master conference server from among the plurality of conference servers to which the calls are connected. Once the master conference server is selected, the master broker directs all other conference servers to bridge the user media for the calls that are connected to the master conference server. The master conference server receives the user media from each of the connected conference servers. The master conference server is able to organize and mix the various user media and return this mixed media to each of the connected conference servers and thereby back to each user.
US09729337B2
Processing of MLD control packets in an access point (AP) connected to a digital network. According to the present invention, an AP in a network converts MLD queries from multicast to unicast and sends these unicast packets to each client of the AP. These MLD query packets may be filtered or restricted by per-user client rules These MLD query packets may also be tagged as high priority packets to speed their delivery. The AP also suppresses the retransmission of MLD Join packets to clients of the AP.
US09729324B2
A semiconductor integrated circuit includes a first circuit configured to provide a predetermined function and a second circuit configured to have a physically unclonable function, wherein the second circuit is incorporated into the first circuit such that a signal value of at least one node in the first circuit varies in response to an output of the second circuit, and the output of the second circuit is set such that the first circuit provides the predetermined function.
US09729320B2
A semiconductor includes a set of protected hardware resources, where at least one protected hardware resource stores a secure key. The semiconductor also includes a computation kernel and a memory to store a resource enablement module executed by the computation kernel. The resource enablement module selectively enables a protected hardware resource in response to a delivered key corresponding to the secure key.
US09729316B2
A system and method is disclosed for performing unified broadcast encryption and traitor tracing for digital content. In one embodiment a media key tree is divided into S subtrees, the media key tree including media keys and initial values, which may be random values. The digital content is divided into a plurality of segments and at least some of the segments are converted into a plurality of variations. The random values are transformed into media key variations and a separate media key variant is assigned to each of the subdivided subtrees. A unified media key block including the media key tree is stored on the media.
US09729314B2
A method and system for securing group communication in a Machine-to-Machine (M2M) communication environment including a plurality of Machine Type Communication (MTC) groups, wherein each of the plurality of MTC groups includes a plurality of MTC devices. The method includes generating a unique group key for securing communication with MTC devices associated with an MTC group in an M2M communication environment, securely providing information on the unique group key to the MTC devices associated with the MTC group, and securely communicating at least one broadcast group message with the MTC devices using the unique group key information.
US09729302B2
A base station apparatus determines, in accordance with at least one of a communication frequency of a mobile station apparatus, a congestion state of a core network that connects a radio access network and a public network, a number of users being located in a cell of the base station apparatus, and a radio state, a hold period for which a core network resource is to be held, where the core network resource is used for setting a bearer in the core network for the mobile station apparatus. The base station apparatus transmits information indicating the determined hold period to a gateway apparatus in the core network, thereby causing the gateway apparatus to release the core network resource after a period corresponding to the hold period has elapsed.
US09729296B2
A plurality of resource requests and a plurality of estimated link capacities are received at a first device from other devices coupled to a network. Each of the plurality of resource requests is indicative of a requested data rate for a different one of a plurality of communication links. Each of the plurality of estimated link capacities is indicative of an available data rate for the different ones of the plurality of communication links. An allocation of time slots within a first time interval is determined at the first device, based on at least the plurality of resource requests and the plurality of estimated link capacities, according to a branch and bound algorithm. At least some of the other devices of the plurality of devices are caused to communicate via the plurality of communication links according to the determined allocation of time slots.
US09729292B2
The present invention relates to a wireless communication system. A method for receiving data by a user equipment (UE) in a cooperative multi-point (CoMP) wireless communication system includes receiving downlink control information (DCI) that does not contain information indicating a transmission base station (BS) that actually transmits data among a plurality of BSs that participate in CoMP, receiving information about zero-power channel state information-reference signal (CSI-RS) of each of the plural BSs, and assuming that data is not mapped to a resource element of zero-power CSI-RS with a lowest index and receiving the data through a physical downlink control channel (PDSCH).
US09729287B2
Various of the disclosed embodiments improve encoding during a network call, such as a Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) connection, by adjusting the size of a data communications packet (“packet”). Particularly, given a corpus of codecs with which to encode data, the embodiments may identify a packet size based upon a common multiple of each codec's minimum raw data size. The packet size may be selected to accommodate the inclusion of data encoded in each codec format, as well as error correction code data, and codec transition commands. The packet size may be tailored to trade off measured latency and data efficiency.
US09729271B2
The present invention relates to method and apparatus for uplink data transmission, a user equipment, a computer program and a storage medium. The method comprises: acquiring a data error rate of data blocks transmitted on an uplink of a UE; constructing a new data block, wherein a size of the new data block is smaller than the size of the transmitted data block currently, if the block error rate is greater than a threshold; and transmitting the new data block on the uplink of the UE according to a first power currently allocated to the UE. The present invention can enhance the performance of uplink data transmission.
US09729270B2
In a wireless communication system, a base station may adopt AMC and HARQ mechanisms to improve the system stability and may further be configured to combine the feedback features of AMC and HARQ to save computing resources.
US09729264B2
One embodiment of the present specification provides an interference-removed reception method. The interference-removed reception method may comprise the steps of: encoding, in a binary in a physical channel, stored information for an attacker cell which causes interference; performing a comparison between the encoded binary and a new binary in the physical channel received from the attacker cell; and if the binaries match, removing interference caused by the new binary in the physical channel received from the attacker cell by using the encoded binary, and thereby receiving a signal from a serving cell.
US09729257B2
Systems and methods presented herein provide for isolating an upstream noise source in a cable television network. In one embodiment, a cable television network is communicatively coupled to a plurality of CPEs through a node. The cable television network comprises a CMTS with a CPE polling module and a noise monitor communicatively coupled to the CMTS through the node of the cable television network. The noise monitor is operable in a band of frequencies unused by the CPEs for upstream communications to determine when noise in the band breaches a threshold level, and to indicate when the noise breaches the threshold level to the CPE polling module. The CPE polling module then polls each of the CPEs to retrieve transmit power levels and locations of the CPEs, and identifies the first CPE with the intermittently noisy connection based on the retrieved transmit power level and location of the first CPE.
US09729256B2
The present disclosure discloses a method for issuing information including: an ad hoc network including an information issuing node and a client node is established; when a user to which the information issuing node is attributive desires to issue information, the information issuing node stores information issued by the user, broadcasts the information issued by the user to the ad hoc network and notifies all other nodes of the ad hoc network to update information of the information issuing node. The present disclosure also discloses a system for issuing information and a method and system for acquiring information. The methods and systems make it possible to implement timely and efficient issuing and acquisition of information.
US09729243B2
An optoelectronic transmitter including a semiconductor substrate, at least one laser source, and a high numerical aperture (NA) waveguide is provided. The laser source is disposed on the semiconductor substrate and configured to emit at least one laser beam. The high numerical aperture (NA) waveguide has an NA greater than or equal to 0.5 and is disposed on the semiconductor substrate. At least a part of the laser beam from the laser source enters the high NA waveguide, wherein no lens is disposed on the light path of the laser beam between the laser source and the high NA waveguide. An optoelectronic receiver and an optoelectronic transceiver are also provided.
US09729238B2
A switched wireless system is used to increase the range of peer-to-peer communications. The optically-switched fiber optic communication system includes a head-end unit (HEU) having a switch bank. Cables couple the HEU to one or more remote access points in different coverage areas. The switch bank in the HEU provides a link between the remote access points in the different coverage areas such that devices in the different cellular coverage areas communicate with each other, such as through videoconferencing. By using the switched communication system, the range and coverage of communication between devices may be extended such that devices in different coverage areas and devices using different communication protocols can communicate.
US09729229B2
The reception (102) reception unit includes; a first processing unit processing a first signal received from a source channel, and including a filtering unit to filter said first signal in digital domain, and extract unit to extract a information from said first signal; a second processing unit processing a second signal received from a destination channel, and said source channel and said destination channel are distinct each other; a third processing unit providing said information extracted from said first signal to said second signal said third processing unit executes; providing said information from said first processing unit to said second processing unit using information lanes of a clock rate strictly lower than a symbol rate of said second signal, a monitoring unit to generate a monitor signal according to the quality of said second signal; and a control unit controlling a skew between said first signal and said second signal in a bandwidth of said filtering units in said first processing unit.
US09729228B2
A system and method for providing communication in a distributed LMR system architecture is provided herein, wherein the system includes a plurality of LMR subsystems interconnected by a data network. In some embodiments, a subsystem may include a distributed simulcast architecture comprising a plurality of LMR sites, each site having a subsystem controller and a plurality of repeaters. In one embodiment, one subsystem controller operates in an active mode and the remaining subsystem controllers operate in standby to provide redundancy. The repeaters include integrated voter comparator and simulcast controller functionality and circuitry. In some embodiments, the repeaters are operable in an active or standby mode, wherein repeaters in the active mode perform voter comparator and simulcast controller functionality. The distributed simulcast architecture provides simulcast controller and voter comparator redundancy, network failure redundancy, and site redundancy.
US09729221B2
A method and mobile communications device for receiving a composite signal composed of a plurality of resource elements, the plurality of resource elements including: a plurality of data resource elements subject to interference; measuring a first noise plus interference level on at least one predefined resource element from the plurality of resource elements; measuring a noise plus interference level on the plurality of data resource elements subject to interference; determining a baseline noise plus interference level common to the plurality of data resource elements subject to interference; and generating a hybrid noise plus interference level by replacing the baseline noise plus interference level with the first noise plus interference level from the at least one predefined resource element.
US09729220B1
A single-carrier-modulation communication system for transmitting data over a wireless link, the communication system including, on a first side of a wireless link one single-carrier-modulation receiver associated with a single antenna, on a second side of the wireless link a plurality of antennas and a plurality of single-carrier-modulation transmitters, each one of the plurality of transmitters associated with one of the plurality of antennas, the transmitters each further associated with a pre-coding filter, and the plurality of transmitters are arranged to each transmit same data via a respectively associated pre-coding filter and the associated antenna, using the pre-coding filters to perform beam-forming to the one receiver. Related apparatus and methods are also described.
US09729215B2
Methods and apparatuses for fronthaul signal compression and decompression. An apparatus for fronthaul signal compression includes a receiver, signal processing circuitry, and a fronthaul interface. The receiver is configured to receive one or more signals comprising complex samples. The signal processing circuitry is configured to construct vectors representing at least a portion of the complex samples; map the vectors to codeword indices in a vector quantization codebook; and process the codeword indices into an output signal. The fronthaul interface is configured to transmit the output signal via a fronthaul communication link of a wireless network. The vectors may be constructed according to the selected vectorization method. The vector quantization codebook may be selected from a set of vector quantization codebooks generated based on training signals and signaled.
US09729214B2
In a method for simultaneously communicating with multiple communication devices in a wireless local area network a first communication device receives a plurality of uplink data units simultaneously transmitted by multiple second communication devices. The first communication device generates an acknowledgement data unit to acknowledge receipt of the multiple data units simultaneously transmitted by multiple second communication devices. The acknowledgement data unit includes (i) an indication that indicates that the acknowledgement data unit is intended for multiple second communication devices and (ii) respective acknowledgement information for the multiple second communication devices. The acknowledgement data unit is transmitted from the first communication device to the multiple second communication devices.
US09729213B2
A multiple input, multiple output (“MIMO”) antenna system is provided for operation on a radio frequency (“RF”) module that may be used in a wireless access device. The MIMO antenna system includes a plurality of multi-band antenna elements connected to a radio in a MIMO configuration. The multi-band antenna elements and the radio are configured to operate on an RF module. A reflector is formed on the RF module to contain the plurality of multi-band antenna elements and a common director is positioned in front of the multi-band antenna elements to concentrate signal communication in a sector. The plurality of multi-band antenna elements are oriented to provide a sector coverage pattern formed by beam patterns generated by each of the multi-band antenna elements.
US09729197B2
Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, determining whether communications are encrypted, determining a communication type for the communications according to sensitivity criteria, encrypting the communications according to the communication type to generate encrypted communications, and transmitting to a second network device the encrypted communications. Other embodiments are disclosed.
US09729195B2
At least one embodiment of a correlator comprising a plurality of correlator taps is configurable to provide synchronization and symbol modulation for a plurality of modulation systems. Among other uses, at least one embodiment of the correlator can provide a coarse symbol timing value. In response to determining the coarse symbol timing value, a receiver can receive a signal. Among other uses, at least one embodiment of the correlator can provide a carrier frequency offset (CFO) estimate. In response to determining the CFO estimate, a receiver can receive a signal.
US09729193B2
A wireless sensor platform and methods of manufacture are provided. The platform involves providing a plurality of wireless sensors, where each of the sensors is fabricated on flexible substrates using printing techniques and low temperature curing. Each of the sensors can include planar sensor elements and planar antennas defined using the printing and curing. Further, each of the sensors can include a communications system configured to encode the data from the sensors into a spread spectrum code sequence that is transmitted to a central computer(s) for use in monitoring an area associated with the sensors.
US09729183B2
A mobile terminal case and a method of manufacturing the same are provided. The mobile terminal case includes a three-dimensional curved body or plane shape having a circumferential edge lower than its center and formed from a fiber reinforced composite material; and a gradation paint layer formed at an outer surface of the body formed from fiber reinforced composite material.
US09729176B2
A data transmission terminal according to the present invention comprises: a communication unit which performs communication with a server; a noise collection unit which collects a peripheral noise; a data transmission unit which transmits data to a data reception terminal through an audible frequency band; and a control unit which analyzes the collected noise to generate a noise analysis result and controls the communication unit to transmit the noise analysis result to the server.
US09729175B2
Various embodiments may be generally directed to techniques for configuring a secondary RF chain of a mobile device—in particular, a secondary receiver chain—to perform wireless network measurements when the secondary RF chain is not used for data communications. Various embodiments provide for a primary RF chain to provide data communications with a wireless network and for the secondary RF chain to be capable of providing aggregated data communications with the wireless network. Various embodiments provide for the mobile device to determine that the wireless network does not support carrier aggregation and to reconfigure the secondary receiver chain, which would otherwise be left unused or inactive, to perform wireless network measurements. System throughout can be improved in comparison to using the primary RF chain for performing the wireless network measurements.
US09729170B1
An integrated circuit (IC) includes a serial-to-parallel converter configured to receive a serial input signal to provide one or more parallel output signals. The serial input signal is an M-level Pulse-Amplitude Modulated (PAM) signal, wherein M is a positive integer. The serial-to-parallel converter includes a data converter configured to receive the serial input signal and provide a data converter output signal. The data converter output signal represents information of the serial input signal with N1 bits, and N1 is a positive integer. An encoder is configured to encode the data converter output signal to provide encoder output signal with N2 bits, wherein N2 is a positive integer less than half of N1. One or more sub-deserializers are configured to receive the encoder output signal and generate the one or more parallel output signals.
US09729159B1
Systems and methods involving phase-locked-loop (PLL) circuitry are disclosed. In one illustrative implementation, a PLL circuit device may comprise voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) circuitry having a bias signal that sets a frequency range, circuitry that shifts the VCO circuitry to operate in one of the frequency ranges, and other circuitry to compare/calibrate signals and/or set the bias current. According to further implementations, as a function of operation of the circuitry, an operating frequency range of the VCO circuitry may be shifted to a different operating frequency range, and closed-loop, continuous frequency range, auto-calibration or other features may be provided.
US09729156B2
A device for supplying an electronic circuit with a clock signal having a dock frequency includes a frequency actuator that generates the clock signal in accordance with a frequency setting according to a regulation mechanism. A control module selectively applies to the frequency actuator a first frequency setting or a second frequency setting that is higher than the first setting. An adaptation module modifies the regulation mechanism in accordance with the applied setting.
US09729154B2
There is provided a logic device including memory cell units. Each of the memory cell units includes a pair of bit lines arranged corresponding to a column of memory cells, a word line, and an inverter unit connected to the pair of bit lines. The inverter unit includes a first CMOS and a second CMOS. The first CMOS is configured to receive an input signal from one of the pair of bit lines. The first CMOS includes a first MOS transistor and a second MOS transistor. The second CMOS is configured to receive an input signal from the other of the pair of bit lines. The second CMOS includes a third MOS transistor and a fourth MOS transistor. The inverter unit is configured to output a first differential signal and a second differential signal as a data signal.
US09729153B1
A device includes a multiplexer circuit with a plurality of input circuits. Each input circuit is connected to a respective input node and a shared output node. The input circuits are configured to pass, in response to a respective control signal, a signal between the respective input and shared output node. An output circuit is configured to store data from the shared output node in a latch mode and to act as a buffer in a pass-through mode. A control circuit is configured to switch, in response to a configuration signal, the output circuit between the latch mode and the pass-through mode.
US09729150B2
A power semiconductor drive circuit includes a parallel circuit connected to a gate of a power semiconductor element and constituted by two transistors for setting gate resistance of the power semiconductor element; a gate voltage monitoring circuit connected to the gate of the power semiconductor element and the parallel circuit, wherein a monitoring voltage is set in the gate voltage monitoring circuit to monitor a gate voltage of the power semiconductor element; a signal delay circuit to delay an output signal of the gate voltage monitoring circuit; and a gate control circuit to change the magnitude of combined resistance of the parallel circuit based on an output signal output from the signal delay circuit.
US09729148B2
To provide a semiconductor device including element layers that are stacked. A first wiring layer and a second wiring layer are stacked between a first element layer and a second element layer. A third wiring layer and a fourth wiring layer are stacked over the second element layer. Transistors of logic cells are provided in the first element layer. Wirings of the logic cells are provided in the first wiring layer or the second wiring layer. Input ports and output ports of the logic cells are provided in the third wiring layer. The input port of one of the logic cells is connected to the output port of another logic cell through the wiring of the third wiring layer or the fourth wiring layer. Connecting the logic cells through the wiring layers over the second element layer improves the efficiency of steps of arranging and connecting the logic cells.
US09729141B2
An electronic circuit arrangement for use in an explosive area may include an electrical signal line, which connects an electrical input connector to an electrical output connector, and an electrical earth line, which can be or is electrically connected to the electrical signal line by at least one electrical earthing line. An inductive component and a semiconductor switch may be arranged in the at least one earthing line. The semiconductor switch may be switched between a closed state, in which the signal line is electrically connected via the at least one earthing line to the earth line, and an open state, in which this electrical connection is interrupted.
US09729133B2
According to an embodiment, an electronic transmission element is provided that has a first input and a first output. The first input is coupled to the first output by means of two first, parallel-connected complementary switches. The first switches each have a control input. The electronic transmission element further has a second input and a second output. The second input is coupled to the second output by means of two second, parallel-connected complementary switches. The second switches each have a control input. The first output is coupled to the control inputs of the second switches and the second output is coupled to the control inputs of the first switches.
US09729129B2
A circuit and method for reducing metastability of a CMOS SR flip flop is provided. The circuit comprises a first switching module and a second switching module that are operatively coupled to a first and second output terminal of the CMOS SR flip-flop. The method includes injecting current onto the first and second output terminals of the CMOS SR flip-flop at mutually opposite directions during permissible mid-range voltages of the output terminals. Further, the method includes driving the output terminals of the CMOS SR flip-flop into the predetermined state of zero and predetermined stable state of Vdd by utilizing the currents injected onto the output terminals. As a result, the metastable point of the CMOS flip-flop is diverted from the corresponding metastable voltage and thereby reduces the metastability of the CMOS SR flip-flop.
US09729123B2
A common-mode filter includes a first transmission line, a second transmission line, a first wiring layer, a second wiring layer and a third wiring layer. The first wiring layer includes a first conductive capacitor plate, in which at least partial first transmission line is in the first wiring layer, and electrically coupled with the first conductive capacitor plate. The second wiring layer includes a second conductive plate and a first inductor, and the second conductive capacitor plate is electrically coupled with the first inductor. The third wiring layer includes a third conductive capacitor plate, in which at least partial second transmission line is in the second wiring layer, and electrically coupled with the third conductive capacitor plate. The first conductive capacitor plate at least partial faces the second conductive capacitor plate, and the second conductive capacitor plate at least partial faces the third conductive capacitor plate.
US09729116B2
A method and an electronic device of controlling an audio output are disclosed. The method includes detecting an audio output device connected to an electronic device, determining a type of audio output device associated with the audio output device connected to the electronic device, determining a first audio output level associated with the audio output device connected to the electronic device based on the type of audio output device and a predetermined audio output level, and outputting an audio output at the first audio output level using the audio output device.
US09729115B2
Techniques for optimizing a player based on the addition of a second player are disclosed. In an embodiment, when a first player no longer needs to play certain audio frequencies due to the addition of a second player, the gain of the first player is automatically increased as part of the setup process. In another embodiment, when a first player needs to play certain audio frequencies, for example due to the removal of a second player, the gain of the first player is automatically decreased. Many other embodiments are disclosed.
US09729114B2
This application relates to amplifier circuitry for amplifying a signal from a MEMS transducer. A super source follower circuit (40) is provided which includes a feedback path from its output node (Nout) to a control bias node (BC) in order to provide a preamplifier signal gain that may be greater than unity. A first transistor (M1) is configured to have its gate node connected to an input node (NIN) for receiving the input signal (VIN) and its drain node connected to an input node (X) of an output stage (A). The source node of the first transistor is connected to the output node (NOUT). A current source (I2) is configured to deliver a current to the drain node of the first transistor (M1), wherein the current source (I2) is controlled by a bias control voltage (VBC) at the bias control node (BC). A feedback impedance network (Z1) comprising a first port connected to the output node (NOUT) and a second port connected to the bias control node (BC) is provided.
US09729111B2
A method for facilitating the impedance matching of radiofrequency circuits, notably transmission circuits using a power amplifier connected to a load which may include an antenna. A signal is produced for measuring the temperature resulting from the operation of the output amplifier stage, by a temperature sensor positioned in the immediate vicinity of this stage, the measuring signal is used to control a circuit for controlling the variable impedances of a matching network positioned between the amplifier and the load, and values which seek to minimize the sensed temperature are applied to these variable impedances values. An abnormal heating of the amplifier is an indication of an impedance mismatch that must be corrected to restore a minimum temperature.
US09729100B2
A mobile body moves along a magnetic pole path having a magnetic pole section and a magnetic pole missing section. The mobile body includes a plurality of linear motors, a first detector, a second detector, and an estimator. The plurality of linear motors include a first linear motor. The first detector is disposed on one side with respect to the first linear motor in the path direction of the magnetic pole path, and detects a first phase angle. The second detector is disposed on the other side with respect to the first linear motor in the path direction of the magnetic pole path, and detects a second phase angle. The estimator compares a phase difference between the first phase angle and the second phase angle with a reference phase difference, to estimate whether or not the first linear motor is located in the magnetic pole missing section.
US09729095B2
A stepping motor control circuit includes a drive pulse generation section that generates forward-rotation drive pulses that drive a stepping motor stepwise in a forward rotation direction and reverse-rotation drive pulses that drive the stepping motor stepwise in a reverse rotation direction and a forward/reverse rotation switching control section that switches the drive pulses outputted to the stepping motor from one of the forward-rotation drive pulses and the reverse-rotation drive pulses to the other, and the forward/reverse rotation switching control section switches the drive pulses outputted to the stepping motor from one of the forward-rotation drive pulses and the reverse-rotation drive pulses to the other and then provide a predetermined period before the other drive pulses are outputted to the stepping motor.
US09729081B1
A semi-active bridge for furnishing voltage of a correct polarity to a powered device in a Power over Ethernet (PoE) network is disclosed. In one or more implementations, the semi-active bridge includes a diode having an anode portion and a cathode portion. The anode portion of the diode is connected to an input terminal, and the cathode portion of the diode is connected to an output terminal. The semi-active bridge also includes an active transistor device having a source region and a drain region. The drain region of the active transistor device is connected to the input terminal, and the source region of the active transistor device is connected to the output terminal.
US09729068B2
The present disclosure relates to a switching mode converter. A secondary-side power switch is connected in series in a second output circuit, and an output voltage of a second secondary-side winding is fed back to a first secondary-side winding with a value less than an output voltage of the first secondary-side winding. Thus, a freewheeling current flows completely through the secondary-side winding of the second output circuit when the secondary-side power switch is turned on, and flows through secondary-side windings of other output circuits when the secondary-side power switch is turned off. The freewheeling current flows in a time division manner in each switching cycle for the constant current output circuit and for the constant voltage output circuit. Only one stage of power conversion is needed for multiple constant current/voltage outputs. The switching mode converter increases conversion efficiency, and reduces size because only one group of magnetic components is used.
US09729067B2
System and method for regulating a power conversion system. An example system controller for regulating a power conversion system includes a signal generator and a driving component. The signal generator is configured to receive a feedback signal associated with an output signal of a power conversion system and a current sensing signal associated with a primary current flowing through a primary winding of the power conversion system and generate a modulation signal based on at least information associated with the feedback signal and the current sensing signal. The driving component is configured to receive the modulation signal and output a drive signal to a switch based on at least information associated with the modulation signal.
US09729063B2
A power system includes a first DC-DC converter circuit and a second DC-DC converter circuit, each including a power input terminal and a sensor. The sensor includes a sensor output terminal and at least one of a current sensor and a voltage sensor. The power system also includes a master Power Factor Correction (PFC) circuit that includes a power output terminal coupled to the power input terminal of the first DC-DC converter circuit; and a slave PFC circuit, which includes a power output terminal coupled to the power input terminal of the second DC-DC converter circuit and a voltage adjustment terminal coupled to the sensor output terminal of the second DC-DC converter circuit and to the sensor output terminal of the first DC-DC converter circuit.
US09729055B1
Systems and methods of increasing power converter efficiency are provided. A power converter includes a boost circuit configured to receive a DC input voltage ranging from a minimum input voltage value to a maximum voltage value, boost the DC input voltage to a predefined nominal voltage value when the DC input voltage has a value between the minimum input voltage value and the predefined nominal voltage value, and maintain the DC input voltage when the DC input voltage has a value that is greater than or equal to the predefined nominal voltage value and less than the maximum input voltage value. The unit also includes a DC-DC converter coupled to an output of the boost circuit, the DC-DC converter configured to convert the boosted DC voltage or the maintained DC voltage to a DC output voltage.
US09729038B2
A torsion bar portion is of a meandering shape including a plurality of straight sections and a plurality of turnover sections. The plurality of straight sections extends in a first direction along a swing axis and is juxtaposed in a second direction intersecting with the first direction. The plurality of turnover sections alternately couples two ends of the straight sections. Wiring is disposed on the torsion bar portion. The wiring includes first wiring sections and second wiring sections. The first wiring sections include damascene wiring sections that are disposed so as to be embedded in grooves formed in the turnover sections and that are made of a first metal material including Cu. The second wiring sections are disposed on the straight sections and are made of a second metal material more resistant to plastic deformation than the first metal material.
US09729032B2
A rotor including: a shaft; a structure comprising at least one end ring and rotor bars, wherein at least the end ring comprises a material subject to expansion or movement radially outward from the shaft upon a rotor balancing process that involves spinning of the structure; a core that at least partially encloses the rotor bars; and means for limiting the expansion or movement of the structure radially outward. A method including: providing a structure comprising at least one end ring and rotor bars, wherein at least the end ring comprises a material subject to expansion or movement radially outward from the shaft upon spinning of the structure; assembling a rotor from the structure and a core, the core at least partially enclosing the rotor bars; spinning the rotor in a rotor balancing process; and limiting the expansion or movement of the structure radially outward in the rotor balancing process.
US09729027B2
A cooling structure of a rotary electric machine (10) that includes a rotating shaft (16), a rotor (18), and a stator (20) that includes a coil end (22), includes a coolant passage (38) that is included in the rotating shaft (16) and through which coolant flows, and a squirt hole (42) that is included in the coolant passage (38). The squirt hole (42) is included in the coolant passage (38). An opening portion of the squirt hole (42) is positioned on an outer peripheral surface of the rotating shaft (16) and to an outside of the coil end (22) in the axial direction. The squirt hole (42) squirts the coolant such that the coolant is distributed to an inner peripheral surface (C1, C2) of the coil end (22) and an end surface (A1, A2) of the coil end (22) in the axial direction.
US09729026B2
An electric motor which is an in-wheel motor includes a motor housing, a motor stator, a rotation shaft, a motor rotor, and a rotational sensor. The rotation shaft has: a shaft portion rotatably supported by a plurality of bearings; a flange portion spreading toward the outer diameter side from the outer circumference of the shaft portion; and a cylindrical portion extending from the outer diameter end of the flange portion in parallel with the shaft portion, and having an outer circumference to which the motor rotor is fitted. The axial position of the rotational sensor is between the plurality of bearings, and the rotational sensor is provided on the inner diameter side of the cylindrical portion of the rotation shaft.
US09729023B2
An electromotive unit includes a linear motor, a motor case containing the linear motor, a movable element connected with the linear motor and reciprocatingly driven with respect to the motor case, and a sealing material sealing the gap between the movable element and the opening of the motor case. The sealing material includes a contact portion contacting the movable element; and a recessed portion formed around contact portion, having a ring-shaped groove facing the outside of the motor case, and elastically deformable according to reciprocating movement of the movable element. This aspect provides an electromotive unit that hardly generates noise while the movable element is being reciprocatingly driven; and a small-size electrical appliance including the electromotive unit.
US09729021B2
The invention relates to a coil former (110) for a coil (100) of an electric machine (400). The coil former has a coil core (112) and a terminating wall (115) having a first edge (118) and a second edge (119). The first edge is arranged opposite the second edge, and the terminating wall is designed to retain a coil wire (120), which can be wound around the coil core, in a wound position. The terminating wall has a first retaining projection (130) and a second retaining projection (140), wherein the first retaining projection extends in an extension plane (117) of the terminating wall from the first edge in a first projection direction (131) along a first center axis (132) of the first retaining projection and the second retaining projection extends in the extension plane (117) of the terminating wall from the second edge in a second projection direction (141) along a second center axis (142) of the second retaining projection.
US09729019B2
Provided is a rotor structure of a rotary electric machine, which is easily adaptable to offer a wide variety of products. The rotor structure of a rotary electric machine includes at least: a rotor shaft (3); a rotor core including a first rotor core section (15) and a second rotor core section (17); a boss section (9); and a pressurizing section. The second rotor core section and the boss section are arranged on an outer circumference of the rotor shaft. The first rotor core section is arranged on an outer circumference of the boss section. The pressurizing section is positioned on an axially outer side of the rotor core. The second rotor core section is pressurized by an abutment surface of the boss section. The first rotor core section arranged on the boss section is pressurized by the pressurizing section.
US09729016B1
Disclosed are various embodiments for a new and improved electrical motor/generator, specifically a motor/generator comprising: a plurality of coils radially positioned about a coil assembly, a plurality of magnetic tunnels forming a relative rotational path for the coil assembly, wherein the all of plurality of magnets forming each magnetic tunnel have like poles facing inward toward the interior of the magnetic tunnel or facing outward away from the interior of the magnetic tunnel such that each magnetic field of any magnetic tunnel is of an opposite polarity to the magnetic field of an adjacent magnetic tunnel.
US09729014B2
A signal generator generates an electrical signal that is sent to an amplifier, which increases the power of the signal using power from a power source. The amplified signal is fed to a sender transducer to generate ultrasonic waves that can be focused and sent to a receiver. The receiver transducer converts the ultrasonic waves back into electrical energy and stores it in an energy storage device, such as a battery, or uses the electrical energy to power a device. In this way, a device can be remotely charged or powered without having to be tethered to an electrical outlet.
US09729012B2
Systems, methods, and apparatus embodiments for electric power grid and network registration and management of active grid elements. Grid elements are transformed into active grid elements following initial registration of each grid element with the system, preferably through network-based communication between the grid elements and a coordinator, either in coordination with or outside of an IP-based communications network router. A multiplicity of active grid elements function in the grid for supply capacity, supply and/or load curtailment as supply or capacity. Also preferably, messaging is managed through a network by a coordinator using IP messaging for communication with the grid elements, with the energy management system (EMS), and with the utilities, market participants, and/or grid operators.
US09729011B2
Systems, methods, and apparatus embodiments for electric power grid and network registration and management of grid elements. Grid elements are transformed into grid elements following initial registration of each grid element with the system, preferably through network-based communication between the grid elements and a coordinator, either in coordination with or outside of an IP-based communications network router. A multiplicity of grid elements function in the grid for supply capacity, supply and/or load curtailment as supply or capacity. Also preferably, messaging is managed through a network by a Coordinator using IP messaging for communication with the grid elements, with the energy management system (EMS), and with the utilities, market participants, and/or grid operators.
US09729007B2
An uninterruptible power supplying method and an uninterruptible power supply. The method includes switching an uninterruptible power supply to a bypass working mode from a main loop working mode, so as to provide mains power for a load through a bypass; determining the working mode of the uninterruptible power supply; and when the uninterruptible power supply is in the bypass working mode, adjusting a working frequency of at least one switch tube in a main loop of the uninterruptible power supply to a second frequency from a first frequency, where the second frequency is less than the first frequency, so as to reduce power loss when the uninterruptible power supply is in the bypass working mode.
US09729002B2
A wireless response system and method of receiving user input selections at a base station includes distributing a plurality of response units to users. The response units wirelessly communicate with the base station in order to retrieve user responses received by the response units. Each of the response units has a user input device that is configured to receiving user input selections, a controller that is responsive to the user input device to process user inputs and to communicate responses wirelessly to the base station and a power supply having a super capacitor. The super capacitor is charged with a wireless-charging circuit and current is supplied from the super capacitor to the controller. Current supplied to the controller is controlled.
US09729000B2
A power transmitter and method are provided for wireless multi-charging. A power transmitter includes a resonator configured to wirelessly transmit power to one or more power receivers; and a controller configured to increase a transmission power of the resonator to charge a first power receiver when the first power receiver is located in a charging area of the resonator; decrease the transmission power of the resonator when a second power receiver is located in the charging area of the resonator; and increase the transmission power of the resonator to charge both of the first power receiver and the second power receiver.
US09728983B2
A charger and a mobile device exchange messages indicating that high wattage charging is supported over a bidirectional communication channel. After the message exchange, the charger sends a controlled output voltage and current to the mobile device over a cable connected between the charger and the mobile device. The mobile device takes an input voltage measurement that corresponds to the controlled output voltage after being passed through the cable. The charger or mobile device may then calculate a resistance of the cable based on a difference between the controlled output voltage and the input voltage measurement. Based on the resistance of the cable, the controlled voltage and current used to charge a battery of the mobile device is adjusted in order to avoid exceeding capacity of the cable.
US09728966B2
A system of surge suppressor units is connected at multiple locations on a power transmission and distribution grid to provide grid level protection against various disturbances before such disturbances can reach or affect facility level equipment. The surge suppressor units effectively prevent major voltage and current spikes from impacting the grid. In addition, the surge suppressor units included various integration features which provide diagnostic and remote reporting capabilities required by most utility operations. As such, the surge suppressor units protect grid level components from major events such as natural geomagnetic disturbances (solar flares), extreme electrical events (lightning) and human-generated events (EMPs) and cascading failures on the power grid.
US09728961B2
The invention relates to an energy generating installation, especially a wind power station, comprising a drive shaft connected to a rotor (1), a generator (8) and a differential transmission (11 to 13) provided with three drives or outputs. A first drive is connected to the drive shaft, an output is connected to a generator (8), and a second drive is connected to an electrical differential drive (6, 14). The differential drive (6, 14) is connected to a network (10) by means of a frequency converter (7, 15) comprising an electrical energy accumulator in the direct-current intermediate circuit.
US09728959B2
A method for operating an inverter, and an inverter for coupling with a photovoltaic array having at least one photovoltaic panel are disclosed. The inverter can be configured: to connect output poles of the photovoltaic array in short circuit with each other; to measure a current supplied by the photovoltaic array through the output poles after they have been connected in short circuit with each other; and to start a DC-to-AC conversion of power supplied by the photovoltaic array if the measured current exceeds a predetermined threshold.
US09728957B2
Device and a method of forming an integrated circuit (IC) that offers protection against ESD in RE applications is disclosed. The device includes a transmission line (TL) coupled to a signal pad. The TL is a short circuited stub that is configured as an ESD protection device and as a band pass filter in dependence of a center frequency of the band pass filter. The TL is configured to pass through a signal in response to a frequency of the signal being within an allowable range of frequencies of the band pass filter. The TL functioning as an ESD protection device is configured to shunt the signal in response to the frequency being outside the allowable range. The IC may include an array of control switches that are operable to change an electrical length L of the TL. The center frequency is tunable by controlling the electrical length L.
US09728956B2
The present invention relates to a surge protection device for multi-protection mode communications, comprising: an input line into which a voltage is introduced; an output line connected to an external line; a surge discharge part provided with a ground terminal; a surge protection circuit part provided between the input line and the output line and having at least two or more surge protection circuits provided in parallel and discharging the introduced voltage to the ground terminal if the introduced voltage is a surge voltage; circuit conversion parts for selectively connecting the input line and the output line to any one of the surge protection circuits; a condition measuring part for measuring an input voltage introduced into an input terminal of the input line and a second discharge voltage from the surge protection circuit to the ground terminal and comparing each of the input voltage and the second discharge voltage with preset reference voltages; and a control circuit part for detecting abnormality of the connected surge protection circuit by using the comparison result of the input voltage and the comparison result of the second discharge voltage and converting the connected surge protection circuit into another one of the connected surge protection circuits through the circuit conversion parts if the abnormality of the connected surge protection circuit is detected. By the surge protection device for multi-protection mode communications, the damage to the surge protection circuits can be detected using the input surge voltage and no voltage is required to be additionally applied for detecting the damage to the surge protection circuits.
US09728952B2
The present invention is directed to an electrical wiring device that includes an automatic test circuit configured to commence an automatic test at a predetermined time such that a test current propagates on a test conductor. The sensor assembly provides a sensor test output responsive to the test current only if both the differential transformer and the grounded neutral transformer are operative. A fault detector circuit is configured to generate a test detection signal in response to the sensor test output only if the fault detector circuit is operable and the at least one power supply is substantially charged. A device integrity evaluation circuit includes a timer that effects a tripped state when a time measurement exceeds a threshold, the test detection signal resetting the time measurement when properly wired before the time measurement exceeds the predetermined threshold but does not reset the time measurement when miswired.
US09728938B2
An optical semiconductor device includes: an active region which includes an active layer which produces light when current is injected therein, a first diffraction grating layer having a first diffraction grating with a prescribed grating period, and a phase shift portion formed within the first diffraction grating layer, wherein the phase shift portion provides a phase shift not smaller than 1.5π but not larger than 1.83π; and a distributed reflection mirror region which is optically coupled to a first end of the active region as viewed along a direction of an optical axis, and which includes a second diffraction grating which reflects the light produced by the active region back into the active region.
US09728937B2
A method of controlling a wavelength tunable laser to control an oscillation wavelength based on a difference between a detection result of a wavelength by a wavelength detecting unit and a target value, the method includes: acquiring a first drive condition of the wavelength tunable laser to make the wavelength tunable laser oscillate at a first wavelength from a memory; calculating a second drive condition to drive the wavelength tunable laser at a second wavelength by referring to the first drive condition and a wavelength difference between the first wavelength and the second wavelength, the second wavelength differing from the first wavelength; and driving the wavelength tunable laser based on the second drive condition calculated at the calculating of the second drive condition.
US09728935B2
A chip-scale package for an edge-emitting semiconductor device and a semiconductor device assembly including such a chip-scale package are provided. The chip-scale package includes an edge-emitting semiconductor device chip, a top submount disposed on a top surface of the chip, and a bottom submount disposed on a bottom surface of the chip. The top-submount area and the bottom-submount area are each greater than the chip area and less than or equal to about 1.2 times the chip area.
US09728925B2
The invention relates to a carbon brush (2), having a wear limit indicating function, having a current-carrying stranded wire being arranged in the brush body (4), and having a stranded indicating wire (10), which, at a stranded wire end section (12), is surrounded and fixed by a sleeve (8) having an infeed opening (22), wherein the sleeve (8) is arranged in a recess (6) being formed in the brush body (4). The sleeve (8) is formed as a centering sleeve, the inner diameter (26a, 26b) of which at the infeed opening (22) nearly corresponds to the outer diameter (24) and features a tapering (30) that is conical in the infeed direction.
US09728924B2
An actuator device includes: a motor that is a driving source; a reduction gear that decelerates rotation of the motor; an accommodating member that accommodates the reduction gear; and a conductive member that is disposed integrally with the accommodating member and is in sliding contact with the reduction gear so that a ground circuit capable of grounding the reduction gear is formed.
US09728912B2
An adaptor board may include a multi-layer circuit board having at least three layers, namely a first board layer, a second board layer, and a third board layer. A first plurality of cable contacts may be provided at the first board layer, and a second plurality of cable contacts may be provided at the third board layer.
US09728911B2
A dielectric spacer for a coaxial connector includes: a narrow ring; a wide ring attached to the narrow ring, the wide and narrow rings sharing a longitudinal axis; a plurality of posts positioned within the wide ring, each of the posts extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis; and a plurality of bores in the narrow ring, each of the bores extending substantially parallel with the longitudinal axis and being aligned with a corresponding post. Each of the posts is mounted on a frangible section that separates the post from its corresponding bore.
US09728910B2
The present invention relates to a coaxial connector. According to the present invention, there is provided a coaxial connector which is installed for electrical connection of a communication module, and includes a first connector in which an insulator through which a conductor penetrates is installed inside a first housing, and a conductive gasket is seated between the first housing and the insulator; and a second connector which is coupled so that a front end comes into close contact with the conductive gasket.
US09728909B2
A mounting system for facilitating ordered mating of plural connectors includes a first plate having plural mounting positions for first connectors. A second plate is attached to the first plate by a standoff. A housing extends between the first and second plates and substantially covers an area between the first and second plates. In a keying embodiment, each mounting position has an inner perimeter shape different than the others. Each connector of plural first connectors includes a threaded portion holding a first nut with an outer perimeter having a shape unique as compared to the other first nuts. The outer perimeter of the first nut seats into one, and only one, of the plural mounting positions. A third plate is mounted to and spaced from the first plate. The third plate includes plural keyholes which are aligned to the plural mounting positions. Each keyhole has an inner perimeter shape matching the inner perimeter shape of the mounting position to which the keyhole is aligned. The keyholes only permit a second connector, with a matching key nut, to pass therethrough and mate into the first connector in the aligned mounting position.
US09728907B2
An interconnect assembly is disclosed herein. An example includes a wireless connector to wirelessly transceive data to and from a first device and a connector to transceive data to and from a second device. The interconnect assembly additionally includes an interface selector to establish a communications protocol to exchange the data between the first device and the second device.
US09728902B2
A plug connector having a housing and at least four contact elements arranged within the housing to transmit high-frequency signals, wherein two contact elements respectively form a contact element pair, each of which is integrated into an insulating body. In that arrangement, the insulating bodies are each surrounded by a shield.
US09728897B2
A power connector assembly includes a connector housing and a plurality of receptacles defined in the connector housing. Each of the receptacles defines a keyed interface profile such that each interface profile is adapted to individually couple to a respective feeder connector. Each one of the receptacles has an interface profile different from the other interface profiles.The plurality of receptacles can include a first profiled interface, a second profiled interface and a third profiled interface. Each of the first, second and third profiled interfaces can define a longitudinal connector axis. The number of profile interfaces can be increased by selection of other angle positioned within the housing which prevent incorrect receptacles from be installed (i.e. connected).
US09728888B1
Provided is a socket which hermetically seals a contact space in which plug-side contacts and socket-side contacts are in contact with each other by a small-scale simple structure. The socket includes an elastic seal member that surrounds one or a plurality of socket-side contacts, is fixed to an inner surface of an accommodation recess, and makes elastic contact with an exposure surface of a plug connection portion accommodated in the accommodation recess, a plug-side contact or contacts being exposed in the exposure surface. A contact space in which the plug-side contact(s) of the plug connection portion slid to a connection position in the accommodation recess and a contact portion or portions of the corresponding contact-side contact(s) make elastic contact with each other is surrounded and hermetically sealed by the inner surface of the accommodation recess, the elastic seal member, and the exposure surface of the plug connection portion.
US09728884B1
A connector includes a housing including a terminal reception chamber in which a terminal can be received, and a front holder that is attached to the housing so as to double-lock the terminal in the terminal reception chamber, wherein the front holder includes a plate-like rib portion extending in a direction crossing a fitting direction of the front holder, the housing includes a groove portion and a mountain-like protrusion portion in a mounting position where the front holder is mounted, the groove portion being recessed into a shape that can receive the rib portion while supporting the rib portion, the groove portion extending in a direction in which the rib portion extends, the protrusion portion protruding in an extension direction of the groove portion and extending in the fitting direction of the front holder.
US09728881B2
A connector terminal includes first and second arm parts, an interconnection part, a first contactor formed of a piece of sheet which is in a bent shape so as to have the first end laid over on a second end of the sheet with reference to a bent part that is an opposite side to a side where the first end of the sheet and the second end thereof are present, and a second contactor formed of a piece of sheet which is in a bent shape so as to have the first end laid over on a second end of the sheet with reference to a bent part that is an opposite side to a side where the first end of the sheet and the second end thereof are located, and the second contactor facing the first contactor.
US09728878B2
There are provided a press-fit terminal which has an excellent whisker resistance and a low inserting force, is unlikely to cause shaving of plating when the press-fit terminal is inserted into a substrate, and has a high heat resistance, and an electronic component using the same. A press-fit terminal comprises: a female terminal connection part provided at one side of an attached part to be attached to a housing; and a substrate connection part provided at the other side and attached to a substrate by press-fitting the substrate connection part into a through-hole formed in the substrate. At least the substrate connection part has the surface structure described below, and the press-fit terminal has an excellent whisker resistance. The surface structure comprises: an A layer formed as an outermost surface layer and formed of Sn, In, or an alloy thereof; a B layer formed below the A layer and constituted of one or two or more selected from the group consisting of Ag, Au, Pt, Pd, Ru, Rh, Os, and Ir; and a C layer formed below the B layer and constituted of one or two or more selected from the group consisting of Ni, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, and Cu. The A layer has a thickness of 0.002 to 0.2 μm. The B layer has a thickness of 0.001 to 0.3 μm. The C layer has a thickness of 0.05 μm or larger.
US09728876B1
An electric connector includes terminal holder including mating-connection space surrounded by holder base and two arms, insert-receiving portion defined at bottom side of holder base, mating-connection plate extended from the holder base and suspended in the mating-connection space and conducting terminals mounted in the mating-connection plate, and circuit board including plug portion inserted through the insert-receiving portion into the mating-connection space of terminal holder, two openings coupled to the arms of terminal holder, upper and lower metal terminals mounted on opposing top and bottom sides of plug portion, planar portion abutted to the bottom surface of mating-connection plate and a plurality of contacts arranged at the back side of the planar portion for the bonding of conducting terminals. Thus, the electric connector has advantages of low profile and low manufacturing cost and is practical for use in a mobile electronic device having light, thin, short and small characteristics.
US09728872B2
In the connector, a plurality of parallel flanges and groove pins between every two of the parallel flanges are additionally provided to the middle of the connector plug. A plurality of parallel grooves and flange pins between every two of the parallel grooves are additionally provided to the middle of the connector socket. The plurality of flanges of the connector plug are inserted into the plurality of grooves of the connector socket. The mating face of the connector plug is in contact with the mating face of the connector socket.
US09728869B2
The present invention provides a printed substrate having a novel structure in which substrate terminals can be fixed to the printed substrate without needing a base, and the substrate terminals can be press-fitted into through-holes without applying pressing force to printed wiring and a plating layer in the through-holes, and also provides a printed substrate with terminals that uses this printed substrate. A printed substrate includes through-holes into which the first end portions of substrate terminals are to be inserted. The through-holes each include press-fitting regions into which the first end portion of a substrate terminal is to be press-fitted, and conduction regions arranged so as to oppose the outer circumferential surfaces of the first end portion of the substrate terminal via gaps in directions perpendicular to the axis. Printed wiring is connected to the conduction regions, and a plating layer is adhered to the conduction regions.
US09728849B2
A method of adjusting at least one cellular communications antenna mounted on an antenna structure, wherein the antenna, and/or direction of the radiation pattern of the antenna, is movable relative to the antenna structure, the method comprising the steps: determining or retrieving current position values of the antenna, and/or direction of the radiation pattern of the antenna, in first, second and third dimensions; receiving a desired position value for the antenna, and/or direction of the radiation pattern of the antenna, in the first dimension relating to a desired position of the antenna; determining a new position value for the antenna, and/or direction of the radiation pattern, of the antenna in the second dimension based on required movement of the antenna, and/or direction of the radiation pattern of the antenna, relative to the antenna structure to reach the desired position value in the first dimension; determining a new position value for the antenna, and/or direction of the radiation pattern of the antenna, in the third dimension based on required movement of the antenna relative to the antenna structure to reach the desired position value in the first dimension; calculating the difference between the current and new position values in the second dimension; calculating the difference between the current and new position values in the third dimension; adjusting the position of the antenna, and/or direction of the radiation pattern of the antenna, towards the desired position by moving the antenna, and/or direction of the radiation pattern of the antenna, relative to the antenna structure based at least in part on the calculated difference of first and second positions in at least the second dimension.
US09728846B2
Low passive intermodulation (PIM) antenna assemblies and methods for utilizing the same. In one embodiment, the low PIM antenna assembly includes an ultra-wide band quarter wave monopole over ground plane antenna apparatus that operates within a band from 698-5900 MHz. The radiating element is comprised of three (3) features that are separated from one another by one hundred twenty (120°) thus producing a triangular shaped pattern. Such a configuration reduces the nulls by about twenty percent (20%) as compared with similar antenna implementations having flat radiating elements. Moreover, in order to reduce the diameter of the ground plane while simultaneously increasing the electrical length of the ground plane, forming of the ground plane is required. Methods of using the aforementioned low PIM antenna assembly are also disclosed.
US09728845B2
There is disclosed an antenna device made up of at least first, second and third conductive metal plates arranged in a parallelepiped configuration. The third plate defines a lower plane and the first and second plates together define an upper plane substantially parallel to the lower plane. The first and second plates are separated by a slot in the upper plane, and the second and third plates are connected to each other by a grounding connection. The first plate comprises a first, active antenna arm that is provided with a feed connection, and the second plate comprises a second antenna arm that may be passive or active. The antenna device generates a circularly polarized radiation pattern that is good for personal navigation devices, while being significantly more compact than existing ceramic patch antennas that are typically used in these devices.
US09728832B2
In one embodiment, a system comprises: a first circulator module comprising a first plurality of circulators including a first circulator; a second circulator module comprising a second plurality of circulators including a second circulator, wherein an interconnection port connects the first and second circulator modules, each circulator in the first and second plurality of circulators comprises: an internal cavity; a plurality of ports extending from the internal cavity, wherein at least one port in the plurality of ports connects the circulator to another circulator; and at least one ferrite element disposed in the internal cavity and including at least one aperture; the system further comprising: a control wire, respective portions of the control wire being disposed in the at least one aperture of the at least one ferrite element of the first circulator and the at least one aperture of the at least one ferrite element of the second circulator.
US09728830B2
A dielectric resonator, an assembly method thereof and a dielectric filter enable are provided. The dielectric resonator includes the dielectric resonant column, the metal cavity, a sealing cover plate and a tuning screw, wherein the dielectric resonant column is located in the metal cavity, the sealing cover plate is located on an upper end face of the metal cavity, and the tuning screw is located on the sealing cover plate. The dielectric resonator also includes an insulating fixed module located between the lower end face of the sealing cover plate and the upper end face of the dielectric resonant column, and the insulating fixed module is high enough to ensure that a pressure is formed between the sealing cover plate and the dielectric resonant column, so that the dielectric resonant column is fixed at the bottom of the metal cavity.
US09728826B2
An exemplary method includes circulating a fluid through a heat exchanger and a battery pack when the battery pack requires cooling, and circulating the fluid through an exhaust gas heat recovery device and the battery pack when the battery pack requires heating. An exemplary system includes a battery pack, a heat exchanger, an exhaust gas heat recovery device, and a fluid valve moveable to a cooling position that permits a fluid to circulate between the heat exchanger and the battery pack and a heating position that permits the fluid to circulate between the exhaust gas heat recovery device and the battery pack.
US09728825B2
A device for indirectly cooling a battery module of an eco-friendly vehicle is provided that cools the battery module using an interfacial plate into which a heat pipe is inserted to maximize battery heat emission performance and simultaneously prevent degradation of battery performance. A thermally-conductive interfacial plate in which a heat pipe is embedded by over-molding is disposed between battery cells and a heat sink, which is a condensation unit, integrally connected to an upper end of the heat pipe is disposed in a cooling air flow path to improve contact strength between the interfacial plate and the battery cells. A planar heat emitter is disposed between the battery cells where the interfacial plate is not disposed to heat the battery to a proper-level temperature in a cold-start environment and a low-temperature environment, thereby improving battery performance and preventing degradation in vehicle power.
US09728815B2
An assembled battery includes a plurality of air cells arranged in a horizontal direction and a plurality of connection flow paths. Each air cell includes a storage portion between a positive electrode and a metal negative electrode to store an electrolysis solution. The storage portions of the respective adjacent air cells communicate with each other by the respective connection flow paths. An insulation fluid for electrically insulating the electrolysis solution in the respective adjacent air cells is sealed in the respective connection flow paths.
US09728814B2
Pressure relief mechanisms can provide an outlet for cathode pressure buildup during battery operation. Mechanical cathode modifications can control cathode interfaces during battery operation. Pressure relief mechanisms and mechanical modifications can be utilized to improve performance, longevity and/or to prevent failure of batteries, such as during cycling of liquid metal batteries.
US09728810B2
An electrolyte contains a non-aqueous solvent, a lithium salt, and a fluorine-containing ether compound represented by the following Formula (I). In the following formula, R1 represents an alkyl group having 3 to 8 carbon atoms; R2 represents an alkyl group having 1 carbon atom; at least 6 carbon atoms among carbon atoms bonded to the alkyl group represented by R1 are substituted with fluorine atoms; and at least one hydrogen atom among hydrogen atoms bonded to the alkyl group represented by R2 is substituted with a fluorine atom.
US09728806B2
The present invention discloses a process for preparing a functionalized choline chloride ionic liquid as defined in formula (I), and thereof use in an electrochemical energy storage device, as an electrolyte solution or an additive for a lithium ion battery and a supercapacitor. The ionic liquid electrolyte material has better biocompatibility, flame retardance, high ionic conductivity, low viscosity, and wide electrochemical window. wherein R1 is selected from the group consisting of: (CH2═CH—(CH2)n)—, CN(CH2)n—, or R23Si—; R2 is selected from CH3—(CH2)m—, n is an integer selected from 1 to 3, m is an integer selected from 0 to 2; or one of R2 is (CH3)3Si—O—. Anion A in Formula I is selected from the group consisting of: Cl−, Br−, I−, BF4−, NO3−, SO42−, CF3COO−, CF3SO3−, (CF3SO2)2N−, PF6−, BF2C2O4−, or B(C2O4)2−.
US09728805B2
Disclosed are a nonaqueous electrolyte for a lithium secondary battery containing a hetero polycyclic compound and a lithium secondary battery using the same.
US09728802B2
In polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cells and electrolyzes, attaining and maintaining high membrane conductivity and durability is crucial for performance and efficiency. The use of low equivalent weight (EW) perfluorinated ionomers is one of the few options available to improve membrane conductivity. However, excessive dimensional changes of low EW ionomers upon application of wet/dry or freeze/thaw cycles yield catastrophic losses in membrane integrity. Incorporation of ionomers within porous, dimensionally-stable perforated polymer electrolyte membrane substrates provides improved PEM performance and longevity. The present invention provides novel methods using micromolds to fabricate the perforated polymer electrolyte membrane substrates. These novel methods using micromolds create uniform and well-defined pore structures. In addition, these novel methods using micromolds described herein may be used in batch or continuous processing.
US09728801B2
A fuel cell membrane electrode assembly is provided comprising a polymer electrolyte membrane comprising a first polymer electrolyte and at least one manganese compound; and one or more electrode layers comprising a catalyst and at least one cerium compound. The membrane electrode assembly demonstrates an unexpected combination of durability and performance.
US09728791B2
A self-sealing flow frame is provided having a first frame component and a second frame component. Each frame component is provided with a tongue-and-groove configuration that when assembled forms a tessellation engagement, which creates the seal. When each frame component is assembled into a flow frame, with the inner surfaces facing towards each other, the tongue-and-groove arrangements create a seal profile that circumscribe constituent parts of a device within which the self-sealing flow frame is being employed. As the frame components are compressively secured and fastened together, a tessellation engagement of the seal profile forms the fluid seal. Fluids of the device are prevented from exfiltrating the device, and are contained within the self-sealing flow frame by the fluid seal.
US09728789B2
The disclosure, in some aspects, relates to a method and apparatus for assembling a laminated fuel cell, in which an assembly head comprising one or more punches is used for dividing portions from sheet material and for transferring the portions to an electrode plate for lamination. Embodiments disclosed include a method of assembling a laminated fuel cell, the method comprising the steps of: providing a first sheet material (202b) to a first die (205); translating an assembly head (204) to a first location adjacent the first die, the assembly head comprising a first punch (501) having a surface (507) configured to engage with the first die; engaging the first punch with the first die to divide a portion from the first sheet material; adhering the first sheet portion to the surface of the first punch; translating the assembly head with the first sheet material portion to an assembly station (203) comprising an electrode plate (701); and applying the first sheet material portion to a surface of the electrode plate.
US09728788B2
A method for preparing M-N—C catalytic material utilizing ball-milling with or without the addition of a sacrificial support.
US09728787B2
A current collecting structure for which the installation space for current collecting plates is not increased more than necessary even if the number of electrodes to be stacked is increased to increase the capacity of a secondary battery is provided. Positive current collecting plates 41a to 41j constituting a positive current collecting plate stacking portion 27 are bent at bent portions 47a to 47j to constitute fixed portions 43a to 43j and welded portions 45a to 45j, respectively. The angles of the bent portions 47a to 47e are 80°, 90°, 100°, 110°, and 120°, respectively. The angles of the bent portions 47f to 47j are 120°, 110°, 100°, 90°, and 80°, respectively. Negative current collecting plates are also bent in the same manner.
US09728785B2
Provided is an active material for a sodium ion battery including: (t-butyl)3-trioxotriangulene shown below. In Formula (1), a double line including a solid line and a broken line represents a single bond or a double bond.
US09728784B2
A method for producing a vitreous carbon material which can serve as a carbon material for a power storage device. In the method, a polymer material, having six-membered ring structures in its basic carbon skeleton and having a nitrogen atom, is heated at a temperature of 1000° C. to 2100° C. under an inert gas environment, and then, the polymer material is pulverized, to thereby control graphitization and crystal growth of the carbon material, thus producing a vitreous carbon material which serves as a carbon material for a power storage device.
US09728768B2
An electrode structure and its method of manufacture are disclosed. The disclosed electrode structures may be manufactured by depositing a first release layer on a first carrier substrate. A first protective layer may be deposited on a surface of the first release layer and a first electroactive material layer may then be deposited on the first protective layer. The first release layer may have a low mean peak to valley surface roughness, which may enable the formation of a thin protective layer with a low mean peak to valley surface roughness.
US09728767B2
A device for producing electrolyte flow in a flow-assisted battery comprises a flow assisted battery, a powering device located on a dry side of a battery housing, and an impeller assembly located on a wet side of the battery housing. The flow assisted battery comprises a battery housing, an anode, a cathode and an electrolyte solution, where the anode, the cathode and the electrolyte solution are disposed within the battery housing. The impeller assembly comprises: a shaft, an impeller, and one or more interior magnets, and the powering device and the impeller assembly are magnetically coupled through the battery housing.
US09728752B2
There is provided An inside-out alkaline battery, including: a cylindrical cathode can that has a bottom, that performs a function of a cathode current collector, that has a nickel-plated layer on an inner surface of the cathode can, and that has a coating on a surface layer of the nickel-plated layer, the coating being composed of nickel-cobalt alloy, a thickness of the coating being between 0.15 μm and 0.25 μm (both inclusive), a ratio of cobalt in the nickel-cobalt alloy being between 40% and 60% (both inclusive); and a cathode mixture that is disposed in the cathode can, that is annular in shape, and that contains a cathode active material.
US09728745B2
A method of manufacturing an organic light emitting device includes providing a substrate and forming an anode on the substrate; melting at least two organic materials having different melting points by a heating means; and coating and cooling each of the melted at least two organic materials on a surface of the anode respectively, in sequence, to form an organic compound layer having at least active layer. A melting point of one of the at least two active layers adjacent to the anode is greater than a melting point of another of the at least two active layers away from the anode.
US09728741B2
An organic EL panel includes: an organic EL substrate; a color filter substrate; and a resin layer, wherein the organic EL substrate and the color filter substrate are adhered to each other via the resin layer, the color filter substrate further includes a moisture absorbent layer, the moisture absorbent layer being vapor-deposited on the colored layers, facing the resin layer, and containing magnesium oxide, and a temperature of the second substrate during vapor deposition of the moisture absorbent layer is 200 degrees Celsius or lower.
US09728734B2
High density films of semiconducting single-walled carbon nanotubes having a high degree of nanotube alignment are provided. Also provided are methods of making the films and field effect transistors (FETs) that incorporate the films as conducting channel materials. The single-walled carbon nanotubes are deposited from a thin layer of organic solvent containing solubilized single-walled carbon nanotubes that is spread over the surface of an aqueous medium, inducing evaporative self-assembly upon contacting a solid substrate.
US09728729B2
An organic light-emitting device and a flat panel display, the device including an anode; a cathode; and an organic layer therebetween, the organic layer including an EML, the EML including a first host and a second host that are different from one another, a hole transport region between the anode and the EML, the hole transport region including at least one of a hole injection layer (HIL), a hole transport layer (HTL), a buffer layer, or an electron blocking layer (EBL), an electron transport region between the EML and the cathode, the electron transport region including at least one of a hole blocking layer (HBL), an electron transport layer (ETL), or an electron injection layer (EIL), and an intermediate layer between the EML and the electron transport region; wherein the intermediate layer includes a compound having an electron affinity of more than 0 eV and less than 2.5 eV.
US09728721B2
A non-volatile memory device and a manufacturing method thereof are provided. The memory device includes a substrate, a lower cell dielectric layer with gate conductors and a body unit conductor disposed on the lower cell dielectric layer and gates. Memory element conductors are disposed on the body unit and lower cell dielectric layer. An upper cell dielectric layer may be on the substrate and over the lower cell dielectric layer, body unit conductor and memory element conductors. The upper cell dielectric layer isolates the memory element conductors.
US09728708B2
Among other things, piezoelectric materials and methods of their manufacture are described; particularly methods of forming regions of varying crystal structure within a relaxor piezoelectric substrate. Such methods may including heating the piezoelectric substrate above the transition temperature and below the Curie temperature such that a first phase transition occurs to a first crystal structure; rapidly cooling the piezoelectric substrate below the transition temperature at a cooling rate that is sufficiently high for the first crystal structure to persist; and applying an electric field through one or more selected regions of the piezoelectric substrate, such that within the one or more selected regions, a second phase transition occurs and results in a second crystal structure.
US09728705B2
A metallization, for carrying current in an electrical component, includes a bottom layer overlying a substrate surface and includes titanium (Ti) or a titanium compound as main constituent. An upper layer overlies the bottom layer and includes copper (Cu) as main constituent. The bottom layer and the upper layer form a base layer. A top layer is in direct contact with the upper layer and includes aluminum (Al) as main constituent. The base layer further includes a middle layer, consisting of silver, that is arranged between the bottom layer and the upper layer.
US09728702B1
A system and method for power delivery through a barrier may include a source for directing thermal energy through a first side of a barrier of sufficient intensity to raise the temperature of at least a region of the barrier and propagate therethrough to a second side thereof, and a thermoelectric generator positioned adjacent the second side of the barrier proximate the region to receive the thermal energy from the source and convert the thermal energy into electricity. A method for delivering power through a barrier may include directing thermal energy upon a first side of a barrier, the thermal energy being of sufficient intensity to raise a temperature of at least a region of the barrier and propagate therethrough to a second side thereof, receiving the thermal energy from the source through the barrier adjacent the second side, and converting the thermal energy to electricity adjacent the second side.
US09728693B2
Occurrence of a crosstalk phenomenon in a light-emitting device including a tandem element is suppressed. A light-emitting device includes: lower electrodes over an insulating layer; a partition over a portion between the lower electrodes, which includes an overhang portion over an end portion of each of the lower electrodes; a first light-emitting unit over each of the lower electrodes and the partition; an intermediate layer over the first light-emitting unit; a second light-emitting unit over the intermediate layer; and an upper electrode over the second light-emitting unit. The distance between the overhang portion and each of the lower electrodes is larger than the total thickness of the first light-emitting unit and the intermediate layer over the lower electrode.
US09728692B2
Display devices with improved display contrast and methods of manufacturing the display devices. Some embodiments include a method of manufacturing a light emitting diode (LED) array. The method includes forming two mesa areas on a substrate, where a trench is defined between the two mesa areas. A pixel and a N-bus formation is formed on each of the two mesa areas to create a first LED and a second LED separated by the trench between the two mesa areas. At least a portion of the trench is filled with a non-transparent or substantially non-transparent polymeric material that absorbs light emitted from the first and second LEDs.
US09728674B2
The invention concerns an optoelectronic component comprising a layer structure with a light-active layer. In a first lateral region the light-active layer has a higher density of V-defects than in a second lateral region.
US09728673B2
The invention relates to a method for the production of a light-emitting diode, characterized in that the method comprises a step of preparing a light-emitting layer (20) on a front face of a support (10), said emitting layer comprising at least two adjacent quantum wells (21, 22, 23) emitting at different wavelengths, said quantum wells (21, 22, 23) being in contact with the front face of the support. According to the invention, the step in which the light-emitting layer is deposited comprises a sub-step consisting in locally varying the temperature of a rear face of the support opposite the front face such that the front face of the support comprises at least two zones at different temperatures.
US09728664B2
A solar module, particularly a thin-layer solar module, is described. The solar module has a laminated complex with two substrates between which there is a layer structure which has a front electrode layer, a back electrode layer and an intermediate semiconductor layer for forming a plurality of solar cells connected up in series, two contact elements at least one top element two contact pieces, and at least one connection socket. A method for producing the solar module is also described.
US09728658B2
A first solar cell is electrically connected to a second solar cell electrically and arranged in an array direction. Each of the first and second solar cell comprises: a light-receiving surface; a rear surface; a plurality of n-type side electrodes and p-type side electrodes both formed in the array direction on the rear surface; a wiring member electrically connecting the first solar cell and the second solar cell and arranged over the plurality of n-type side electrodes and the plurality of p-type side electrodes; an n-type side electrode insulating member that is arranged over the wiring member and covers a part of the plurality of n-type side electrodes, the part facing the wiring member; and a p-type side electrode insulating member that is arranged over the wiring member and covers a part of the plurality of p-type side electrodes, the part facing the wiring member.
US09728656B2
A modular solar panel system facilitated to maximize the power generation from a solar module, configured to maximize power generation from a plurality of solar cells under conditions of partial shade or light obstruction. The modular solar panel system includes a crisscross network configuration of solar cell arrays, wherein the solar cells are often subjected to at least partial shading and wherein the present invention provides innovative configurations to minimize the damage inflicted by the shadows.
US09728654B2
A semiconductor device includes: a first conductive type semiconductor device; a first conductive type drift region formed by epitaxial growth on the semiconductor substrate; a plurality of first conductive type vertical implantation regions formed by multistage ion implantation in the drift region, the vertical implantation regions having a prescribed vertical implantation width and a prescribed drift region width; an anode electrode disposed on the front surface of the drift region opposite to the semiconductor substrate, the anode electrode being in Schottky contact with the drift region and in ohmic contact with the first conductive type vertical implantation regions; and a cathode electrode disposed on the rear surface of the semiconductor substrate opposite to the drift region, the cathode electrode being in ohmic contact with the semiconductor substrate.
US09728651B2
A transistor including an oxide semiconductor, which has good on-state characteristics, and a high-performance semiconductor device including a transistor capable of high-speed response and high-speed operation. In the transistor including an oxide semiconductor, oxygen-defect-inducing factors are introduced (added) into an oxide semiconductor layer, whereby the resistance of a source and drain regions are selectively reduced. Oxygen-defect-inducing factors are introduced into the oxide semiconductor layer, whereby oxygen defects serving as donors can be effectively formed in the oxide semiconductor layer. The introduced oxygen-defect-inducing factors are one or more selected from titanium, tungsten, and molybdenum, and are introduced by an ion implantation method.
US09728649B2
A semiconductor device is disclosed. The semiconductor device can include a first dielectric layer disposed on a substrate; a set of bias lines disposed on the first dielectric layer; a second dielectric layer disposed on the first dielectric layer and between the set of bias lines, wherein a thickness of the second dielectric layer is less than a thickness of the first dielectric layer; a patterned semiconductor layer disposed on portions of the second dielectric layer; and a set of devices disposed on the patterned semiconductor layer above the set of bias lines.
US09728648B2
A miniaturized transistor having excellent electrical characteristics is provided with high yield. Further, a semiconductor device including the transistor and having high performance and high reliability is manufactured with high productivity. In a semiconductor device including a transistor in which an oxide semiconductor film including a channel formation region and low-resistance regions between which the channel formation region is sandwiched, a gate insulating film, and a gate electrode layer whose top surface and side surface are covered with an insulating film including an aluminum oxide film are stacked, a source electrode layer and a drain electrode layer are in contact with part of the oxide semiconductor film and the top surface and a side surface of the insulating film including an aluminum oxide film.
US09728629B1
An electronic device can include a substrate having a primary surface; a monocrystalline semiconductor film overlying the primary surface of the substrate; and a polycrystalline compound semiconductor layer adjacent to the monocrystalline semiconductor film. In an embodiment, the polycrystalline compound semiconductor layer has a dopant concentration at most 1×1016 atoms/cm3, a donor concentration of greater than 1×1017 donors/cm3, and is part of a contact of an electrode of a transistor. In another embodiment, the electronic device can further include an interconnect over the polycrystalline compound semiconductor layer, wherein a combination of the interconnect and polycrystalline compound semiconductor layer form an ohmic contact. In a further embodiment, a polycrystalline compound semiconductor layer can be adjacent to the monocrystalline semiconductor film, wherein an energy level of a conduction band of the polycrystalline compound semiconductor layer is lower than its Fermi energy level.
US09728625B2
A method of forming a semiconductor device that includes forming a silicon including fin structure and forming a germanium including layer on the silicon including fin structure. Germanium is then diffused from the germanium including layer into the silicon including fin structure to convert the silicon including fin structure to silicon germanium including fin structure.
US09728614B2
A semiconductor device is manufactured by forming a gate electrode adjacent to a body region in a semiconductor substrate, forming a field plate trench in a main surface of the substrate, the field plate trench having an extension length in a first direction parallel to the main surface, and forming a field electrode and a field dielectric layer in the field plate trench so that the field electrode is insulated from an adjacent drift zone by the field dielectric layer. The extension length of the field plate trench in the first direction is less than double an extension length of the field electrode in a second direction that is perpendicular to the first direction and is parallel to the main surface. The extension length in the first direction is more than half the extension length in the second direction.
US09728605B2
The present disclosure relates to roll-to-roll doping method of graphene film, and doped graphene film.
US09728592B2
A pixel structure includes a metal oxide semiconductor layer, a first insulating layer, a second insulating layer, a first conductive layer, a passivation layer, a second conductive layer and a pixel electrode. The metal oxide semiconductor layer includes a second semiconductor pattern. The first insulating layer includes a first capacitance dielectric pattern disposed on the second semiconductor pattern. The second insulating layer includes a second capacitance dielectric pattern disposed on the first capacitance dielectric pattern. The first conductive layer includes a electrode pattern disposed on the second capacitance dielectric pattern. The passivation layer covers the first conductive layer. The second conductive layer includes a second electrode disposed on the passivation layer. The second electrode is electrically connected to the second semiconductor pattern. The second electrode is disposed to overlap the electrode pattern. The second semiconductor pattern, the electrode pattern and the second electrode form a storage capacitor.
US09728590B2
An organic EL device including: a substrate; a bank layer having therewithin an opening having an elongated shape in plan view; and a functional layer including an organic material, disposed within the opening, and having an elongated shape in plan view. The bank layer includes first banks opposing each other with the functional layer therebetween in an transverse direction of the functional layer and extending along a longitudinal direction of the functional layer and second banks opposing each other with the functional layer therebetween in the longitudinal direction of the functional layer and extending along the transverse direction of the functional layer. An angle θ2 between an inclined surface of a second bank and an upper surface of the substrate is greater than an angle θ1 between an inclined surface of a first bank and the upper surface of the substrate.
US09728588B2
A pixel structure for OLED display is disclosed. The pixel structure includes multi-row pixel unit groups, each pixel unit group includes a plurality of pixel units arranged repeatedly in sequence, and each pixel unit includes a first sub pixel, a second sub pixel and a third sub pixel, wherein the same sub pixels of the pixel units in adjacent two rows are arranged in dislocation in a horizontal direction. The pixel structure can widen the distance between the corresponding openings of the sub pixels when making the corresponding metal mask to enhance the strength of the metal mask that a pixel unit of a smaller size can be produced under the consideration of process condition, so as to improve the resolution of the OLED display.
US09728583B2
A layer of silicon nitride above the bottom electrode and on the sidewalls of the magnetoresistive stack serves as an insulator and an etch stop during manufacturing of a magnetoresistive device. Non-selective chemical mechanical polishing removes any silicon nitride overlying a top electrode for the device along with silicon dioxide used for encapsulation. Later etching operations corresponding to formation of a via to reach the top electrode use selective etching chemistries that remove silicon dioxide to access the top electrode, but do not remove silicon nitride. Thus, the silicon nitride acts as an etch stop, and, in the resulting device, provides an insulating layer that prevents unwanted short circuits between the via and the bottom electrode and between the via and the sidewalls of the magnetoresistive device stack.
US09728581B2
A CMOS integrated circuit includes a Hall sensor having a Hall plate formed in a first isolation layer which is formed concurrently with a second isolation layer under a MOS transistor. A first shallow well with a conductivity type opposite from the first isolation layer is formed over, and extending to, the Hall plate. The first shallow well is formed concurrently with a second shallow well under the MOS transistor. The Hall sensor may be a horizontal Hall sensor for sensing magnetic fields oriented perpendicular to the top surface of the substrate of the integrated circuit, or may be a vertical Hall sensor for sensing magnetic fields oriented parallel to the top surface of the substrate of the integrated circuit.
US09728566B2
A solid state imaging device according to the invention includes: a semiconductor layer of a first conductivity type; a gate insulation film that is located on the semiconductor layer; a gate electrode that is located on the gate insulation film; a first impurity region of a second conductivity type that is located at least in a region outside the gate electrode on a first end portion side; a second impurity region of the second conductivity type that is located in a region extending across a second end portion that is opposite to the first end portion of the gate electrode; and a third impurity region of the first conductivity type that is located on top of the second impurity region at a position outside the gate electrode on the second end portion side, and is in contact with the second impurity region.
US09728562B2
A manufacturing method and apparatus of low temperature polycrystalline silicon, and a polycrystalline silicon are provided. The manufacturing method of low temperature polycrystalline silicon includes forming an amorphous silicon layer on a substrate; scanning the amorphous silicon layer by using a laser to emit a strip-shaped laser beam to go through a mask which includes transmissive stripes and partially-transmissive stripes arranged alternately, to form low temperature fusion regions and high temperature fusion regions which are arranged alternately on the amorphous silicon layer; recrystallizing the amorphous silicon layer from the low temperature fusion regions to the high temperature fusion regions.
US09728556B2
A semiconductor device which includes an oxide semiconductor and in which formation of a parasitic channel due to a gate BT stress is suppressed is provided. Further, a semiconductor device including a transistor having excellent electrical characteristics is provided. The semiconductor device includes a transistor having a dual-gate structure in which an oxide semiconductor film is provided between a first gate electrode and a second gate electrode; gate insulating films are provided between the oxide semiconductor film and the first gate electrode and between the oxide semiconductor film and the second gate electrode; and in the channel width direction of the transistor, the first or second gate electrode faces a side surface of the oxide semiconductor film with the gate insulating film between the oxide semiconductor film and the first or second gate electrode.
US09728553B1
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 AACNT-short-related failure mode, one GATE-short-related failure mode, and one TS-short-related failure mode.
US09728551B1
A memory opening can be formed through a multiple tier structure. Each tier structure includes an alternating stack of sacrificial material layers and insulating layers. After formation of a dielectric oxide layer, the memory opening is filled with a sacrificial memory opening fill structure. The sacrificial material layers are removed selective to the insulating layers and the dielectric oxide layer to form backside recesses. Physically exposed portions of the dielectric oxide layer are removed. A backside blocking dielectric and electrically conductive layers are formed in the backside recesses. Subsequently, the sacrificial memory opening fill structure is replaced with a memory stack structure including a plurality of charge storage regions and a semiconductor channel. Hydrogen or deuterium from a dielectric core may then be outdiffused into the semiconductor channel.
US09728549B2
A semiconductor device may include a cell gate conductive pattern in a cell array area that extends to a step area, a cell vertical structure in the cell array area that extends through the cell gate conductive pattern, a cell gate contact structure on the cell gate conductive pattern in the step area, a cell gate contact region in the cell gate conductive pattern and aligned with the cell gate contact structure, a first peripheral contact structure spaced apart from the cell gate conductive pattern, a second peripheral contact structure spaced apart from the first peripheral contact structure, a first peripheral contact region under the first peripheral contact structure, and a second peripheral contact region under the second peripheral contact structure. The cell gate contact region may include a first element and a remainder of the cell gate conductive pattern may not substantially include the first element.
US09728546B2
A three dimensional NAND device includes a common vertical channel and electrically isolated control gate electrodes on different lateral sides of the channel in each device level to form different lateral portions of a memory cell in each device level. Dielectric separator structures are located between and electrically isolate the control gate electrodes. The lateral portions of the memory cell in each device level may be electrically isolated by at least one of doping ungated portions of the channel adjacent to the separator structures or storing electrons in the separator structure.
US09728543B1
A method of fabricating a semiconductor structure includes the following steps. A first dummy gate structure and a second dummy gate structure are formed on a semiconductor substrate. A recess is formed next to the first and the second dummy gate structure and in the semiconductor substrate. A pair of first spacers is formed adjacent to the first dummy gate structure. A pair of second spacers is formed adjacent to the second dummy gate structure. One of the first spacers extends from a first sidewall of the first dummy gate structure to a first inner sidewall of the recess. One of the second spacers extends from a second sidewall of the second dummy gate structure to a second inner sidewall of the recess. A first isolation layer is formed on a bottom surface of the recess. A first conducting layer is formed on the first isolation layer.
US09728541B1
A static random-access memory (SRAM) cell array forming method includes the following steps. A plurality of fin structures are formed on a substrate, wherein the fin structures include a plurality of active fins and a plurality of dummy fins, each PG (pass-gate) FinFET shares at least one of the active fins with a PD (pull-down) FinFET, and at least one dummy fin is disposed between the two active fins having two adjacent pull-up FinFETs thereover in a static random-access memory cell. At least a part of the dummy fins are removed. The present invention also provides a static random-access memory (SRAM) cell array formed by said method.
US09728540B2
A semiconductor device includes a spacer having a nitride/oxide/nitride (NON) structure. The spacer is disposed between a sidewall of a bit line and a bit line contact and a sidewall of a storage node contact plug to reduce coupling capacitance between the bit line and a storage node contact plug and between the bit line contact and the storage node contact plug.
US09728525B2
Disclosed are a light emitting device package. The light emitting device package includes a body having recess; a first lead frame including a first and second portions on a first region of the body; a second lead frame including a third and fourth portions on a second region of the body; a third lead frame between the first and second lead frame. The body has a length of the first direction greater than a width of the second direction, wherein the second portion of the first lead frame extends toward the second lead frame and has a small width, and wherein the fourth portion of the second lead frame extends toward the first lead frame. A first light emitting device is disposed on the first portion of the first lead frame and a second light emitting device is disposed on the third portion of the second lead frame.
US09728524B1
A microelectronic assembly includes a plurality of stacked microelectronic packages, each comprising a dielectric element having a major surface, an interconnect region adjacent an interconnect edge surface which extends away from the major surface, and plurality of package contacts at the interconnect region. A microelectronic element has a front surface with chip contacts thereon coupled to the package contacts, the front surface overlying and parallel to the major surface. The microelectronic packages are stacked with planes defined by the dielectric elements substantially parallel to one another, and the package contacts electrically coupled with panel contacts at a mounting surface of a circuit panel via an electrically conductive material, the planes defined by the dielectric elements being oriented at a substantial angle to the mounting surface.
US09728521B2
An integrated circuit (IC) using a copper-alloy based hybrid bond is provided. The IC comprises a pair of semiconductor structures vertically stacked upon one another. The pair of semiconductor structures comprise corresponding dielectric layers and corresponding metal features arranged in the dielectric layers. The metal features comprise a copper alloy having copper and a secondary metal. The IC further comprises a hybrid bond arranged at an interface between the semiconductor structures. The hybrid bond comprises a first bond bonding the dielectric layers together and a second bond bonding the metal features together. The second bond comprises voids arranged between copper grains of the metal features and filled by the secondary metal. A method for bonding a pair of semiconductor structures together using the copper-alloy based hybrid bond is also provided.
US09728518B2
Various semiconductor workpiece polymer layers and methods of fabricating the same are disclosed. In one aspect, a method of manufacturing is provided that includes applying a polymer layer to a passivation structure of a semiconductor workpiece where the semiconductor workpiece has first and second semiconductor chips separated by a dicing street. A first opening is patterned in the polymer layer with opposing edges pulled back from the dicing street. A mask is applied over the first opening. A first portion of the passivation structure is etched while using the polymer layer as an etch mask.
US09728510B2
An integrated device package is disclosed. The package can include a package substrate comprising a composite die pad having an upper surface and a lower surface spaced from the upper surface along a vertical direction. The composite die pad can include an insulator die pad and a metal die pad. The insulator die pad and the metal die pad can be disposed adjacent one another along the vertical direction. The substrate can include a plurality of leads disposed about at least a portion of a perimeter of the composite die pad. An integrated device die can be mounted on the upper surface of the composite die pad.
US09728501B2
A method of forming a semiconductor device includes forming a material layer over a substrate and forming a first trench in the material layer, forming a conformal capping layer along sidewalls of the first trench, forming a second trench in the material layer while the capping layer is disposed along sidewalls of the first trench and forming a conductive feature within the first trench and the second trench.
US09728495B2
A microelectronic package (10) can include lower and upper package faces (11, 12), lower terminals (25) at the lower package face, upper terminals (45) at the upper package face, first and second microelectronic elements (30) each having memory storage array function, and conductive interconnects (15) each electrically connecting at least one lower terminal with at least one upper terminal. The conductive interconnects (15) can include first conductive interconnects (15a) configured to carry address in formation, signal assignments of a first set (70a) of the first interconnects having (180) rotational symmetry about a theoretical rotational axis (29) with signal assignments of a second set (70b) of first interconnects. The conductive interconnects (15) can also include second conductive interconnects (15b) configured to carry data information, the position of each second conductive interconnect having (180) rotational symmetry about the rotational axis (29) with a position of a corresponding no-connect conductive interconnect (15d).
US09728494B2
An example device includes a silicon substrate having a first substrate surface and a second substrate surface; a plurality of layers associated with one or more electronic components of an integrated circuit (IC), where the plurality of layers are deposited on the second substrate surface; a lithium-based battery having a plurality of battery layers deposited on the first substrate surface of the silicon substrate, where the lithium-based battery includes an anode current collector and a cathode current collector; a first through-silicon via (TSV) passing through the silicon substrate and providing an electrical connection between the anode current collector and the plurality of layers associated with the one or more electronic components of the IC; and a second TSV passing through the silicon substrate and providing an electrical connection between the cathode current collector and the plurality of layers associated with the one or more electronic components of the IC.
US09728491B2
Systems and methods for lead frame locking design features are provided. In one embodiment, a method comprises: fabricating a lead frame for a chip package, the lead frame having a paddle comprising a step-out bottom locking feature profile across at least a first segment of an edge of the paddle that provides an interface with a mold compound; etching the paddle to have at least a second segment of the edge having either an extended-step-out bottom locking feature profile or an overhanging top locking feature profile; and alternating first and second segments along the edge of the paddle.
US09728490B2
A semiconductor device includes a via structure penetrating through a substrate, a portion of the via structure being exposed over a surface of the substrate, a protection layer pattern structure provided on the surface of the substrate and including a first protection layer pattern and a second protection layer pattern, the first protection layer pattern surrounding a lower sidewall of the exposed portion of the via structure and exposing an upper sidewall of the exposed portion of the via structure, the second protection layer pattern exposing a portion of the top surface of the first protection layer pattern adjacent to the sidewall of the via structure, and a pad structure provided on the via structure and the protection layer pattern structure and covering the top surface of the first protection layer pattern exposed by the second protection layer pattern.
US09728489B2
Inter-substrate coupling and alignment using liquid droplets can include electrical and plasmon modalities. For example, a set of droplets can be placed on a bottom substrate. A top substrate can be placed upon the droplets, which uses the droplets to align the substrates. Using the droplets in a capacitive or plasmon coupling modality, information or power can be transferred between the substrates using the droplets.
US09728488B2
An onboard electronic device includes: an element that generates heat; a member that is provided between the element and a coolant cooling the element, and differs in thermal expansion coefficient from the element; an element temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the element; a coolant temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the coolant; and a controller that controls operation of the element such that the temperature of the element allowed when the temperature of the coolant is a first temperature is lower than the temperature of the element allowed when the temperature of the coolant is a second temperature that is higher than the first temperature.
US09728475B2
A miniaturized semiconductor device includes a frame body having an opening region formed in a central portion, an insulating substrate which is provided in the opening region of the frame body and on which semiconductor chips are mounted, lead portions, each including an inclined portion that is at least partially exposed to the opening region formed in the frame body and extends so as to be inclined with respect to an end surface forming the opening region, and a bonding wire that is bonded between the lead portion and the semiconductor chip by ultrasonic bonding.
US09728474B1
A semiconductor chip includes an active area including a plurality of integrated circuit structures, a seal ring enclosing the active area, a corner area of the semiconductor chip that is outside of the seal ring, and an electronic test structure disposed within the corner area. Semiconductor wafers including the above-noted semiconductor chips, as well as methods for fabricating semiconductor wafers including the above-noted semiconductor chips, are also disclosed.
US09728473B2
A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming a film along a surface of a semiconductor substrate in a first surface area state having a first surface area by supplying a reaction gas at a first flow rate. The method further includes detecting a transition from the first surface area state to a second surface area state having a second surface area different from the first surface area. The method still further includes forming the film by changing the flow rate of the reaction gas from the first flow rate to a second flow rate different from the first flow rate after detecting the transition from the first surface area state to the second surface area state.
US09728463B2
Methods of manufacturing a semiconductor device are provided. The methods may include forming a fin-type active region protruding from a substrate and forming a gate insulating film covering a top surface and both sidewalls of the fin-type active region. The gate insulating film may include a high-k dielectric film. The methods may also include forming a metal-containing layer on the gate insulating film, forming a silicon capping layer containing hydrogen atoms on the metal-containing layer, removing a portion of the hydrogen atoms contained in the silicon capping layer, removing the silicon capping layer and at least a portion of the metal-containing layer, and forming a gate electrode on the gate insulating film. The gate electrode may cover the top surface and the both sidewalls of the fin-type active region.
US09728445B2
In accordance with some embodiments, a method for forming via holes is provided. The method includes providing a substrate with an etch stop layer and a dielectric layer sequentially formed thereon. The method also includes etching the dielectric layer to form a first via hole of a first size and a second via hole of a second size within the dielectric layer by a plasma generated from an etch gas, until both the first via hole and the second via hole are reaching the etch stop layer. The etch gas includes CH2F2 and an auxiliary gas of N2 or O2.
US09728444B2
Lift-off methods for fabricating metal line patterns on a substrate are provided. For example, a method to fabricate a device includes forming a sacrificial layer on a substrate and forming a photoresist mask over the sacrificial layer, isotropically etching a portion of the sacrificial layer exposed through an opening of the photoresist mask to form an undercut region in the sacrificial layer below the photoresist mask, wherein the undercut region defines an overhang structure, and anisotropically etching a portion of the sacrificial layer exposed through the opening of the photoresist mask to form an opening through the sacrificial layer down to the substrate. Metallic material is deposited to cover the photoresist mask and to at least partially fill the opening formed in the sacrificial layer without coating the overhang structure with metallic material. The sacrificial layer is dissolved to lift-off the metallic material covering the photoresist mask.
US09728438B2
Production of a holding apparatus (100) for electrostatically holding a component, e.g., silicon wafer (1), includes connecting plate-type first holding element (11, 12) and plate-type core element (13), first holding element (11, 12) having first electrode device (20) and spanning support surface for receiving component (1), and the connecting includes the steps: providing liquid adhesive to at least one of the mutually facing surfaces of first holding element (11, 12) and core element (13), aligning first holding element (11, 12) with first forming tool (40) such that support surface is matched to predetermined master surface (41) of first forming tool (40), and curing the adhesive, wherein first adhesive connecting layer (15) is formed, which has thickness variations constituted by form deviations between support surface and at least one of the mutually facing surfaces. Also described is a holding apparatus (100) configured to electrostatically hold a component, e.g., silicon wafer (1).
US09728437B2
A wafer chuck assembly includes a puck, a shaft and a base. An insulating material defines a top surface of the puck, a heater element is embedded within the insulating material, and a conductive plate lies beneath the insulating material. The shaft includes a housing coupled with the plate, and electrical connectors for the heater elements and the electrodes. A conductive base housing couples with the shaft housing, and the connectors pass through a terminal block within the base housing. A method of plasma processing includes loading a workpiece onto a chuck having an insulating top surface, providing a DC voltage differential across two electrodes within the top surface, heating the chuck by passing current through heater elements, providing process gases in a chamber surrounding the chuck, and providing an RF voltage between a conductive plate beneath the chuck, and one or more walls of the chamber.
US09728435B2
A plating apparatus allows a substrate holder to be serviced easily while ensuring easy access to the substrate holder and while a substrate is being processed in the plating apparatus. The plating apparatus includes a plating section for plating a substrate, a substrate holder for holding the substrate, a substrate holder transporter for holding and transporting the substrate holder, a stocker for storing the substrate holder, and a stocker setting section for storing the stocker therein. The stocker includes a moving mechanism for moving the stocker into and out of the stocker setting section.
US09728433B2
An attitude changing apparatus which can change an attitude of a component with certainty without damaging the component. The component has a rectangular parallelepiped shape where a pair of rectangular end surfaces opposite to each other are connected to each other by four side surfaces. The component is stored in a cavity which penetrates between main surfaces of a conveyance member, the conveyance member is moved relative to a base, and the component is made to pass through an engaging groove formed on a reference surface of the base.
US09728430B2
An electrostatic chuck with LED heating is disclosed. The electrostatic chuck with LED heating comprises a first subassembly, which comprises a LED heater, and a second subassembly, which comprises an electrostatic chuck. The LED substrate heater subassembly includes a base having a recessed portion. A plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) is disposed within the recessed portion. The LEDs may be GaN or GaP LEDs, which emit light at a wavelength which is readily absorbed by silicon, thus efficiently and quickly heating the substrate. The second subassembly, which comprises an electrostatic chuck, is disposed on the LED substrate heater subassembly. The electrostatic chuck includes a top dielectric layer and an interior layer that are transparent at the wavelength emitted by the LEDs. One or more electrodes are disposed between the top dielectric layer and the interior layer to create the electrostatic force.
US09728422B2
Disclosed is a dry etching method for a laminated film in which at least one silicon layer and at least one silicon oxide layer are laminated together. The dry etching method includes generating a plasma gas from a dry etching agent and etching the laminated film with the plasma gas under the application of a bias voltage. The dry etching agent contains an unsaturated hydrofluorocarbon represented by the following formula: C3HxFy where x is an integer of 1 to 5; y is an integer of 1 to 5; and x and y satisfy a relationship of x+y=4 or 6, and iodine heptafluoride. The volume of the iodine heptafluoride in the dry etching agent is 0.1 to 1.0 times the volume of the unsaturated hydrofluorocarbon in the dry etching agent.
US09728417B2
An exemplary embodiment provides a method which etches a second layer in a base body to be processed having a first layer containing Ni and Si and a second layer containing Si and N which are exposed to a surface thereof. The method according to the exemplary embodiment includes (a) preparing a base body to be processed in a processing chamber, and (b) supplying a first processing gas which contains carbon and fluorine but does not contain oxygen into the processing chamber and generating plasma in the processing chamber.
US09728414B2
The present method of forming an electronic structure includes providing a tantalum base layer and depositing a layer of copper on the tantalum layer, the deposition being undertaken by physical vapor deposition with the temperature of the base layer at 50.degree. C. or less, with the deposition taking place at a power level of 300 W or less.
US09728412B2
An embodiment of an integrated device, including a chip of semiconductor material wherein an integrated circuit is integrated, is proposed; the integrated device includes a set of contact terminals for contacting the integrated circuit. At least one contact terminal of said set of contact terminals includes a contact layer of metal material being suitable to be directly coupled mechanically to an element external to the chip, and a coupling element for improving an electrical and/or mechanical coupling between the contact layer and the chip. The coupling element includes a coupling layer being formed by a combination between the metal material of the contact layer and the semiconductor material of the chip, with the coupling layer that is directly coupled to the chip and to the contact layer.
US09728410B2
A split gate memory device includes a semiconductor substrate and a select gate over the substrate. The select gate has a bottom portion and a top portion over the bottom portion, wherein the top portion has a top sidewall and the bottom portion has a bottom sidewall, and wherein the bottom sidewall extends beyond the top sidewall. The devices also includes a control gate adjacent the select gate, a charge storage layer located between the select gate and the control gate and between the control gate and the substrate, and an isolation region over the bottom portion of the select gate and between the top sidewall of the select gate and the charge storage layer. The bottom sidewall of the bottom portion extends to the charge storage layer.
US09728404B2
Exemplary embodiments of the present invention provide a method of growing a nitride semiconductor layer including growing a gallium nitride-based defect dispersion suppressing layer on a gallium nitride substrate including non-defect regions and a defect region disposed between the non-defect regions, and growing a gallium nitride semiconductor layer on the defect dispersion suppressing layer.
US09728396B2
An ultrasonic wave applying liquid is supplied to one principal surface of a substrate while a liquid film of a first liquid being formed on another principal surface of the substrate. The ultrasonic wave applying liquid is obtained by applying ultrasonic waves to a second liquid. Ultrasonic vibration is transmitted to the other principal surface and the liquid film, thereby ultrasonically cleaning the other principal surface. The first liquid has a higher cavitation intensity, which is a stress per unit area acting on the substrate by cavitation caused in the liquid when ultrasonic waves are transmitted to the liquid present on the principal surface of the substrate, than the second liquid.
US09728393B2
A target for ultraviolet light generation comprises a substrate adapted to transmit ultraviolet light therethrough and a light-emitting layer disposed on the substrate and generating ultraviolet light UV in response to an electron beam. The light-emitting layer includes a powdery or granular rare-earth-containing aluminum garnet crystal doped with an activator. The light-emitting layer has an ultraviolet light emission peak wavelength of 300 nm or shorter.
US09728391B2
A Time of Flight mass analyzer is disclosed comprising an annular ion guide having a longitudinal axis and comprising a first annular ion guide section and a second annular ion guide section. Ions are introduced into the first annular ion guide section so that the ions form substantially stable circular orbits within the first annular ion guide section about the longitudinal axis. An ion detector is disposed within the annular ion guide. Ions are orthogonally accelerated in a first axial direction from the first annular ion guide section into the second annular ion guide section. An axial DC potential is maintained along at least a portion of the second annular ion guide section so that the ions are reflected in a second axial direction which is substantially opposed to the first axial direction. The ions undergo multiple axial passes through the second annular ion guide section before being detected by the ion detector.
US09728388B2
A metal film of a measurement device including a transparent dielectric substrate is irradiated with first light from a transparent dielectric substrate side, an optical electric field enhanced by an optical electric field enhancing effect of a localized plasmon induced to a surface of the metal film by the irradiation is generated, light emitted from the transparent dielectric substrate side is detected, a specimen installed on a surface of a metal fine concavo-convex structure layer and a matrix agent are irradiated with second light from a side opposite to the side of the irradiation with the first light in a state where a voltage is applied to the metal fine concavo-convex structure layer through a voltage application electrode, an analysis target substance for mass spectrometry in the specimen is desorbed from the surface by the irradiation, and the desorbed analysis target substance is detected.
US09728379B2
A plasma processing apparatus (5) comprises an outer shell (51) which is provided with a reaction chamber (52) in the interior, a bottom electrode which is arranged in the reaction chamber (52) and a cantilever support device (53) which goes through the outer shell (51) and supports the bottom electrode. The cantilever support device (53) is pivotally mounted on the side wall of the outer shell (51) and can rotate in the outer shell (51). The plasma processing apparatus (5) further comprises a locating device so as to selectively fix the relative position of the cantilever support device (53) and the outer shell (51).
US09728378B2
In one embodiment, an RF generator includes an RF amplifier comprising an RF input, a DC input, and an RF output, the RF amplifier configured to receive at the RF input an RF signal from an RF source; receive at the DC input a DC voltage from a DC source; and provide an output power at the RF output; and a control unit operably coupled to the DC source and the RF source, the control unit configured to receive a power setpoint indicative of a desired output power at the RF output; determine a power dissipation at the RF generator; alter the DC voltage to decrease the power dissipation at the RF generator; and alter the RF signal to enable the output power at the RF output to be substantially equal to the power setpoint.
US09728375B2
A multi-positional valve is used to control the destination of gas flows from multiple gas sources. In one valve position the gases flow to an isolated vacuum system where the flow rate and mixture can be adjusted prior to introduction into a sample vacuum chamber. In another valve position the pre-mixed gases flow from the isolated vacuum chamber and through a needle into the sample vacuum chamber.
US09728374B2
An inspection apparatus includes beam generation means, a primary optical system, a secondary optical system and an image processing system. Irradiation energy of the beam is set in an energy region where mirror electrons are emitted from the inspection object as the secondary charged particles due to the beam irradiation. The secondary optical system includes a camera for detecting the secondary charged particles, a numerical aperture whose position is adjustable along an optical axis direction and a lens that forms an image of the secondary charged particles that have passed through the numerical aperture on an image surface of the camera. In the image processing system, the image is formed under an aperture imaging condition where the position of the numerical aperture is located on an object surface to acquire an image.
US09728357B2
A safety device is disclosed for a power transformer containing a cooling liquid, and can include a shaped body having an inner chamber which is suitable to be at least partially immersed in cooling liquid and inside which gas can accumulate; a first floating element and a second floating element suitable to be at least partially immersed in and moved by cooling liquid; and a switch suitable to be actuated by the first floating element when the gas accumulated is such that the level of the cooling liquid in the inner chamber reaches a predetermined first threshold level and by the second floating element when the gas accumulated is such that the level of the cooling liquid in the inner chamber reaches a lower predetermined second threshold level, respectively. The first and second floating elements can be mounted on and move linearly relative to one or more corresponding guiding supports.
US09728352B2
A switch structure and an electronic device using the same are provided. The electronic device has a casing, and the switch structure is disposed at an inner side of the key portion of the casing. The switch structure includes an elastic member, a force transmission member and a strain sensor. The elastic member is connected to the casing. The force transmission member is located inside the casing. The strain sensor is disposed on the elastic member, and the strain sensor and the force transmission member are disposed are two opposite sides of the elastic member respectively. The elastic member is configured to be deformed by the force transmission member when an external force is applied to an outside of the key portion.
US09728351B2
A simple kit of parts is provided that can be used to replace a few easily removed elements of a lockable push button actuator of a mechanical locking mechanism to convert the push button actuator to a lockable actuator for controlling a switch that can serve as a component of an electrical locking system. Other aspects of the invention relate to a method of making the mechanical to electrical conversion, and to a lockable actuator for operating an electrical switch connected to the actuator.
US09728350B2
The invention proposes a key module for a key of a keyboard. The key module includes a module base, a module cover that can be coupled with the module base and a key tappet for coupling a keycap that is translucent in at least one symbol section. The module base includes at least one through-hole between a bottom section of the key module and the module cover. The module cover includes a section that is translucent for the light from a light source. The light source is a color-changeable light source for backlighting the symbol section of the keycap. The translucent section of the module cover is aligned with the at least one through-hole when the module cover is coupled to the module base.
US09728341B2
An electronic component has an organic member between two transparent substrates, in which outer peripheral portions of the two transparent substrates are bonded by a sealing material containing to melting glass. The low melting glass contains vanadium oxide, tellurium oxide, iron oxide and phosphoric acid, and satisfies the following relations (1) and (2) in terms of oxides. The sealing material is formed of a sealing material paste which contains the low melting glass, a resin binder and a solvent, the low melting glass containing vanadium oxide, tellurium oxide, iron oxide and phosphoric acid, and satisfies the following relations (1) and (2) in terms of the oxides. Thereby, thermal damages to an organic element or an organic material contained in the electronic component can be reduced and an electronic component having a glass bonding layer of high reliability can be produced efficiently. V2O5+TeO2+Fe2O+P2O5≧90(mass %) (1) V2O5>TeO2>Fe2O3>P2O5 (mass %) (2)
US09728338B2
A first conductive polymer solution in which fine particles of a conductive polymer are dispersed is applied to a dielectric layer of aluminum oxide, and this solution is dried to form a first conductive polymer layer. Next, a coating solution is applied to the first conductive polymer layer, this solution containing at least one selected from an aromatic sulfonic acid having, in one molecule of the acid, a carboxyl group and a hydroxyl group, or two carboxyl groups, and a salt of the aromatic sulfonic acid. The solution is then dried to form a coating layer. Next, a second conductive polymer solution is applied to the coating layer, the solution being a solution in which fine particles of a conductive polymer are dispersed. This solution is then dried to form a second conductive polymer layer. This process gives a solid electrolyte layer of a capacitor element.
US09728321B2
The proposed transformer includes windings made of a multi-layer ferromagnetic foil tape having an even number m of ferromagnetic layers, coated by interlayer insulation. The winding's upper ends are connected through a first yoke, the winding's bottom ends are connected through a second yoke. Each winding is wrapped by a short-circuited coil, and contains a component for transposition of layers connected in a break at the middle of tape. The insulation's thickness is determined by a ratio of di>un2, pic*/(En2, pic·m), where un2, pic is a maximum peak voltage between adjacent winding turns, En2, pic is a maximum electric field strength of the insulation. The insulation uses either ferroelectric material Fe2O3, or multi-layered material with an intensive antiferromagnetic interaction formed as a plurality of pairs of alternating layers of Cu—Fe with a ratio of thicknesses of Cu and Fe ranged from 5:1 to 10:1.
US09728320B1
A method of manufacturing a winding-type coil component, wherein at the time of manufacturing the winding-type coil component, the method can efficiently form an inclined external electrode, can change inclination of an external electrode, and can satisfy a demand for the manufacture of plural kinds of winding-type coil components provided with external electrodes having different inclination angles respectively.
US09728312B2
A non-oriented electrical steel sheet containing: in mass %, C: 0.005% or less; Si: 0.1% to 2.0%; Mn: 0.05% to 0.6%; P: 0.100% or less; and Al: 0.5% or less, in which 10 pieces/μm3 or less in number density of non-magnetic precipitate AlN having an average diameter of 10 nm to 200 nm are contained, and an average magnetic flux density B50 in a rolling direction and in a direction perpendicular to rolling is 1.75 T or more. This non-oriented electrical steel sheet can be manufactured by two methods of a method of performing hot rolling annealing at a temperature of 750° C. to an Ac1 transformation point and a method of setting a coil winding temperature to 780° C. or higher and performing self annealing.
US09728299B2
The present invention provides a material based on high density polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and its applications, such as in the production of electric cable. The PTFE material of the invention includes PTFE, a metal oxide, a lubricant and a wetting agent.
US09728293B2
An X-ray source is disposed and a detector is disposed adjacent to the X-ray source. A test specimen holder is disposed between the X-ray source and the detector. A filter is disposed between the X-ray source and the test specimen holder. The filter has a plate-shaped semiconductor, a granular semiconductor, or a combination thereof.
US09728288B2
A method, system, and apparatus for the thermal storage of energy generated by multiple nuclear reactor systems including diverting a first selected portion of energy from a portion of a first nuclear reactor system of a plurality of nuclear reactor systems to at least one auxiliary thermal reservoir, diverting at least one additional selected portion of energy from a portion of at least one additional nuclear reactor system of the plurality of nuclear reactor systems to the at least one auxiliary thermal reservoir, and supplying at least a portion of thermal energy from the auxiliary thermal reservoir to an energy conversion system of a nuclear reactor of the plurality of nuclear reactors.
US09728284B2
An apparatus for supporting radioactive fuel assemblies, such as spent nuclear fuel. In one aspect, the invention is an apparatus, which can be in the form of a fuel basket, fuel rack, or the like, in which polygonal storage tubes are used not only for their internal cells but are also strategically patterned to create resultant cells with their outside surfaces.
US09728261B2
A digital-to-analog converter (DAC) may include a conversion block providing a first analog value. The DAC may also include an amplification block for receiving the first analog value and providing a second analog value amplified by an amplification factor. The amplification block may include a first input terminal for receiving the first analog value, a second input terminal, and an output terminal for providing the second analog value. The amplification block may also include a first capacitive element and a second capacitive element. The first and second capacitive elements may determine the amplification factor. The amplification block may further include a control unit for recovering a charge at a first terminal of the second capacitive element, and based thereon, the second analog value.
US09728260B1
A light-erasable embedded memory device and a method for manufacturing the same are provided in the present invention. The light-erasable embedded memory device includes a substrate with a memory region and a core circuit region, a floating gate on the memory region of the substrate, at least one light-absorbing film above the floating gate, wherein at least one light-absorbing film is provided with dummy via holes overlapping the floating gate, and a dielectric layer on the light-absorbing film and filling up the dummy via holes.
US09728258B1
A ternary content addressable memory includes at least one first memory cell, at least one second memory cell and at least one switch set. The first memory cell receives a first search signal, determines whether to send first stored data to a common end or not according to the first search signal. The second memory cell receives a second search signal, determines whether to send second stored data to the common end or not according to the second search signal. The switch set adjusts a resistance of a path between the match line and the reference ground according to a voltage on the common end and a third search signal.
US09728251B2
Apparatuses and methods for sensing a resistance variable memory cell include circuitry to apply a programming signal to a memory cell in the array, the programming signal associated with programming resistance variable memory cells to a particular data state, and detect a change in resistance of the memory cell to determine if a data state of the memory cell changes from an initial data state to a different data state during application of the programming signal.
US09728245B2
Memory subsystem refresh management enables commands to access one or more identified banks across different bank groups with a single command. Instead of sending commands identifying a bank or banks in separate bank groups by each bank group individually, the command can cause the memory device to access banks in different bank groups. The command can be a refresh command. The command can be a precharge command.
US09728244B2
A memory device may be provided. The memory device may include an active control section configured to output a row active signal in response to a refresh signal when an active signal is activated. The memory device may include a refresh management section configured to control the refresh signal to skip a refresh operation for an unused row address in response to a refresh command signal and a refresh skip signal, and output an active row address for controlling the refresh operation. The memory device may include a memory section configured to perform a refresh operation for only an area of a cell array corresponding to a used row address in response to the row active signal and the active row address.
US09728236B1
A memory channel includes a dual channel double data rate (DDR) memory device having a first bank of memory accessed by a first data bus and a first command/address (C/A) bus, and a second bank of memory accessed by a second data bus and a second C/A bus, and a memory controller configured to train the first and second C/A busses with both the first and second C/A busses active, and to train one of the first and second C/A busses with the other of the first and second C/A busses idle.
US09728227B2
A display system includes a display device and an information terminal for communicating with the display device. The information terminal includes a generation unit that generates playback control information that includes information indicating a storing position of playback content data selected from content data stored in a storage part and is used to control playback of the playback content data, and a transmission unit that transmits the playback control information to the display device. The display device includes a display control unit that makes reference to the information indicating the storing position included in the playback control information received from the transmission unit, and plays back the playback content data according to the playback control information.
US09728226B2
A method for creating a content in an electronic device is provided. The method includes acquiring first media data acquired by at least one external electronic device, acquiring second media data on a basis of at least a part of the first media data, recognizing a feature of the second media data acquired by the at least one external electronic device, and creating the content on a basis of at least a part of the feature of the second media data.
US09728221B2
This application includes systems and techniques relating to storage devices, such as a device including: a first read channel to process a first input signal obtained from a storage medium using a first read head; a second read channel to process a second input signal obtained from the storage medium using a second read head, which is offset from the first read head in each of two dimensions; a single digital timing loop configured to control interpolation of timing of sampling for first and second analog to digital converters in the first and second read channels; and a two dimensional equalizer coupled with output lines of the first and second read channels; the device being configured to account for a fractional timing difference between the first input signal and the second input signal, the fractional timing difference being a fractional amount of a single clock cycle of the device.
US09728219B2
An optical information recording/reproduction device is capable of appropriately correcting the angle of a reference beam during data reproduction even when a wavelength deviation or an angle deviation in multiplexing and vertical directions of the reference beam occurs in a holographic memory recording medium. The optical information reproduction device has a laser light source that generates a reference beam; an image-capturing unit that detects a diffraction ray to be reproduced from the optical information recoding medium; and an optical detection unit that has at least two light-receiving surfaces and is used for detecting a diffraction ray reproduced by irradiating the reference beam on the optical information recording medium. The device also has a light-shielding unit that shields part of the diffraction ray detected by the optical detection unit; and an error signal calculation unit that generates an error signal from a detection signal outputted by the optical detection unit.
US09728217B2
A glass substrate for use as a magnetic disk for heat assisted magnetic recording can restrain the occurrence of scratches when a magnetic head is in operation. The glass substrate for the magnetic disk includes a principal face on which an arithmetic average waviness Wa of a wavelength band of 1 to 3 mm is 2.15 Å or less.
US09728202B2
A method for voice modification during a telephone call comprising receiving a source audio signal associated with at least one participant, wherein the source audio signal comprises a voice of the at least one participant, detecting a source dialect of the at least one participant, selecting a target dialect based on at least a characteristic of a target participant and creating a modulated audio signal based on the source audio signal, the source dialect, and the target dialect and transmitting the modulated audio signal to the target participant.
US09728195B2
Present disclosure provide a linear prediction-based noise signal processing method includes: acquiring a noise signal, and obtaining a linear prediction coefficient according to the noise signal; filtering the noise signal according to the linear prediction coefficient, to obtain a linear prediction residual signal; obtaining a spectral envelope of the linear prediction residual signal according to the linear prediction residual signal; and encoding the spectral envelope of the linear prediction residual signal. According to the noise processing method, the noise generation method, the encoder, the decoder, and the encoding and decoding system that are in the embodiments of the present disclosure, more spectral details of an original background noise signal can be recovered, so that comfort noise can be closer to original background noise in terms of subjective auditory perception of a user, and subjective perception quality of the user is improved.
US09728190B2
Aspects of the present invention disclose a method, computer program product, a service, and a system for generating a summary of audio on one or more computing devices. The method includes one or more processors retrieving an audio recording. The method further includes one or more processors identifying supplemental information associated with the audio recording, wherein the supplemental information includes information associated with content in the audio recording and information associated with one or more speakers of the audio recording. The method further includes one or more processors converting the audio recording to a transcript of the audio recording. The method further includes one or more processors generating a summary of the transcript of the audio recording based at least in part on the identified supplemental information.
US09728189B2
An object of the present invention is to provide an input auxiliary apparatus equipped with an input section to input character strings; an embellishment information retaining section to retain embellishment information on a plurality of postures in a storing section in advance to link each posture with the embellishment information; a posture detecting section to detect the posture; a reading section to read out the embellishment information linked with the posture detected by the posture detecting section from the storing section; and an embellishment applying section to apply the embellishment information read out by the reading section to the character strings. The input section preferably includes a speech recognition section to recognize voice data based on speech recognition and convert the voice data to the character strings. Accordingly, this enables emotions of a speaker to be correctly judged and suitable embellishments to be appended when performing speech recognition.
US09728185B2
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for recognizing speech using neural networks. One of the methods includes receiving an audio input; processing the audio input using an acoustic model to generate a respective phoneme score for each of a plurality of phoneme labels; processing one or more of the phoneme scores using an inverse pronunciation model to generate a respective grapheme score for each of a plurality of grapheme labels; and processing one or more of the grapheme scores using a language model to generate a respective text label score for each of a plurality of text labels.
US09728181B2
A method and apparatus processes multi-channel audio by encoding, transmitting or recording “dry” audio tracks or “stems” in synchronous relationship with time-variable metadata controlled by a content producer and representing a desired degree and quality of diffusion. Audio tracks are compressed and transmitted in connection with synchronized metadata representing diffusion and preferably also mix and delay parameters. The separation of audio stems from diffusion metadata facilitates the customization of playback at the receiver, taking into account the characteristics of local playback environment.
US09728177B2
An acoustic resonator assembly may include a first acoustic liner and a second acoustic liner. The first acoustic liner may define a first plurality of openings extending between first and second surfaces thereof. The second acoustic liner may be rotatably coupled to the first acoustic liner and at least one of the first acoustic liner and the second acoustic liner may be configured to rotate relative to each other to attenuate one or more frequencies of acoustic energy generated by working fluid flowing past the acoustic resonator assembly. The second acoustic liner may define a second plurality of openings extending between first and second surfaces thereof. A number of degrees of freedom of the acoustic resonator assembly may be varied by rotating the first acoustic liner and/or the second acoustic liner.
US09728166B2
A software application executing on at least one processor may output a video at a frame rate for display at a display device. The at least one processor may synchronize a refresh rate of the display device displaying the video to the frame rate of the video. In response to detecting a potential delay in displaying, at the display device, a frame of the video to be output by the software application, the at least one processor may time-shift at least one of: compositing of the frame and refreshing of the display device to mitigate the potential delay in displaying, at the display device, the frame of the video to be output by the software application.
US09728162B2
When settlement terminal device performs a settlement process with a settlement destination device (for example, an acquirer or a settlement processor), settlement terminal device displays a screen regarding the settlement process on display unit of touch panel and detects an input operation of important key input reception icon displayed on display unit. CPU determines whether an input operation with respect to this important key input reception icon, that is, an operation for selecting important key input reception icon and dragging and dropping important key input reception icon to YES icon has been performed. When a drag and drop operation of important key input reception icon is detected, CPU executes content of the input operation with respect to important key input reception icon, and transmits a settlement processing request to the settlement destination device. Settlement terminal device facilitates the operator being conscious of an operation with respect to a specific target.
US09728144B2
A method and apparatus for shifting a display driving frequency to avoid a noise of an electronic sensor module is provided. The method for operating of an electronic device includes detecting a driving frequency of a divider in an operating module of the electronic device, determining whether an offset exists in the detected driving frequency, and controlling an oscillation frequency of an oscillator in the operating module.
US09728138B2
Discussed is an organic light emitting display device. The organic light emitting display device includes a display panel configured to include a plurality of pixels that each include an OLED and a pixel circuit for emitting light from the OLED, a compensation circuit configured to generate an initial compensation voltage of a driving TFT and a sequential compensation voltage based on an elapse of a driving time of the driving TFT, a data driver configured to reflect the compensation voltage in a data voltage based on an image signal to generate a driving voltage that is used to drive the driving TFT included in the pixel circuit, and supply the driving voltage of the driving TFT to each of the plurality of pixels, and a timing controller configured to set a driving voltage of the data driver, based on a sequential compensation voltage at a current time.
US09728136B2
An organic light emitting diode (OLED) display device includes: a display panel including a first through (2M)-th row pixel blocks; a data driver including a first data driving unit to provide N odd row data signals to (2K−1)-th row pixel blocks and a second data driving unit to provide N even row data signals to (2K)-th row pixel blocks; a scan driver including a first scan driving unit configured to provide (2K−1)-th scan signals to (2K−1)-th row pixel blocks and a second scan driving unit configured to provide (2K)-th scan signals to (2K)-th row pixel blocks. The first frame period includes an activation period and a vertical blank period. The first scan driving unit is configured to activate the (2K−1)-th scan signals sequentially in pulse form in an activation period.
US09728115B2
A liquid crystal display device of the field sequential system is realized that is capable of suppressing an occurrence of a color shift.The liquid crystal display device of the field sequential system includes a minimum responsive color difference data correction unit (122) that corrects a data value of pixel data of a color outside a displayable range to a value of a color in the displayable range, a tristimulus value-digital gradation value conversion unit (124) that converts the corrected pixel data to digital gradation data, and a digital gradation data correction unit (126) that performs a correction for over driving on the digital gradation data. The minimum responsive color difference data correction unit (122) determines a color in an uniform color space such that the color is within the displayable range and the color has a smallest color difference from an original uncorrected color, converts data representing the determined color to data represented in the RGB color space, and employs the resultant converted data as the corrected data value of the pixel data.
US09728114B2
The present invention relates to liquid crystal display manufacturing technology. There provides a display drive signal compensating method, comprising the steps of: acquiring an original drive signal of every row of input pixels in a display; determining a position of the row of input pixels, based on the original drive signal; generating a compensation signal for compensating the original drive signal, based on a transmission line internal resistance at the position of the row of input pixels; and outputting a superposed signal obtained by superposing the compensation signal on the original drive signal to the row of input pixels. This method can compensates a voltage drop of the drive signal resulted by the transmission line internal resistance and thus improves the display effect. Meanwhile, there also provide a display drive signal compensating device for carrying out the abovementioned method, and correspondingly, a display comprising such device.
US09728112B2
An array substrate is provided. The array substrate comprises a substrate, a common electrode, an insulating layer, a pixel transparent electrode, and a sharing capacitor transparent electrode, wherein a separating area is disposed between the pixel transparent electrode and the sharing capacitor transparent electrode; the common electrode extends to the separating area, and is exposed on the surface of the separating area by at least one groove which is on the insulating layer. Thereby a defectiveness of a product due to an ITO (indium tin oxide) remaining on the surface of the array substrate can easily detected.
US09728111B2
The present disclosure provides a display drive method for driving a 3D display device. The method comprises: dividing a first view and a second view to be displayed into a plurality of theoretical pixel units, respectively, and determining a respective gray value corresponding to a color of each type of subpixels in original display information corresponding to each theoretical pixel unit; and for each subpixel of each view, determining brightness of the subpixel based on respective gray values corresponding to the color of the subpixel in the original display information corresponding to respective theoretical pixel units which are covered by a rectangular sampling region of the subpixel and belong to the view. The present disclosure further provides a display drive apparatus and a method and apparatus for generating a sampling region.
US09728110B2
A portable exhibit display includes a frame and a fabric covering for tensioned securement to the frame, wherein the frame incorporates a plurality of first magnets defining magnetic attachment regions of a magnetic attachment array. An accessory provided with one or more attachment points attractive to the first magnets may be removably magnetically secured to the fabric covering in proximity to respective magnetic attachment regions of the magnetic attachment array.
US09728106B2
A device for simulating an ingestion of chunks of ice by an engine, including: a main tank forming a cavity for a fuel, and connected to an inlet of the engine by a pipe; an injection system including an injection member arranged in the pipe; a secondary tank forming a cavity for a fuel, which tank is connected to the injection system by a selector member; and a reservoir connected firstly to a reserve of water and secondly to the injection system via the selector member. The selector member is configured to place the injection system selectively in communication with the secondary tank or with the reservoir to inject a determined quantity of water into the engine.
US09728096B2
Learning content management systems and processes are described that enable a user to independently define or select learning content, frameworks, styles, and/or protocols. The frameworks may be configured to specify a flow or an order of presentation to a learner with respect to a learning content presentation. The style definition may define an appearance of learning content. At least partly in response to a publishing instruction, the received learning content and the received framework definition are merged and then rendered in accordance with the defined style. The rendered merged learning content and framework definition are packaged in accordance with the defined/selected protocol to provide a published learning document.
US09728095B1
A firearm training system provides a firearm body having a trigger and a trigger pull sensor circuit. When the trigger is pulled, the trigger pull sensor circuit provides trigger pull path data allowing monitoring of the actual two-dimensional trigger pull path taken by the trigger during the trigger pull. The trigger pull path is graphed on a predetermined map. The system provides a way to monitor trigger pull path to determine whether the trigger has been pulled laterally and/or if the firearm body has moved with respect to a longitudinal axis of the firearm body during the trigger pull. By repeatedly monitoring trigger pulls using the system, a user can train to improve trigger pull technique.
US09728093B2
Methods and systems are provided for presenting contextual weather information with respect to a predetermined route of a vehicle. Routing data for a vehicle is integrated with weather data for an area to generate contextual weather information.
US09728089B2
A method is provided for limiting access to airspace by drones. The method includes receiving position information from a user associated with a property identified by the position information. The method also includes assembling the position information with other position information to compile a comprehensive configurable flight zone database. The method further includes pushing the configurable flight zone database to at least one drone. The drone accesses the configurable flight zone database to determine if movement is allowed, and the drone is programmed to not fly into areas identified in the configurable flight zone database. In the method, the drone may be further programmed to prohibit directing a camera into the areas identified in the configurable flight zone database.
US09728087B2
An approach is provided for vehicle accident response using diagnostic data burst transmission. In the approach, a set of vehicle data is collected during operation of a vehicle. When an impact is detected, the set of vehicle data is transmitted using a short range wireless communication technology to any receivers that are proximate to the vehicle, such as a second vehicle that was involved in the impact. The vehicle data may include intra-vehicle data, such as the vehicle identification number (VIN) of the vehicle, as well as extra-vehicle data, such as a timestamp.
US09728085B2
A parking meter detects an object in proximity, based on a change in a proximity measurement at the meter, activates a directional sensor in response to detecting the object, receives sensor data at a meter processor from the directional sensor, wherein the received sensor data indicates a predetermined direction to the detected object relative to the meter. The parking meter determines a presence of the object, or lack thereof, in the predetermined direction based on the sensor data, and upon a positive determination of the presence of the object, stores an indication of the presence of the object along with a time of the positive determination.
US09728083B2
Provided is a method of a control device to set an alarm. The method includes: discovering a first control target device including an alarm service and a second target device including a content providing service; receiving a device list registered for the alarm service from the first target device; receiving available content information from the second target device; selecting an alarm target device and a content from the device list and the content information; and transmitting an alarm setting request message to the first target device on the basis of the selected alarm target device and content.
US09728072B2
A method and system for detecting, recognizing, and automatic disarming of an alarm control unit (3) for monitoring a secure space that is closed by at least one door, the system including the control unit (3), at least one autonomous detection and identification assembly including a proximity transmitter/receiver (4b) and at least one detection sensor (5b) making it possible to detect an opening of the door and/or a passage through the latter, and at least one active wireless communication portable medium (6) including an identification code. The method includes, following detection, in the armed state of the control unit, controlling the activation of the transmitter/receiver to activate it, then to deactivate it, after a predetermined time t0, to put it on standby and, in the disarmed state, to keep it on standby.
US09728068B2
Devices, systems, and methods are provided for adherence monitoring, and devices, systems, and methods are provided for monitoring use of consumable dispensers. In general, the devices, systems, and methods can facilitate an individual's adherence to a schedule for consuming consumables and can facilitate monitoring and tracking of the individual's adherence to the schedule. The devices, systems, and methods can allow data regarding the individual's historical adherence to the schedule to be accessible via a computer system. In one embodiment, an accessory is provided that can be configured to attach to consumable dispensers. The accessory can be configured to be removably and replaceably coupled to the dispenser. The accessory can be configured to provide a notification to a user indicating that a certain event occurred and/or that a certain action needs to be taken. The accessory can be configured to sense attachment thereof to and removal thereof from the dispenser.
US09728065B2
A method of detecting disturbance in a metallic conductor, comprises the steps of providing an inductance sensing circuit in mechanically and electrically connected to a metallic conductor having a monitorable inductance, tuning the inductance sensing circuit based on an electromagnetic field impressed upon the metallic conductor and an internally generated circuit oscillation, and outputting an alert signal when a tuned output signal from the tuned inductance sensing circuit becomes detuned due to a change in inductance of the metallic conductor by addition to or removal of at least a portion of the metallic conductor. A metallic conductor disturbance detection device for such a method is also provided, the device comprising an amplitude and/or frequency tunable inductance sensing circuit, and an alarm circuit for outputting an alarm signal based on an output of the inductance sensing circuit.
US09728063B1
An environmental monitoring pipeline closure and a wireless positioning and warning system thereof are disclosed. The environmental monitoring pipeline closure is composed of an upper platen, an expansion body, a lower platen, a plurality of bolts, and a plurality of compression rings, on which a plurality of clamping holes are provided for holding and fixing a cable line. A gas sensing device is provided inside the pipeline closure to detect gas concentrations within the space inside a manhole channel when being installed in the underground manhole channel. The measured data is transferred to a monitoring device through wireless transmissions to keep monitoring gas concentrations within the manhole channel. This prevents injuries and deaths of people working inside the manhole channel due to a lack of oxygen or inhalation of harmful gases.
US09728050B2
Systems, methods, and articles of manufacture provide for new features and functionality of slot-style games.
US09728042B1
A method, apparatus, and computer readable storage medium to implement a wagering paradigm in which a player can place a wager amount to wager on a random potential outcome of a series chosen randomly by a computer. The series can be a sporting event such as the World Series, and the random potential outcome can be an electronically randomly picked team. If the randomly picked team turns out to be the actual team that wins the World Series, then the wager would win. The payout on a winning wager can be determined using a number of algorithms, for example each possible team is given an equal payout. The wager can be placed before the series begins, during the series (e.g., after at least one game has been played or has been started), and even after the series has ended.
US09728038B2
A betting type of a betting ticket uniquely designating the order of arrival of one or more racers out of racers to participate in a race of a racing, a racer number pattern corresponding to the order of the racers in the betting type, and a receipt amount for the racer number pattern are received from a user (S2, S3), a betting type different from the received betting type is extracted (S6), a racer number pattern for the extracted betting type is extracted so as to cover all the received racer number patterns (S7), a first payout amount is calculated from odds information corresponding to the received betting type and racer number pattern and the receipt amount (S8), and an allotment amount to be allotted to the extracted racer number pattern is calculated so that the lowest second payout amount of second payout amount calculated from the odds information on the extracted betting type and racer number pattern becomes higher than an amount of money related to the first payout amount (S9).
US09728036B2
A gaming system is provided, the gaming system including a terminal including an entertainment software engine constructed to provide an entertainment game and display a received wager result separately of the entertainment game; a first and second real world engine constructed to provide a wager result in response to a wager request; and a game world engine connected to the entertainment software engine, the first and second real world engine using a network, the game world engine constructed to: receive a request for a wager for a player of the entertainment game, each request being triggered by a player action taken while playing the entertainment game in head-to-head competition; communicate, the first and second wager requests; receive a first and second wager result; and generate, based on the first and second wager result, a controlled sequence of a portion of the entertainment game, the controlled sequence changing the state of the entertainment game.
US09728028B2
The invention relates to an innovative device which is used to secure payments or transactions made with a smart card and to validate the identity of the smart card holder using a client/server biometric control operation, regardless of whether said payments or transactions are made directly at a point of sale or from a PC (personal computer or shared open-access computer) which is connected to the Internet or using a mobile telephone, a portable computer (also known as a laptop), a PDA (Personal Device Assistant) or any other mobile or fixed means that can connect to any telecommunication network and carry out a transaction involving the use of biometrics at the transaction generation point. The invention also relates to smart-card-holding employees of financial institutions who perform professional inter-bank transfers. The invention can also be used for the electronic transfer of funds between states, between groups of states, between groups of states and states and between international organizations and states. The invention has been designed in the form of a client/server-type system for authenticating the identity of a smart card holder, based on the use of the smart card and on the identification of the holder by means of biometric data which are stored on an extended memory smart card and compared with biometric data from an external, remote database that is secured and operated by the third-party authentication server or by the financial institution, but which, for reasons of security and performance, are not transferred over the telecommunication network.
US09728024B2
A key fob includes a power amplifier including an output having an output impedance. A radio frequency antenna connected to the power amplifier output represents a first load impedance to the power amplifier output in a space substantially free of interference for radio frequency transmissions, and a second load impedance to the power amplifier output when a hand of a user is capacitively coupled to the antenna. The difference between the second load impedance and the output impedance of the power amplifier is less than the difference between the first load impedance and the output impedance.
US09728020B2
An at least partially secure communication environment is provided in which accessory devices can be communicated with and controlled in the context of a movable barrier operator system. In one example approach, a gateway device can be configured to coordinate and control such communications in a secure manner. Three example approaches to such a communication environment include: a gateway device's receiving an accessory device control signal and sending a rolling code based accessory command signal to a target accessory device; receiving a rolling code based accessory device control signal and sending a command signal to an accessory device; and receiving a rolling code based accessory device control signal and sending a rolling code based accessory command signal to a target accessory device. Combinations are possible. An integrated system provides for automatic functioning of one device in response to status changes of one or more other devices.
US09728008B2
Interaction-based ecosystems are presented. Interaction analysis engine analyze media content to derive a set of media features. The engine can then identify one or more interaction objects (e.g., transactions, searches, game play, etc.) based on the set of media features. Relevant interaction objects can then be instantiated as persistent available or active points of interaction readily accessed by a consumer. The consumer need only capture a digital representation of the content via a user device, a smart phone for example. A second set of media features can be derived from the digital representation and the second set of media features can then be used to find the instantiated interactions.
US09727997B2
An electronic device for and a method of providing handwriting animation are provided. The electronic device includes an input and output interface configured to receive a text selection signal; and a management module configured to use vector data for stroke data on text to generate at least one piece of masking data, mask the stroke data with the masking data, and sequentially remove the masking data. The method includes checking vector data for stroke data on selected text; generating at least one piece of masking data from the vector data; masking the stroke data with the masking data; and sequentially removing the masking data.
US09727993B2
An in-image capturing unit captures an image of a subject in a direction facing a front surface of an image processing apparatus, as an in-image, and an out-image capturing unit captures an image of a subject in a direction facing a back surface of the image processing apparatus, as an out-image. A signal processing unit obtains a binary image as additional information, the binary image being obtained by binarizing the in-image, for example, and adds the additional information to image data of the out-image. Additionally, the signal processing unit combines the binary image serving as the additional information with the out-image when the out-image is reproduced, and displays the resultant image. In such a manner, information obtained from the in-image is added to the out-image as additional information, and thus it is possible to more effectively display an image and improve convenience.
US09727992B2
Embodiments of the present invention relate to unifying augmented reality technology and big data. An interactive operation element may be defined. The interactive operation element is associated with an event and a location on an augmented reality (AR) screen. An action may be performed based on the event using a predefined communication protocol. The action may be associated with an information artifact which is derived from big data.
US09727985B2
A technique is disclosed to calculate a new pixel value of a particular color of second-viewpoint color image data in such a manner that a difference between the new pixel value of the particular color of the second viewpoint and the pixel value of the particular color of the first-viewpoint color image data maintains correlation with a sum of a difference between the pixel value of a first color component of the second-viewpoint color image data and the pixel value of the first color component of third-viewpoint color image data and a difference between the pixel value of a second color component of the second-viewpoint color image data and the pixel value of the second color component of the third-viewpoint color image data.
US09727972B2
A method for generating a thumbnail of an image, includes: filtering an image to obtain an edge intensity value for each pixel point in the image; sliding a preset rectangular box on the image to perform a search and, at each searched position, calculating a distribution value of information amount in the rectangular box according to the edge intensity values of the pixel points therein; and selecting the rectangular box with the largest distribution value of information amount, and intercepting content of the image corresponding to the selected rectangular box to obtain a thumbnail of the image.
US09727968B2
A method includes segmenting a tubular structure of interest in volumetric image data, thereby creating a tracking segmentation, visually presenting a user interactive three dimensional rending of the tracking segmentation, receiving a signal indicative of a user identified tracking path endpoint of interest in the tracking segmentation through the user interactive three dimensional rending, tracking the tubular structure in the tracking segmentation based on the signal, and visually presenting at least the tracked path through the tubular structure.
US09727959B2
According to some embodiments, system and methods for image improvement comprise: receiving a plurality of frames of a given region of interest, the frames comprised of a plurality of pixels; determining, based on a quantum property of the frames, a normalized pixel intensity value for each pixel of each of the plurality of frames; and generating an improved image of the given region of interest based on the plurality of frames and the corresponding normalized pixel intensity values for the frames, the order of the image being two. Also embodiments for generating an image of a target illuminated by quantum entangled particles, such as, photons, are disclosed.
US09727956B2
An image processing apparatus includes an image acquirer configured to acquire an image, a function acquirer configured to acquire a plurality of optical transfer functions relating to an optical system, a function reviser configured to revise the plurality of optical transfer functions based on information relating to an image pickup element, a converter configured to convert the plurality of optical transfer functions revised by the function reviser into a plurality of point spread functions, and an image restorer configured to perform restoration processing on the image by using the plurality of point spread functions.
US09727955B2
A restoration filter generation device which generates a restoration filter for performing a restoration process on luminance system image data, the restoration process being based on a point-image distribution in an optical system, the luminance system image data being image data relevant to luminance and being generated based on image data for each color of multiple colors, the restoration filter generation device including an MTF acquisition device which acquires a modulation transfer function MTF for the optical system; and a restoration filter generation device which generates the restoration filter based on the modulation transfer function MTF, the restoration filter suppressing an MTF value of image data for each color of the multiple colors to 1.0 or less at least in a region of a particular spatial frequency or less, the image data for each color of the multiple colors corresponding to the luminance system image data after the restoration process.
US09727953B2
An apparatus for detecting and repairing a ring artifact in a multi-spectral magnetic resonance image includes an image processor, which is configured to obtain an off-resonance magnetic field map and a deblurred composite image, to calculate a spatial gradient of the image based on the magnetic field map, to kernel search the spatial gradient, to mask the image, based on the kernel search, in order to identify voxels affected by a ring artifact, and to apply a filter in order to smooth intensities of the voxels identified by the image mask.
US09727947B2
In one example, luminance information related to a digital raw image frame captured via a color filter array is obtained. Chrominance information related to the digital raw image frame is obtained. The obtained luminance information and chrominance information are downscaled to a target resolution, such that one of pixel data of the captured digital raw image frame and the obtained chrominance information has been demosaiced before the downscaling. The downscaled chrominance information is reverse-demosaiced.
US09727945B1
A spherical harmonic is defined which is an operationally optimal small finite subset of the infinite number of spherical harmonics allowed to exist mathematically. The composition of the subset differs depending on its position on virtual hemisphere. The subsets are further divided into small spherical tesserae whose dimensions vary depending on the distance from the hemispherical center. The images of the outside visual scenes are projected on the flat surface of the webcam and from there are read and recalculated programmatically as if the images have been projected on the hemisphere. rotational invariants are then computed in the smallest tesserae using numerical integration, and then invariants from neighboring tesserae are added to compute the rotational invariant of their union. Every computed invariant is checked with the library and stored there if there is no match. The rotational invariants are solely used for visual recognition and classification and operational decision making.
US09727939B1
A system for facilitating the execution of law enforcement duties is disclosed. More particularly, according to one aspect of the invention, an electronic system is configured to facilitate the performance of law enforcement duties by quasi-instantaneously providing actionable intelligence to its users, such as front-line law enforcement officers, in response to a real-time query (e.g., a query related to paper currency). According to another aspect of the invention, a system implements a set of automated status classifications for subjects with suspected or confirmed involvement in criminal and/or terrorist activities. The status classifications specifically and concisely establish the subject's involvement in criminal and/or terrorist activities. According to yet another aspect of the invention, a system generates and sends investigative alert notifications that contain information related to a law enforcement operation.
US09727927B2
A social networking system selects a subset of keywords from a set of master keywords found in user profiles. The method includes selecting a first and second group of user profiles including one or more keywords and computing the number of occurrences of each of the master keywords in the first and second group of profiles. A value may be computed for each of the master keywords based on a comparison of the number of occurrences in the first group of profiles and the number of occurrences in the second group of profiles. The computed value may be used for selecting the subset of keywords from the master keywords and/or ranking the master keywords.
US09727920B1
A system and method for providing routing based insurance using a telematics route tracking device to receive data relating to traversal of a user route. The received telematics data is processed to determine risk related to the route, related external factors, and user driving behavior. An insurance policy pricing module is utilized to generate insurance policy price data to modify pricing effects.
US09727917B2
A system and method are provided for displaying a trading screen and placing an order in an electronic trading environment. The system and method may be used to assist a trader in selecting an item of interest, such as the inside market (best bid and best ask) to be displayed relative to a user configured location on the trading screen, such as the center of the trading screen. In a preferred embodiment, the inside market will stay located relative to center of the trading screen and the price levels associated to the inside market will move as the market conditions fluctuate. Other features and advantages are described herein.
US09727916B1
An automated trading exchange having integrated quote risk monitoring and quote modification services is disclosed. The automated trading exchange is configured to receive orders and quotes, and have associated trading parameters such as a risk threshold. The automated trading exchange typically generates a trade by matching the received orders and quotes, where quotes belong to an overall quote group, to previously received orders and quotes. The automated trading exchange otherwise stores each of the received orders and quotes if a trade is not generated. The automated trading exchange then determines whether a quote has been filled as a result of the generated trade, and if so, determines a risk level and an aggregate risk level associated with said trade. The computer compares the aggregate risk level with the market-maker's risk threshold, and if the threshold is exceeded, automatically modifies at least one of the remaining quotes in the quote group.
US09727913B2
Various systems and methods for trade order processing in an electronic trading environment are provided. According to one or more embodiments, two or more trade orders are currently queued for execution at one or more electronic exchanges and are to be modified at substantially the same time. Each trade order is processed according to a priority based on each order's proximity to a particular market price, for example.
US09727905B2
Systems and methods for estimating the cost of vehicle ownership wherein, in one embodiment, a system includes a computer processor that is coupled to a network interface, a data storage device and an output device, the processor being configured to receive information identifying a user-specified vehicle of interest and interval of interest. The processor uses this information to identify and retrieve pre-calculated data items that are stored in the data storage device, and to request external data items from an external data source and receive the requested external data items via the network interface. The processor computes cost-of-vehicle-ownership (COVO) components for the vehicle of interest, sums the components to determine an overall COVO, and outputs the components and overall COVO to a user via the output device. The user may provide further input to modify the COVO calculation.
US09727901B2
An image-based recommendation system provides a first set of selectable images to a user and receives user selections from the first set of images. If a user selects a single image from the first set of images, the product page associated with the selected image is transmitted to the user. If the user makes multiple selections from the first set of images, then the images associated with the user selections are analyzed and a second set of similar images is generated for transmission to the user. The process of receiving and analyzing user-selected images, generating image sets and transmission of generated images sets continues until the user selects a single image. The precision of identification of similar images can be improved by providing the user selections as training data to the image-based recommendation system.
US09727899B2
A method, system, and computer usable program product for improved manufacturing and distribution to avoid counterfeit products in a supply chain are provided in the illustrative embodiments. For manufacturing to avoid a counterfeit product, a product to be manufactured is selected. Production volume information is determined, the production volume information including a number of units of the product to be produced. An identifier of a manufacturer of the product, an identifier of the product, and the production volume information are sent and several sets of identifiers are received. Each set of identifiers include identifiers corresponding to a customer reference number (CRN), a customer acknowledgment number (CAN), and a merchant acknowledgment number (MAN). One set of identifiers is uniquely associated with one unit of the product being produced. A unit of the product is manufactured such that the unit includes a corresponding set of identifiers.
US09727893B2
The invention consists of a set of methods and systems, which comprise a unified approach for an identification and/or searching for information and/or content in data bases and/or the Internet on the basis of direct or indirect characteristic features of the users of the information and the content which are being searched for and/or used as well as an automatic generation of electronic content conforming to the characteristics of its future users.
US09727890B2
An apparatus for identifying active access, by a viewer, of a source containing an advertisement includes a video capture device for recording user interaction in an area and a video processor electrically coupled to the video capture device. The video processor is configured to analyze the video obtained by the video capture device. The video process analysis includes identification of active access, by the viewer, of the source containing the advertisement. The source is electrically decoupled from the video capture device.
US09727885B1
Disclosed in some examples is a method including the operations of receiving responses for a plurality of assessments for an individual, the responses including responses for assessments of at least one physical and at least one psychological component of the individual's wellness; calculating numerical indicators for a plurality of wellness components for the individual based on the plurality of responses; determine at least one set of rules based upon an organization that the individual is associated with; determine a wellness recommendation based upon the set of rules and the numerical indicators; and presenting the wellness recommendation to the individual.
US09727882B1
Disclosed are various embodiments for predicting and classifying events that create a sudden and substantial increase in network traffic activity. To begin, a sales event may be predicted based on the results following the search for one or more prediction factors that occur during a predefined period of time. Based either on the individual results of each evaluation or a combination of results of the search of two or more of the prediction factors, a sales event may be predicted. Additionally, upon detection of a sudden and substantial increase in network traffic activity, one or more classification factors may be evaluated to determine whether the cause of the increase is due to a sales event or other type of alternative activity event.
US09727875B2
Techniques for determining the legitimacy of a problem report are provided. Report data indicating a reported problem is received at a computer processor. Image data associated with the reported problem is identified, and metadata associated with the image data is identified. The legitimacy of the reported problem is determined based on the metadata in view of the report data.
US09727874B2
A system for remote servicing of customers includes an interactive display unit at the customer location providing two-way audio/visual communication with a remote service/sales agent, wherein communication inputted by the agent is delivered to customers via a virtual Digital Actor on the display. The system also provides for remote customer service using physical mannequins with interactive capability having two-way audio visual communication ability with the remote agent, wherein communication inputted by the remote service or sales agent is delivered to customers using the physical mannequin. A web solution integrates the virtual Digital Actor system into a business website. A smart phone solution provides the remote service to customers via an App. In another embodiment, the Digital Actor is instead displayed as a 3D hologram. The Digital Actor is also used in an e-learning solution, in a movie studio suite, and as a presenter on TV, online, or other broadcasting applications.
US09727873B1
When a user receives digital content from a host over a network, such as streaming media, the user typically desires to receive a certain quality of the digital content with few or no interruptions. Techniques may be used to store and monitor a quality of digital content, a quality of the transmission of the digital content that is transmitted to a client device of a user, and/or the quality of rendering of the digital content by the client device. The techniques may provide restitution to the user when the quality of the digital content, transmission, and/or rendering thereof fails to comply with predetermined threshold values.
US09727869B1
A payment service is configured to support purchase transactions generated by merchant point-of-sale (POS) devices. As transactions are conducted, the payment service evaluates, for each transaction, the risk of subsequent chargeback. The payment service then notifies the merchant that expedited payment is available for transactions having low risks of chargeback. The merchant can select a user interface element to initiate expedited payment of the transactions via a debit card linked to the merchant's bank account. Other transactions are settled in a non-expedited manner, using a batch funds transfer.
US09727858B2
Methods and systems are disclosed for the generation and use of merchant-customizable token formats that define tokens that represent credit card and other payment numbers in online transactions. The tokens, which are used instead of the card numbers themselves for security, can be specified by the token format to have a certain number of characters, have certain fields reserved for major card identifiers, use encryption and/or randomization, be alphanumeric, and have other formatting. The customized tokens can be used with legacy equipment that uses longer or shorter card numbers than the standard sixteen-digit payment card number format and can be less likely to be recognized as related to card numbers by identify thieves.
US09727853B2
A method, apparatus, and computer readable storage medium for printing a receipt. Receipt data may be generated at a point-of-sale terminal. At least one value adding message including a graphical image may be automatically selected and dynamic content for the value adding message may be automatically generated. A receipt may be printed by a point-of-sale printer, the receipt including the receipt data, the graphical image, and the dynamic content, wherein the dynamic content is printed in a window embedded within the graphic image.
US09727850B2
Systems and methods to provide and maintain secure financial transaction conducted with a credit card or other cashless payment mechanism at a vending machine or other potentially unattended vending or point of sale device. Encapsulated card readers providing end-to-end encryption capabilities encrypt transaction data for secure transmission to a transaction host or server. Pre-authorization transaction data checking maintains account numbers in a secure encrypted format further enhancing security. Protection mechanisms that guard against, and provide warnings of equipment tampering, while also providing a visual indication to customers regarding the security of the system.
US09727843B2
The present invention concerns a method and arrangement for generating event data from e.g., a meeting. A management system, an event template repository and a user equipment is provided. The management system is preferably a CRM system and is arranged to manage customer related information. The event template repository stores template information comprising at least one input query corresponding to customer information and having a plurality of associated input values, and input interpretation information for determining an input value and an action for each input value. The user equipment, having at least a display and an input capturing device, presents the user with an input query and captures a user input in response. An input value and an action is determined for each user input in accordance with input interpretation information. Furthermore, the determined action is executed.
US09727839B2
A network document processing device includes an embedded controller. The controller monitors one or more document processing devices occurring on the device. The controller is further operable to probe one or more networked document processing devices to determine if it or they are operable to monitoring other network document processing devices. If not, the controller suitably undertakes monitoring of some or all of the networked devices. This monitoring may be concluded when another document processing device becomes active. Multiple document processing devices may also share all or part of monitoring of document processing devices for redundancy, load sharing or integrity checking.
US09727832B2
A method, non-transitory computer readable medium, and a mobile computing device comprises obtaining one or more databases from one or more sources; identifying one or more items in the obtained one or more databases; determining a fee for the identified one or more items based on one or more fee setting parameters; and generating a work-order in real-time based on the determined fee.
US09727827B2
A method for identifying a source of a job referral, the method including identifying a URL that the job applicant uses to access a web page with functionality to enable the job applicant to apply for the first job, identifying a first job message record using the URL, obtaining an original job message record for an original job message using the first job message record, determining a first sender of the original job message from the original job message record, determining that a second job message was sent to the job applicant for a second job at the company by a second sender, wherein the second job message was sent to the job applicant before the first job message and wherein the second job message was sent to the job applicant within a look-back period, and identifying the second sender as the source of the referral for the first job.
US09727824B2
Systems, methods and aspects, and embodiments thereof relate to unsupervised or semi-supervised features learning using a quantum processor. To achieve unsupervised or semi-supervised features learning, the quantum processor is programmed to achieve Hierarchal Deep Learning (referred to as HDL) over one or more data sets. Systems and methods search for, parse, and detect maximally repeating patterns in one or more data sets or across data or data sets. Embodiments and aspects regard using sparse coding to detect maximally repeating patterns in or across data. Examples of sparse coding include L0 and L1 sparse coding. Some implementations may involve appending, incorporating or attaching labels to dictionary elements, or constituent elements of one or more dictionaries. There may be a logical association between label and the element labeled such that the process of unsupervised or semi-supervised feature learning spans both the elements and the incorporated, attached or appended label.
US09727816B1
In one embodiment, chip-cards are fed from conveyor canisters individually into an array of N heterogeneous encoding assemblies of a heterogeneous chip-card production apparatus. Each chip-card is associated with a user account based on a database. Smart chips and magnetic stripes of the chip-cards are encoded asynchronously, electrically and magnetically by the N assemblies with N independent timing protocols for the N assemblies. Encoded chip-cards are deposited asynchronously in parallel by the N assemblies onto a conveyor belt and transported asynchronously and serially to a chip-card printer. The chip-card printer synchronizes each encoded chip-card with associated user account and prints on a surface of the encoded chip-card based on the associated user account. Parallel verification, serial verification-registration, and/or vision-based verification may be performed to verify and ensure consistency among printed text, patterns, custom labeling, magnetic encoded data, electrical encoded data, and associated user accounts. Faulty cards may be identified/rejected.
US09727812B2
A radio frequency identification (RFID) device has controllable features that allow for modification of its interaction with external devices, such as RFID readers. The RFID device may have multiple antennas, coupled to multiple contacts of a chip of the device. The chip may include a real or virtual switch for selectively coupling the chip to either of the antennas. The switch may be activated by an external signal sent to the RFID device. The RFID device also may be controlled by adjusting an adjustable modulator within the RFID device. The modulator may adjust outgoing signals from the RFID device to an appropriate level of signal strength, or to have other suitable characteristics. By control of the antenna couplings and/or the modulator settings of the RFID device, adjustments in performance of the RFID device may be made for suitable operation in a variety of situations and environments.
US09727804B1
Determining a set of edit operations to perform on a string, such as one generated by optical character recognition, to satisfy a string template by determining a minimum cost of performing edit operations on the string to satisfy the string template and then determining the set of edit operations corresponding to the minimum cost. Transforming a string to satisfy one or more string templates by determining a minimum cost of performing edit operations on the string to satisfy one or more string templates, selecting one or more minimum costs, determining a set of edit operations corresponding to the minimum costs, and then performing the set of edit operations on the string. Determining a minimum cost of performing edit operations on a string to satisfy a string template by determining set costs of performing sets of edit operations using costs associated with edit operations of the set and determining the minimum cost using the set costs.
US09727800B2
Disclosed are a system, apparatus, and method for detecting objects. Input image frames may be received and distinct regions created within each frame. Descriptors may be extracted from the regions according to their associated probability. Extracted descriptors may be matched to reference descriptors. Votes or confidence is cast for particular regions according to region properties. The region properties may be determined from center voting methods based on vector intersection to other vectors or intersections with a region. The probability of selecting particular regions can increase with each vote or increase in confidence for a region. In response to updating probabilities, additional regions may be selected and additional descriptors may be extracted. Additional voting iterations can update the probability of selecting a next region. An object pose may be estimated in response to meeting one or more thresholds.
US09727796B2
A parking assistance system includes: a color/IR detector which detects, from a camera image captured with a camera, marker candidates that are areas in each of which an intensity of a color component or an infrared (IR) component exceeds a threshold; a marker position calculator which calculates positions of the marker candidates in the camera image; and a validity verifier which determines whether the marker candidates are valid as the markers, based on the positions of the marker candidates and a predetermined positional relationship of the markers.
US09727795B1
Methods and systems for real-time road flare detection using templates and appropriate color spaces are described. A computing device of a vehicle may be configured to receive an image of an environment of the vehicle. The computing device may be configured to identify a given pixels in the plurality of pixels having one or more of: (i) a red color value greater than a green color value, and (ii) the red color value greater than a blue color value. Further, the computing device may be configured to make a comparison between one or more characteristics of a shape of an object represented by the given pixels in the image and corresponding one or more characteristics of a predetermined shape of a road flare; and determine a likelihood that the object represents the road flare.
US09727794B2
In an image processing apparatus, an image data acquisition unit acquires image data including R-pixels which are red pixels, holding red luminance values, B-pixels which are blue pixels, holding blue luminance values, G-pixels which are green pixels, holding green luminance values, and C-pixels which are clear pixels, holding luminance values in a wavelength range including wavelength ranges corresponding to red, blue and green. In the apparatus, a determination unit determines whether or not an inequality given by Valc−Valx<α is satisfied, where Valx is a luminance value of a pixel of interest that is one of the R-, B-, and G-pixels in the image data, Valc is a luminance value of the C-pixel or pixels closest to the pixel of interest, and α is a constant, and if the inequality is satisfied, a correction unit corrects the luminance value Valx to be less than the luminance value Valc.
US09727789B2
An information processing apparatus comprises an obtaining unit configured to obtain a moving image in which each frame is constituted by an image having a plurality of pieces of light field information, and a setting unit configured to set a focus distance for each frame of the moving image, wherein the setting unit displays a range of settable focus distances for each frame of the moving image.
US09727784B2
A system for vector extraction comprising a vector extraction engine stored and operating on a network-connected computing device that loads raster images from a database stored and operating on a network-connected computing device, identifies features in the raster images, and computes a vector based on the features, and methods for feature and vector extraction.
US09727780B2
A pedestrian detecting system includes a depth capturing unit, an image capturing unit and a composite processing unit. The depth capturing unit is configured to detect and obtain spatial information of a target object. The image capturing unit is configured to capture an image of the target object and recognize the image, thereby obtaining image feature information of the target object. The composite processing unit is electrically connected to the depth capturing unit and the image capturing unit, wherein the composite processing unit is configured to receive the spatial information and the image feature information and to perform a scoring scheme to detect and determine if the target object is a pedestrian. The scoring scheme performs weighted scoring on a spatial confidence and an appearance confidence to obtain a composite scoring value to determine if the target object is the pedestrian.
US09727777B2
An information processing device includes: an image acquirer acquiring a shot image of a user; a registered user information holder holding face identification data of a registered user; a face authentication carrying out authentication of a face image in the shot image by using the face identification data held in the registered user information holder; an information processing section executing information processing on a basis of an authentication result by the face authentication section; a face identification data registration section updating the face identification data on a basis of a face image extracted from the shot image; and a provisionally-registered data holder temporarily holding data relating to the face image when the face image satisfies a predetermined condition. The face identification data registration section determines whether or not to update the face identification data on the basis of the face image by evaluating the data.
US09727762B2
A wireless communication module includes an antenna on a first conductive wall among the conductive walls enclosing a closed space; a tag reader connected with the antenna to read an RFID tag in the closed space; and a reflective part having a thin film or plate shape between the first and second conductive walls facing each other. The reflective part partitions the closed space into first and second spaces. The antenna radiates a radio wave that is reflected by the reflective part to become a first reflected wave in the first space. The radio wave also transmits through the reflective part, reflected by the second conductive wall, and transmits through the reflective part to become a second reflected wave in the first space. The position of the reflective part is determined so that the first and second reflected waves are canceled by each other.
US09727760B2
One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a technique for efficiently interconnecting RFID interrogator elements. Each interrogator element is configured to function as both an RFID interrogator and an RFID tag. The RFID interrogator function enables one interrogator element to perform a read or write data operation to a second interrogator element functioning as an RFID tag. Two-way communications between interrogator elements is facilitated by read and write operations. A data backhaul network may be advantageously implemented as a wireless mesh network, comprising a plurality of interrogator elements, to transmit data from each interrogator element to a server for processing.
