US09736836B2

A method for multiplexing synchronous signals on specific OFDM symbols to form P-SCH and the S-SCH channels is provided. The present application further discloses a method for transmitting P-BCH.
US09736832B2

A wireless communications system is presented that adapts its mode of operation between spatial and non-spatial multiplexing in response to transmission-specific variables. Mode determination logic determines, in response to a received signal, if spatial or non-spatial multiplexing should be used to transmit a subscriber datastream between the BTS and the UE. The mode determination logic receives a measure of a transmission characteristic of the signal, compares the transmission characteristic to a transmission characteristic threshold and selects either spatial or non-spatial multiplexing in response to the comparison. The transmission characteristic includes at least one of delay spread, post-processing signal-to-noise ratio, CRC failure, residual inter-symbol interference, mean square error, coherence time, and path loss.
US09736829B2

Methods, apparatuses, systems, and devices are described for wireless communication. In one method, at least a first carrier may be monitored for an indication of a clear channel assessment (CCA) for a second carrier in a shared spectrum, and communication may take place using the second carrier based on the indication. In another method, a CCA may be performed for a second carrier second carrier of a shared spectrum, and an indication of the CCA for the second carrier may be transmitted on a first carrier.
US09736823B2

The present disclosure relates to random access in wireless communication systems, and in particular to transmitting, receiving, and detecting preamble sequences. A method in a wireless device for transmitting a preamble sequence to a network node is disclosed. The method comprises configuring a number of preamble sequences into two or more preamble sets, wherein each preamble set is associated with at least one respective uplink transmission condition; determining a transmission condition of an uplink from the wireless device to the network node; and selecting one out of the two or more preamble sets based on the determined transmission condition to be a selected preamble set, and a preamble sequence from the selected preamble set to be a selected preamble sequence; as well as transmitting the selected preamble sequence on the uplink.
US09736817B2

A method for sending beacon signals is provided. The beacon signals are to be received by a slave device to discover the master device for Device to Device communication. The master device receives information from a network node. The information informs about a set of available peer discovery resources to be used in a peer discovery frame by the master device for sending beacon signals. The beacon signals are detected by the slave device. The master device obtains a beacon transmission probability. At each specific peer discovery frame, the master device determines according to the beacon transmission probability, whether or not a beacon signal shall be transmitted during that specific peer discovery frame. When determining to transmit a beacon signal during that specific peer discovery frame, master device sends the beacon signal by choosing one of the peer discovery resources out of the received set of available peer discovery resources.
US09736807B2

Systems and methods are directed to use of a neighbor list for wireless indoor navigation. The neighbor list may include related information regarding all neighboring access points (APs). The neighbor list can be transmitted, at least partially, to include the related information of a desired number of or all APs in the neighbor list from one AP to a wireless device. The neighbor list can be transmitted in a Neighbor Report Response (NRR) or a time-of-flight (ToF) Response and allow the wireless device to scan for minimal number of APs for ToF measurements. By using the neighbor list, power consumption and time can be significantly reduced during wireless indoor navigation.
US09736806B2

Apparatuses and methods for wireless synchronization of multiple multimedia devices using a common timing framework are disclosed. In one aspect, a wireless multimedia source device is configured to establish wireless connections with a plurality of multimedia sink devices. The wireless multimedia source device is further configured to calculate a correction time interval for each multimedia sink device based on a difference between a master program clock reference (MPCR) and a local program clock reference (LPCR) feedback signal from the multimedia sink device. Presentation time stamp (PTS) data is generated based on the correction time interval and provided to the multimedia sink device. In another aspect, a wireless multimedia sink device is configured to receive a correction time interval based on a difference between an MPCR for the multimedia source device and an LPCR for the multimedia sink device, and calculate an updated LPCR based on the correction time interval.
US09736805B2

A method of performing cell search includes receiving a primary synchronization signal (PSS) comprising a primary synchronization code (PSC) and receiving a secondary synchronization signal (SSS) comprising a first secondary synchronization code (SSC) and a second SSC, wherein the SSS includes a first SSS and a second SSS, the first SSC and the second SSC are arranged in that order in the first SSS, and the second SSC and the first SSC are arranged in that order in the second SSS. Detection performance on synchronization signals can be improved, and cell search can be performed more reliably.
US09736804B2

Methods, systems, and computer readable media for synchronizing timing among network interface cards in a network equipment test device are disclosed. One method includes generating and sending timing synchronization measurement signals to the management network interface card and a test network interface card in the network equipment test device. The method further includes recording times of receipt of the timing synchronization measurement signals at the management network interface card and the test network interface card. The method further includes adjusting timing of the test network interface card using the times of receipt of the timing synchronization measurement signals.
US09736803B2

Embodiments of the present invention disclose a cell configuration method, a method for implementing synchronization between a user equipment and a base station, a user equipment, and a base station. The cell configuration method includes: determining, by a first base station corresponding to a first cell, system information of a second cell; and notifying, by the first base station, a second base station corresponding to the second cell of the system information, so that the second base station sends and receives signals according to the system information. According to the solutions provided in the embodiments of the present invention, system information of a cell may be dynamically or semi-statically adjusted according to user equipment distribution and service distribution, so that network resources can be better provided for a user equipment that needs them, a capability of serving the user equipment is improved.
US09736790B1

A self-calibrating transceiver includes a transmitter chain, a receiver chain, a base band processor, and a calibration control state machine. The state machine is in electrical communication with the transmitter chain, the receiver chain, and the base band processor, and is configured for enabling the receiver chain and setting the receiver chain and the transmitter chain to corresponding frequencies. The state machine stores one or more transmitter power and power amplifier gain mode settings, and for each setting, sets the transmitter gain and power amplifier gain mode. The transmitter chain transmits a signal, the receiver chain receives the transmitted signal, and the baseband processor measures a received signal strength indicator (RSSI) of the received signal. The state machine further adjusts the transmitter output power based on the measured RSSI.
US09736789B2

A method and a system for providing wireless communication facility with low interference between multiple wireless devices providing hotspot wireless coverage within a local area of an integrated enterprise or integrated home environment is disclosed. The sensor devices implementing hotspots are connected to a local area network (LAN) based on power line communication (PLC) and enabled with wireless power output control capability, allowing the coverage of area of each sensor device to be adjusted. The power output control is by a switch which allows the power output to be increased and decreased depending on coverage required and the output of the nearest hotspot. The power output level is indicated on the sensor by LEDs to enable resetting and adjustment. The use of power control and elimination of coverage overlap allow multiple hotspots to be used for achieving good connectivity while reducing interferences and noise within hotspots during connection and use.
US09736784B2

There is provided a communication control device including a power distribution unit configured to distribute, to one or more secondary systems, a transmission power accepted for a secondary usage of a frequency channel which is protected for a primary system, and a notification unit configured to notify each secondary system of a value of a second transmission power which is decided depending on a value of a first transmission power distributed by the power distribution unit. Upon updating the transmission power, only in a case where a value of the second transmission power which is previously notified and a value of the first transmission power which is newly distributed by the power distribution unit satisfy a predetermined condition with respect to a certain secondary system, the notification unit notifies the secondary system of a new value of the second transmission power.
US09736783B2

A device adapter which is connectable to the field devices, includes an interface which is connectable to the field devices, a power source configured to supply electric power to the field devices connected to the interface, and a start controller configured to perform a start control of the field devices connected to the interface to make a total power consumption of the field devices connected to the interface be within a range permitted in accordance with an explosion-proof standard.
US09736773B2

Various embodiments are generally directed to an apparatus, method and other techniques to initiate a transaction session at a transaction session start time to communicate a transaction between a first device and a second device, receive a first frame comprising information indicating an occurrence of another transaction session between other devices and a time reservation to reserve time for the other transaction session, receive a second frame comprising second information indicating a truncation of the other transaction session at a truncation time and before an expiration of the time reservation, and shift a subsequent transaction session start time for at least one subsequent transaction session between the first device and the second device based on a difference between the transaction session start time and the truncation time.
US09736760B2

A wireless network system (30, 60) and a method for commissioning a wireless network system (30, 60) is described. The network system (30, 60) comprises at least a network device (1, 1′, 1″) and a joining device (21, 81, 91, 101, 111). In a commissioning mode, the network device (1, 1′, 1″) broadcasts network identification information. The joining device (21, 81, 91, 101, 111) sends, upon reception of the network identification information, a request to said network device (1, 1′, 1″) to join the network, comprising a predefined address of said joining device (21, 81, 91, 101, 111). The network device (1, 1′, 1″) assigns said joining device (21, 81, 91, 101, 111) a network address and stores corresponding data. The network device (1, 1′, 1″) sends joining information comprising at least said network address to said joining device (21, 81, 91, 101, 111) using said predefined address and said joining device (21, 81, 91, 101, 111) receives the network address, so that the joining device (21, 81, 91, 101, 111) is addressable in the network system (30, 60) using said network address.
US09736757B2

Embodiments include method, systems and computer program products for digital message delivery using ad-hoc distributed device networking. In some embodiments, it may be determined that a first device comprising a first device cloud is within a dead zone. A second device with a second device cloud may be identified as a carrier device. Data may be transmitted to the second device cloud of the carrier device using a wireless network connection. An acknowledgement may be received from the first device that the first device cloud of the first device received the data from the second device cloud of the carrier device while in the dead zone.
US09736755B2

An open communication method between at least two sub-networks using a broker node. Each of the sub-networks has a different routable network addressing scheme. The method comprises receiving a packet for a specific application, the packet includes an application identifier, determining if the packet is to be relayed to another of the at least two sub-network based upon the application identifier, determining if a node receiving the packet is a broker node, relaying the packet to a broker node if not a broker node and forwarding, by the broker node, the packet to at least one node in another of the at least two sub-network. The node generating the packet is configured to communicate using a first of the at least two sub-networks. A broker node is configured for communicating using at least two of the at least two sub-network via a corresponding routable network addressing schemes for each of the sub-networks.
US09736747B2

A method, a system and a device for maintaining user service continuity are provided in an embodiment of the present invention. The method includes prohibiting a UE from accessing a forbidden network before handover is complete when the UE needs to perform network handover if the UE adopts a SIM access technology, thus avoiding service interruption of a SIM user due to access to an incorrect network. A system and a device for maintaining user service continuity are provided in an embodiment of the present invention.
US09736742B2

According to an aspect, a network node operating in a first RAN according to a first RAT receives a handover request for a user equipment from a cell in a second RAN operating according to a second RAT. After handover of the user equipment to a cell in the first RAN is completed, the network node configures the user equipment to measure frequencies corresponding to the second RAN. Based on measurements reported by the user equipment for the frequencies, the network node identifies detected cells exceeding a measurement threshold, and sends a handover report towards the second RAN. The handover report includes, for at least one detected cell exceeding the measurement threshold, a physical cell identifier and a frequency identifier for the detected cell. The network node obtains configuration information for the detected cell, from another node, and uses the obtained configuration information for subsequent mobility procedures.
US09736738B2

The present invention discloses a method for transferring a context and a mobility management entity. When S1 handover occurs on an RN, the method includes: acquiring, by a source MME to which a UE is attached, an indicator for transferring a context of the UE, where the UE is a UE served by the RN when the S1 handover occurs; and transferring, by the source MME to which the UE is attached, the context of the UE to a target MME according to the indicator for transferring the context of the UE, so that the target MME acquires security information of the UE according to the context of the UE, where the target MME is an MME to which the UE needs to be attached in the handover process.
US09736736B2

A method for handling Circuit Switched Fallback from a Packet Switched domain includes receiving an indication that Circuit Switched Fallback is supported from an eNodeB located within the Packet Switched domain. The method also includes registering to a Circuit Switched domain associated with Circuit Switched Fallback by tunneling Circuit Switched Registration information, via the eNodeB, to the Circuit Switched domain, thereby enabling the User Equipment to setup a Circuit Switched call or receive a Circuit Switched page. The method also includes receiving a Circuit Switched specific parameter setting from the eNodeB. The Circuit Switched specific parameter setting includes decoding information to facilitate decoding of transmissions in the Circuit Switched domain. Additionally, the method includes, after receiving the Circuit Switched specific parameter setting, switching from the Packet Switched domain to the Circuit Switched domain and using the decoding information to access the Circuit Switched domain.
US09736735B2

Disclosed is an operation method carried out by user equipment in a wireless communication system. The method comprises: connecting to a first serving cell; connecting to a second serving cell; and handling configuration used for operating from the second serving cell when the second serving cell is released from being a serving cell. The first serving cell is a primary cell (PCell), and the second serving cell is a secondary cell (SCell).
US09736731B1

A desired number of buffers to be used in a block acknowledgment (BA) session or with media access control (MAC) data units having a same traffic identifier (TID) is determined. A desired maximum MAC data unit size to be used in the BA session or with the MAC data units having the same TID is determined. An indication of the desired number of buffers in the BA session or with the MAC data units having the same TID is transmitted to a communication device in a wireless communication network for negotiating with the communication device. An indication of the desired maximum MAC data unit size to be used in the BA session or with the MAC data units having the same TID is transmitted to the second communication device for negotiating with the other station.
US09736721B2

Systems and methodologies are described that facilitate supporting multiple connections associated with a wireless terminal. Notifications may be provided to a primary base station upon establishment and/or removal of connections between the wireless terminal and secondary base station(s). Additionally, the multiple connections may be evaluated and a preferred connection from the set of multiple connections may be utilized to transfer data to the wireless terminal over a downlink connection.
US09736719B2

The present disclosure discloses a method and a network device for adaptive resource allocation in congested wireless local area network deployment. Specifically, a network device dynamically assigns priorities of client devices associated with a remote access point based at least on an application type or a traffic type corresponding to each client device. Further, the network device transmits the priorities of the client devices to the remote access point in response to the wired uplink being unavailable. The priorities of the client devices facilitate the remote access point to limit a number of client devices connected to the remote access point subsequent to the wired uplink being unavailable.
US09736718B2

A wireless communication apparatus which communicates with at least one wireless station apparatus by utilizing EDCA mechanism includes the following elements. A first channel state determining unit determines a usage state of a communication channel used between the wireless communication apparatus and the wireless station apparatus in a contention period of the communication channel. A first terminal occupation time calculating unit calculates, on the basis of the usage state, a different-terminal occupation time in the contention period of the communication channel. A first traffic measuring unit measures an amount of data received from the wireless station apparatus in the different-terminal occupation time. A first parameter adjusting unit adjusts an EDCA parameter set used in the EDCA mechanism, on the basis of the different-terminal occupation time and the amount of received data. A parameter updating unit updates the EDCA parameter set to an adjusted EDCA parameter set.
US09736714B2

Embodiments relate to the field of wireless communications, and particularly, to methods and apparatuses for power headroom reporting. In one embodiment, a method of power headroom reporting includes: determining PH information of each of configured and active cells at a current instant if PH information is required to be reported, where the configured and active cells include a cell which is configured with a downlink subframe at the current instant; and reporting the determined PH information. Since a power headroom is reported by obtaining PH information of a configured and active cell which is currently a downlink subframe according to a virtual transmission format, the PH information facilitates subsequent scheduling by an eNB.
US09736711B2

A method and a device are provided for adjusting signal strength of a router. In the method: the device monitors a number of terminals wirelessly connected to the router during a preset time period. The device determines a signal-strength level of the router according to the number of the terminals wirelessly connected to the router during the preset time period. The device adjusts the signal strength transmitted by the router according to the signal-strength level. Through the present disclosure, a router may automatically control the signal strength transmitted by itself.
US09736707B2

Certain aspects of the present disclosure provide techniques for wireless communications, wherein first number of transit antennas is advertised, but a different number of transmit antennas are actually used for transmission.
US09736700B1

A cellular communication radio resource adaptor. The adaptor comprises a data store, at least one processor, a non-transitory memory, and an application. The application accesses a network management system (NMS) of an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) identified in an inventory of radio access network (RAN) equipment to read cell site equipment setting information. The application analyzes the cell site setting information and presents a map of an area overlaid with a graphical indication of the cellular communication radio resources owned or leased by a service provider and overlaid with a graphical indication of the cellular coverage areas by each cell site. The service provider may then adapt RAN equipment of the cell sites to efficiently use cellular communication radio resources.
US09736696B2

The present invention relates to an antenna splitting method in an active antenna system and a controller, where the method includes: when load of an active antenna system AAS cell is greater than or equal to a load threshold, if a cell in an optimized area is not overloaded, load of a first cell is less than the load of the AAS cell, and load of a second cell is less than the load of the AAS cell, acquiring a first antenna parameter combination corresponding to a maximum capacity of the optimized area; and splitting an AAS antenna according to the first antenna parameter combination. The antenna splitting method in an active antenna system and the controller according to embodiments of the present invention can effectively reduce the load of a heavily loaded AAS cell, and effectively increase a capacity of the optimized area.
US09736695B1

Methods, apparatuses and computer programs for providing a lock control signal for a mobile logistic destination including obtaining information about a delivery request, providing an authorization request for opening the mobile logistic destination, obtaining information about an authorization for opening the mobile logistic destination during the probable delivery period from the mobile device, obtaining information about a lock enquiry and delivery agent location information from a mobile device of a delivery agent for the delivery, obtaining logistic destination location information from the logistic destination, determining a delivery agent authorization for opening the mobile logistic destination, computing a delivery agent location difference between the logistic destination location information and the delivery agent location information, comparing a timestamp of the lock enquiry with the probable delivery period, determining the lock control signal for the mobile logistic destination, and providing the lock control signal for the mobile logistic destination.
US09736688B2

A system for programming, controlling and monitoring wireless networks enabling a wireless device (Dev) being utilized and integrated into car electronic control module or home (or business) alarm/security system. This system also presents a general control (robotic) device, which controls general input and output functions, where plurality of cellular handsets, internet devices can co-control, monitor, share and exchange information through the cellular, the internet networks and other wire/wireless network.
US09736687B2

The present application discloses a method for synchronizing encryption information between a SCell and UE, which includes that: the SCell transmits a COUNT value of RB established for the UE to a PCell; the PCell transmits the COUNT value received from the SCell to the UE; and the PCell receives a COUNT value of RB established on the SCell that is saved by the UE from the UE. Or, the SCell and the UE may directly exchange the COUNT value of RB. By the present application, the security and correctness of data can be ensured.
US09736686B2

Methods (100, 200, 300) and apparatus (400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900) are disclosed for establishing a key for direct communication between a User Equipment device, UE, and a device. The methods and apparatus cooperate to form a system for securing direct communication between a UE and a device over an interface. The system comprises a UE (20), a device (30) and a Direct Communication Element (40). The UE (20) is configured to establish a UE shared key with a Bootstrapping Server Function, BSF (50), using a Generic Bootstrapping Architecture, GBA, procedure, to discover the device (30) through a discovery procedure after establishing the UE shared key, and to derive a direct communication key from at least the UE shared key. The device (30) is configured to receive a transaction identifier associated with the UE shared key from the UE (20), to send the transaction identifier to the Direct Communication Element (40), and to receive the direct communication key from the Direct Communication Element (40). The Direct Communication Element (40) is configured to receive the transaction identifier from the device (30), to obtain a shared session key from the BSF (50); to derive the direct communication key, and to send the direct communication key to the device (30).Also disclosed are a computer product operable to carry out methods according to the present invention and a computer program product comprising a computer readable medium having such a computer product stored thereon.
US09736683B2

A method and an apparatus for establishing a user plane bearer are provided. The method includes receiving a transport layer address supported by a serving gateway (SGW)/packet gateway (PGW) from a mobile management entity (MME), selecting, by a radio access network (RAN) entity, directly the appropriate transport layer address to establish the user plane bearer, or after receiving the transport layer address transmitted by the SGW/PGW, selecting, by the MME, the appropriate transport layer address to establish the user plane bearer, or reporting, by the MME, the obtained transport layer address used by the access entity to the SGW/PGW to establish the user plane bearer.
US09736677B2

The present invention provides a cloud identification method, device and system for a double-card mobile communications device. The cloud identification method is applicable to a double-card mobile communications terminal or a device in communication with the double-card mobile communications terminal. The method comprises: detecting whether a configuration factor matching each SIM card exists in a mobile communications terminal, and when the matched configuration factor exists, implementing matching, the configuration factor comprising at least one of basic parameter and an implementation function for providing a complete communications function; when the matching configuration factor does not exist, analyzing a system function or data, or monitoring and analyzing a system event of a conversation process, and obtaining a matching configuration factor; applying the obtained configuration factor to the mobile communications terminal application to complete the matching, and saving the basic parameter and the implementation function. The present invention changes a conventional obtaining mode, and greatly saves manpower and financial resources.
US09736671B2

The method include receiving, by one or more computer processors, a request for data usage, the request for data usage being associated with a mobile device. The method further includes identifying, by one or more computer processors, a current data usage quantity, the current data usage quantity being associated with the mobile device. The method further includes determining, by one or more computer processors, whether the current data usage quantity is beyond a threshold data usage. The method further includes responsive to the data usage quantity being beyond the threshold data usage, receiving, by one or more computer processors, mobile device information associated with the mobile device. The method further includes analyzing, by one or more computer processors, the mobile device information. The method further includes determining, by one or more computer processors, access for the request based on the mobile device information and the current data usage quantity.
US09736670B2

Disclosed are devices, systems, methods, and media for efficient emergency calling using digital devices. In some embodiments, a user is able to make an emergency call by a one-touch or dual-touch process. An authentication process may reduce inadvertent and unauthorized emergency calling. Persistent emergency buttons are also disclosed that may be used for calling emergency in different states of the device.
US09736669B2

A method and system for providing vehicle services using a vehicle and a mobile communications device includes receiving at a vehicle a wireless communication sent from an interface device physically attached to the mobile communications device; linking the interface device with one or more vehicle modules; and communicating between one or more vehicle modules and the mobile communications device via the interface device.
US09736660B2

Methods and apparatus for initiating a PTT call from a caller client device to a recipient client device. The methods and apparatus register the caller client device with the PTT system, wherein caller data identifying the caller client device is transmitted to the PTT system; store the caller data; generate, at the caller client device, a channel request message that includes channel allocation data and call invite messaging information; transmit the channel request message to the PTT system; parse the call invite messaging information from the channel request message; generate a call invite message based upon the call invite messaging information and the stored caller data; and establish the PTT call between the caller client device and the recipient client device based upon the call invite message. Additionally, the call invite messaging information includes an identification number and not the URI of the recipient client device.
US09736658B2

A method performed by a network node for transmitting enhanced Multimedia Broadcast Multicast Services, eMBMS, control information to wireless devices in a wireless telecommunications network is provided. The eMBMS control information comprises MBMS Single Frequency Network, MBSFN, area configuration information and MCH Scheduling Information, MSI, for a Multicast CHannel, MCH. The MBSFN area configuration information and the MSI indicate Multicast Traffic Channels, MTCHs, for the eMBMS. The network node configures the indication of the MTCHs in the MBSFN area configuration information and in the MSI based on an order of logical channel identities of the MTCHs that is set in the network node. Then, the network node transmits the MBSFN area configuration information and MSI to the wireless devices in the wireless telecommunications network.A network node and a system are also provided.
US09736655B2

In embodiments of mobile device safe driving, a mobile device can display a device lock screen on an integrated display device, and transition from the device lock screen to display a driving mode lock screen. The transition to display the driving mode lock screen occurs without receiving a PIN code entered on the device lock screen. The mobile device implements a safe driving service that is implemented to activate a safe driving mode of the mobile device, and disable features of the mobile device while the safe driving mode is activated.
US09736654B2

A method and a trolley for facilitating a passenger's way through an airport terminal, and improved methods for boarding aircrafts. The trolley may include an interface, such as a boarding card reader, for receiving information identifying the passenger and/or the passenger's flight. Mobile wireless communication means may be provided at the trolley for receiving airport information data, such as flight departure gate, delay or cancellation information, from a computer network within an airport terminal. Data output means are provided to communicate information to the passenger. The trolley may be X-ray compliant. A communication interface may be provided at the trolley for communicating with a portable device, such as a smartphone or equivalent means of the passenger. Individually selected information based on passenger identity, destination, position or past collection of passenger behavior may be disseminated to passengers on an individual basis. Passengers may be allowed to pass a gate for aircraft boarding only when called in accordance with a predetermined boarding sequence on the basis of, e.g., seat number or seat row.
US09736652B2

Systems and methods for recognizing and/or predicting activities of a user of a mobile device are disclosed. In certain embodiments, the systems and methods may predict a future activity and/or location of a mobile device user based on current and/or historical device data and/or other personal information relating to the user. In some embodiments, probabilistic determinations and/or other statistical models may be used to predict future activities and locations of a mobile device user. The disclosed systems and methods may further utilize location and/or activity recognition and/or prediction methods to deliver personalized services to a user of a mobile device at a particular time and/or location.
US09736650B2

An approach is provided for adapting navigation notifications based on a level of compliance of users to the notifications. An adaptation platform determines user action data following a presentation of at least one navigation notification at at least one device. The adaptation platform also processes the user action data to determine user compliance information with the at least one navigation notification. One or more presentation parameters for the presentation of the at least one navigation notification, content information for the at least one navigation information, or a combination thereof are then caused to be adapted based, at least in part, on the compliance information.
US09736647B2

A method, apparatus, and system for detection of a network are described. A network list indicating a plurality of network identifiers associated with a mobile device is determined. Each network identifier identifies one or more access points for a respective wireless network. Locality information is determined based on one or more sensors of the mobile device. At least one of the plurality of network identifiers is selected based on the locality information. And a transmission of the selected network identifiers by the mobile device is initiated.
US09736643B2

A wireless communication device disposed on a moving vehicle. The wireless communication device further includes a geographic location determination processor for determining a geographic location on a city map. The wireless communication device further receives a vehicle location and arrival schedule request for sending a message to a passenger waiting for the vehicle for providing the geographic location on the city map and an estimated arrival time of the vehicle to a passenger waiting for the vehicle.
US09736633B2

System and method for submitting a location of a mobile device to a public service for providing emergency assistance are described. A mobile device can determine that a user is making an emergency call from the mobile device. The mobile device can then enable a location determination function of the mobile device and determine a location of the mobile device. The mobile device can determine the location in multiple attempts, including, in a first time window, attempting to determine a location with low uncertainty and, if the attempt fails, determining a location with high uncertainty in a second time window. The mobile device can then submit the location to a dispatcher through a mobile network operator.
US09736627B2

As part of a localized positioning solution, a mobile device may transmit a request message to a server to obtain information about location contexts near the mobile device. In response, the server may, in some implementations, transmit a response message back to the mobile device that identifies a list of nearby LCIs and an area that encompasses these LCIs. The mobile device may store the returned LCI information and the returned area information in corresponding databases for later use. In some implementations, time limits may be placed on the returned area information after which the information is deemed stale.
US09736624B2

A communication device performs a first writing of writing, to a memory, one of application information used to activate an application and setting information used to establish communication with a second wireless communication system, transmits the written information to a communication partner device via a first wireless communication unit, performs a second writing of writing, to the memory, in a case where the transmission is performed, either the application information or the setting information, whichever was not previously written, and transmits the information written in the second writing to the communication partner device via the first wireless communication unit, in a case where the communication starts in a condition that the writing is being performed.
US09736619B2

The present invention relates to a wireless communication system, and more particularly, to a method and apparatus for performing or supporting machine-type communications (MTC). A method for a terminal to establish a connection to a server according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises the steps of: receiving a triggering message including a triggering identifier from a network; and a step of requesting a data connection to the server using the triggering information contained in the triggering message. The triggering identifier can be set to a predetermined value for distinguishing the triggering message from other types of messages.
US09736616B2

In one embodiment, a connection device couples a mobile device having a touch-sensitive display screen to a component of home automation system. The connection device couples a wired serial communication interface of the mobile device to a wired serial communication interface of the component. The mobile device executes a configuration application (app), whose a user interface is displayed on the touch-sensitive display screen. Using the user interface, a user may configure the component to join a Wi-Fi network, as well as configure more advanced settings of the component. Similarly, in response to further input on the user interface, the configuration app on the mobile device may send additional control commands via the connection device, or the Wi-Fi network, to the component, to configure additional settings of the component.
US09736613B2

Methods, apparatus, and computer programs for simulating the source of sound are provided. One method includes operations for determining a location in space of the head of a user utilizing face recognition of images of the user. Further, the method includes an operation for determining a sound for two speakers, and an operation for determining an emanating location in space for the sound, each speaker being associated with one ear of the user. The acoustic signals for each speaker are established based on the location in space of the head, the sound, the emanating location in space, and the auditory characteristics of the user. In addition, the acoustic signals are transmitted to the two speakers. When the acoustic signals are played by the two speakers, the acoustic signals simulate that the sound originated at the emanating location in space.
US09736612B2

An audio device includes a casing configured for operation in a first orientation and a second orientation different from the first orientation, an orientation input device disposed on the casing to detect an orientation of the casing relative to the direction of the force of gravity, and a plurality of acoustic drivers disposed on the casing and operable to form a plurality of acoustic interference arrays, each of which is associated with one of a plurality of audio channels. The acoustic drivers of the audio device operate in a first frequency range and modify at least one of the acoustic interference arrays in response to a change in the orientation detected by the orientation input device.
US09736608B2

The encoding and decoding of HOA signals using Singular Value Decomposition includes forming (11) based on sound source direction values and an Ambisonics order corresponding ket vectors (|Y(Ω5))) of spherical harmonics and an encoder mode matrix (Ξ0χs). From the audio input signal (|χ(Ωs))) a singular threshold value (σε) determined. On the encoder mode matrix a Singular Value Decomposition (13) is carried out in order to get related singular values which are compared with the threshold value, leading to a final encoder mode matrix rank (rfine). Based on direction values (Ωl) of loudspeakers and a decoder Ambisonics order (Nl ), corresponding ket vectors (IY(Ωl )) and a decoder mode matrix (Ψ0χL) are formed (18). On the decoder mode matrix a Singular Value Decomposition (19) is carried out, providing a final decoder mode matrix rank (r find). From the final encoder and decoder mode matrix ranks a final mode matrix rank is determined, and from this final mode matrix rank and the encoder side Singular Value Decomposition an adjoint pseudo inverse (Ξ+)† of the encoder mode matrix (Ξ0χs) and an Ambisonics ket vector (Ia′s) are calculated. The number of components of the Ambisonics ket vector is reduced (16) according to the final mode matrix rank so as to provide an adapted Ambisonics ket vector (|a′l ). From the adapted Ambisonics ket vector, the output values of the decoder side Singular Value Decomposition and the final mode matrix rank an adjoint decoder mode matrix (Ψ)† is calculated (15), resulting in a ket vector (|y(Ωl )) of output signals for all loudspeakers.
US09736605B2

Disclosed are a method of manufacturing a microphone, a microphone, and a control method thereof. The method includes forming a sound sensing module on a main substrate including a first sound aperture such that the sound sensing module is connected to the first sound aperture. The method further include forming a cover for receiving the sound sensing module formed therein with a second sound aperture corresponding to the first sound aperture on the main substrate. The method also includes forming a sound delay filter at a receiving space of the cover to be connected to the second sound aperture. The method also includes forming a semiconductor chip electrically connected to the sound sensing module at the receiving space, to selectively operate the sound delay filter according to a signal output from the sound sensing module.
US09736601B2

Various embodiments of systems, devices, components, and methods are disclosed for adjustable bone conduction hearing aids where a patient or health care provided can select different positions of a magnetic spacer on a patient's skull after a magnetic implant has been implanted beneath the patient's skin and affixed to the patient's skull.
US09736599B2

A high-performance method evaluates a useful signal of an audio device, and in particular of an audio apparatus, for example for reducing interference. Accordingly, in the method at least two microphone signals are each obtained from a sound signal and a reference signal is obtained from the microphone signals, a portion of the microphone signals from a predetermined direction being blocked. The microphone signals are filtered by a filter such that an evaluation signal is obtained. To that end, a coherence value is determined from portions of the reference signal and a power density value is determined from the coherence value. The filter is parameterized on the basis of the power density value.
US09736595B2

A two-port air pump speaker that includes at least two active, phase-modulated, bi-directional shutters and an ultrasonic pumping chamber having at least two ports; a first port facing towards the listener, the forward port, and a second port facing another direction, the backward port which may be behind an acoustic baffle or inside a speaker enclosure. A two-port speaker with two active steering shutters can create continuous bi-directional airflow which leads to low distortion reproduction of low audio frequencies. The same improved design can be used also for other applications where acoustic modulation is required, especially in ultrasonic frequencies.
US09736592B2

Embodiments are provided for components configured for audio playback. According to certain aspects, a transducer includes dual voice coils disposed in a magnet section, whereby the magnet section generates an electromagnetic field that causes the dual voice coils to actuate in response to an applied audio signal. The transducer further includes a diaphragm coupled to the dual voice coils that actuates according to the dual voice coils and produces audio output. In some implementations, the transducer may be disposed within a cutout area of an electronic device, whereby the transducer is secured to the electronic device via a roll-surround suspension.
US09736590B2

According to an embodiment, a microfabricated structure includes a cavity disposed in a substrate, a first clamping layer overlying the substrate, a deflectable membrane overlying the first clamping layer, and a second clamping layer overlying the deflectable membrane. A portion of the second clamping layer overlaps the cavity.
US09736578B2

An orientation detector can have a first microphone, a second microphone, and a reference microphone spaced from the first microphone and the second microphone. An orientation processor can be configured to determine an orientation of the first microphone, the second microphone, or both, relative to a user's mouth based on a comparison of a relative strength of a first signal associated with the first microphone to a relative strength of a second signal associated with the second microphone. A channel selector in a speech enhancer can select one signal from among several signals based at least in part on the orientation determined by the orientation processor. A mobile communication handset can include a microphone-based orientation detector of the type disclosed herein.
US09736576B2

An energy conversion apparatus including a permanent magnet fixed to a predetermined region; and a diaphragm arranged on the permanent magnet, the diaphragm including a coil having a conductor wire pattern formed on the diaphragm, wherein the diaphragm includes a slit formed in the diaphragm.
US09736570B2

An earphone includes a driver and a nozzle. The driver has a transducer diaphragm. The nozzle has an internal passage having an inlet opening, an outlet opening, and a wall connecting the inlet opening and the outlet opening. The wall has an inner surface within the passage. The inner surface extends from the inlet opening to the outlet opening. The outlet opening is smaller area than the inlet opening. The inner surface is configured, based on at least one tractrix, between the inlet opening and the outlet opening. The nozzle is attached to the driver with the transducer diaphragm facing the inlet opening and the inlet opening positioned nearer to the diaphragm than is the outlet opening.
US09736567B2

A user device determines whether a device connected to its headset jack is an audio accessory device. If the device connected to the headset jack is an audio accessory, the user device connects one or more pins of the headset jack to an audio codec. If the device plugged into the headset jack is not an audio accessory device, the user device connects one or more pins of the headset jack to alternate circuitry. The user device then determines, through the alternate circuitry, an electrical operating parameter requirement of the accessory device, and provides, from the alternate circuitry, the required operating parameter to the accessory device through the headset jack. The alternate circuitry may include an adjustable voltage regulator and/or an adjustable current regulator and the required operating parameter may be one or more of a voltage supply and a current supply.
US09736554B2

Supply chain systems and methods are disclosed for monitoring fluid levels in liquid containers, such as kegs. Embodiments include sensors that fit within a keg's false bottom, measure the weight of the keg, and transmit the weight information to a computer database via a wireless network. Other embodiments include an RFID device with information about a characteristic of the liquid within a keg (such as brand and/or type of beer) that may be attached to the keg and paired with the sensor so the sensor can transmit information about the characteristic of the liquid in the keg. In alternate embodiments, the sensor's transmitter is short range and an uplink/gateway is used to receive information from the sensor and relay that sensor's information to a broader wireless network. Multiple containers in close proximity may each be fitted with an RFID device and sensor and communicate their individual information to the database.
US09736553B2

A network includes a supervisory sensor in communication with a wireless network and a non-supervisory sensor in communication with the supervisory sensor, wherein the non-supervisory sensor communicates with the wireless network through the supervisory sensor. The supervisory sensor may be configured to receive downloads from a server communicating through the wireless network and to collect data from the non-supervisory sensor. The supervisory sensor may be configured to transmit the collected data to a server on the wireless network. Moreover, the non-supervisory sensor and the supervisory sensor each have an active state and an inactive state and wherein the supervisory sensor may be in the active state while the non-supervisory sensor is in the inactive state.
US09736549B2

A main stream contains successive content elements of video and/or audio information that encode video and/or audio information at a first data rate. A computation circuit (144) computes main fingerprints from the successive content elements. A reference stream is received having a second data rate lower than the first data rate. The reference stream defines a sequence of the reference fingerprints. A comparator unit (144) compares the main fingerprints with the reference fingerprints. The main stream is monitored for the presence of inserted content elements between original content elements, where the original content elements have main fingerprints that match successive reference fingerprints and the inserted content elements have main fingerprints that do not match reference fingerprints. Rendering of inserted content elements to be skipped. In an embodiment when more than one content element matches only one is rendered. In another embodiment matching is used to control zapping to or from the main stream. In another embodiment matching is used to control linking of separately received mark-up information such as subtitles to points in the main stream.
US09736547B2

A method of providing a Non-Real-Time (NRT) service includes receiving a file configuring the NRT service, first signaling information, and second signaling information in a state of being IP-packetized and contained in a single ensemble, configuring and displaying a service guide using the first signaling information acquired from the ensemble, acquiring a first content identifier of content selected from the displayed service guide, accessing a FLUTE session using the second signaling information acquired from the ensemble and acquiring a second content identifier matched with the first content identifier from the accessed FLUTE session, and receiving and storing at least one file configuring the content based on the acquired second content identifier.
US09736546B2

Various embodiments are directed to one or more transcoder devices in communication with an input device such as a remote control device and multiple destination devices in which the transcoder device(s) facilitate communication between the remote control and the various destination devices in the vicinity. The transcoder device(s) can also provide the user with an environmental awareness of conditions and events surrounding the user. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US09736540B2

Methods and systems for allowing multiple devices to display and annotate (or modify) a video image are described, where a content renderer device displays a video image that is also displayed (or viewed) by one or more content viewer devices, which can both display and annotate (or modify) the same video image at the same time, and the content renderer selectively determines whether or not a GUI menu is displayed on its display screen. Annotation commands (e.g., screen touch data) on the viewer devices are captured, packaged and sent to the content renderer, which creates a combined modified video image having the annotations from the viewer devices, displays it to the renderer display and sends it to the viewer devices for display thereon. Also, the viewer device may selectively display video content from multiple other peer devices as a composite video image, may annotate (or modify) each displayed video content independently, and may send a screen video image, or a portion thereof, to any other peer device. Any peer device may operate as a content renderer or content viewer, or both, at any given time, and peer devices may be running different operating systems.
US09736534B2

A method of content recording and playback is carried out in a receiving device by selecting one of a plurality of digital content streams (80, 82, 84), which have respective distribution arrangements. A content segment (90) of a review buffer (88) is established and configured for the one content stream. While recording the one content stream in the review buffer (90), a content source change operation is performed to record another content stream in the review buffer (88) by discontinuing recording of the one content stream, and iterating establishing, configuring and recording with a new content segment (92). Recorded content of the content segment (90) and new content segment (92) are stored in respective data stores (102, 100). The content streams may be replayed in an order or a reverse order of recording thereof by retrieving data from respective content segments or data stores. Related apparatus is also described.
US09736527B2

A media guidance application is provided by which users can define rules for assigning user equipment devices as destinations for media content. For example, a user may define a rule by which selected media content having attributes that satisfy a user-defined condition are downloaded, recorded, or streamed to a particular, user-specified user equipment device. The user may define and manage rules using media guidance menus, and may restrict other users from accessing the rules (e.g., parents restricting children).
US09736522B2

A display device including a used interface module configured to receive first time source data from a user; a broadcast service module configured to receive a broadcast signal; a communication module configured to perform data communication with a network time protocol (NTP) server, a memory configured to store the plurality of time source data; and a controller configured to extract at least one of first time source data extracted from a setting application, second time source data extracted from the broadcast service module, third time source data extracted from the NTP server and set a time of an application in accordance with a predetermined priority order based on the extracted time source data.
US09736517B2

A system and apparatus for enhancing delivery of media services is disclosed. A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, receiving a request for content information received during a presentation of a first multimedia program on equipment. The request is provided by a signal disassociated with a satellite signal to the equipment providing the multimedia satellite service. The content information is provided to a remote mobile device concurrent with the presentation of the first multimedia program at the equipment. A selection obtained from the mobile device is identified from among the content information provided to the mobile device, and the selection is provided to the equipment. Operation of a media processor of the equipment is directed based on the selection. Additional embodiments are disclosed.
US09736504B1

Disclosed herein are systems and methods for determining a time period remaining until a live production system changes states. An example method involves accessing a stored television broadcasting traffic log; making a first determination that a log entry A in the traffic log does not correspond to a live production source; making a second determination that a log entry B in the traffic log is the next log entry after the log entry A to correspond to a live production source; making a third determination that the log entry B includes a start time B; responsive to making the first, second, and third determinations, proximate a current time that is on or after a start time A corresponding to the log entry A and that is before the start time B, determining a time period as a difference between the current time and the start time B; and providing the determined time period to an output device for presentation proximate the current time.
US09736503B1

The timing for displaying a mid-roll advertisement during a video is determined based on analysis of viewer retention data for the video. In an aspect, a system is provided that includes a reception component configured to receive viewer retention information for a video, the viewer retention information indentifying amounts of viewers that have watched respective frames of the video, an identification component configured to identify high interest segments of the video based on analysis of the viewer retention information, wherein the high interest segments are associated with relatively higher viewer interest over other segments of the video. The system further includes an advertisement component configured to select a point to insert a mid-roll advertisement during playback of the video at or near at least one of the high interest segments.
US09736502B2

A system for live video streaming includes a live video server, including a processor, a non-transitory memory, an input/output component, an interest manager, a video content manager, a video feed manager, a broadcast controller, a social network controller, and a data bus; a live video receiving device, including an interest controller, a notification controller, and a streaming viewer; a live video broadcasting device, including a content controller and a streaming transmitter; a broadcast management system and a social network system; such that a user receives a timely notification for a live broadcast matching the users subject matter interests, such that the user can watch the live broadcast; and the system provides interested audiences to broadcasting users that provide live video content. Also disclosed is a method for live video streaming, including registering broadcast schedule; registering subject matter content; registering subject matter interest; sending notification; and watching broadcast.
US09736491B2

A motion vector predictor candidate generation unit derives a plurality of motion vector predictor candidates by prediction from first coded prediction blocks neighboring a prediction block subject to coding within the same picture as the prediction block subject to coding, or from a second coded prediction block located at the same position as or in the neighborhood of the prediction block subject to coding in a picture different from that of the prediction block subject to coding, and adds the derived motion vector predictor candidates in a motion vector predictor candidate. The motion vector predictor candidate generation unit determines, for the purpose of obtaining a predetermined number of motion vector predictor candidates, which of first coded prediction blocks provides the motion vector from which to derive the motion vector predictor candidate, organizing the blocks in the order of priority.
US09736490B2

Provided is method and apparatus of compressing and restoring an image using filter information. The image compression apparatus may generate a reduced image by sampling an input image, determine filter information based on the input image and a decoded reduced image, and code the filter information and the decoded reduced image. Accordingly, a deterioration in an image quality may be prevented in transmitting the image using a limited bandwidth.
US09736475B2

A method for encoding pixels in an image, includes: encoding an offset to be applied to a reference frame; generating predicted pixels of the pixels in the image, based on interpolating pixels in the reference frame and then adding the offset to the interpolated pixels; and encoding residual signals that are differences between the pixels in the image and the predicted pixels, wherein the encoding of the residual signals comprises: skipping both transform and quantization with respect to residual signals of which an encoding scheme corresponds to skipping of both transform and quantization, the encoding scheme related to transform and quantization, skipping transform and performing quantization with respect to residual signals of which the encoding scheme corresponds to skipping of transform, and performing transform and quantization with respect to residual signals of which the encoding scheme corresponds to skipping neither transform nor quantization.
US09736462B2

A number of elements within a venue of a live-action event to be televised are tagged with wireless tracking devices to provide accurate and timely location information for all of the elements to facilitate direction of audiovisual capture devices such as cameras and microphones, to automatically regulate convergence, to automatically vertically align paired left- and right-eye views, and to synthesize part or all of 3D scenes when such are not otherwise available.
US09736455B2

A method, apparatus, and computer program product are disclosed for compression of a 2D-plus-depth representation based on spatial downsampling of an initial depth map. By utilizing the color image accompanying the initial depth map, it is possible to infer structural information that refines and reconstructs the initial depth map out of a heavily subsampled version of the depth map. In the process, no indexing of the exact positions of the subsampled depth values is needed, which leads to very efficient compression. An example method causes segmentation of the color image into a set of super-pixel segments, and causes downsampling of the initial depth map based on the set of super-pixel segments. The method subsequently causes generation and storage of a compressed representation based on the segmented color image and the downsampled depth map. A corresponding apparatus and computer program product are also provided.
US09736450B2

An image display device includes region of interest extraction unit, parallax image generation unit and 3D image display unit. Region of interest extraction unit generates depth image signal by depth image conversion employing depth threshold, depth image signal including information on distance in three-dimensional space between viewpoint and each pixel of two-dimensional image including region of interest desired to be noted by observer, depth image conversion being such that depth value indicating distance between viewpoint and each pixel of two-dimensional image is converted to depth value for 2D display when depth value is equal to or larger than depth threshold. Parallax image generation unit generates both-eye parallax image having parallax in region of interest alone, from two-dimensional image and image obtained by conversion of region of interest image representing region of interest at each of both-eye viewpoints, based on two-dimensional image and depth image signal.
US09736447B2

A solid-state imaging device includes a color filter unit disposed on a pixel array unit including pixels two-dimensionally arranged in a matrix and a conversion processing unit disposed on a substrate having the pixel array unit thereon. The color filter unit has a color arrangement in which a color serving as a primary component of a luminance signal is arranged in a checkerboard pattern and a plurality of colors serving as color information components are arranged in the other area of the checkerboard pattern. The conversion processing unit converts signals that are output from the pixels of the pixel array unit and that correspond to the color arrangement of the color filter unit into signals that correspond to a Bayer arrangement and outputs the converted signals.
US09736445B2

An object is to provide an image with optimal white balance correction in photographing under a flicker light source, regardless of the shutter speed. Provided is an image processing apparatus including a white balance correction unit that extracts data of a predetermined color extraction range from a captured image to estimate a light source color and that uses a white balance correction value adapted to the estimated light source color to apply white balance correction to the captured image, the image processing apparatus including a shifting unit that shifts the color extraction range according to a shutter speed applied to imaging of the captured image.
US09736442B1

A device, system and method for content-adaptive resolution-enhancement is provided. A plurality of subframe streams are generated from a video stream, each of the plurality of subframe streams comprising a lower resolution version of the video stream, pixel-shifted from one another. A plurality of output subframe streams are generated from the plurality of subframe streams in a one-to-one relationship by: applying a plurality of video enhancement filters to each of the plurality of subframe streams, each of the plurality of video enhancement filters for enhancing different features of the video stream; and, combining one or more resulting enhanced subframe streams into a respective output subframe stream based on data in one or more regions of the video stream. One or more projectors are controlled to project the plurality of output subframe streams to combine the plurality of output subframe streams into a higher resolution projected video stream.
US09736434B2

A method and apparatus comprising a view generator. The view generator is configured to identify a position of a mobile display device relative to an exterior of a vehicle. The view generator is further configured to identify image data from a sensor system for the vehicle that corresponds to a field of view of the mobile display device from the position of the mobile display device relative to the vehicle. The view generator is further configured to display an external view for the vehicle on the mobile display device using the image data.
US09736432B2

A method for identifying popular segments of a network video comprising: receiving video player operation information for a plurality of video players operated by users accessing the network video; evaluating a popularity measure for one or more segments of the network-video using the received operation information so as to identify popular segments of the network video.
US09736429B1

A cloud video system is provided. The cloud video system includes: a cloud server and a plurality of clients. The clients are connected to the cloud server via a network, and each client has an individual role. When the first of the clients has established a video session call with other clients, the cloud server determines whether to record the video session call according to the individual role of each client in the video session call.
US09736427B1

A communication system that may be integrated or otherwise combined with a piece of furniture, such as a conference table, desk or credenza. The communication system may provide a combination of audio, video, telephony, presentation and/or other conferencing functions and may include a number of separate user modules, a control module, a display module and a network connection. According to an exemplary embodiment, each of the separate user modules is a compact device that is integrated into the piece of furniture and includes a button that, when activated, allows a user to take control of certain aspects of the communication system. For example, a user may take over the display module or the information that is sent via the network connection by activating their user module.
US09736422B2

A method of reproducing content is provided. The method performed by a terminal includes operations of obtaining metadata corresponding to a predetermined portion of the content, selecting, based on the metadata, at least one external device to reproduce the predetermined portion of the content, transmitting a control command to the at least one external device, and reproducing the predetermined portion of the content by interoperation of the terminal with the at least one external device to which the control command is transmitted.
US09736416B2

There are provided a key information control system and control method of body keys of a display and a television set, which relates to the display field and is capable of eliminating the problem of pressing a wrong key when the user operates the body keys. The key information control system comprises: the body keys disposed on the display; a detection means disposed in a surrounding area of the body keys, and configured to detect a state of a user relative to the body keys; a determination unit configured to determine whether the user has intention to operate the body keys according to the state of the user relative to the body keys; and a key information display controlling unit configured to control key information of the body keys to be displayed at an edge of a display area of the display in the case that the user has intention to operate the body keys, to make a display position of the key information correspond to a position of the body keys.
US09736412B2

A solid-state imaging device includes: a pixel unit in which a plurality of unit pixels is arranged in rows and columns, the unit pixels performing photoelectric conversion of incident light to generate pixel information; and a secondary memory unit in which a plurality of unit memories is arranged in rows and columns, the unit memories holding the pixel information, wherein each of the columns in the secondary memory unit includes, as a unit memory block, the unit memories in the column, the secondary memory unit includes: a memory signal line provided for each of the columns in the memory unit; and a selection transistor provided between the unit memory block and the memory signal line, and shared by the plurality of unit memories in the unit memory block.
US09736403B2

Provided are an image composition apparatus for composing color images with black-and-white images including infrared components, and an image composition method thereof. The image composition method includes generating a first image signal with color information and a second image signal including infrared components without color information, dividing the first image signal into a brightness signal and a color signal, composing the brightness signal of the first image signal with a brightness signal of the second image signal to generate a composed brightness signal, and composing the composed brightness signal with the color signal of the first image signal to generate a color image.
US09736402B2

An imaging system comprises a light field camera (3) for recording a hyperspectral light field (CLF). The system also comprises a light projector (4) for projecting a light field in visible light (PLF). The camera and the projector share a common optical axis. The projector projects a light field (PLF) based on the hyperspectral light field (CLF) captured by the light field camera.
US09736396B2

A signal input switching circuit, including a switch circuit including a plurality of input terminals to which signals are respectively applied as input from different signal sources, and the switch circuit supplying as output thereof a signal that is applied as input by way of an input terminal selected from among the plurality of input terminals, and input control units provided corresponding to each of the plurality of input terminals belonging to the switch circuit, controlling signal sources that are connected to input terminals that were not selected by the switch circuit to not present signals to the corresponding input terminals.
US09736394B2

An image processing apparatus includes: an image acquisition unit configured to acquire a plurality of image data obtained by imaging a same subject; a saturation enhancement unit configured to execute saturation enhancement processing of enhancing saturation of at least a partial area of each of the plurality of image data; and a composite image generation unit configured to compare corresponding areas in the plurality of image data after the saturation enhancement processing to select an area having the highest saturation, and execute composition processing of generating composite image data formed of the selected area.
US09736393B2

Means which enables image conversion in which a plurality of conversion results can be output without once saving all of video-image data, which has been input from image-pickup means, in a storage medium is provided. A single line memory having a plurality of lines is used while switching the role thereof for a reading use by a video-image converting means and a use for inputting image data from the image-pickup means. The image converting means obtains an input image, which is in the line memory, and carries out conversion of the input image based on a conversion specifying means interpreted by an instruction decoder.
US09736390B2

An image processing apparatus according to the present invention includes: a first acquisition unit configured to acquire a first image; a second acquisition unit configured to acquire a second image; a characteristics acquisition unit configured to acquire characteristics information from the first image; a conversion unit configured to convert the first image to a third image by performing image processing in which a correspondence relationship of a gradation value and display brightness is made closer to a correspondence relationship in the second image, based on the characteristics information acquired by the characteristics acquisition unit; and a combination unit configured to generate a combined image by combining the second image and the third image.
US09736381B2

Particular embodiments described herein provide for an electronic device that can include a main camera, at least one array of cameras, and a display to display an image captured by the main camera, wherein the image includes more than one region of interest and each region of interest is displayed in a separate picture in picture image on the display. A stream synchronization process module can capture the image and each separate picture in picture image as a separate video stream or as a single video stream.
US09736378B2

The camera module according to the present disclosure can improve reliability by mounting a posture sensor on a PCB and promoting a bending prevention of the PCB.
US09736377B2

A lens moving unit for a camera module is disclosed. The lens moving unit includes a first lens moving unit, a second lens moving unit, and a cover unit to encompass the first and second lens moving units by being coupled to a base. The first lens moving unit moves in response to the interaction between a magnet and a coil. The lens moving unit is configured to miniaturize a camera module and configured to include a handshake correction function for enhancement of operational reliability to simplify an assembly process.
US09736376B1

The invention includes a payload stage with tilt head, a monitor mount and a payload plate clamping mechanism, individually, and incorporated into a camera stabilizer. The tilt head provides a curved and a straight slot each having a pivot pin disposed therein. The pivot pins are at a fixed distance from one another and thus the stage tilts as the pivot progresses with respect to the straight slot. The monitor mount provides inserts to accommodate central posts of different sizes, each designed to be axially registered to the posts and the monitor mount.
US09736375B1

A system and a method for stabilizing a data stream from an in-flight object may provide at least one video camera that may be embedded in the object. A data stream of the at least one video camera may be processed and produce an output video that may be stabilized and configured for broadcasting an action. The output video may provide an orientation that may provide an accurate view of the action. An object imaging system may be provided to receive the data stream from the at least one video camera, and a video processing server may be provided to process the data stream. The object imaging system may provide a wide angular field of view that may provide clear images for the output video.
US09736372B2

An imaging system includes an imaging body having an optical system and an imaging element, a power supplier configured to supply power to the imaging element, and a housing configured to hold the imaging body and the power supplier, wherein the optical system includes at least one optical element projecting from the housing, and a distance AP between a gravity center A of a portion including the optical system and a gravity center P of the entire imaging system and a distance BP between a gravity center B of the power supplier and the gravity center P of the entire imaging system satisfy the following condition AP>BP.
US09736366B1

A computing device may obtain a first captured image of a scene and a second captured image of the scene. For a plurality of m×n pixel tiles of the first captured image, the computing device may determine respective distance matrixes. The distance matrixes may represent respective fit confidences between the m×n pixel tiles and pluralities of target p×q pixel tiles in the second captured image. The computing device may approximate the distance matrixes with respective bivariate quadratic surfaces. The computing device may upsample the bivariate quadratic surfaces to obtain respective offsets for pixels in the plurality of m×n pixel tiles. The respective offsets, when applied to pixels in the plurality of m×n pixel tiles, may cause parts of the first captured image to estimate locations in the second captured image.
US09736359B2

There is provided an image capturing apparatus. A detection unit detects a state of a subject. A determining unit determines a shooting framerate, a frame recording ratio, and a shooting time based on the state of the subject. A shooting unit shoots a moving image at the determined shooting framerate over the determined shooting time and records the moving image in accordance with the determined recording ratio.
US09736357B2

A display device includes a display section, a visual line detecting section, a visual line judging section, a display control section, and a display changing section. The visual line judging section acquires a visual point position on the display screen corresponding to the visual line direction detected by the visual line detecting section, and judges whether or not the visual point position has entered into the a display region. The display changing section changes the display of at least one of a first display region and a second display region, if it is judged by the visual line judging section that the visual point position has entered into the second display region in the state where the visual point position is in the first display region.
US09736345B1

Some embodiments include an electrically conductive capacitor plate mounted to a chassis supporting an actuator using one or more suspension wires. In some embodiments, the first electrically conductive capacitor plate is electrically connected with an electrically conductive coil of the actuator. Some embodiments include the electrically conductive coil. In some embodiments, a capacitance between the first electrically conductive capacitor plate and the electrically conductive coil varies as function of the position of the electrically conductive coil relative to the first electrically conductive capacitor plate.
US09736341B2

To provide a technology for offering new communication and entertainment options using speakers that are flexible enough to change their shapes. There is provided an electroacoustic transducer including an oscillator formed in a film shape, a detection section adapted to detect the apparent change in shape of the oscillator resulting from a user's act, and an audio output section adapted to output audio based on audio data stored in a given storage area via the oscillator if the change in shape is detected.
US09736336B2

The disclosure relates to an image tone adjustment method, an apparatus thereof, and a computer-readable storage medium. The method includes: fitting overlapping areas to obtain a first correction parameter and a second correction parameter, performing interpolation on each pixel of the target image to obtain a corresponding correction parameter, correcting the target image according to the corresponding correction parameters; fitting an overlapping area between the corrected target image and the first image, and an overlapping area between the corrected target image and the second image to obtain a first RGB three-channel linear transformation parameter and a second RGB three-channel linear transformation parameter, performing linear interpolation on each pixel of the corrected target image to obtain a corresponding RGB three-channel linear transformation parameter, and transforming the corrected target image.
US09736334B2

For preferably reducing show-through in an image obtained by reading an original, an image processing apparatus: stores an index value for each of a plurality of mutually differing degrees of variation; obtains a degree of variation of signal values included in a region of interest of a predetermined size including a pixel of interest included in image data corresponding to the read image; obtains a value indicating a brightness of the region of interest; determines an amount of correction of a value of the pixel of interest using the obtained value and an index value corresponding to the obtained degree of variation; and corrects the value of the pixel of interest using the determined amount of correction.
US09736330B2

A system creates a copy of a document by: receiving an electronic representation a document to be copied onto a substrate; identifying a non-invasive watermark to be printed on the substrate; analyzing the document and the non-invasive watermark to determine whether a threshold amount of the non-invasive watermark can be printed in a white space of the document; and creating a secure copy of the document with the watermark. If the threshold amount of the non-invasive watermark can be printed in the white space, the system will print at least a portion the non-invasive watermark in the white space. Otherwise, the system will modify at least a portion of the non-invasive watermark to comprise an invasive watermark portion, and it will print the invasive watermark portion over a portion of the document's content.
US09736323B2

A method of using an address book of an image forming apparatus on a web browser includes receiving web data in an image forming apparatus from a web server; displaying a web page corresponding to the received web data on a display unit of the image forming apparatus; receiving an input of selecting one of at least one input box comprised in the web page; analyzing a form tag corresponding to the selected input box from the web data; and displaying a virtual text input device or an address list on the display unit based on the analysis result in which the selected input box is determined as an input box for receiving an input of an email address or a phone number, wherein the virtual keyboard is capable of being synchronized with an address book of the image forming apparatus.
US09736313B2

A method and system for improved audio quality in teleconferencing are provided. The method includes analyzing the audio signal of multiple input lines in a teleconferencing system to detect if any two input lines contain substantially the same audio signal with a delay shorter than that of a conventional echo caused by an input line's own audio feedback via a teleconferencing server. The method further includes selecting the input line with the higher amplitude audio signal or the earlier received audio signal when two input lines with substantially the same audio signal are detected.
US09736312B2

A method and apparatus for controlling audio signals associated with a plurality of conferences. A user interface is displayed that depicts a first defined area and a second defined area. The first defined area is associated with a first conference and the second defined area is associated with a second conference. A first plurality of participant identifiers is displayed in association with the first defined area, and each of the plurality of participant identifiers corresponds to a different participant of a plurality of participants in the first conference. Aural position identifiers are determined for each participant associated with the first conference, and an aural position identifier is selected for the second conference. Audio signals are provided at aural positions identified by the aural position identifiers, enabling the user to correlate the voices of different participants with corresponding locations on the user interface, and to listen to multiple conferences simultaneously.
US09736311B1

The systems and methods are directed towards embodiments for implementing an interactive voice response (IVR) system with the voicemail system. The combination of the two systems would allow the recipient to listen to a recorded voicemail message and receive associated IVR commands that can be provided by the sender. The IVR commands allow the sender to generate customized IVR commands that provides different types of rich media based information (e.g., hyperlinks, video files, audio files) based on the sender input. Other systems and methods are also directed towards embedding active content (i.e. rich media based content) into documents.
US09736310B2

Provided herein are methodologies, systems, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media for providing an adjustable interactive voice response (IVR) system. User identification information is received in order to determine which portions of an IVR system the user can access. The user can then search the IVR system based on a search term corresponding to a verbal phrase recognizable in the IVR system. The user can enter the search term via a GUI displayed on an electronic device. A listing of audio files or options files corresponding to the verbal phrase is then transmitted to the electronic display device. A new verbal phrase to be recognized in the IVR system is then received from the user, and a system flow including at least one of the audio files or options files is modified to correspond to the new verbal phrase.
US09736308B1

A system and method for communicating in a communication network, comprising presenting a communication comprising data over a communications network to a router, said router being adapted to route the communication to one of a plurality of available network destinations; automatically executing a communication targeting algorithm in the router, based at least in part on the data, wherein the communication targeting algorithm operates to contextually jointly analyze a plurality of parameters extracted from the data and a plurality of contextual parameters, to determine an optimum target for the communication, wherein the optimum target varies in dependence on both the data and the context of the communication; and routing the communication in dependence on the algorithm execution.
US09736303B1

Technologies are disclosed for determining a best time to contact a party over a plurality of contact periods of time to achieve at least one of a desired outcome and a desired result. In various embodiments, the party has multiple contact types that can be utilized to contact the party. Accordingly, an optimal contact type for the party for each contact period is selected that identifies the contact type with a probability having the highest likelihood of achieving at least one of the desired outcome and the desired result by utilizing the contact type to contact the party during the contact period. A best time to contact the party is then identified as one of the contact periods based on the optimal contact types selected for the party for each contact period and associated probabilities.
US09736301B2

Embodiments relate to facilitating communications between customers and customer service representatives. A method for facilitating communications between customers and customer service representatives is provided. The method generates a graph of expressions of a customer. The method generates a graph of expressions of each customer service representative of a plurality of customer service representatives. The method performs a graphical text analysis on the graph for the customer to identify an interaction style of the customer. The method performs a graphical text analysis on the graph for each customer service representative to identify an interaction style of the customer service representative. The method selects a customer service representative from the plurality of the customer service representatives based on the interaction style of the customer and the interaction styles of the plurality of the customer service representative. The method starts a communication between the customer and the selected customer service representative.
US09736298B2

Voice to text (VTT) call transcription technologies are provided. At least one server receives a request from a mobile device to initiate a transcription of voice communication of a call between the mobile device and another device. The server, responsive to the request, establishes a bridged communication session between the server, the mobile device, the other device and a VTT system. The bridged communication session includes the voice communication of the call that is exchanged between the mobile device and the other device. The VTT system converts the voice communication of the call in the bridged communication session to a text transcription. The VTT system sends the text transcription of the voice communication of the call, for example, to the first mobile device.
US09736297B2

A system comprising a processor and a memory storing instructions that, when executed, cause the system to receive a phone number; generate a canonical representation of the phone number; compute a correlation analysis between the canonical representation of the phone number and a contacts database; identify at least one contact in the contacts database based on the correlation analysis; select data associated with the at least one contact; and populate information associated with the at least one contact based on the selected data for display to a user.
US09736295B2

In an aspect of embodiments, a mobile electronic device includes a storage, a display, an atmospheric pressure measurement module, a determinator, and a position corrector. The storage stores a floor map for each of floors in a building. The display displays a current position of an own device in the floor on the floor map. The atmospheric pressure measurement module measures atmospheric pressure acting on the own device. The determinator determines whether the own device is moving between the floors based on a change in the atmospheric pressure. The position corrector corrects the current position of the own device to be displayed on the floor map when the determinator determines that the own device is moving between the floors.
US09736287B2

A method of switching between noise reduction modes in multi-microphone mobile devices may include receiving a first sound signal at a first sound receiver and receiving a second sound signal at a second sound receiver. The method may also include determining a first power value associated with the first sound signal and determining a second power value associated with the second sound signal. The method may additionally include comparing the first power value to the second power value and switching between a single-microphone noise reduction mode and a dual-microphone noise reduction mode based on the comparison.
US09736282B2

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, an electronic device may include: an external housing having a through-hole that connects the inside and the outside of the portable electronic device; a first structure that is accommodated in a space of the external housing and has an opening and a passage, wherein the opening is disposed adjacent to the through-hole and the passage extends in a first direction and is connected to the opening; a second structure that is accommodated in the space of the external housing and disposed adjacent to the first structure, and has a portion directed toward the through-hole; and a material that is located on the portion of the second structure so as to be visible from the outside through the through-hole and changes color in reaction to contact of a fluid. In addition, various other embodiments can be made.
US09736276B2

In one embodiment, the present invention includes a fabric on a first semiconductor die to communicate with at least one agent on the die according to an on-chip protocol and a packetization layer coupled to the fabric to receive command and data information from the fabric on multiple links and to packetize the information into a packet for transmission from the die to another die via an in-package packetized link. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US09736265B2

In particular embodiments, one or more notifications are presented on a screen of a personal computing device while the personal computing device is in a locked state. Entry of one or more user responses may be detected on the personal computing device while still in the locked state. Each user response may be associated with at least one notification. An authorization event associated with the personal computing device may be detected, thereby unlocking the personal computing device. The one or more user responses on the personal computing device may then be presented to the user for confirmation. Once user confirmation is received, confirmed user responses may then be published.
US09736256B2

In one embodiment, a server 120 may push linked resources 320 to a client device 110 using the server stack 124. The server stack 124 may detect a linked resource 320 associated with an active initial navigation request 402. The server stack 124 may generate a synthetic linked resource request 506. The server stack 124 may propagate the synthetic linked resource request 506 through the server stack 124.
US09736240B2

An aspect includes a method for in-band management of a network attached storage environment. A client is connected via a standard network attached storage protocol to a network attached storage system using existing authorization and authentication procedures. Advanced management functions are exposed to the client via a special file system structure over the standard network attached storage protocol. The client uses existing standard network attached storage protocol functions on the special file system structure to retrieve and to invoke the advanced management functions. Result data are returned to the client using a feedback channel and the standard network attached storage protocol.
US09736235B2

It is provided a computer system, comprising a plurality of computers configured to execute processing in response to requests received from a plurality of external systems. The plurality of computers each share an acceptance weight statistic value calculated by each of the plurality of computers with another computer within the same network segment. The processor of each of the plurality of computers is configured to: receive a broadcast transmitted from one of the plurality of external systems to the same network segment; determine whether to respond to the received broadcast by referring to the shared acceptance weight statistic value; and send a response to the one of the plurality of external systems that has transmitted the broadcast in order to allow the one of the plurality of external systems to transmit a processing request in a case where it is determined to respond to the received broadcast.
US09736233B2

A communication system includes: a communication device that receives data from a road-side apparatus and transmits the data as a plurality of data items in block units; and a processor that starts data processing whenever it is determined that a data item is received. The communication device includes a determination device that determines whether load reduction in the data processing is required, and a transmission device that transmits the plurality of data items as a series of data items such that it is not determined that a data item has been received when the load reduction is required. The processor includes an assembly device that divides the series of data items and assemblies the divided data.
US09736232B2

A streams manager monitors performance of a streaming application, and when the performance needs to be improved, the streams manager requests a cloud manager provision one or more VMs on a server that has a specified hardware type, and optionally has specified available hardware capacity. In response, the cloud manager determines which available servers have the specified hardware type, and when available hardware capacity is specified, further determines which of the available servers with the specified hardware type have the specified available capacity. When there are multiple servers that satisfy the request from the streams manager, the cloud manager determines from historical performance logs for the servers which is preferred. The cloud manager then provisions the requested VM(s) on the specified hardware type and returns the requested VM(s) to the streams manager. The streams manager then deploys a portion of the streaming application to the VM(s).
US09736225B2

The embodiment of the present invention provides a method for processing information and method for sending priority information and apparatus. The method for processing information includes: after receiving information sent to a logged-on account, according to the priority information corresponding to the account sent by a network side device, a terminal determining whether the priority thereof is the highest; the priority information comprises the identifiers and priorities of various terminals which log on the account; if yes, starting up a corresponding application program according to the received information; and if no, not starting up the application program corresponding to the received information. The method for sending priority information includes: a network side device determining various terminals which have already logged on the same account; for various terminals logging on the same account, the network side device sending the priority information of the account to various terminals.
US09736223B2

A communication apparatus that enables to refer to transmission history information in response to settings of use proprieties for transmission methods. A recording unit records a history of a transmission job executed by the communication apparatus as transmission history information that includes a transmitting destination at least. A setting unit sets a use propriety of each of the transmission methods. A determination unit determines whether reference to the transmission history information is permitted in response to the use propriety of each of the transmission methods set by the setting unit and the transmitting destination included in the transmission history information, when a user instructs to refer to the transmission history information.
US09736222B1

A system, method, and computer program product are provided for automatically exposing application programming interfaces (APIs) associated with an application server to one or more client devices. In use, at least one API signature corresponding to at least one API is retrieved from at least one application server. Additionally, first information associated with one or more parameters corresponding to each of the at least one API signatures is retrieved from the at least one application server. Further, second information associated with one or more response parameters corresponding to each of the at least one API signatures is retrieved from the at least one application server. In addition, at least one Simple Object Access Protocol (SOAP) Extensible Markup Language (XML) message is automatically generated, including the at least one API signature, the first information associated with the one or more parameters, and the second information associated with the one or more response parameters. Furthermore, the SOAP XML message is provided to a client device.
US09736217B2

According to one embodiment, a method is configured to be used for controlling an electronic device configured to operate an other electronic device, byway of example. The method includes displaying an operational interface for operating the other electronic device on a locked screen displayed in a display of the electronic device under a lock condition configured to restrict at least part of an operation on the electronic device, if it is determined that the electronic device has been connected to a first network corresponding to the other electronic device and the display of the electronic device is activated by an operation of a user.
US09736215B1

In one embodiment, a method includes operating at least one distributed software application. The method further includes receiving a web request from an end-user information handling system in connection with the at least one distributed software application. Further, the method includes generating a transaction identifier for the transaction. Moreover, the method includes processing the transaction. The processing includes generating backend-performance data indexed by the transaction identifier. Additionally, the method includes injecting the transaction identifier into a web response to the web request. Also, the method includes transmitting the web response to the end-user information handling system along a transmission path. In addition, the method includes, at a node along the transmission path, passively observing the response and generating end-user experience data therefrom.
US09736214B2

A co-browse service uses JavaScript to allow a web page shown in a user's browser to be viewed remotely. Updates to the web page are rendered into HTML and forwarded on the co-browse session. Aspects of the web page that should not be visible are specified in a list of masked elements which prevents the JavaScript from transmitting the content of those elements on the co-browse session. A person viewing the web page at the remote location can select objects to have those objects highlighted within the user's browser. Likewise the person viewing the web page may manipulate the objects by selecting objects and entering information into the objects. Updates to the web page are collected and aggregated such that only the most recent updates are forwarded on the co-browse session. Updates that don't affect the DOM, such as hover state, are also transmitted on the session.
US09736213B2

A co-browse service uses JavaScript to allow a web page shown in a user's browser to be viewed remotely. Updates to the web page are rendered into HTML and forwarded on the co-browse session. Aspects of the web page that should not be visible are specified in a list of masked elements which prevents the JavaScript from transmitting the content of those elements on the co-browse session. A person viewing the web page at the remote location can select objects to have those objects highlighted within the user's browser. Likewise the person viewing the web page may manipulate the objects by selecting objects and entering information into the objects. Updates to the web page are collected and aggregated such that only the most recent updates are forwarded on the co-browse session. Updates that don't affect the DOM, such as hover state, are also transmitted on the session.
US09736211B2

The disclosure herein describes a computer system that facilitates multi-core processing of VXLAN encapsulated packets. A VXLAN encapsulated packet typically contains an outer Ethernet header, an outer IP header, an outer UDP header, and an inner Ethernet header. The computer system hosts virtualization software which includes a virtual switch, a VXLAN module, and a load balancer. The load balancer monitors a port on the virtual switch. This port is dedicated to receiving VXLAN encapsulated packets and can be referred to as a VXLAN VMKNIC port. When the traffic statistics on the VXLAN VMKNIC port surpasses a predetermined threshold, the load balancer can instruct the physical network interface to allocate a number of receiver side scaling (RSS) queues. In turn, the physical network interface can store received VXLAN encapsulated packets in a number of RSS receive queues which facilitates multi-core processing of the received encapsulated packets.
US09736209B2

A communications system including one or more alert gates and an alert controller. Each alert gate is configured to detect a different type of alert feed corresponding to a particular kind of alert. The alert controller is connected to the alert gates and operable to receive detected alerts from the alert gates and to deliver the detected alerts to a user of the communications system.
US09736207B1

A Mobile Voice Self Service (MVSS) system that may include an MVSS mobile device and a client system. The system may be used to provide passive outdial support for a mobile device via WAP Push of an MVSS URL. The MVSS mobile device may have various local applications such as a bootstrap application and an outdial application. The client system may include an application server to deliver an MVSS file to the MVSS mobile device.
US09736204B2

A media service server provides media content to users over telephone networks. The media content server receives a request for media items, where the request is a call placed by a phone. The media content server identifies a user associated with the request, and establishes an audio communication channel with the phone. The media content server selects a media item for the user based on an identity of the user, and provides the media item to the user by playing content of the media item to the user over the audio communication channel.
US09736196B2

Automatically configuring a portable electronic device for accessing a site on a public network is disclosed. The method and system include establishing a connection to at least one server for establishing and maintaining website accounts, and sending information uniquely identifying the electronic device to the at least one server. The at least one server sends user account information to the device, including an account ID and password, created based on the electronic device information. The user account information is stored on the device for use the next time the device accesses the website, whereby the user does not have to enter account information in order to establish the ISP connection or the website account before accessing the public network or, if the user account is not completely set up, to establish the user account a next time the device connects to the at least one server.
US09736186B2

Public and private hybrid distributed cloud storage system and cloud storage method including an application system, a segmentation aggregation system, a public storage system and a private storage system. The application system provides original complete data and initiates an access request to the segmentation aggregation system. The segmentation aggregation system divides original complete data into data fragments and distributes to said public storage system and private storage system according to a preset storage proportion and receives the fragments returned by the public and private storage systems and aggregates them into the complete data, and transfers to said application system. The public storage system manages, authenticates and stores fragments. The private system manages, authenticates, counts, controls and stores fragments. The method, based on the cloud storage system, includes logging data and reading data. This invention solves problems of limited capacity private storage systems, inadequate bandwidth and security vulnerable public storage system.
US09736185B1

Techniques for configuring a network based on a Domain Name System (DNS) or network metadata policy for network control are disclosed. In some embodiments, a system, process, and/or computer program product for a DNS or network metadata policy for network control includes receiving a DNS or network metadata update at a DNS server (e.g., an authoritative or recursive DNS server) or an IP Address Management (IPAM) server, in which the DNS or network metadata update is determined to be relevant to the DNS or network metadata policy for network control; and sending the DNS or network metadata update to a network controller for a network, in which the network controller configures a plurality of network devices on the network based on the DNS or network metadata policy for network control.
US09736183B2

A system and method is provided for verifying an access-control policy against a particular constraint for a multi-step operation. In disclosed embodiments, the method includes expressing the access-control policy as a first quantifier-free form (QFF) constraint and identifying the particular constraint as a second QFF constraint. The method also includes identifying an operation vector and providing copies of the operation vector associated with steps in the multi-step operation. The method also includes determining a third QFF constraint using the first QFF constraint, the second QFF constraint, and the copies of the operation vector. The method also includes solving the third QFF constraint to determine a solution and outputting a result of the solving.
US09736182B1

Assessing compromises of data security is achieved by establishing access control policies for data files in storage devices across an enterprise. A list is compiled of the data files that were accessed by processes executing on processors of the enterprise. A suspicion score is assigned to each of the processes based on deviations of in-memory behaviors of the processes from established criteria. In response to the suspicion score meeting a suspicious process criterion, the file system operations performed by the suspicious process are analyzed against the access control policies and the suspicion score is modified based on a degree to which the file system operations performed by the suspicious process violate the access control policies.
US09736179B2

According to one embodiment, an electronic device comprises a memory to store information and a processor. The processor is adapted to receive information associated with content such as network traffic, to process the stored information and to conduct operations on the content. These operations may comprise determining, by a virtual machine processed by the processor, an occurrence of an event during malware analysis of an object associated with the content, and dynamically altering a virtual machine instrumentation of the virtual machine based on information associated with the event.
US09736163B2

According to one embodiment, a system includes at least one switching distributed line card (DLC) configured to apply Access Control Lists (ACLs) on each switching interface of the at least one switching DLC to direct certain received packets to at least one appliance DLC to have deep packet inspection services performed on the certain received packets, and at least one central switch fabric coupler (SFC) in communication with the at least one switching DLC, where the at least one appliance DLC and the at least one switching DLC are connected to the at least one central SFC. Other systems, methods and computer program products for providing scalable virtual appliance cloud (SVAC) services are described in more embodiments.
US09736156B2

A method for a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) user to access a fixed network is disclosed, which includes: after the WLAN user is authenticated successfully, a Broadband Network Gateway (BNG) sends obtained user subscription information to a WLAN device; and after the WLAN device performs related configuration according to the user subscription information, a WLAN user terminal accesses a network. A system for a WLAN user to access a fixed network is also disclosed. The present disclosure can solve the problem that a WLAN network cannot perceive the user subscription information and further cannot provide differentiated services based on different users and different subscription information because a WLAN user passes through BNG authentication.
US09736143B2

Techniques for a customized log-in experience are described in which, script associated with a log-in page is configured to recognize a domain identifier associated with a user log-in attempt via the page. The domain identifier may correspond to a particular customer or company that makes use of web applications and/or other resources from a service provider. The domain identifier may be employed to download or otherwise access data sufficient to implement one or more customizations of the log-in page that correspond to the domain identifier, such as a company logo, a custom background, custom styles, and so forth. The one or more customizations that correlate to the domain identifier are applied to customize the log-in page in a pre-login environment prior to completion of the user log-in attempt. In this way, a tailored user experience is provided even before user authentication to access resources from the service provider.
US09736142B2

Technologies for tokenizing data including a computing device to extract plaintext data from an input file to be tokenized. The computing device performs data domain-specific format-preserving encryption on the extracted plaintext data based on a first cryptographic key to generate encrypted data and replaces one or more portions of the encrypted data with corresponding portions of alternative data based on a mapping table that maps encrypted data to alternative data. The computing device further performs data domain-specific format-preserving encryption on the alternative data based on a second cryptographic key to generate a token and stores the token in an output file.
US09736135B2

A method for establishing a virtual tether between a mobile device and a semiconductor processing tool, the method including: obtaining, by a mobile device, a unique key associated with the semiconductor processing tool; establishing a unique pairing between the mobile device and the semiconductor processing tool based on the unique key that is obtained by the mobile device; in response to successfully establishing the unique pairing, authenticating a user of the mobile device for access to the semiconductor processing tool; in response to successfully authenticating the user, performing resource arbitration on the semiconductor processing tool which includes reserving one or more resources associated with the semiconductor processing tool based on a level of access granted to the user; monitoring an activity level of the mobile device over a period of time; and comparing the activity level to a predetermined activity level threshold.
US09736124B2

A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a gateway comprising a controller to receive from a communication device a request for media content, receive a key and a record associated with the communications device from an interactive television system, wherein the record comprises a list of entitled media content, determine whether the requested media content is in the list of entitled media content, retrieve the requested media content from the interactive television system when the requested media content is determined to be in the list of entitled media content, encrypt the retrieved media content utilizing the key, and transmit the encrypted media content to the communications device. Other embodiments are disclosed.
US09736121B2

A manifest transfer engine for a one-way file transfer system is disclosed. The manifest transfer engine comprises a send side, a receive side, and a one-way data link enforcing unidirectional data flow from the send side to the receive side. The send side receives and stores a file manifest table from an administrator server. The send side also receives a file from a user and compares it with the file manifest table. Transfer of the file to the receive side via the one-way data link is allowed only when there is a match between the file and the file manifest table. In an alternative embodiment, the receive side instead receives and stores the file manifest table from the administrator server and compares it with the file received from the send side via the one-way data link to determine whether to allow transfer of the file.
US09736119B2

A computer system for accessing remote content stored outside of a local network from within the local network comprises a relay proxy and a plurality of applications. The relay proxy receives a first request from a first application and a second request from a second application, the first and second requests identifying first and second remote content items respectively. The relay proxy forwards the first and second requests to a proxy server that manages network traffic entering and leaving the local network. The relay proxy receives responses to the first and second requests, with the response to the first request including the first remote content item and the response to the second request including the second remote content item. The relay proxy forwards the first and second remote content items to the first and second applications respectively.
US09736107B2

The technology disclosed relates to adapting online social feed items according to the posting formats of each of the multiple destination online social environments to which they are posted, regardless of the source online social environments from which they originate. In particular, it relates to creating separate instances of a feed item such that each of the instances includes tag formats, social handles or identifiers that are compatible to the online social environments in which they are embedded. These separate instances of a feed item can all be embedded in a first online social environment while preserving their tag formats corresponding to other online social environments.
US09736088B1

In a structured communication system, a message is received at a server from a communication application of a first client device. Based on content of the message, an unstructured portion of the message and a predefined set of allowable responses to the message are identified. The message is then outputted to a second client device. A response is received to the message from the second client device. The server determines whether response to the message complies with the predefined set of allowable responses to the message. Responsive to the response not complying, an invalid response message is sent to the second client device indicating that the response is not compliant. Responsive to the response complying, the response is sent to the first client device.
US09736083B2

Techniques for setting up a packet-switched video telephony (PSVT) call are described. A mobile originated (MO) device may transmit an invitation for the PSVT call to a mobile terminated (MT) device. The invitation may initiate a process to reserve and identify video and audio resources to establish the PSVT call. The MO device may determine whether the video resources are available. If the video resources are not available but audio resources are available, the MO device may instead establish the PSVT call with only an audio stream call between the MO device and the MT device. If audio resources become available ahead of video resources, the PSVT call may be established with an audio stream first and a video stream is automatically added to the call when video resources are reserved later, or the PSVT call is downgraded to a VoIP call if the video resources cannot be reserved.
US09736073B2

A packet switch device includes an input port, a loop-back port, a storage module, and a switch engine. The input port receives a packet. The storage module stores packet flow tables. Each packet flow table includes at least one flow entry and action. The switch engine compares the packet with a default packet flow table of the plurality of packet flow tables when it determines that the packet does not include a flow header. The switch engine includes the packet with the flow entry of the default packet flow table and performs the corresponding action when the packet matches the flow entry. When the action includes a specific action of comparing the packet with another one of the packet flow tables, the switch engine attaches the flow header to the packet to set a flow ID therein and transmits the packet back to the switch engine through the loop-back port.
US09736071B2

An enhanced general input/output communication architecture, protocol and related methods are presented.
US09736060B2

Provided are a method and device for negotiating a traffic path in an LAG, wherein the method includes that an aggregation port acquires indication information, wherein the indication information is used for indicating one or more groups of services or sessions needing to be borne by the aggregation ports, each group of the services or sessions includes one or more services or sessions; the aggregation port determines multiple groups of services or sessions to be borne, and/or services or sessions currently being borne by the aggregation port; an aggregation group portal to which the aggregation port belongs, performs traffic distribution according to services or sessions currently being borne by each aggregation port which belongs to the aggregation group portal. It is solved the problem in the related art that the same service or session cannot be transmitted bi-directionally on the same path, thus implementing the protection on the interconnect interface.
US09736056B2

In one embodiment, a central device receives a routing strategy instruction that specifies a predictability threshold for communication delays in the network. The device estimates communication delays for a plurality of paths in the network and determines predictability measurements for the estimated delays. The device also selects, from among the plurality of paths, a particular path that has a predictability measurement that satisfies the predictability threshold and has a minimal estimated delay. The central device further installs the particular path at one or more other devices in the network.
US09736053B2

A computer implemented method for network monitoring includes providing network packet event characterization and analysis for network monitoring that includes supporting summarization and characterization of network packet traces collected across multiple processing elements of different types in a virtual network, including a trace slicing to organize individual packet events into path-based trace slices, a trace characterization to extract at least 2 types of feature matrix describing those trace slices, and a trace analysis to cluster, rank and query packet traces based on metrics of the feature matrix.
US09736044B2

A method is provided for obtaining performance measurements via metamodels streamed from multiple types and models of network devices connected to a network. The method comprises installing a generic collection agent on a server connected to the network, retrieving the metamodels from the network devices by the collection agent, storing the metamodels in a collection of metamodels on the server to be accessed by the collection agent and the network devices, analyzing the metamodels to provide the network devices with addressing information, streaming the performance measurements from the network devices to the collection agent using the addressing information, and analyzing and storing the performance measurements for later use.
US09736041B2

Systems and methods for network management, including adaptively installing one or more monitoring rules in one or more network devices on a network using an intelligent network middleware, detecting application traffic on the network transparently using an application demand monitor, and predicting future network demands of the network by analyzing historical and current demands. The one or more monitoring rules are updated once counters are collected; and network paths are determined and optimized to meet network demands and maximize utilization and application performance with minimal congestion on the network.
US09736035B2

An information providing method includes: obtaining a template that defines one or more functions to be used; and extracting plural combinations that are used to implement the one or more functions, which are defined in the obtained template, from a data storage unit that stores, for each of computer resource providing services that provide one or plural functions, a performance indicator value for each of the one or plural functions. Each of the plural combinations includes a computer resource providing service and one or more functions in the computer resource providing service. The method further includes: calculating, for each plural combinations, a performance indicator value for the combination based on data in the data storage unit; and outputting, for at least one of the extracted plural combinations, the computer resource providing service, the one or more functions in the computer resource providing service, and the calculated performance indicator value.
US09736034B2

In accordance with various embodiments, systems and methods that provide unified charging across different network interfaces are provided. A system for small batch processing of usage requests, can include a service broker, a plurality of servers wherein each server includes customer data, and a plurality of queues, each associated with a different server. When a usage request is received from a network entity, the service broker is configured to determine an internal ID associated with data requested by the usage request, determine on which particular server of the plurality of servers the data requested by the usage request is stored, enqueue the usage request in a particular queue associated with the particular server, and upon a trigger event, send all requests in the particular queue to the particular server in a batch.
US09736027B2

System, method, and computer program product to perform an operation, comprising establishing a connection between a primary intermediate branch director (IBD) in a first branch of an enterprise network and a first proxy IBD in a second branch of the enterprise network, receiving, at the primary IBD, network topology information for each of a plurality of intermediate branch clients (IBCs) in the second branch of the enterprise network, and issuing, by the primary IBD to the first proxy IBD, a command to remotely configure at least one IBC of the plurality of IBCs in the second branch of the enterprise network.
US09736025B2

Systems, apparatus, methods, and computer program products for determining which of a plurality of services provided by a production environment depend on which of a plurality of configuration items in the production environment are disclosed. A processor executes computer-readable code to obtain status data for the plurality configuration items utilizing the one or more monitoring tools, integrate the status data for the plurality of configuration items to generate a model of the production environment that identifies the plurality of configuration items in the production environment and their dependencies on one another, and utilize the status data for the plurality of configuration items to identify a channel of configuration items for each of the plurality of services, wherein the channel for each of the plurality of services comprises two or more of the plurality of configuration items that currently are being utilized to provide that service.
US09736021B2

A network device and a method for operating a network device for an automation network are provided. The network device is set up with the help of a real-time application for providing a function of the network device. The real-time application has at least one predefined, updatable parameter. The network device has a storage device for storing update data for the updatable parameter in an update storage area and storing application data for the real-time application in an application storage area. The network device is set up such that, after update data has been written into the update storage area at a predefined update time, a first memory address referring to the application storage area switches to a second memory address referring to the update storage area in which the update data is stored. The switch takes place deterministically within a predefined update timeslot during runtime of the real-time application.
US09736020B2

The master device of Profibus DP according to the present disclosure automatically configures network by performing a communication with a plurality of slave devices connected through Profibus, the device including a Profibus communication module configured to perform a communication with a plurality of slave devices, an imaginary network configuration information storage configured to be stored in advance with imaginary network configuration information, a network configuration information storage configured to be stored with network configuration information, and a Profibus master state machine configured to obtain network configuration information by performing a communication with the plurality of slave devices in response to the imaginary network configuration information stored in the imaginary network configuration information storage, to store the obtained network configuration information in the network configuration information storage, and to perform a communication with the plurality of slave devices in response to the stored network configuration information.
US09736017B2

The present invention is a method, system and apparatus for configuring a client-side communications protocol stack. In a method of the invention, a mapping can be consulted to determine a set of client-side protocol stack components which correspond to a set of protocol stack components in a server side protocol stack instance. Subsequently, a listing can be created of the determined set of client-side protocol stack components. Finally, the listing can be published for access by externally disposed client computing processes. Preferably, the listing can be reversed. Also, the consulting step further can include determining at least one attribute to be applied to at least one of the client-side protocol stack components when enabling a client-side protocol stack to interoperate with the server-side protocol stack instance.
US09736016B2

Techniques are described for providing managed computer networks. In some situations, the techniques include managing communications for computing nodes of a managed computer network by using one or more particular computing nodes of the managed computer network that are configured to operate as intermediate destinations to handle at least some communications that are sent by and/or directed to one or more other computing nodes of the managed computer network. In addition, the techniques may include managing the communications in accordance with configured failure behavior specified for one or more computing nodes of the computer network, such as specified failure behavior for a computing node configured to operate as an intermediate destination that indicates how communications that would otherwise be routed via the intermediate destination computing node are to be handled if the intermediate destination computing node fails or is otherwise unavailable (e.g., to block or allow such communications).
US09736015B2

A method and device for handling radio link failure is disclosed. The method is as follows. A device at network side requests a terminal device to send an uplink signal according to a predefined first period, and detects first signal quality. if the device at the network side determines for continuous M1 times that the first signal quality is lower than a predefined first threshold, the device at the network side requests the terminal device to send the uplink signal according to a predefined second period, and detecting second signal quality, wherein M1 is a predefined first value. When determining according to the second signal quality that restoration of a radio link of the terminal device is failed, the device at the network side releases network resources corresponding to the radio link of the terminal device. The predefined second period is larger than the predefined first period.
US09736012B2

A network includes a management module with a first root complex, a first server with a first endpoint coupled to the first root complex, and a second server with a second root complex, a second endpoint coupled to the second root complex, a third endpoint coupled to the first root complex, and a bridge coupled to the second endpoint and to the third endpoint. A method includes discovering a PCIe host bridge adapter (PHBA) and a storage resource coupled to multiple storage extents in a PCIe domain, creating a first virtual function on the storage resource and sending a first identifier for the first virtual function to the PHBA. A network interface device includes a PCIe endpoint that is coupleable to a PCIe root complex, another PCIe endpoint that is coupleable to another PCIe root complex, and a bridge that couples the first PCIe endpoint with the second PCIe endpoint.
US09736009B2

A method of unifying web services and telecom network management is described. The method comprises exporting an external model representation of at least one entity of a service oriented architecture of a service oriented architecture manager and importing the exported external model representation of the at least one entity as a network management data model entity of a network manager. The method further comprises subscribing, by the network manager, to subsequent updates of the at least one entity.
US09735991B1

Systems and methods for autonomous signal modulation format identification are disclosed. In an example embodiment of the disclosed technology, a method includes mapping an input signal to Stokes space to determine whether a considered number of three-dimensional clusters value is above or below a predetermined value. The method may include selecting a modulation format from a first set of modulation formats if the considered number of three-dimensional clusters value is above the predetermined value. The method may further include applying higher-order statistics if the considered number of three-dimensional clusters value is below the predetermined value.
US09735990B2

There are provided a hard decision value calculator that calculates hard decision values from I-ch and Q-ch coordinates of a received symbol having been subjected to multilevel modulation, and an LLR calculator that approximately calculates LLRs from the I-ch and Q-ch coordinates of the received symbol. In a case where a sign bit of an LLR calculated by the LLR calculator conflicts with a hard decision value calculated by the hard decision value calculator, an LLR corrector inverts the sign bit of the LLR and outputs the sign-bit-inverted LLR as a soft decision value to an error correction decoder.
US09735978B2

Embodiments provided herein involve connected states between a mobile device and one or more zones in a network media system and different interactions between the mobile device and the network media system involving the connected states. The connected states may be established between the mobile device and the one or more zones such that further actions taken on media items identified in the playlist on the mobile device may also be taken on corresponding media items in a playback queue associated with the one or more zones. The interface on the mobile device may display various graphical representations to indicate the different interactions involving the connected states, including when a connected state is established, when a connected state is lost, and when a reconnected state is reestablished. The interface may further provide selectable icons to allow a user to navigate among the different media playback options involving the connected states.
US09735977B2

A lighting device utilizes physical or virtual separation of elements within the lighting device to isolate a first portion of data for delivery to a first data network from a second portion of data for delivery to a second data network. The first portion of data relates to a first signal generated responsive to a first sensed condition. The second portion of data may relate to the first signal or to a second signal generated responsive to the first sensed condition or a second sensed condition. The lighting device utilizes a first communication interface to deliver the first portion of data to the first data network and a second communication interface to deliver the second portion of data to the second data network.
US09735971B2

In a method carried out by a first and second policy and charging rules functions (PCRF) (201, 202), the first PCRF receives (s10), from a policy and charging enforcement function (PCEF) (100), an IP-CAN session establishment indication, determines (s20) first policy decision information, causes (s30) a database (300) accessible by both PCRFs to store, in association with a session identifier, session information comprising the session data and the first policy decision information; and provides (s40), to the PCEF, the first policy decision information. Later, the second PCRF receives (s50), from the PCEF, a session modification indication, obtains (s60) therefrom the session identifier, retrieves (s70), from the database, the session information, determines (s80) second policy decision information; causes (s90) the database to store session information comprising the modified session data and second policy decision information; and provides (s100), to the PCEF, the second policy decision information. The invention also relates to a system putting into practice such method.
US09735960B2

A portable computer capable of protecting an encryption key that is sent out to a disk drive after a preboot process has ended is disclosed. The portable computer includes a disk drive for encrypting a volume as a whole, and for decoding data at the volume in response to a receipt of an encryption key from a system. The portable computer also includes a key transfer mechanism, a tamper detection mechanism and a protecting mechanism. In response to a boot process starting from a power-off state, the key transfer mechanism automatically sends the encryption key to the disk drive. The tamper detection mechanism detects a physical tampering of the disk drive. In response to a detection of a physical tampering by the tamper detection mechanism, the protecting mechanism prevents an operation of automatically sending the encryption key to the disk drive by the key transfer mechanism.
US09735957B2

According to one embodiment, techniques are provided to enable secure communication among devices in a mesh network using a group temporal key. An authenticator device associated with a mesh network stores a pairwise master key for each of a plurality of devices in a mesh network upon authentication of the respective devices. Using the pairwise master key, the authenticator device initiates a handshake procedure with a particular device in the mesh network to mutually derive a pairwise temporal key from the pairwise master key. The authenticator device encrypts and signs a group temporal key using the pairwise temporal key for the particular device and sends the group temporal key encrypted and signed with the pairwise temporal key to the particular device.
US09735953B2

A distributed technique for implementing a cryptographic process performs operations in parallel on both valid and irrelevant data to prevent differentiation of the operations based on an encryption key content. A control entity switches or points valid data to appropriate CPU(s) that are responsible for operations such as squaring or multiplying. Irrelevant data is also switched or pointed to appropriate CPU(s) that execute operations in parallel with the CPU(s) operating on the valid data. The distributed technique contributes to obscuring side channel analysis phenomena from observation, such that cryptographic operations cannot easily be tied to the content of the encryption key.
US09735952B2

A calibration system operates to calibrate or correct a digital-to-time converter (DTC) that comprises a detector component and a distortion correction component. The DTC can receive one or more signals and a digital code to generate a modulation signal by controlling an offset of the one or more signals based on the digital code. The detector component can comprise a TDC or another DTC that operates to measure a dynamic behavior in response to detecting nonlinearities of the modulation signal. The distortion correction component can generate a set of distortion data that removes the dynamic behavior from an output of the DTC based on the measurement.
US09735950B1

An example burst mode clock data recovery circuit may include a clock recovery circuit coupled to receive a plurality of data signals, and provide a recovered clock signal in response. Each of the plurality of data signals includes data and an embedded clock signal, and the plurality of data signals may be based on an encoded symbol. The clock recovery circuit is coupled to generate the recovered clock signal in response to a first one of the plurality of data signals. A data recovery circuit may be coupled to receive the plurality of data signals and the recovered clock signal, and provide a plurality of recovered data signals in response to the recovered clock signal. The data recover circuit is coupled to delay each of the plurality of data signals, and capture each of the delayed plurality of data signals in response to the at least one clock pulse.
US09735935B2

A base station includes a reference signal allocator that allocates a first layer of dedicated reference signals and a second layer of reference signals to the same resource elements in a first resource block. The reference signals are allocated to two adjacent resource elements corresponding to a first OFDM symbol and a second OFDM symbol on a first, second, and third subcarriers of the first resource block. The base station also includes a reference signal multiplexer that multiplexes the first layer with the second layer. A first cover code W1 is applied to the first layer. A second cover code W2, different from the first cover code, is applied to the second layer in a first and third subcarriers, and a variation of the second cover code W2′ is applied to the second layer in a second subcarrier.
US09735930B2

According to some embodiments, a method for handling packet retransmissions is implemented by a secondary network node and includes detecting a first data transmission from a first primary network node to a wireless device. A first response message from the first wireless device to the first primary network node is then detected. The response message indicates that the first data transmission included an error when received by the wireless device. A second data transmission from the secondary network node to the first wireless device is detected. The second data transmission from the secondary network node includes at least a portion of the first data transmission from the first primary network node.
US09735926B2

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a method for transmitting Device-to-Device (D2D) data by a User Equipment (UE) in a wireless communication system, the method comprising: determining a bitmap to be applied to a subframe pool for data transmission from a subframe indicator bitmap; determining a set of subframes to transmit D2D data by using the bitmap to the subframe pool for data transmission; and transmitting D2D data in a subframe included in the determined subframe set, wherein a set of values available as k being the number of 1s in the subframe indicator bitmap are changed according to a change in a transmission mode under unchanged UL/DL configuration.
US09735925B2

Provided is a method for performing Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ) by a data transmitting terminal in a wireless communication system. The terminal transmits data using a specific code word selected from a plurality of code words included in a mother code, calculates a Bit Error Rate (BER) upper bound for a receiving terminal that receives the data, calculates a BER lower bound for another terminal that is able to eavesdrop the data, and performs the HARQ based on whether the BER upper bound is greater than a BER reference level for the receiving terminal and whether a probability of the BER lower bound being less than the BER reference level for the another terminal is less than a predetermined value.
US09735909B2

A radio repeater system is described that disables itself to avoid interfering with mobile network performed multilateration of mobile devices. The radio repeater provides additional network coverage for a localized area. The localized area can include enclosed spaces such as buildings or transportation terminals. The radio repeater system can monitor the signals received from cell towers, and if there are at least three signals of a predetermined signal strength, the radio repeater can disable itself to avoid interfering with mobile locating performed by the network. The radio repeater can remain disabled until the conditions that led to the disabling have passed.
US09735908B2

Various signal processing systems may benefit from appropriate control based on selected parameters. For example, feedforward-based signal or noise cancellation systems may benefit from adaptive frequency band weighting within time domain. A method can include receiving an input signal that is to be transmitted over a channel. The method can also include calculating an instantaneous frequency of the input signal. The method can further include applying the instantaneous frequency as an adaptive parameter in an adaptation performed relative to the input signal. The method can additionally include providing an output signal based on the adaptation.
US09735899B2

A method and a system for calibrating an antenna array. The method may include the following steps: attaching successively pairs of a plurality of probe antennas to each other; performing an initial measurement of a multiport formed by the ports of said pair of probe antennas, the initial measurement yielding initial coefficients of said probe antennas; attaching successively one of said probe antennas to one of the antennas in said antenna array; performing a second measurement of multiports formed by the ports of said probe antennas and said antenna array, the second measurement yielding coefficients of the combination of said antenna array and said probe antennas; and using the initial coefficients and the second measurement coefficients to calibrate said antenna array.
US09735892B1

Apparatus, systems and methods employing contact lens sensors are provided. In some aspects, a contact lens includes a substrate that forms at least a portion of the body of the contact lens; an optical communication device disposed on or within the substrate; and a photodetector disposed on or within the substrate, wherein the photodetector harvests light emitted from a device and generates power from the harvested light. In some aspects, an apparatus comprises a tag having a circuit including: an optical communication device; and a photodetector that harvests light received and generates power from the harvested light. The tag can be disposed on or within a contact lens in various aspects.
US09735891B1

A system and method involve propagating, from one or more optical sources connected to a platform, more than one optical signal through a surrounding medium towards a reflective surface. Reflected optical signals, representing the propagated optical signals reflected off of the reflective surface, are then detected using a detection system coupled to the platform. An ideal optical wavelength is then selected for optical communication from the platform within the surrounding medium based upon one or more characteristics of the detected reflected optical signals.
US09735889B2

Described are, among other things, a method and a receiver for receiving a management data signal in an optical transmission system where a traffic data signal is transmitted as a NRZ modulated signal. The traffic data signal has a management data signal superimposed thereon as a pulse width modulation of the symbols of the NRZ modulated signal. The NRZ modulated signal is received with the data signal superimposed thereon and the traffic data signal is recovered. The recovered traffic data signal in anti-phase is added to the received signal. The management data signal is detected from the added signals.
US09735887B2

An optical reception device according to an exemplary aspect of the invention includes an optical front-end means for demodulating an inputted optical signal, converting the demodulated signal into an electrical signal and outputting the electrical signal, a pre-emphasis means for adding a high frequency component to the electrical signal, a digital signal processing means for receiving input of the electrical signal with the high frequency component added thereto via a transmission wire, and for performing a digital coherent reception process on the inputted electrical signal, an error detection means for detecting a signal error in the digital coherent reception process and a feedback control means for varying the level of a high frequency component added at the pre-emphasis means and, in accordance with signal errors detected at that time, controlling the pre-emphasis means.
US09735877B2

An optical communication device including a plurality of groups of light emitting diode (LED) groups that are turn on according to a control of a lighting and communication control module. The lighting and communication control module is configured to receive an AC input voltage, generate a rectified voltage from the AC input voltage, determine a voltage level of the rectified voltage, sequentially drive the plurality of LED groups according to the voltage level of the rectified voltage, and perform optical communication through the plurality of LED groups only when the voltage level of the rectified voltage is greater than or equal to a preset threshold voltage level.
US09735872B2

A remote device of an optical relay system includes first and second remote driving units each extracting transmission signals of different frequency bands from downlink Radio Frequency (RF) signals provided from an optical conversion unit and outputting the transmission signals; and a downlink path control unit receiving the downlink RF signals from the optical conversion unit and transmitting the downlink RF signals to the second remote driving unit through the first remote driving unit, or transmitting the downlink RF signals to the second remote driving unit by bypassing the first remote driving unit.
US09735864B2

A method is presented for supporting SNCP over a packet network connecting to two SDH sub-networks and transporting one or more SDH paths that are SNCP-protected in both SDH sub-networks. The packet network connects to each of two sub-network interconnection points by a working path and a protection path. The packet sub-network may provide the same type of path protection as an SDH sub-network using SNCP, while avoiding bandwidth duplication.
US09735859B1

A method of communication in a satellite network including a hub, a satellite, a remote terminal, an upstream switch connected to the hub, at least one upstream communication device connected to the upstream switch, and plural remote-connected communication devices connected to the remote terminal, is disclosed. In an embodiment, the method comprises receiving at the hub, via the satellite from the remote terminal, a correspondence information carrying message including plural correspondence information entries, each correspondence information entry identifying a virtual network identifier associated with a media access control (MAC) address of one of the plural remote-connected communication devices connected to the remote terminal; and transmitting a data carrying message from one of the upstream communication devices to one of the plural remote-connected communication devices via the hub, the satellite and the remote terminal based on a correspondence information entry in the correspondence information carrying message.
US09735856B2

Disclosed are apparatus and a method for receiving and transmitting radio frequency signals by a vehicle (8). The method comprises: providing a transceiver module (28), the transceiver module (28) being located on board the vehicle (8) and comprising a plurality of transceivers (40-56), each transceiver (40-56) being configured to operate within a different respective radio frequency band; receiving, by a first transceiver, a first radio frequency signal having a first frequency and a first waveform; determining, using the first frequency and first waveform, by a communications management module (36) located on board the vehicle (8), a second frequency and a second waveform, the second frequency being in a different frequency band than the first radio frequency signal, the second waveform being different to the first waveform; and transmitting, by a second transceiver, a second radio frequency signal having the second frequency and the second waveform.
US09735855B2

A network including an access point, a client station, and a proxy station. The proxy station is configured to communicate with the access point during a first period. During the first period the proxy station is configured to receive, from the access point, downlink data intended for the client station, and transmit, to the access point, uplink data received from the client station and intended for the access point. The proxy station is further configured to communicate with the client station during a second period. During the second period the proxy station is configured to receive, from the client station, the uplink data intended for the access point, and transmit, to the client station, the downlink data intended for the client station.
US09735851B2

The embodiments herein relate to a method in a transmitter for transmitting a data burst to a receiver in a system supporting GSM and/or EGPRS. The transmitter is arranged to make its transmissions with or without beamforming. The transmitter comprises at least two Tx antennas. When the data burst is beamformed, the transmitter transmits the data burst to the receiver through at least one of the at least two Tx antennas. The data burst comprises a common training sequence. When the data burst is non-beamformed, the transmitter transmits the data burst to the receiver through each of the at least two Tx antennas. The data burst comprises a respective antenna specific training sequence.
US09735846B2

A base station for communicating with multiple groups of wireless communication devices is described. The base station includes a processor and executable instructions stored in memory that is in electronic communication with the processor. The base station determines a number of wireless communication devices. The base station also splits the number of wireless communication devices into groups. The base station further determines a precoding matrix for each group. The base station additionally transmits a beamformed signal to each group using the precoding matrix for each group.
US09735844B2

A method of Coordinated Multipoint (CoMP) communication between a base station having a plurality of points with at least one user equipment (UE). At least one UE receives at least one transmission from the base station having the plurality of points. This UE measures downlink channel state information for each of the plurality of points including a rank indicator (RI), a precoding matrix indicator (PMI) and a channel quality indicator (CQI). This UE transmits the downlink channel state information in an uplink feedback channel to the base station.
US09735842B2

The present invention provides methods for relieving effective Doppler broadening in performing pin-point beamforming and provides apparatuses for supporting the methods, wherein the methods and the apparatuses are used in a wireless access system that supports a super high frequency band. The method for relieving Doppler broadening in a wireless access system that supports a super high frequency band according to one embodiment of the present invention may comprise the steps of: receiving a downlink signal at a receiving end; estimating a Doppler spectrum for the downlink signal received at the receiving end; and calculating a carrier wave shift value based on the Doppler spectrum estimated at the receiving end.
US09735834B2

Aspects relate to improving reporting NFC RF technology usage in activation and data exchange for NFC devices. For example, with a near field communication (NFC) device, a NFCC may be configured to obtain a first radio frequency (RF) technology and mode value, a second RF technology and mode value, and one or more RF specific parameters associated with a NFC device during an activation phase of a communication link using a first NFC RF technology. The one or more RF specific parameters may be based on the first RF technology and mode value. Further, the NFCC may be configured to configure communications to be supported by a second NFC RF technology for use during a data exchange phase of the communication link. The second NFC RF technology may be based on the second RF technology and mode value.
US09735833B2

Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a network device of a neighborhood network that determines that data is directed to a group of recipient devices positioned in a service area of the neighborhood network, determines a second network device according to a neighborhood routing scheme that limits delivery of the data to recipient devices within the service area, and transmits the data. Other embodiments are disclosed.
US09735824B2

A protection cover is provided, which includes a first cover that is foldable, a first electronic device being attachable to or detachable from the first cover; a second cover that is connected to the first cover so as to be foldable, a second electronic device being attachable to or detachable from the second cover; and a third cover that is connected to the first cover so as to be foldable.
US09735813B2

Described is an apparatus for boosting a transition edge of a signal, the apparatus comprises: a logic to provide input data having a Unit Interval (UI); a programmable delay unit to receive the input data and operable to delay the input data by a fraction of the UI to generate a delayed input data; and one or more drivers to drive the input data and the delayed input data to a node.
US09735808B2

A low density parity check (LDPC) encoder, an LDPC decoder, and an LDPC encoding method are disclosed. The LDPC encoder includes first memory, second memory, and a processor. The first memory stores an LDPC codeword having a length of 64800 and a code rate of 5/15. The second memory is initialized to 0. The processor generates the LDPC codeword corresponding to information bits by performing accumulation with respect to the second memory using a sequence corresponding to a parity check matrix (PCM).
US09735795B2

An analog-to-digital converter arrangement may include an analog amplifier with variable gain; an analog-to-digital converter; a digital reconstruction element including elements to reduce an influence of transients during a change of the variable gain of the analog amplifier.
US09735794B1

One example includes a pipelined analog-to-digital converter device. The pipelined analog-to-digital converter device includes a capacitive digital-to-analog converter, a first analog-to-digital converter, and a second analog-to-digital converter. The capacitive digital-to-analog converter includes a capacitor comprised of a top plate and a bottom plate, the capacitive digital-to-analog converter sampling an analog input signal applied to the pipelined analog-to-digital converter device while the capacitor is grounded, holding the sampled analog input while the top plate is floated, and outputting a residue voltage. The second analog-to-digital converter is coupled to the top plate of the capacitor, the second analog-to-digital converter producing a second digital representation of voltage on the top plate of the capacitor after the top plate is floated, wherein the second digital representation represents fine bits produced by the first stage of the pipelined analog-to-digital converter device.
US09735788B2

Provided is a phase locked loop (PLL) that generates an output clock signal corresponding to a reference clock signal, the PLL including a first phase interpolator configured to generate a first interpolator clock signal that has a first time delay from the output clock signal and a second phase interpolator configured to generate a second interpolator clock signal that has a second time delay from the output clock signal. The PLL controls a frequency of the output clock signal based on a multiplexing the first interpolator clock signal and the second interpolator clock signal.
US09735785B2

Various embodiments implement apparatuses and methods for conversion of radio frequency (RF) signals to intermediate frequency (IF) signals. More particularly, some embodiments are directed toward down conversion of RF signals to IF signals in a multi-band radio receiver, such as a satellite receiver, using a single oscillator for different frequency bands. For example, some of the apparatuses and methods presented are suitable for integration into monolithic RF integrated circuits in low-cost satellite receivers for home entertainment use.
US09735782B1

This technology relates generally to integrated circuit technologies, and more particularly, to methods and systems for configuring a field programmable device. In one embodiment, a method for configuring a field programmable device is provided. The method comprises: identifying information associated with a plurality of logic functions associated with a plurality of subsystems to be implemented on a field programmable device; determining, based on the information, a set of attributes associated with each of the plurality of subsystems; determining, based on the set of attributes, a first value indicative of an estimation of a total number of the sequential logic blocks, and a second value indicative of an estimation of a total number of the combinational logic blocks, for implementing the plurality of logic functions; determining, based on the first and second values, to configure a first field programmable device for implementing the plurality of logic functions.
US09735776B1

A technique relates to qubit drive and readout. A first lossless microwave switch is connected to a quantum system. A second lossless microwave switch is connectable to the first lossless microwave switch. A quantum-limited amplifier is connectable to the second lossless microwave switch.
US09735775B2

A semiconductor integrated circuit including: a circuit block having an internal voltage line; an annular rail line forming a closed annular line around the circuit block and supplied with one of a power supply voltage and a reference voltage; and a plurality of switch blocks arranged around the circuit block along the annular rail line, the plurality of switch blocks each including a voltage line segment forming a part of the annular rail line and a switch for controlling connection and disconnection between the voltage line segment and the internal voltage line.
US09735774B2

A capacitive load driving circuit for repeating between charging and discharging for a capacitive load includes a charge supply source, a first signal path through which a first voltage is applied by the charge supply source, a second signal path through which a second voltage higher than the first voltage is applied by the charge supply source, and a connection path selector configured to electrically connect the capacitive load and the charge supply source via at least one of the first signal path and the second signal path, in accordance with a control signal. The charge supply source is arranged and configured to supply voltage to the connection path selection section.
US09735773B2

Systems and techniques detecting a reverse current are disclosed. An apparatus comprises a switching circuit coupled to a load and a reference node. The switching circuit may be capable of conducting a reverse current from the reference node to the load when a voltage at the load is lower than a voltage at the reference node. A voltage source has a first terminal coupled to the load, a second terminal configured to follow a voltage at the load, and produces a voltage proportional to a voltage drop across the switching circuit. A comparator circuit is coupled to compare a voltage at the second terminal of the voltage source to the voltage at the reference node and configured to indicate when the reverse current has a magnitude greater than a predetermined threshold.
US09735766B2

Subject matter disclosed herein may relate to correlated electron switches.
US09735763B1

An input receiver for stepping down a high power domain input signal for a high power domain powered by a high power supply voltage into an output signal for a low power domain includes a waveform splitter. The waveform splitter splits the high power domain input signal into a high voltage signal and a low voltage signal. A high voltage input receiver receives the high voltage signal to produce a received high voltage that is level shifted into a first input signal. A low voltage input receiver receives the low voltage signal to produce a second input signal. A logic circuit generates the output signal from the first input signal and the second input signal.
US09735760B1

In one example, a device may include a first push-pull driver with a first impedance and a push-pull driver unit with a second push-pull driver having a second impedance. The push-pull driver unit may be in parallel with the first push-pull driver. The device may further include a pulse generating unit to activate the push-pull driver unit for a delay time following an edge transition in an input signal. In one example, the device may have an output impedance that is less than the first impedance when the push-pull driver unit is activated.
US09735759B1

A method and apparatus for mitigating electromagnetic noise in an electronic device. The method includes generating a trigger clock signal at a first frequency, and generating a second clock signal at a second frequency. The second frequency is higher than the first frequency. The method also includes receiving an input signal with a converter circuit, detecting an event based on the trigger clock signal, and predicting a time for a conversion of the input signal based on the detected event. The method further includes blanking the second clock signal for a predetermined period based on the predicted time for a conversion.
US09735747B2

Techniques related to balancing audio for mobile devices are discussed. Such techniques may include detecting a speaker of the device is at least partially obstructed, determining an audio output from the device is impeded due to the speaker being at least partially obstructed, and increasing an output from the speaker and/or an alternative speaker based on the audio output from the device being impeded.
US09735746B2

An improved automatic loudness control system and method comprise controlling gain/attenuation applied to an input audio signal and providing an output audio signal that is the amplified/attenuated input audio signal; evaluating an actual loudness of the input audio signal from the input audio signal and a desired loudness of the input audio signal from a volume control input; and evaluating the gain/attenuation applied to the input audio signal from the actual loudness and the desired loudness of the input audio signal.
US09735742B2

Disclosed is a multi-port power amplifier (“MPA”) having an input hybrid matrix (“IHM”), an output hybrid matrix (“OHM”), and a plurality of high-power amplifier (“HPA”) chains. The MPA may include a plurality of adjustable delay modules (“ADMs”) in signal communication with the IHM and the plurality of HPA chains. Each adjustable delay module (“ADM”) of the plurality of ADMs may be in signal communication with the IHM and a corresponding HPA chain of the plurality of HPA chains.
US09735729B2

A photovoltaic string may include an open circuit voltage limiter that conducts current in one direction to provide a limiter voltage less than an open circuit voltage of the photovoltaic string, and that conducts current in the other direction. One or more open circuit voltage limiters may be connected across the photovoltaic string or across selected groups of solar cells of the photovoltaic string. The limiter voltage may be greater than a maximum power point voltage but less than the open circuit voltage of the photovoltaic string.
US09735718B2

A method for controlling an alternator includes determining a temperature-dependent value associated with a battery coupled to an alternator and determining an excitation emergency threshold for the alternator based on the determined temperature-dependent value associated with the battery. The method further includes initiating, by a controller of an alternator, at least one safety measure upon a determination that a voltage associated with the battery exceeds the determined excitation emergency threshold.
US09735716B2

A controller for controlling a multi-phase motor is described. The controller may be configured to drive a first virtual multi-phase motor in an active mode and drive a second virtual multi-phase motor in a passive mode. In the active mode, at least a portion of a reference torque is distributed to the first virtual multi-phase motor. In the passive mode, zero torque is distributed to the second virtual multi-phase motor.
US09735713B2

A method for controlling circuitry of a softstarter arrangement to operate an electric motor for driving a pump is provided, wherein the softstarter circuitry electrically connects the motor to electric mains. The method includes: (i) controlling the circuitry of the softstarter arrangement to accelerate the motor up to full speed in a forward direction; (ii) controlling the circuitry of the softstarter arrangement to decelerate the motor when the motor has run at full speed in the forward direction for a first period of time; (iii) controlling the circuitry of the softstarter arrangement to accelerate the motor up a specified speed in a reverse direction; (iv) controlling the circuitry of the softstarter arrangement to decelerate the motor when the motor has run at the specified speed in the reverse direction for a second period of time; and (v) repeating the steps (i)-(iv) one or more times.
US09735687B2

A regulating power converter has a transformer, a charging circuit and a discharging circuit connected with each other. The charging circuit charges said transformer whereby the transformer generates a secondary voltage. The discharging circuit discharges the secondary voltage to generate an output voltage. The charging circuit retrieves time information from the secondary voltage through the transformer. The charging circuit drives the transformer to regulate the output voltage according to the time information.
US09735683B2

A DC/DC converter has an active energy store, such as an inductance, which can be periodically charged and discharged by one or more semiconductor switches, such as transistors. To avoid voltage overshoot, an RCD element is provided for at least one semiconductor switch, wherein a capacitor and a diode of the RCD element are connected in series, and a resistor of the RCD element can be connected either in parallel with the diode or disconnected from the diode by a switch. The diode of the RCD element is arranged so as to be blocking in the conducting direction of the semiconductor switch.
US09735670B2

A power factor correction conversion device and control method thereof are adapted to send an AC signal to a power factor correction conversion device, convert the AC signal into a DC signal, and perform power factor correction of the DC signal, so as to change a power factor sent to a back-end load, wherein the control method includes a rectification step, a feedback step, a ripple calculating step, a ripple offsetting step, a logical computation step, a pulse width modulation step and a power factor correcting step. Hence, the second-order ripple component in a feedback signal is eliminated to thereby increase the response speed of the power factor correction conversion device and reduce the distortion rate of the current, thus increasing the power factor sent to the back-end load.
US09735666B2

A power conversion device located between an AC power source and a load includes: a rectifier circuit unit that rectifies a voltage of the AC power source; a smoothing unit that smooths a DC voltage on the load side of the rectifier circuit unit; a short-circuiting unit that short-circuits the AC power source; a step-up reactor—located on the AC power source side of the short-circuiting unit; at least one of a reactor current detecting unit—that detects the current of the step-up reactor and a bus voltage detecting unit that detects an output voltage of the smoothing unit; a counterflow preventing element that prevents a counterflow of the current from the smoothing unit to the AC power source; a switching control unit that outputs a control signal for the short-circuiting unit; and a switching frequency changing unit that changes a frequency of the control signal using a logic operation.
US09735662B2

An insulation communication device includes a transmission circuit having a primary coil; and a reception circuit including a secondary coil, and is configured to transmit a signal from the transmission circuit to the reception circuit by magnetic coupling between the primary coil and the secondary coil. The transmission circuit includes an edge detection circuit, a bridge circuit, a coil current information detection circuit, and a pulse signal control circuit. The reception circuit includes a first detection circuit, a second detection circuit and an output signal generation circuit.
US09735655B2

An arrangement has at least one electrical winding having a one-part or multi-part component produced from a soft-magnetic powder composite material, which component conducts an electromagnetic flow of the winding, at least in certain regions, and has a recess provided in the region of this flow conduction, and having a one-part or multi-part, particularly metallic connector part, which has a greater mechanical strength and/or electrical conductivity and/or thermal conductivity as compared to the component, and projects into the recess of the component. In order to achieve particular thermal, mechanical and/or electrical properties, the recess penetrates the component in the region of its flow conduction, and the connector part that projects through this recess forms a mechanical, electrical and/or thermal bridge that bridges the component.
US09735653B2

In a rotary electric device for a power working machine capable of being braked by a brake mechanism, a cover having a bottomed cylindrical shape and covering a yoke of the device, includes: a cover cylindrical portion concentrically surrounding an outer peripheral surface of a cylindrical portion of the yoke with an annular clearance therebetween, and having an outer peripheral surface with which a brake shoe is capable of being placed in pressure contact; and a cover bottom wall portion continuous to one end of the cover cylindrical portion, and connected to a bottom wall portion of the yoke. A ventilation clearance communicating with the annular clearance is formed between the bottom wall portion and the cover bottom wall portion. Vent holes communicating the ventilation clearance with an outside of the yoke are provided through the bottom wall portion and the cover bottom wall portion.
US09735652B2

A washing machine includes a tub; a drum arranged in the tub; and a motor mounted on the rear wall, the motor including a stator and a rotor. The stator includes a stator core, a first insulator and a second insulator. The rotor includes a rotor frame including a bottom, air inlets formed at the bottom, and a side wall extended from the bottom. The first insulator is disposed between the stator core and the bottom of the rotor frame, the first insulator including at least one heat dissipation hole. The second insulator is disposed between the stator core and the rear wall of the tub, the second insulator including at least one guide member to position the second insulator on the rear wall of the tub. The guide member is exposed through the dissipation hole when the stator is coupled to the rear wall of the tub.
US09735646B2

A motor rotor-blank assembly for a motor is provided. The rotor-blank assembly includes a rotor including a plurality of rotor anti-rotation features; and a blank having a hollow core and including a plurality of blank anti-rotation features corresponding to the rotor anti-rotation features, wherein the rotor anti-rotation features and the blank anti-rotation features work in conjunction to maintain the blank fixed within the rotor during rotation of the rotor.
US09735625B2

In a non-contact electric power feed system, electric power is supplied in a non-contact manner from an electric power transmission device to a vehicle representing an electric power reception device. The electric power transmission device includes an electric power transmission unit, a communication unit for radio communication with the electric power reception device, and a control device for controlling the electric power transmission unit. The control device varies transmitted electric power from the electric power transmission unit while the electric power transmission unit transmits electric power, and determines whether or not pairing between the vehicle specified as an electric power transmission target and the electric power transmission unit is appropriate, based on information on variation in electric power from the vehicle specified as the electric power transmission target through radio communication.
US09735621B2

A Segment Protected Parallel Bus is for an uninterruptible power supply to electric consumers, whereby at least two electrical distributed power generation units, are connected electrically parallel, each distributed power generation unit is coupled to at least one electric consumer bus. At least two electrical protection zones for isolating electrical faults and multiple protection zones with instantaneous tripping for the electrical parallel connection of consumer networks are provided in a mutual electrical ring connection. In the ring connection, a first switching element with a switching time of less than 10 ms for the electrical decoupling of the consumer buses from one another starting at a predetermined voltage drop, which is established according to load requirements, is arranged between each protection zone with instantaneous tripping and an adjacent protection zone in the first ring direction with instantaneous tripping and an adjacent protection zone in the second ring direction with instantaneous tripping.
US09735615B2

A system is provided. The system includes a plurality of uninterruptible power supplies (UPSs), a ring bus, and at least one controller communicatively coupled to the plurality of UPSs, the at least one controller configured to calculate an output voltage frequency for each UPS of the plurality of UPSs, wherein the output voltage frequency for a UPS of the plurality of UPSs is calculated based at least on a derivative of an average active output power of the UPS, and control operation of each UPS based on the respective calculated output voltage frequencies.
US09735614B2

A system for providing a first voltage generated by a main supply and a second voltage generated by a battery to an integrated circuit (IC) includes supply-selection, control logic and switching circuits. The supply-selection circuit includes first, second, and third transistors. The switching circuit includes fourth and fifth transistors that supply the first and second voltages to the IC when switched on. The supply-selection circuit selects and provides the higher of the first and second voltages to body terminals of the fourth and fifth transistors for maintaining required body-bias voltage conditions. The control logic circuit generates a first control signal as long as the first voltage is within a predetermined range for keeping the fourth transistor switched on and a second control signal when the first voltage is not within the predetermined range for switching on the fifth transistor to supply the second voltage.
US09735605B2

An apparatus and method for detecting a condition within a wireless charging field are described. In one implementation, an apparatus comprises a wireless power receiver configured to receive wireless charging power from a wireless power charging transmitter. The apparatus further comprises a first sensor circuit that is at least partially disposed within a ground surface, the first sensor being operationally coupled to and configured to be charged or powered by the wireless power receiver. The first sensor is further configured to detect the condition.
US09735595B2

An accessory device for an electronic device is disclosed. The accessory device may include a unitary body having a first region, a second region, and a hinge positioned between the first region and the second region. When a force is applied to the first region, the first region may bend or pivot at the hinge. When bent, the first region allows the electronic device to slide into or out of the accessory device. Further, the electronic device may slide into or out of the accessory device in a straight or linear manner. Also, the accessory device may further include a power supply designed to supply electrical current to a battery of the electronic device. The accessory device may further include a connector that electrically connects the power supply with the electronic device. The sliding motion of the electronic device prevents the connector from damage by bending.
US09735593B2

A battery system includes a plurality of battery packs connected in parallel each including a switch and a battery connected to the switch in series and a battery state determining unit determining a state of the battery. The battery state determining unit includes a disconnection determining unit controlling disconnection of the switch and a switch controller controlling open and close of the switch in accordance with a result of determining the state. The disconnection determining unit calculates allowable stop and demanded stop periods of the battery packs on the basis of the past data, season data, and allowable currents of the batteries and transmits data to the switch controller when the demanded stop period is smaller than the allowable stop period, and the switch controller makes the switch in an open state.
US09735587B2

A wireless power supply system includes a power-supplying device having a power-supplying coil and a power-receiving device having a power-receiving coil and wirelessly supplies electric power from the power-supplying coil to the power-receiving coil, and the power-supplying device and the power-receiving device communicate with each other using an acoustic signal.
US09735586B2

A receiver coil assembly for a wirelessly rechargeable battery including first and second transverse coils and a third coil encompassing the first and second coils. The receiver coil may be employed in a power receiver of a wirelessly rechargeable battery. Also disclosed is a wirelessly rechargeable battery having a power receiver demountable from an electrochemical cell.
US09735584B2

A remote device in accordance with the present invention includes an adaptive power receiver that receives wireless power from the wireless power supply by induction. The adaptive power receiver may be switched among two or more modes of operation, including, for example, a high-Q mode and a low-Q mode. By controlling the duty cycle of the switching between modes, the amount of energy received by the adaptive receiver may be controlled to communicate to the wireless power supply. This control is a form of adaptive resonance communication or Q control communication. Distortion can be reduced or eliminated by ramping between duty cycles with adjustment to intermediate duty cycle values.
US09735574B2

The present disclosure includes switching regulator circuits and methods. In one embodiment, a first switching regulator stage receives a first input voltage and produces a first voltage on a first node. A second switching regulator stage receives the first input voltage and produces a second voltage on a second node. A capacitor includes a first terminal coupled to the first node and a second terminal coupled to the second node, and the first switching regulator stage and the second switching regulator stage are configured to set a first voltage on the first node and to set a second voltage on the second node.
US09735568B2

An ionic wind purifier is described. The ionic wind purifier includes a generating electrode and a collecting electrode, which are arranged oppositely. A potential difference exists between the generating electrode and the collecting electrode, and at least one first projecting part is arranged on each collecting electrode plate of the collecting electrode. The first projecting part has a smooth surface. Thus, by arranging the first projecting part, the adsorption area of the collecting electrode is increased and the absorption capability of the collecting electrode is improved, thereby improving the purification efficiency of the ionic wind purifier and improving the use performance thereof. A discharge monitoring and protective circuit of a high-voltage ion purifier is also described.
US09735564B1

A system protects electrical equipment. The system includes a backplane including electrically communicative inputs and outputs, input and output wiring, input and output detectors and a processor. Power sources respectively connect with corresponding inputs by way of the input wiring. The input detectors are respectively disposed on the input wiring to detect an amount of power provided from each of the power sources. Each of the outputs respectively connects with a corresponding load by way of the output wiring. The output detectors are respectively disposed on the output wiring to detect an amount of power provided from each of the outputs. The processor is configured to determine a relationship between the detected amounts of power and to take an action relative to at least one of the power sources based on the determined relationship.
US09735549B2

Photonic integrated circuits (PICs) are based on quantum cascade (QC) structures. In embodiment methods and corresponding devices, a QC layer in a wave confinement region of an integrated multi-layer semiconductor structure capable of producing optical gain is depleted of free charge carriers to create a low-loss optical wave confinement region in a portion of the structure. Ion implantation may be used to create energetically deep trap levels to trap free charge carriers. Other embodiments include modifying a region of a passive, depleted QC structure to produce an active region capable of optical gain. Gain or loss may also be modified by partially depleting or enhancing free charge carrier density. QC lasers and amplifiers may be integrated monolithically with each other or with passive waveguides and other passive devices in a self-aligned manner. Embodiments overcome challenges of high cost, complex fabrication, and coupling loss involved with material re-growth methods.
US09735548B2

A semiconductor laser element includes a semiconductor structure having an optical cavity and a protective film. The semiconductor structure includes a pair of stepped parts at both ends of the semiconductor structure in a cavity width direction, and a first texture pattern extending in a cavity length direction on a bottom surface of each of the stepped parts. The first texture pattern includes recesses and/or protrusions along the cavity length direction. The protective film covers at least part of the first texture pattern to define a second texture pattern having upper surfaces and bottom surfaces. A length of the bottom surfaces of the second texture pattern is less than a height from the bottom surfaces to a surface of the semiconductor structure. A length of the upper surfaces of the second texture pattern is less than a height from the upper surfaces to the surface of the semiconductor structure.
US09735541B1

A method of calibrating a tunable laser includes shifting a filter output peak defined by a tunable optical feedback filter of the tunable laser in an optical spectral domain to align with a target etalon output peak of a plurality of spaced etalon output peaks defined by an etalon of the tunable laser. The method also includes shifting a cavity frequency grid defined by cavity modes of the tunable laser to align a target cavity mode of the cavity frequency grid with the filter output peak and shifting the spaced output peaks defined by the etalon to align a target etalon output peak with a target wavelength of an output wavelength grid. The method includes modifying a bias current and a modulation current of a gain section of the tunable laser to achieve a defined output modulation amplitude and a defined extinction ratio.
US09735538B2

Disclosed is a semiconductor laser device assembly including a semiconductor laser device; and a dispersion compensation optical system, where a laser light exited from the semiconductor laser device is incident and exits to control a group velocity dispersion value of the laser light exited from the semiconductor laser device per wavelength.
US09735527B2

This disclosure pertains to methods and apparatus for interfacing an onsite power generation system with an existing main electric panel. The interfacing is performed by: attaching an additional jaw connector to a neutral bridge within an existing meter socket; wiring AC supply lines from the onsite power generation system to load side jaws of a multi-blade meter socket adapter; and wiring a neutral line from the onsite power generation system to an additional terminal of the meter socket adapter. The lines from the onsite power generation system are routed through an opening formed in the meter socket adapter. The meter socket adapter is then inserted into the meter socket so that five jaws in the socket receive all five blades of the meter socket adapter. The blades of the meter are then plugged into the jaws on the opposite end of the meter socket adapter.
US09735524B1

A connecting arrangement for a three-level converter arrangement includes a first to third connection rail which are each in the form of a shaped metal body. The respective connection rail has a line section and a connection section which has a connection means. The respective connecting rail has a line section and a connecting section which, for its part, has an associated respective connecting means. The respective connection means forms, with the connecting means, a force-fitting, electrically conductive connection. The connection rails are connected to the connecting rails with the correct polarity. The respective line sections of the connection rails and the connecting rails are situated one above the other in a stack, wherein the first connecting section, in projection in the normal direction of the first connection section, covers the first connection section; wherein the second connecting section, in projection in the normal direction of the second connection section, covers the first connection section and the second connection section, and wherein the third connecting section, in projection in the normal direction of the third connection section, covers the second connection section and the third connection section.
US09735517B1

A connector terminal includes a press-fit terminal and a shaft portion, the connector terminal being fabricated of a single metal sheet, the shaft portion having a lateral cross section having a size entirely covering therewith a lateral cross section of the press-fit terminal when viewed in an axial direction of the connector terminal, the shaft portion having surfaces extending in the axial direction at an entire circumference thereof, the lateral cross section of the shaft portion being identical in shape with a lateral cross section of a terminal space of a die used for fabricating a housing for the press-fit terminal, the press-fit terminal being fit into the terminal space when the housing is molded with resin.
US09735512B2

An electrical connector includes an elongated insultive shell and a terminal module retained in the insultive shell. The terminal module defines a first module, a second module separated from the first module in a vertical direction and a shielding member located between the first module and the second module. The terminal module defines a first shielding plate and a second shielding plate assembled to the corresponding first and second modules respectively, the shielding member is connected together with the first shielding plate and the second shielding plate.
US09735506B2

A lock-in device for network cables includes a locker, a holding section, and an elastic seesaw. The locker has a through hole for modular connectors to engage therein and to be removed therefrom and a locker hole parallel to the through hole for a key to be inserted therein; an extended end is arranged at a rear end of the locker hole and a space and a fillister with an inclined surface are arranged adjacent to the locker hole. The holding section is disposed in the space with a first depression facing upward at a front end thereof and a second depression facing downward at a rear end thereof. The elastic seesaw has a positioning portion at a rear end thereof extending upwards and forming an elastic piece abutting the second depression for the holding section to be operated by the elasticity. The device thereby enables simultaneous operation of unlocking and removing.
US09735501B2

A magnetic connector has a connector body including a magnet, a plurality of connection terminals that are arranged and fixed on the connector body so as to correspond to a plurality of contact patterns of a connection object, and a plurality of attracted members that are formed of magnetic substance, are arranged and fixed on a support member having a sheet-like shape and flexibility so as to correspond to the plurality of contact patterns of the connection object and are, via the connection object on which the plurality of contact patterns are arranged to face the plurality of connection terminals, attracted toward the connector body due to magnetic force whereby the plurality of contact patterns are pressed against the plurality of connection terminals and thereby connected to the plurality of connection terminals.
US09735489B1

The application discloses a large current transmission connector including the pallet assembly and the socket assembly. The pallet assembly includes the pallet and the guide pillar. The socket assembly includes a socket. The socket includes mounting holes and pins. The locking structure is arranged in the mounting hole. The locking structure is used for fixing the guide pillar on the socket and for conveying a current between the pallet assembly and the socket assembly. When the guide pillar and the locking structure are fixed together, the two guide pillars not only play the role of guiding, but also can carry the large current of 50 A. Thus, this connector does not need to set aside a lot of space for mounting the power supply pins. The space of the connector is saved effectively. The miniaturization trend of the connector is met.
US09735487B2

A card connector includes an insulative housing, a plurality of contacts received in the insulative housing and a metallic cover covering the insulative housing. The contact includes a retaining portion, an extending portion horizontally and forwardly extending from the retaining portion, a connecting portion downwardly and forwardly aslant extending from the extending portion, a floating portion downwardly from the connecting portion and a contacting portion further downwardly extending from the floating portion. There are two bending points on linking portions of the connecting portion connecting with the floating portion and the extending portion, respectively. By such arrangement, when the electrical card is inserted, the contact can rotate about the two bending points in turn, that can improve an elasticity of the contact.
US09735479B2

A single element wire to board connector terminal for clamping a conductor, includes: a base, side plates and hanging elastic arms. A hollow passage is formed on the base, for allowing the conductor to pass through the hollow passage. The side plates are bent and provided on two opposite sides of a front part of the base. The hanging elastic arms are extended backwardly and inwardly from the side plates respectively. An elastic arm restricting portion is extended from one of the hanging elastic arms and bent transversely, for protecting the elastic arm and providing access for the conductor. A conductor positioning portion is provided on a rear part of the base.
US09735476B2

The present invention discloses an antenna apparatus. The antenna apparatus includes a first antenna array and a second antenna array. The first antenna array includes multiple first radiating elements for transmitting radio signals of a first frequency. The second antenna array includes multiple second radiating elements for transmitting radio signals of a second frequency, wherein the first and second radiating elements are arranged in a staggered manner; wherein each of the first radiating elements is disposed between two of the second radiating elements; and wherein each of the second radiating elements is disposed between two of the first radiating elements.
US09735475B2

In some embodiments, an apparatus may include a conductive planar structure having a plurality of antenna elements and a plurality of cutout portions. The plurality of cutout portions may define a combiner circuit including an output interface and including a combiner circuit coupled between each of the plurality of antenna elements and the output interface.
US09735467B2

An antenna includes a grounding portion extending in a longitudinal direction and defining a first end and a second end opposite to each other, a first arm extending from the first end of the grounding portion and towards the second end and defining a first slot with the grounding portion, and a second arm extending from the second end of the grounding portion and towards the first end and defining a second slot. The first arm includes a free end close to the second end defining an opening between the free end and the second end. A coaxial cable includes an inner conductor and an outer conductor, which connects the free end of the first arm and the second end of the grounding portion, respectively, to form a loop around the first slot.
US09735464B2

A tracking system comprising: a transmitter configured to steer an RF beam across a detection range, a passive RFID tag configured to be enabled for locating substantially when located in the center of the RF beam of the transmitter, and an RFID reader configured to detect the tag 104 once enable.
US09735458B2

Disclosed herein is a non-reciprocal circuit device includes: a substrates including a magnetic plate having a circular surface and a dielectric ring having an annular surface, the circular surface and the annular surface being substantially coplanar; a center conductor disposed on the substrates; and a permanent magnet that applies a magnetic field to the center conductor. The center conductor includes: a main conductor portion positioned on a straight line extending from a center of the circular surface to an outer periphery of the annular surface; and a branched conductor portion extending in a radial direction of the substrate from the center of the circular surface. The branched conductor portion includes: a wide portion disposed on the circular surface; and a narrow portion having a width smaller than that of the wide portion and disposed across a boundary between the circular surface and the annular surface.
US09735448B2

The present invention provides an electrolytic solution for a non-aqueous secondary battery, the electrolytic solution including: an organic metal compound; an electrolyte; and an organic solvent, in which the organic metal compound includes a central metal and a multidentate ligand, and the ligand includes an oxygen atom bonded to the central metal, and a nitrogen atom or a sulfur atom bonded to the central metal.
US09735445B2

Provided is an alkali metal-ion battery, comprising: (a) an anode having an anode active material dispersed in a first liquid electrolyte disposed in pores of a 3D porous anode current collector having at least 80% by volume of pores; (b) a cathode having a cathode active material dispersed in a second liquid electrolyte disposed in pores of a 3D porous cathode current collector wherein the cathode thickness-to-current collector thickness ratio is from 0.8/1 to 1/0.8; (c) a separator disposed between the anode and the cathode; wherein the anode or cathode active material loading is greater than 10 mg/cm2, the anode and cathode active materials combined exceeds 40% by weight of the battery, and/or the 3D porous anode and/or cathode current collector has a thickness no less than 200 μm (preferably greater than 500 μm and more preferably greater than 700 μm) and is in physical contact with the separator.
US09735441B2

A method of fabricating a membrane electrode assembly includes the steps of depositing a catalyst ink directly onto a membrane to form a catalyst coated membrane and hot pressing the catalyst coated membrane. The catalyst coated membrane has a catalyst layer that includes a catalyst and an ionomer.
US09735439B2

A fuel cell vehicle includes a fuel cell, a storage device, a receptacle, a housing, and a vehicle side communication device. The housing has a bottom wall recessed from a surface of a body of the fuel cell vehicle by a predetermined depth. The receptacle protrudes from a bottom face of the bottom wall to an inner space of the housing. The vehicle side communication device is provided to the housing on an outer circumferential side of the receptacle. The vehicle side communication device is configured to wirelessly communicate with a nozzle side communication device provided to a nozzle. The vehicle side communication device is disposed on a deeper side than the bottom face of the bottom wall and/or is disposed via a partition wall configured to shield the vehicle side communication device from fuel gas in the inner space.
US09735425B2

A process for producing a silicon:silicon oxide: lithium composite (SSLC) material useful as a negative electrode active material for non-aqueous battery cells includes: producing a partially lithiated SSLC material by way of mechanical mixing; subsequently producing a further prelithiated SSLC material by way of spontaneous lithiation procedure; and subsequently producing a delithiated SSLC material by way of reacting lithium silicide within the dispersed prelithiated SSLC material with organic solvent(s) to extract lithium from the prelithiated SSLC material, until reactivity of lithium silicide within the prelithiated SSLC material with the organic solvent(s) ceases. The delithiated SSLC material is a porous plastically deformable matrix having nano silicon embedded therein. The delithiated SSLC material can have a lithium silicide content of less than 0.5% by weight. A battery cell having as its negative electrode active material an SSLC material as set forth herein can exhibit an irreversible capacity loss of less than 10%.
US09735422B2

Provided is a negative-electrode active material, which is capable of constituting a lithium ion secondary cell exhibiting excellent cell characteristics.The negative-electrode active material for a lithium ion secondary cell of the invention includes a mixed material of silicon oxide particles composed of silicon oxide and rod-shaped iron oxide particles composed of iron oxide. It is preferable to use iron oxide particles having a plurality of pores in a surface, and an electrode reaction is effectively carried out.
US09735418B2

The present invention relates to an anode active material for a lithium secondary battery, comprising a carbon material, and a coating layer formed on the surface of particles of the carbon material and having a plurality of Sn-based domains having an average diameter of 1 μm or less. The inventive anode active material having a Sn-based domains coating layer on the surface of a carbon material can surprisingly prevent stress due to volume expansion which generates by an alloy of Sn and lithium. Also, the inventive method for preparing an anode active material can easily control the thickness of the coating layer.
US09735415B2

A method for protecting batteries with consideration for the influence of a load coupled to a battery pack is provided. The battery pack includes a terminal to be coupled to a capacitor of the load, and a battery management system for controlling a protection operation according to a voltage of the terminal, counting a number of protection operation executions after the load is coupled to the battery pack, and differently controlling a deactivation time of the protection operations depending on whether or not the number of executions is greater than or equal to a reference count.
US09735414B2

A pair of current distribution links are provided for use with a battery assembly in which the batteries are divided into groups, and where the batteries within each battery group are connected in parallel and the groups are connected in series. The batteries are interconnected using a repetitive sequence of non-overlapping, alternating polarity bus bars. The current distribution links evenly distribute the current among the parallel connected batteries, thereby eliminating the current imbalance that results from the use of a single point electrical connection. By eliminating current imbalance, each battery is subjected to the same load and will tend to heat at the same rate, resulting in the batteries aging at the same rate.
US09735413B2

A positive electrode tab and negative electrode tab of a battery pack are configured by stacking a plurality of single cells each of which has positive electrode tab and negative electrode tab drawn outward and formed of metals different from each other in kind. In a welding method, clad material is disposed between positive electrode tab of second single cell and negative electrode tab of first single cell. Next, with a laser welder, focal point is aimed at interface between negative electrode tab and clad material, and laser is applied thereto from the side of negative electrode tab. Then, focal point is aimed at interface between positive electrode tab and clad material, and laser is applied thereto from the side of positive electrode tab.
US09735409B2

On each negative plate (1), a non-woven fabric (2) composed of fibers of at least one material selected from a group of materials comprising glass, pulp and polyolefins comes into contact with the entire surface of the plate without being integrated with the plate. Each negative plate (1), which is in contact with the non-woven fabric (2), is contained in an envelope separator (3) comprising a microporous synthetic resin sheet, and is laminated with a positive plate (4). The non-woven fabric is manufactured through papermaking process in which glass fibers, pulp and silica powder are preferably used and dispersed in water as the main components.
US09735408B2

A secondary battery includes a case, a cap plate, and a vent portion. The case accommodates an electrode assembly therein and has an open top. The cap plate seals the top of the case. The vent portion is at one area of the cap plate. A porous safety member is at a position adjacent to the vent portion.
US09735386B2

A white light source is a hybrid organic light emitting diode (OLED) device having an electroluminescent layer including a blue emitting organic phosphor or a combination of a green emitting organic phosphor with a blue emitting phosphor and a conversion layer including photoluminescent quantum dots (QDs) at or near the light exiting face of the hybrid OLED. The QDs down-convert a portion of the blue or blue and green light to higher wavelengths of visible light, where the combination of wavelengths exiting the device provides white light. The QDs can be within an array of microlenses on the light exiting surface of the hybrid OLED to enhance the efficiency of light emission from the electrically excited phosphors and the down-conversion QDs.
US09735385B2

The present invention relates to organic electroluminescent devices which comprise a mixture of at least two materials in the electron-transport layer.
US09735384B2

A composite material is described. The composite material comprises semiconductor nanocrystals, and organic molecules that passivate the surfaces of the semiconductor nanocrystals. One or more properties of the organic molecules facilitate the transfer of charge between the semiconductor nanocrystals. A semiconductor material is described that comprises p-type semiconductor material including semiconductor nanocrystals. At least one property of the semiconductor material results in a mobility of electrons in the semiconductor material being greater than or equal to a mobility of holes. A semiconductor material is described that comprises n-type semiconductor material including semiconductor nanocrystals. At least one property of the semiconductor material results in a mobility of holes in the semiconductor material being greater than or equal to a mobility of electrons.
US09735378B2

Ir/Pt metal complexes, devices containing the Ir/Pt metal complexes, and methods of making such devices are described. The Ir/Pt metal complex includes a first Ir moiety and a first Pt moiety. The first Ir moiety can be an Ir(III) six-coordinated structure. The first Pt moiety can be a Pt(II) four-coordinated tetradentate structure. The devices can have layers that include the Ir/Pt metal complexes. The layers containing the Ir/Pt metal complexes can be made by a solution process.
US09735374B2

A metal complex exhibits blue light emission of high color purity and has a color purity of small temperature dependence, particularly in the blue region. Specifically, the metal complex is represented by Formula (1a): wherein M is a metal atom; R0 is a divalent linking group; each j independently represents 0 or 1; RP1, RP2, RP3, RP4 and RP6 each independently represents a hydrogen atom or the like; RP5 represents a halogen atom or the like; m is an integer of from 1 to 3, n is an integer of from 0 to 2, and m+n is 2 or 3; and the portion represented by Formula (2): represents a bidentate ligand; wherein Rx and Ry are an atom bonding to the metal atom M, and each independently represents a carbon atom, an oxygen atom or a nitrogen atom.
US09735366B2

A heterostructure comprising at least one carbon nanomembrane on top of at least one carbon layer, a method of manufacture of the heterostructure, and an electronic device, a sensor and a diagnostic device comprising the heterostructure. The heterostructure comprises at least one carbon nanomembrane on top of at least one carbon layer, wherein the at least one carbon nanomembrane has a thickness of 0.5 to 5 nm and the heterostructure has a thickness of 1 to 10 nm.
US09735357B2

Providing for a two-terminal memory cell having intrinsic current limiting characteristic is described herein. By way of example, the two-terminal memory cell can comprise a particle donor layer having a moderate resistivity, comprised of unstable or partially unstable metal compounds. The metal compounds can be selected to release metal atoms in response to an external stimulus (e.g., an electric field, a voltage, a current, heat, etc.) into an electrically-resistive switching medium, which is at least in part permeable to drift or diffusion of the metal atoms. The metal atoms form a thin filament through the switching medium, switching the memory cell to a conductive state. The moderate resistivity of the particle donor layer in conjunction with the thin filament can result in an intrinsic resistance to current through the memory cell at voltages above a restriction voltage, protecting the memory cell from excessive current.
US09735348B2

An embodiment includes a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) including a free magnetic layer, a fixed magnetic layer, and a tunnel barrier between the free and fixed layers; the tunnel barrier directly contacting a first side of the free layer; and an oxide layer directly contacting a second side of the free layer; wherein the tunnel barrier includes an oxide and has a first resistance-area (RA) product and the oxide layer has a second RA product that is lower than the first RA product. The MTJ may be included in a perpendicular spin torque transfer memory. The tunnel barrier and oxide layer form a memory having high stability with an RA product not substantively higher than a less table memory having a MTJ with only a single oxide layer. Other embodiments are described herein.
US09735347B2

According to one embodiment, a magnetic memory device includes: a first magnetic layer; a nonmagnetic layer on the first magnetic layer; a second magnetic layer on the nonmagnetic layer; and an insulator film on the nonmagnetic layer surrounding a side surface of the second magnetic layer. The second magnetic layer has an area of a surface facing the nonmagnetic layer smaller than that of the nonmagnetic layer. The nonmagnetic layer includes a first region that is provided between the first magnetic layer and the insulator film. The first region includes an amorphous state.
US09735343B2

There is disclosed a memory element including a memory layer that has a magnetization perpendicular to a film face; a magnetization-fixed layer that has a magnetization that is perpendicular to the film face; and an insulating layer that is provided between the memory layer and the magnetization-fixed layer, wherein an electron that is spin-polarized is injected in a lamination direction of a layered structure, and thereby the magnetization direction of the memory layer varies and a recording of information is performed, a magnitude of an effective diamagnetic field which the memory layer receives is smaller than a saturated magnetization amount of the memory layer, and in regard to the insulating layer and the other side layer with which the memory layer comes into contact at a side opposite to the insulating layer, at least an interface that comes into contact with the memory layer is formed of an oxide film.
US09735341B2

A piezoelectric fiber composite and a magnetoelectric laminate composite including the same are disclosed. The piezoelectric fiber composite includes a first protective layer having a first electrode, a second protective layer having a second electrode, and a piezoelectric fiber layer formed between the first and the second electrode and having piezoelectric fibers arranged in the longitudinal direction of the composite, wherein the piezoelectric fibers include a single-crystal piezoelectric material and are configured such that a <011> direction of the single crystal is identical to a thickness direction of the composite and a <001> direction of the single crystal is identical to a longitudinal direction of the composite, thus exhibiting superior piezoelectric strain properties and sensing properties. Also, the magnetoelectric laminate composite includes the piezoelectric fiber composite and a magnetostrictive layer including a magnetostrictive material such as nickel (Ni) or Metglas (FeBSi alloy), thus ensuring significantly improved magnetoelectric properties.
US09735337B2

A piezoelectric actuator comprises a substantially rectangular parallelepiped piezoelectric element. One outer surface of the piezoelectric element includes a first region, and a second region located such as to project from the first region and to overlap a region corresponding to an active portion in the one outer surface. The second region has a flat surface configured to come into contact with a body to be driven and to generate a frictional force therewith. The flat surface is shorter in a longitudinal direction of the piezoelectric element than in a lateral direction thereof. The flat surface is longer in the longitudinal direction of the piezoelectric element at a lateral center region thereof than at a lateral end region thereof.
US09735334B1

An apparatus for manufacturing a thermoelectric module includes an alignment mechanism for aligning a plurality of thermoelectric elements with respect to a plurality of electrodes attached to a substrate, wherein the alignment mechanism includes a dispenser having a plurality of injection portions and the plurality of thermoelectric elements is inserted into the plurality of injection portions.
US09735321B2

Various embodiments may relate to A light-emitting diode, including an LED chip having at least one emitter surface for emitting primary light, and a plurality of luminescent regions, which are connected optically downstream from the at least one emitter surface. At least one harder one of the luminescent regions is embedded in another, softer one of the luminescent regions.
US09735320B2

A method of manufacturing LED packages includes the steps of: forming a conductive circuit layer on a substrate; screen printing a wall layer on the conductive circuit layer to form a trellis with a plurality of wall units, so that regions of the conductive circuit layer surrounded by the wall units are exposed; mounting and electrically connecting at least one LED die on the conductive circuit layer within each of the wall units; molding a transparent layer to cover the LED dies; and cutting along the wall units to form a plurality of LED packages.
US09735319B2

An optoelectronic semiconductor chip includes a multiplicity of active regions arranged at a distance from one another, and a continuous current spreading layer, wherein at least one of the active regions has a main extension direction, one of the active regions has a core region formed with a first semiconductor material, the active region has an active layer covering the core region at least in directions transversely with respect to the main extension direction of the active region, the active region has a cover layer formed with a second semiconductor material and covers the active layer at least in directions transversely with respect to the main extension direction of the active region, and the current spreading layer covers all cover layers of the active region.
US09735317B2

The invention pertains to formation of a semiconducting portion (60) by epitaxial growth on a strained germination portion (40), comprising the steps in which a cavity (21) is produced under a structured part (11) by rendering free a support layer (30) situated facing the structured part (11), a central portion (40), termed the strained germination portion, then being strained; and a semiconducting portion (60) is formed by epitaxial growth on the strained germination portion (40), wherein the structured part (11) is furthermore placed in contact with the support layer (30) in such a way as to bind the structured part (11) of the support layer.
US09735314B2

A semiconductor light emitting device includes: a nitride semiconductor light emitting element including a nitride semiconductor substrate having a polar or semipolar surface and a nitride semiconductor multilayer film stacked on the polar or semipolar surface; and a mounting section to which the element is mounted. The nitride semiconductor multilayer film includes an electron block layer. The electron block layer has a smaller lattice constant than the nitride semiconductor substrate. The mounting section includes at least a first mounting section base. The first mounting section base is located close to the nitride semiconductor light emitting element. The first mounting section base has a lower thermal expansion coefficient than the nitride semiconductor multilayer film. The first mounting section base has a lower thermal conductivity than the nitride semiconductor multilayer film.
US09735313B2

A method for manufacturing a semiconductor light emitting device package includes forming a light emitting structure including a first conductivity-type semiconductor layer, an active layer, and a second conductivity-type semiconductor layer sequentially stacked on a growth substrate, forming a reflective layer on a first surface of the light emitting structure corresponding to a surface of the second conductivity-type semiconductor layer, forming bumps on the first surface, the bumps being electrically connected to the first or second conductivity-type semiconductor layer and protruding from the reflective layer, bonding a support substrate to the bumps on the first surface, removing the growth substrate, bonding a light transmissive substrate coated with a wavelength conversion layer to a second surface of the light emitting structure from which the growth substrate is removed, and removing the support substrate. The reflective layer covers at least portions of side surfaces of the light emitting structure and the bumps.
US09735307B2

A method of manufacturing a thin-film solar cell includes forming a first electrode on a substrate; forming a first petition groove for dividing the first electrode; forming a semiconductor layer on the first electrode and in the first partition groove; forming a second partition groove for dividing the semiconductor layer; forming a second electrode on the semiconductor layer and in the second partition groove; and forming a third partition groove for dividing the second electrode and the semiconductor layer. At least one of the steps of forming the first partition groove, the second partition groove, and the third partition groove includes forming an opening in a partition groove forming layer to expose a lower layer surface below the partition groove forming layer, bringing a needle into contact with the lower layer surface, and forming the partition groove by moving the needle in a predetermined direction.
US09735306B2

A photoelectrode, photovoltaic device and photoelectrochemical cell and methods of making are disclosed. The photoelectrode includes an electrode at least partially formed of FeO combined with at least one of lithium, hydrogen, sodium, magnesium, manganese, zinc, and nickel. The electrode may be doped with at least one of lithium, hydrogen, and sodium. The electrode may be alloyed with at least one of magnesium, manganese, zinc, and nickel.
US09735302B2

A photovoltaic device and method of manufacture of a photovoltaic device including an assembly of at least two photovoltaic cells; and a lamination material inserted between each photovoltaic cell, each photovoltaic cell including: two current output terminals; at least one photovoltaic junction; current collection buses; and connection strips extending from the current collection buses to the current output terminals, all the current output terminals being placed on a single surface of the photovoltaic device is provided.
US09735298B2

The present invention provides a protective backing sheet for photovoltaic modules. The backing sheet has a layer including fluoropolymer which is cured on a substrate, and the layer includes a hydrophobic silica. The amount of hydrophobic silica contained in the layer is within the range of 2.5 to 15.0% by weight, and preferably in the range of 7.5 to 12.5%. Also, the layer including fluoropolymer may further include a titanium dioxide.
US09735274B2

A semiconductor device structure is provided. The semiconductor device structure includes a substrate and a stacked wire structure formed over the substrate. The semiconductor device structure also includes a gate structure formed over a middle portion of the stacked wire structure and a source/drain (S/D) structure formed at two opposite sides of the stacked wire structure. The S/D structure includes a top surface, a sidewall surface, and a rounded corner between the top surface and the sidewall surface.
US09735267B1

Structures and formation methods of a semiconductor device structure are provided. The semiconductor device structure includes a source structure at least partially in a semiconductor substrate. The semiconductor device structure also includes a channel structure over the semiconductor substrate. The source structure is partially covered by the channel structure. The semiconductor device structure further includes a drain structure covering the channel structure. The drain structure and the source structure have different conductivity types. A portion of the channel structure is sandwiched between the source structure and the drain structure. In addition, the semiconductor device structure includes a gate stack partially covering the channel structure.
US09735264B2

A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor body, at least one wiring layer disposed on the semiconductor body and a field effect transistor integrated in the semiconductor body. The field effect transistor has a plurality of gate electrodes residing in corresponding gate trenches formed in the semiconductor body. A first circuit is integrated in the semiconductor body adjacent to the field effect transistor, and a second circuit is integrated in the semiconductor body remote from the first circuit. A first additional trench is formed in the semiconductor body and includes at least one connecting line which electrically connects the first circuit and the second circuit. The semiconductor device also includes at least one conductive pad formed in the at least one wiring layer. The at least one conductive pad is arranged to at least partially cover the first additional trench to form a shielding of the at least one connecting line.
US09735260B2

A semiconductor device has a stacked structure in which a p-GaN layer, an SI-GaN layer, and an AlGaN layer are stacked, and has a gate electrode that is formed at a top surface side of the AlGaN layer. A band gap of the AlGaN layer is wider than a band gap of the p-GaN layer and the SI-GaN layer. Moreover, impurity concentration of the SI-GaN layer is less than 1×1017 cm−3. Semiconductor devices including III-V semiconductors may have a stable normally-off operation.
US09735259B2

Various particular embodiments include an integrated circuit (IC) structure including: a stack region; and a silicon substrate underlying and contacting the stack region, the silicon substrate including: a silicon region including a doped subcollector region; a set of isolation regions overlying the silicon region; a base region between the set of isolation regions and below the stack region, the base region including an intrinsic base contacting the stack region, an extrinsic base contacting the intrinsic base and the stack region, and an amorphized extrinsic base contact region contacting the extrinsic base; a collector region between the set of isolation regions; an undercut collector-base region between the set of isolation regions and below the base region; and a collector contact region contacting the collector region under the intrinsic base and the collector-base region via the doped subcollector region.
US09735257B2

A method of forming a semiconductor device that includes forming an in-situ doped semiconductor material on a semiconductor substrate, and forming fin structures from the in-situ doped semiconductor material. A sacrificial channel portion of the fin structures may be removed, wherein a source region and a drain region portion of the fin structures of the in-situ doped semiconductor material remain. The sacrificial channel portion of the fin structure may then be replaced with a functional channel region.
US09735254B2

A trench-gate device with lateral RESURF pillars has an additional implant beneath the gate trench. The additional implant reduces the effective width of the semiconductor drift region between the RESURF pillars, and this provides additional gate shielding which improves the electrical characteristics of the device.
US09735249B2

Gate structures for semiconductor devices include a silicon nitride layer, an electron beam evaporated tantalum nitride layer disposed on the silicon nitride layer, a first electron beam evaporated titanium layer disposed on the tantalum nitride layer, an electron beam evaporated gold layer deposited on the first titanium layer, and a second electron beam evaporated titanium layer deposited on the gold layer.
US09735248B2

A semiconductor device includes a gate disposed over a substrate; a source region and a drain region on opposing sides of the gate; and a pair of trench contacts over and abutting an interfacial layer portion of at least one of the source region and the drain region; wherein the interfacial layer includes boron in an amount in a range from about 5×1021 to about 5×1022 atoms/cm2.
US09735247B2

A high-frequency conductor having improved conductivity comprises at least one electrically conductive base material. The ratio of the outer and inner surfaces of the base material permeable by a current to the total volume of the base material is increased by a) dividing the base material perpendicularly to the direction of current into at least two segments, which are spaced from each other by an electrically conductive intermediate piece and connected both electrically and mechanically to each other, and/or b) topographical structures in or on the surface of the base material and/or c) inner porosity of at least a portion of the base material compared to a design of the base material in which the respective feature was omitted. It was found that, as a result of these measures concerning the design, it is possible to physically arrange the same amount abase material so that a larger fraction of the base material is located at a distance of no more than skin depth from an outer or inner surface and is thus involved in current transport. As a result, a lesser fraction remains unused as a function of the skin effect.
US09735244B2

A semiconductor device includes a buried layer in a substrate, the buried layer having a first dopant type. The semiconductor device further includes a first layer over the buried layer, the first layer having the first dopant type. The semiconductor device further includes at least one first well in the first layer, the at least one first well having a second dopant type. The semiconductor device further includes an implantation region in a sidewall of the first layer, the implantation region having the second dopant type, wherein the implantation region is below the at least one first well.
US09735239B2

A system and method for a channel region is disclosed. An embodiment comprises a channel region with multiple bi-layers comprising alternating complementary materials such as layers of InAs and layers of GaSb. The alternating layers of complementary materials provide desirable band gap characteristics for the channel region as a whole that individual layers of material may not.
US09735238B2

In a cascode switching device, avalanche breakdown of a control transistor and loss of soft switching or zero voltage switching in a high voltage normally-on depletion mode transistor having a negative switching threshold voltage and the corresponding losses are avoided by providing additional capacitance in parallel with a parallel connection of drain-source parasitic capacitance of the control transistor and gate-source parasitic capacitance of the high voltage, normally-on transistor to form a capacitive voltage divider with the drain-source parasitic capacitance of the high voltage, normally-on transistor such that the avalanche breakdown voltage of the control transistor cannot be reached. The increased capacitance also assures that the drain source parasitic capacitance of the high voltage, normally-on transistor is fully discharged before internal turn-on can occur.
US09735235B2

A method of forming a nanowire includes providing a substrate. The substrate is etched to form at least one fin. Subsequently, a first epitaxial layer is formed on an upper portion of the fin. Later, an undercut is formed on a middle portion the fin. A second epitaxial layer is formed to fill into the undercut. Finally, the fin, the first epitaxial layer and the second epitaxial layer are oxidized to condense the first epitaxial layer and the second epitaxial layer into a germanium-containing nanowire.
US09735233B2

Provided are electronic devices and methods of manufacturing same. An electronic device includes an energy barrier forming layer on a substrate, an upper channel material layer on the substrate, and a gate electrode that covers the upper channel material layer and the energy barrier forming layer. The gate electrode includes a side gate electrode portion that faces a side surface of the energy barrier forming layer. The side gate electrode may be configured to cause an electric field to be applied directly on the energy barrier forming layer via the side surface of the energy barrier forming layer, thereby enabling adjustment of the energy barrier between the energy barrier forming layer and the upper channel material layer. The electronic device may further include a lower channel material layer that is provided on the substrate and does not contact the upper channel material layer.
US09735231B2

A method includes method includes forming a dummy gate stack over a semiconductor substrate, wherein the semiconductor substrate is comprised in a wafer, removing the dummy gate stack to form a recess, forming a gate dielectric layer in the recess, and forming a metal layer in the recess and over the gate dielectric layer. The metal layer has an n-work function. A block layer is deposited over the metal layer using Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD). The remaining portion of the recess is filled with metallic materials, wherein the metallic materials are overlying the metal layer.
US09735229B2

A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate in which an active region and an edge termination region are defined, a semiconductor element formed in the active region, and first to fourth P layers formed in a region spanning from an edge portion of the active region to the edge termination region in the surface of the semiconductor substrate. The first to fourth P layers respectively have surface concentrations P(1) to P(4) that decrease in this order, bottom-end distances D(1) to D(4) that increase in this order, and distances B(1) to B(4) to the edge of the semiconductor substrate that increase in this order. The surface concentration P(4) is 10 to 1000 times the impurity concentration of the semiconductor substrate, and the bottom-end distance D(4) is in the range of 15 to 30 μm.
US09735226B1

Provided is a power module having a sufficient space in which a large electronic component in size is disposed, and having yield strength against external stresses, such as vibrations. A power module includes: an insulating substrate; a semiconductor element mounted above the insulating substrate; a sealant sealing the insulating substrate and semiconductor element, and forming the outer shape of the power module; and a pair of terminals disposed on the sealant, in both ends of the sealant in a width direction of the power module in an upright manner. The pair of terminals are spaced from each other by a distance greater than the width of a film capacitor being a first electronic component mounted on the bottom surface of a control substrate being a circuit substrate coupled to tips of the pair of terminals. The pair of terminals are longer in a height direction than the film capacitor.
US09735224B1

A method of forming a semiconductor structure includes forming a seed layer over a top surface of a substrate and a protect layer over a top surface of the seed layer. The method also includes forming a magnetic film on a top surface of the protect layer and a top surface of the substrate in at least one opening formed in the seed layer and the protect layer. The method further includes forming at least one patterned magnetic feature on the top surface of the substrate by electro-etching the magnetic film, wherein the seed layer provides a self-stop for the electro-etching of the magnetic film.
US09735217B2

An organic electroluminescent display device includes a display area including a plurality of pixels, a peripheral area as an area on the outside of the display area, a circuit layer including a circuit formed in the display area and a circuit formed in the peripheral area, a planarization film formed in the display area, the planarization film covering the circuit in the display area but not covering at least a portion of the circuit in the peripheral area, and an inorganic insulating layer formed of an inorganic material, the inorganic insulating layer being formed in the peripheral area and covering the at least a portion of the circuit in the peripheral area.
US09735214B2

An organic light emitting display (OLED) device, and a method for manufacturing the OLED device are discussed. The OLED device according to one embodiment includes a thin film transistor formed on a substrate; a planarization layer formed on the thin film transistor; a first bank layer including a first opening; a lower electrode formed in the first opening and connected to the thin film transistor, an end segment of the lower electrode being disposed on the first bank layer; a second bank layer formed on the first bank layer and covering the end segment of the lower electrode, the second bank layer including a second opening corresponding to the first opening; an organic emitting layer formed on the lower electrode and in the second opening; and an upper electrode formed on the organic emitting layer.
US09735206B2

An organic light emitting display device includes first and second electrodes facing each other on a substrate, a charge generation layer formed between first and second electrodes, a first light emitting unit including a first emission layer formed between the first electrode and the charge generation layer, a hole transport layer supplying holes from the first electrode to the first emission layer, and a second light emitting unit including a second emission layer formed between the second electrode and the charge generation layer, a hole transport layer supplying holes from the charge generation layer to the second emission layer, wherein a total thickness of the hole transport layer of the first light emitting unit is greater than that of the hole transport layer of the second light emitting unit.
US09735203B2

Provided are 3D non-volatile memory devices and methods of fabricating the same. A 3D non-volatile memory device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of conductive lines, which are separated from one another in parallel; a plurality of conductive planes, which extend across the plurality of conductive lines and are separated from one another in parallel; and non-volatile data storage layer patterns, which are respectively arranged at regions of intersection at which the plurality of conductive lines and the plurality of conductive planes cross each others.
US09735186B2

The disclosure provides a manufacturing method and a structure thereof of a TFT backplane. In the manufacturing method of the TFT backplane, after a polysilicon layer (3′) is formed by implanting a induced ion solid-phase crystallization into an amorphous silicon layer (3), patterning the polysilicon layer using a half-tone mask to form an island active layer (4), and at the same time, etching a upper layer portion (31) with more implanted induced ions located in the middle portion of the island active layer (4) to form a channel region, retaining the upper layer portion (31) with more implanted induced ions located in two sides of the island active layer (4) to form a source/drain contact region, it not only reduces the number of masks, but also saves a process only for implanting doped ion into the source/drain contact region, thereby simplifying the process and reducing production cost.
US09735180B2

An object is to improve the drive capability of a semiconductor device. The semiconductor device includes a first transistor and a second transistor. A first terminal of the first transistor is electrically connected to a first wiring. A second terminal of the first transistor is electrically connected to a second wiring. A gate of the second transistor is electrically connected to a third wiring. A first terminal of the second transistor is electrically connected to the third wiring. A second terminal of the second transistor is electrically connected to a gate of the first transistor. A channel region is formed using an oxide semiconductor layer in each of the first transistor and the second transistor. The off-state current of each of the first transistor and the second transistor per channel width of 1 μm is 1 aA or less.
US09735174B2

A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device including a capacitor structure is provided, including the steps of providing an SOI wafer comprising a substrate, a buried oxide (BOX) layer formed over the substrate and a semiconductor layer formed over the BOX layer, removing the semiconductor layer in a first region of the wafer to expose the BOX layer, forming a dielectric layer over the exposed BOX layer in the first region, and forming a conductive layer over the dielectric layer. Moreover, a semiconductor device including a capacitor formed on a wafer is provided, wherein the capacitor comprises a first capacitor electrode comprising a doped semiconductor substrate of the wafer, a capacitor insulator comprising an ultra-thin BOX layer of the wafer and a high-k dielectric layer formed on the ultra-thin BOX layer, and a second capacitor electrode comprising a conductive layer formed over the high-k dielectric layer.
US09735162B2

After formation of trench capacitors and source and drain regions and gate structures for access transistors, a dielectric spacer is formed on a first sidewall of each source region, while a second sidewall of each source region and sidewalls of drain regions are physically exposed. Each dielectric spacer can be employed as an etch mask during removal of trench top dielectric portions to form strap cavities for forming strap structures. Optionally, selective deposition of a semiconductor material can be performed to form raised source and drain regions. In this case, the raised source regions grow only from the first sidewalls and do not grow from the second sidewalls. The raised source regions can be employed as a part of an etch mask during formation of the strap cavities. The strap structures are formed as self-aligned structures that are electrically isolated from adjacent access transistors by the dielectric spacers.
US09735151B1

The present disclosure generally relates to semiconductor manufactured memory devices and methods of manufacture thereof. More specifically, methods for forming a plurality of layers of a 3D cross-point memory array without the need for lithographic patterning at each layer are disclosed. The method includes depositing a patterned hard mask with a plurality of first trenches over a plurality of layers. Each of the plurality of first trenches is etched all the way through the plurality of layers. Then the hard mask is patterned with a plurality of second trenches, which runs orthogonal to the plurality of first trenches. Selective undercut etching is then used to remove each of the plurality of layers except the orthogonal metal layers from the plurality of second trenches, resulting in a 3D cross-point array with memory material only at the intersections of the orthogonal metal layers.
US09735150B2

A semiconductor device includes an interlayer insulating film in which first contact holes and second contact holes are provided. Each of the second contact holes has a width narrower than a width of the corresponding first contact hole. A contact plug is located in the corresponding second contact hole. An upper electrode layer is arranged on an upper surface of the interlayer insulating film, upper surfaces of the contact plugs, and inner surfaces of the first contact holes. The protective insulating film covers an upper surface of the external field. An end portion extending along a direction intersecting with the plurality of trenches of the protective insulating film extends through a range located above the plurality of the second contact holes. A pillar region is in contact with the upper electrode layer in the first contact hole.
US09735143B2

A display substrate. The display substrate includes: a plurality of pixel units; a gate driving unit supplying a gate signal to the plurality of pixel units and including a plurality of shift register circuits which are dependently connected to each other; a vertical start line supplying a vertical start signal to the gate driving unit; and an electrostatic protection unit having two ends connected to different points of the vertical start line, the electrostatic protection unit including a plurality of back-to-back diodes connected in series with each other between the two ends. Each of the back-to-back diodes include a pair of diodes connected in parallel to each other in a bidirectional diode structure.
US09735142B2

With a microwave FET, an incorporated Schottky junction capacitance or PN junction capacitance is small and such a junction is weak against static electricity. However, with a microwave device, the method of connecting a protecting diode cannot be used since this method increases the parasitic capacitance and causes degradation of the high-frequency characteristics. In order to solve the above problems, a protecting element, having a first n+-type region—insulating region—second n+-type region arrangement is connected in parallel between two terminals of a protected element having a PN junction, Schottky junction, or capacitor. Since discharge can be performed between the first and second n+ regions that are adjacent each other, electrostatic energy that would reach the operating region of an FET can be attenuated without increasing the parasitic capacitance.
US09735134B2

A package includes a device die, a molding material molding the device die therein, a through-via substantially penetrating through the molding material, wherein the through-via has an end. The end of the through-via is tapered and has rounded sidewall surfaces. The package further includes a redistribution line electrically coupled to the through-via.
US09735125B2

An assembly of a semiconductor chip having pads to a substrate having pads aligned to receive the semiconductor chip is provided, whereby at least one of the semiconductor chip pads and substrate pads include solder bumps. The solder bumps are deformed against the substrate pads and the semiconductor chip pads, whereby an underfill material is applied to fill the gap between the semiconductor chip and substrate. The underfill material does not penetrate between the deformed solder bumps, the semiconductor chip pads, and the substrate pads. At least one of the solder bumps have not been melted or reflowed to make a metallurgical bond between the semiconductor chip pads and the substrate pads, and at least another one of the solder bumps have been melted or reflowed to make a metallurgical bond between the semiconductor chip pads and the substrate pads.
US09735124B2

The present invention provides a semiconductor structure and a method of fabricating the same. The method includes: providing a chip having conductive pads, forming a metal layer on the conductive pads, forming a passivation layer on a portion of the metal layer, and forming conductive pillars on the metal layer. Since the metal layer is protected by the passivation layer, the undercut problem is solved, the supporting strength of the conductive pillars is increased, and the product reliability is improved.
US09735116B2

A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate, a plurality of integrated circuit devices on the semiconductor substrate, and a seal ring structure surrounding each one of the integrated circuit devices. The seal ring structure includes a plurality of interlayer dielectric layers and a plurality of hollow through-hole structures disposed within each of the interlayer dielectric layers. Each of the hollow through-hole structure within an interlayer dielectric layer includes a through-hole disposed within one of the interlayer dielectric layers, a diffusion barrier layer formed at the bottom, sidewalls and the top of the through-hole, and a seed layer disposed on the diffusion barrier layer. The diffusion barrier layer and the seed layer cover the top of the through-hole so that the through-hole has a void to form the hollow through-hole structure.
US09735112B2

In some general aspects, an apparatus may include a first semiconductor die, a second semiconductor die, and a capacitive isolation circuit being coupled to the first semiconductor die and the second semiconductor die. The capacitive isolation circuit may be disposed outside of the first semiconductor die and the second semiconductor die. The first semiconductor die, the second semiconductor die, and the capacitive circuit may be included in a molding of a semiconductor package.
US09735092B2

A manufacturing method of a chip package structure includes following steps. A substrate including a first metal layer, a second metal layer, and an insulation layer located between the first and the second metal layers is provided. A first groove is formed in the first metal layer to form a chip pad and bonding pads. The bonding pads are respectively located in recesses of the chip pad. A second groove is formed in the second metal layer to form a heat-dissipation block and terminal pads. The terminal pads are respectively located in recesses of the heat-dissipation block. Conductive vias are formed to connect the corresponding terminal pads and electrically connect the bonding pads with the terminal pads. A chip is disposed on the chip pad and electrically connected to the bonding pads. An encapsulant covering the chip is formed.
US09735091B2

The invention discloses a package structure for better heat-dissipation or EMI performance. A first conductive element and a second conductive element are both disposed between the top lead frame and the bottom lead frame. The first terminal of the first conductive element is electrically connected to the bottom lead frame, and the second terminal of the first conductive element is electrically connected to the top lead frame. The third terminal of the second conductive element is electrically connected to the bottom lead frame, and the fourth terminal of the second conductive element is electrically connected to the top lead frame. In one embodiment, a heat dissipation device is disposed on the top lead frame. In one embodiment, the molding compound is provided such that the outer leads of the top lead frame are exposed outside the molding compound.
US09735088B2

A system includes a carrier defining a plurality of channels. The system includes an integrated circuit (IC) die having a first side and having a second side opposite the first side. The second side of the IC die is coupled to the carrier. The system includes a die attach layer between the carrier and the second side of the IC die. The die attach layer defines one or more openings that enable a fluid to flow from the carrier to the second side of the IC die.
US09735078B2

A device includes a first semiconductor chip that is arranged over a first carrier and includes a first electrical contact. The device further includes a second semiconductor chip arranged over a second carrier and including a second electrical contact arranged over a surface of the second semiconductor chip facing the second carrier. The second carrier is electrically coupled to the first electrical contact and the second electrical contact.
US09735077B1

A method of forming an electrical device is provided that includes forming microprocessor devices on a microprocessor die; forming memory devices on an memory device die; forming component devices on a component die; and forming a plurality of packing devices on a packaging die. Transferring a plurality of each of said microprocessor devices, memory devices, component devices and packaging components to a supporting substrate, wherein the packaging components electrically interconnect the memory devices, component devices and microprocessor devices in individualized groups. Sectioning the supporting substrate to provide said individualized groups of memory devices, component devices and microprocessor devices that are interconnected by a packaging component.
US09735075B2

An electronic module is provided, including an electronic element and a strengthening layer formed on a side surface of the electronic element but not formed on an active surface of the electronic element so as to strengthen the structure of the electronic module. Therefore, the electronic element is prevented from being damaged when the electronic module is picked and placed.
US09735071B2

A method of forming a temporary test structure for device fabrication is provided. The method is particularly useful for electrically testing conductive interconnects during controlled collapse chip connections (C4) fabrication and/or through-silicon vias (TSVs) during interposer fabrication. The method includes providing a substrate containing a plurality of electrically conductive interconnects extending vertically to top surface of the substrate. A temporary test structure is formed to connect the plurality of interconnects and for electrical testing. The suitable material for the temporary test structure is TiW for a single layer structure, or Cu or Cu alloy over Ti or TiW for a bilayer structure with thickness in a range of about 20 nm to 1200 nm. Excimer laser ablation can be used to form the temporary test structure. Electrical testing is performed on the substrate by probing at different test locations on the temporary test structure. All or part of the temporary test structure is removed so as not to affect product performance, and the substrate can be further processed with normal processes. The temporary test structure may contain electrical test pads which provide a way to make temporary connections to small interconnect landings or features at extreme tight pitch to fan them out to testable pads sizes and pitches.
US09735070B2

Manufacturing a light source module may include mounting light emitting devices on substrates on an upper surface of a carrier, mounting optical devices to cover the light emitting devices, and inspecting the light emitting devices and the optical devices based on selectively capturing images thereof. Images may be captured based on controlling a light source module scanner assembly on the carrier. The substrates may extend in a first direction and may be spaced apart in a second direction. Controlling the light source module scanner assembly may include moving the light source module scanner assembly along a selected direction to position the light source module scanner assembly on at least one of the light emitting devices and the optical devices. The direction may be selected based on the quantity of substrates and the quantity of light emitting devices and optical devices on each of the substrates.
US09735067B2

Techniques herein include systems and methods that provide a spatially-controlled or pixel-based projection of light onto a substrate to tune various substrate properties. A given pixel-based image projected on to a substrate surface can be based on a substrate signature. The substrate signature can spatially represent non-uniformities across the surface of the substrate. Such non-uniformities can include energy, heat, critical dimensions, photolithographic exposure dosages, etc. Such pixel-based light projection can be used to tune various properties of substrates, including tuning of critical dimensions, heating uniformity, evaporative cooling, and generation of photo-sensitive agents. Combining such pixel-based light projection with photolithographic patterning processes and/or heating processes improves processing uniformity and decreases defectivity. Embodiments can include using a digital light processing (DLP) chip, grating light valve (GLV), or other grid-based micro projection technology.
US09735060B1

For an integrated circuit product comprising a non-tapered FinFET device formed in a first region of the substrate and a tapered FinFET device in a second region of the substrate, the method includes, among other things, forming the fins for the non-tapered FinFET device in the first region by performing a fin-cut-last process and forming the fins for the tapered FinFET by performing a fin-cut-first process.
US09735051B2

Methods are devices are provided in which interconnection structures are formed using metal reflow techniques. For example, a method to fabricate a semiconductor device includes forming an opening in an ILD (inter-level dielectric) layer. The opening includes a via hole and a trench. A layer of diffusion barrier material is deposited to cover the ILD layer and to line the opening with the diffusion barrier material. A layer of first metallic material is deposited on the layer of diffusion barrier material to cover the ILD layer and to line the opening with the first metallic material. A reflow process is performed to allow the layer of first metallic material to reflow into the opening and at least partially fill the via hole with the first metallic material. A layer of second metallic material is deposited to at least partially fill a remaining portion of the opening in the ILD layer.
US09735048B2

A semiconductor device and a fabricating process for the same are provided. The semiconductor device includes a base layer having a part of a reactive material; and a self-assembled protecting layer of a self-assembled molecule reacting with the reactive material formed over the part.
US09735041B2

A clamping apparatus and method for maintaining a workpiece flatness during processing includes a base having a planar surface for receiving a first workpiece. Two sets of opposing clamping mechanisms are mounted to the base and include a clamp head at a distal end of a rod extending from a housing in removable overlapping relation to the first workpiece. Each set of the clamp heads are in opposing spaced relationship to each other defining a second workpiece area, and the clamp heads are configured to mate with a top surface of the first workpiece. A biasing member is coupled to each of the housings and apply a downward vertical force to the housings, rods, and the clamp heads for applying a downward vertical pressure to the first workpiece. The first workpiece is thereby discouraged from thermally expanding in a vertical direction and is thermally expandable horizontally along the planar surface.
US09735038B2

A method for manufacturing a structure implementing temporary bonding a substrate to be handled with a handle substrate, including: providing the substrate to be handled covered with a first metal layer, the first layer having a first grain size; providing the handle substrate covered with a second metal layer, the second layer having same composition as the first metal layer and a second grain size different from the first grain size; assembling the substrate to be handled and the handle substrate by thermocompression assisted direct bonding on the first and second metal layers; possibly treating the substrate to be handled assembled to the handle substrate; disassembling the assembly of the substrate to be handled and the handle substrate to form the structure, including an embrittlement thermal annealing of the assembly resulting in the handle substrate being detached.
US09735033B2

An apparatus for cleaning a wafer includes a wafer station configured to hold the wafer, and a first and a second dispensing system. The first dispensing system includes a first swivel arm, and a first nozzle on the first swivel arm, wherein the first swivel arm is configured to move the first nozzle over and aside of the wafer. The first dispensing system includes first storage tank connected to the first nozzle, with the first nozzle configured to dispense a solution in the first storage tank. The second dispensing system includes a second swivel arm, and a second nozzle on the second swivel arm, wherein the second swivel arm is configured to move the second nozzle over and aside of the wafer. The second dispensing system includes a second storage tank connected to the second nozzle, with the second nozzle configured to dispense a solution in the second storage tank.
US09735031B2

The present disclosure relates to polishing compositions that can polish Cobalt (Co) films in semiconductor substrates containing a multitude of films including Co, metals, metal oxides and dielectrics. These polishing compositions comprise an abrasive, a weak acid acting as a removal rate enhancer (RRE), a pH adjuster, and an azole-containing corrosion inhibitor (CI). The RRE, pH adjuster and CI have a pKa in the 1-18 range (1 (pKamin)
US09735026B2

Provided is a method for cleaning an ion implanted resist layer or a substrate after an ashing process. A duty cycle for turning on and turning off flows of a treatment liquid using two or more nozzles is generated. The substrate is exposed to the treatment liquid comprising a first treatment chemical, the first treatment chemical with a first film thickness, temperature, total flow rate, and first composition. A portion of a surface of the substrate is concurrently irradiated with UV light while controlling the selected plurality of cleaning operating variables in order to achieve the two or more cleaning objectives. The cleaning operating variables comprise two or more of the first temperature, first composition, first film thickness, UV wavelength, UV power, first process time, first rotation speed, duty cycle, and percentage of residue removal are optimized to achieve the two or more cleaning objectives.
US09735018B2

Techniques for achieving extremely thin package structures are disclosed. In some embodiments, a device comprises an integrated circuit connected to a leadframe or substrate via connections and EMC (Epoxy Molding Compound) surrounding the integrated circuit except at a backside of the integrated circuit and connecting areas via which the integrated circuit is connected to the leadframe or substrate.
US09735009B2

The present disclosure generally relates to methods for removing contaminants and native oxides from substrate surfaces. The method includes exposing a surface of the substrate to first hydrogen radical species, wherein the substrate is silicon germanium having a concentration of germanium above about 30%, then exposing the surface of the substrate to a plasma formed from a fluorine-containing precursor and a hydrogen-containing precursor, and then exposing the surface of the substrate to second hydrogen radical species.
US09735006B2

A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device is disclosed. The method includes forming a thin film containing a predetermined element, boron, carbon, and nitrogen on a substrate by performing a cycle a predetermined number of times. The cycle includes forming a first layer containing boron and a halogen group by supplying a first precursor gas containing boron and the halogen group to the substrate; and forming a second layer containing the predetermined element, boron, carbon, and nitrogen by supplying a second precursor gas containing the predetermined element and an amino group to the substrate and modifying the first layer.
US09735005B1

A method for depositing a dielectric layer that includes introducing a substrate into a process chamber of a deposition tool; and heating the substrate to a process temperature. The method may further include introducing precursors that include at least one dielectric providing gas species for a deposited layer and at least one hydrogen precursor gas into the process chamber of the deposition tool. The hydrogen precursor gas is introduced to the deposition chamber at a flow rate ranging from 50 sccm to 5000 sccm. The molar ratio for Hydrogen/Silicon gas precursor can be equal or greater than 0.05.
US09734998B2

The present invention uses an AC voltage instead of DC voltage on an ion gate to filter/selectively pass ions. The ions that pass through the AC ion gate can be further separated in a spectrometric instrument. An ion mobility spectrometer using the AC ion gate can achieve better gating performance. For a time of flight ion mobility spectrometer with an AC ion gate, a narrow pulse of selected ions can be passed into a drift tube where they are separated based on their low field ion mobility. Moreover, when the AC voltage at the AC ion gate has a waveform as used for differential ion mobility spectrometry, the time of flight ion mobility spectrometer is converted into a two dimensional separation spectrometer, where ions are first separated based on their high field ion mobility and then further separated based on their low field ion mobility.
US09734997B2

The degree of ion dissociation which occurs within a first intermediate vacuum chamber (212) maintained at a comparatively low degree of vacuum depends not only on the amount of energy of the ion but also on the size and other properties of the ion. Accordingly, a predetermined optimum level of DC bias voltage is applied to an ion guide (24) so as to create, within the first intermediate vacuum chamber (212), a DC electric field which barely induces the dissociation of an ion originating from a target compound in a sample while promoting the dissociation of an ion originating from a foreign substance which will form a noise signal in the observation of the target compound. The optimum DC bias voltage is previously determined by creating extracted ion chromatograms based on data collected under various DC bias voltages and evaluating the SN ratio using the chromatograms. Consequently, the accuracy and sensitivity of the quantitative determination is improved as compared to a conventional system in which only the signal strength of the target compound is considered.
US09734982B1

A beam current density distribution adjustment device is provided. The device includes member pairs in a long side direction of a ribbon beam, the member pairs adjusting a beam current density distribution in the long side direction of the ribbon beam by using an electric field or a magnetic field, members of each of the member pairs being disposed with the ribbon beam in-between the members. Opposing surfaces of the member pairs adjacent to each other in the long side direction of the ribbon beam are partially not parallel to a traveling direction of the ribbon beam.
US09734980B2

Graphene serving as the cathode of an X-ray tube, and a high-efficiency graphene cathode field emission X-ray tube. The graphene cathode field emission X-ray tube is high in conversion efficiency and less in stray radiation, reduces radiation dosage acting upon human body when used in the fields of medical treatment, security inspection and the like; the graphene cathode field emission X-ray tube is easy to realize a micro-focus X-ray tube, strong in emissive power and high in voltage resistance, and can be applied to the fields of semiconductor detection, industrial flaw detection and the like; in addition, the graphene cathode field emission X-ray tube is good in controllability, free from cathode heating. The graphene cathode field emission X-ray tube also has the characteristics of good stability and long service life.
US09734977B2

An image intensifier and a method of fabrication are disclosed. The image intensifier contains a photocathode assembly (120) including a vacuum window to generate photoelectrons in response to light, a vacuum package (110) and an anode assembly (130) to receive the photoelectrons. The anode assembly is mounted to the vacuum package via a compliant, springy, support structure (160). The anode additionally includes one or more insulating spacers (140) on the surface facing the photocathode so as to precisely index the position of the anode assembly with respect to the photocathode surface. The photocathode and vacuum window assembly is pressed into the vacuum package to generate a sealed leak tight vacuum envelope. During the photocathode assembly to vacuum package assembly pressing operation, the inner surface of the photocathode assembly contacts the insulating spacer/spacers of the anode assembly, thereby compressing the compliant support structure. This structure and assembly method result in a precisely indexed photocathode to anode assembly sealed image intensifier.
US09734968B2

A multifunctional selection operation switch apparatus includes: an operation member including multiple operated portions and capable of being rotationally operated, the operated portions being capable of selective contact operation; a rotational displacement detecting device capable of detecting rotational displacement of the operation member; an operation target detecting device capable of detecting on which of the operated portions contact operation is performed; and a controlling device outputting a command signal corresponding to the displacement and the one operated portion, based on detection results of the detecting devices. Accordingly, even if the operation member is a single member, multifunctional selection operation can be performed without difficulty by outputting, whenever necessary, a desired command from multiple operation commands. It is not necessary to mechanically and operatively connect the operation member and the operated portions by a structurally-complicated interlocking mechanism, thereby achieving reduction in the number of parts and cost.
US09734964B2

A data input and/or operator control system, particularly a keypad, also a POS keypad, having a lower portion and an upper portion and also at least one printed circuit board and at least one retaining plate. Inside, one or more protective mat(s) made of an elastic material is/are preferably adhesively bonded to the printed circuit board. In this protective mat, the components of the printed circuit board are recessed to as small an extent as possible and air ducts are incorporated in order to ensure that the keys are ventilated in relation to one another.
US09734961B2

An appliance includes a position switch retention device for use with an appliance includes a body defining a generally cylindrical profile extending through a first portion thereof along an axis and having a first radius. The body further defines a pin-receiving channel open on at least a first end thereof and positioned within the generally cylindrical profile. The device further includes a first tab extending from a side of the body. The tab defines a ramp and an edge with the ramp extending away from the first end of the body to the edge. A cap extends outwardly from a second end of the body opposite the first end. The cap is spaced apart from the edge of the tab at a first distance and has a second radius greater than the first radius.
US09734959B2

The present disclosure relates to a structure of a crossbar for a manual motor starter, and particularly, to a structure of a crossbar for a manual motor starter in which a function of an auxiliary lever is performed by a crossbar to thus reduce the number of components and an operational error. The structure of a crossbar for a manual motor starter (MMS) including a crossbar connected to an operating mechanism and an auxiliary contact lever operating an auxiliary contact, wherein a pressing unit is formed in the crossbar to operate the auxiliary contact lever upwardly.
US09734958B2

An embodiment relates to a method for closing a switch and a switch for performing the method, the switch having a stationary switch contact including a stationary contact face, a movable switch contact including a movable contact face parallel to the stationary contact face and lying under pressure against the stationary contact face in the closed state, and an elastic transversal offset of the contact faces which ensures that pressure is applied when the contact surfaces lie against each other. To guarantee closing during a short-circuit, a displaceable counter-pressure element is provided which presses against the movable contact face in the open position and at least reduces the transversal offset. The counter-pressure element moves in conjunction with the movable switch contact towards the closed position when the switch closes. The counter-pressure element stops moving during the closing movement, while the movable contact face continues to move into the closed position.
US09734951B2

A MEMS electrostatic actuator comprises first and second opposing electrode arrangements, wherein at least one of the electrode arrangements is movable. A dielectric material (24) is adjacent the one of the electrode arrangements (22). The second electrode arrangement is patterned such that it includes electrode areas (26) and spaces adjacent the electrode areas, wherein the dielectric material (24) extends at least partially in or over the spaces. The invention uses a multitude of electrode portions as one plate. The electric field lines thus form clusters between the individual electrode portions and the opposing electrode. This arrangement provides an extended range of continuous actuation and tunability.
US09734946B2

A method of stabilizing electromagnetically charged particles, which includes coating electromagnetically charged particles with a protective layer; and etching the protective layer to produce a porous protective layer on the electromagnetically charged.
US09734945B2

A magnetic shield for shielding adjacent coils of an ICPT system. One or more conductors are configured to distribute induced eddy currents from the surface of the shield to below the surface and thus reduce heating due to eddy currents. The magnetic shield may be employed to transfer power over rotary couplings, such as the shaft of a wind turbine.
US09734944B2

An inductive component is disclosed. The inductive component comprises a magnetic body and a coil in the magnetic body, wherein a first protrusion and a second protrusion are formed on the bottom surface of the magnetic body, wherein the first protrusion comprises a first electrode disposed on the peak surface of the first protrusion, and the second protrusion comprises a second electrode disposed on the peak surface of the second protrusion, wherein the first electrode and the second electrode are electrically connected to a first end and a second end of the coil, and a space is formed by the first protrusion, the second protrusion and the bottom surface of the magnetic body for accommodating electronic devices.
US09734942B2

A magnetic core has a structure in which Fe-based soft magnetic alloy particles are connected via a grain boundary. The Fe-based soft magnetic alloy particles contain Al, Cr and Si. An oxide layer containing at least Fe, Al, Cr and Si is formed at the grain boundary that connects the neighboring Fe-based soft magnetic alloy particles. The oxide layer contains an amount of Al larger than that in Fe-based soft magnetic alloy particles, and includes a first region in which the ratio of Al is higher than the ratio of each of Fe, Cr and Si to the sum of Fe, Cr, Al and Si, and a second region in which the ratio of Fe is higher than the ratio of each of Al, Cr and Si to the sum of Fe, Cr, Al and Si. The first region is on the Fe-based soft magnetic alloy particle side.
US09734941B2

A surface-mount inductor having a molded body which includes a coil formed by winding a rectangular wire and sealed by sealant having resin and filler, a surface of the molded body being a mounting face, the coil includes: first rolls wound in two-roll arrangement along the winding axis, the ends of the wire being placed at the outermost turn; and second rolls wound in positions adjacent to the first rolls and oppositely shifted along the winding axis, the inner diameter being equal to or larger than the outer diameter of the first rolls, the ends of the wire are brought out from the outermost turn of the second rolls as lead ends which are sealed in a manner that the winding axis is parallel with the mounting face and the lead ends are partially exposed at the mounting face, as well as a method for manufacturing the same.
US09734936B2

A cable is provided for suspending a down hole pump that has a core with at least one tube for the transport of fluid and at least one conductor covered with an insulation layer made of a high temperature resistant insulating material. The core is covered by a steel tape and a first layer of steel wires are positioned radially outside the steel tape in contact with the steel tape. The wires of the first layer of steel wires are positioned side by side around the core with no filler in between the steel wires and an outer layer made of heat resistant polymer covers the steel wires.
US09734928B2

A method of preparing a silicon oxide (Six)-carbon composite for a negative-electrode active material of a lithium secondary battery, includes mixing silicon (Si) particles and a polymer material with an organic solvent, thus preparing a mixture solution, optionally electrospinning the mixture solution thus preparing a composite having a one-dimensional structure, and heat-treating the mixture solution or the composite having a one-dimensional structure. The silicon oxide (SiOx)-carbon composite can reduce volume expansion upon lithium ion insertion and can increase ionic conductivity and electronic conductivity and thus can maintain high capacity, making it possible to apply it to a lithium ion battery to thus improve electrochemical characteristics of the battery.
US09734925B2

A device for lifting and lowering of loads in vertical shafts, in particular of containers with radioactive contents, is disclosed. This device comprises a load platform A, the load thereof being supported by at least four hollow spindles B1, B2, B3, B4 arranged symmetrically in a shaft and having a column-like structure. Each hollow spindle B1, B2, B3, B4 is assembled from individual identical modules C1, C2, C3, C4. Each module C1, C2, C3, C4 consists of a front part 1 and a rear part 2. The rear part 2 has multiple horizontal bores 3, by means of which both a firm anchorage with the shaft wall and a firm screw connection with the front part 1 is enabled. The front part 1 consists of two identical parts 4a, 4b that form on the front side a longitudinal slit 5.
US09734913B2

A data storage device includes a non-volatile memory device, which includes a memory cell array including a plurality of memory cells and a control circuit. Each of the memory cells includes a channel layer, a charge trap layer on the channel layer, and a control electrode on the charge trap layer, the charge trap layer being shared by the memory cells. The charge trap layer includes program regions respectively disposed below the control electrodes of the memory cells, and charge spread blocking regions, each of which is disposed between two adjacent ones of the program regions and between two adjacent ones of the control electrodes. The control circuit controls the memory cell array so that a potential barrier is generated in the charge spread blocking regions by charging the charge spread blocking regions with charges having the same polarity as that of program charges stored in the program regions.
US09734912B2

A method to operate a single bit per cell memory comprises erasing a group of memory cells establishing a first logical value by setting threshold voltages in a first range of threshold voltages. First writing, after said erasing, includes programming first selected memory cells to establish a second logical value by setting threshold voltages in a second range of threshold voltages, and saving a sensing state parameter to indicate a first read voltage. Second writing, after said first writing, includes programming second selected memory cells to establish the second logical value by setting threshold voltages in a third range of threshold voltages, and saving the sensing state parameter to indicate a second read voltage. After a number of writings including said first writing and said second writing reaches a threshold number for writing the group of memory cells, the group of memory cells can be erased.
US09734896B2

In described examples, a memory controller circuit controls accesses to an SRAM circuit. Precharge mode control circuitry outputs: a burst mode enable signal to the SRAM circuit indicating that a series of SRAM cells along a selected row of SRAM cells will be accessed; a precharge first mode signal to the SRAM circuit indicating that a first access along the selected row will occur; and a precharge last mode signal to the SRAM circuit indicating that a last access along the selected row will occur. The SRAM circuit includes an array of SRAM cells arranged in rows and columns to store data. Each SRAM cell is coupled to: a corresponding word line along a row of SRAM cells; and a corresponding pair of complementary bit lines.
US09734895B2

According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, an apparatus is provided. The apparatus comprises a data input to receive a data signal. The apparatus further comprises a latching circuitry. The latching circuitry comprises a first Correlated Electron Switch (CES) element and a second CES element. The latching circuitry further comprises a control circuit coupled to the first CES element and the second CES element. The control circuit is configured to program impedance states of the first CES element and the second CES element based on the data signal.
US09734884B2

A method of applying a write current to a magnetic tunnel junction device minimizes sub-threshold leakage. NMOS- and PMOS-follower circuits are used in applying the write current, and bias signals for the follower circuits are isolated from global bias signals before the write current is applied.
US09734880B1

Embodiments include apparatuses, systems, and methods including a memory apparatus including a plurality of bit cells, wherein each of the plurality of bit cells correspond to a respective weight value and include a switch device that has a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) or other suitable resistive memory element to produce stochastic switching. In embodiments, the switch device may produce a switching output according to a stochastic switching probability of the switch device. In embodiments, a bit line or a source line passes a current across the MTJ for a switching time associated with the stochastic switching probability to produce the switching output which enables a determination of whether the respective weight value is to be updated. Other embodiments may also be described and claimed.
US09734879B2

A memory device comprising a programmable command-and-address (CA) interface and/or a programmable data interface is described. In an operational mode, two or more CA interfaces may be active. In another operational mode, at least one, but not all, CA interfaces may be active. In an operational mode, all of the data interfaces may be active. In another operational mode, at least one, but not all, data interfaces may be active. The memory device can include circuitry to select: an operational mode; a sub-mode within an operational mode; one or more CA interfaces as the active CA interface(s); a main CA interface from multiple active CA interfaces; and/or one or more data interfaces as the active data interfaces. The circuitry may perform these selection(s) based on one or more bits in one or more registers and/or one or more signals received on one or more pins.
US09734876B2

Systems and methods are provided for managing access to registers. In one embodiment, a system may include a processor and a plurality of registers. The processor and the plurality of registers may be integrated into a single device, or may be in separate devices. The plurality of registers may include a first set of registers that are directly accessible by the processor, and a second set of registers that are not directly accessible by the processor. The second set of registers may, however, be accessed indirectly by the processor via the first set of registers. In one embodiment, the first set of registers may include a register for selecting a register bank from the second set of registers, and a register for selecting a particular address within the register bank, to allow indirect access by the processor to the registers of the second set.
US09734855B1

A data writer can have at least a write pole separated from a return pole by a non-magnetic lamination. The non-magnetic lamination may consist of first, second, and third non-magnetic materials that are each different and configured to provide a physical protrusion on an air bearing surface of less than 4 Angstroms.
US09734847B1

A data storage device is disclosed comprising a disk, a head for accessing the disk, and a sensor for generating an alternating sensor signal. The sensor is disconnected from an input of a sensing circuit and while the sensor is disconnected an alternating calibration signal is injected into the input of the sensing circuit, wherein the alternating calibration signal comprises a predetermined offset and amplitude. A response of the sensing circuit to the alternating calibration signal is evaluated to detect at least one of an offset and a gain of the sensing circuit.
US09734842B2

Separation of speech and background from an audio mixture by using a speech example, generated from a source associated with a speech component in the audio mixture, to guide the separation process.
US09734838B2

A system and method for representing quasi-periodic waveforms, for example, representing a plurality of limited decompositions of the quasi-periodic waveform. Each decomposition includes a first and second amplitude value and at least one time value. In some embodiments, each of the decompositions is phase adjusted such that the arithmetic sum of the plurality of limited decompositions reconstructs the quasi-periodic waveform. Data-structure attributes are created and used to reconstruct the quasi-periodic waveform. Features of the quasi-periodic wave are tracked using pattern-recognition techniques. The fundamental rate of the signal (e.g., heartbeat) can vary widely, for example by a factor of 2-3 or more from the lowest to highest frequency. To get quarter-phase representations of a component (e.g., lowest frequency “rate” component) that varies over time (by a factor of two to three) many overlapping filters use bandpass and overlap parameters that allow tracking the component's frequency version on changing quarter-phase basis.
US09734835B2

A voice decoding apparatus includes an MBE-type decoder, a sampling convertor, a non-linear components generator and an adder. The decoder decodes digital voice-encoded information to generate a first decoded voice signal. The convertor converts the first decoded voice signal to a second decoded voice signal with a higher sampling frequency. The generator performs a non-linear process to the first or second decoded voice signal to generate an additional voice signal with the same sampling frequency as the second decoded voice signal. The additional voice signal has components in a frequency band in which the first decoded voice signal has no component and continuing to another frequency band of the first decoded voice signal. The adder adds the second decoded voice signal to the additional voice signal.
US09734832B2

An apparatus for upmixing a downmix audio signal describing one or more downmix audio channels into an upmixed audio signal describing a plurality of upmixed audio channels includes an upmixer and a parameter determinator. The upmixer is configured to apply temporally variable upmix parameters to upmix the downmix audio signal in order to obtain the upmixed audio signal, wherein the temporally variable upmix parameters include temporally variable smoothened phase values. The parameter determinator is configured to obtain one or more temporally smoothened upmix parameters for usage by the upmixer on the basis of a quantized upmix parameter input information. The parameter determinator is configured to combine a scaled version of a previous smoothened phase value with a scaled version of an input phase information using a phase change limitation algorithm, to determine a current smoothened phase value on the basis of the previous smoothened phase value and the phase input information.
US09734829B2

According to one of aspects, an electronic device includes: a microphone; and a controller configured to perform processing based on a result of recognition of voice received by the microphone, wherein the controller is configured to display a list of applications when the processing fails to be performed based on the result of recognition.
US09734820B2

A system, method and computer-readable storage device which balance latency and accuracy of machine translations by segmenting the speech upon locating a conjunction. The system, upon receiving speech, will buffer speech until a conjunction is detected. Upon detecting a conjunction, the speech received until that point is segmented. The system then continues performing speech recognition on the segment, searching for the next conjunction, while simultaneously initiating translation of the segment. Upon translating the segment, the system converts the translation to a speech output, allowing a user to hear an audible translation of the speech originally heard.
US09734817B1

To prioritize the processing text-to-speech (TTS) tasks, a TTS system may determine, for each task, an amount of time prior to the task reaching underrun, that is the time before the synthesized speech output to a user catches up to the time since a TTS task was originated. The TTS system may also prioritize tasks to reduce the amount of time between when a user submits a TTS request and when results are delivered to the user. When prioritizing tasks, such as allocating resources to existing tasks or accepting new tasks, the TTS system may prioritize tasks with the lowest amount of time prior to underrun and/or tasks with the longest time prior to delivery of first results.
US09734816B2

A noise reduction device includes a plurality of noise microphones, noise controller, and control speakers. Noise controller generates a control-sound signal to reduce a noise, at a control center of a control space, with the noise being detected by the plurality of noise microphones. Noise microphone disposed at a shorter distance from the control center than distance “d” indicated by Relational Expression (1) is smaller in number than noise microphones disposed at longer distances than distance “d” where “λ” is a wavelength corresponding to control upper-limit frequency “f” in noise microphones, “d0” is a distance from the control center to control speakers, “t” is a control delay time in control speakers, and “v” is a sound speed. d=d0+t×v−λ/2  (1)
US09734810B2

A music composition and training system includes: identifying a first chord of a chord progression. Then, for multiple iterations, the system includes selecting a chord of the chord progression, beginning with the identified first chord, and: identifying one or more potential subsequent chords in such a way that each of the potential subsequent chords provide a musical progression; applying weighted criteria to each of the potential subsequent chords; selecting a second chord based on the weighting while also providing variety and unpredictability; and combining the second chord into the chord progression. The system then uses the generated chord progression to generate or teach music.
US09734809B2

The object of the present invention concerns a control device (100) for a generation module (GM) of sound effects (EFA, EFB) of a musical instrument (MI), such device comprising computer software configured for: —the capture, using a digital camera (10), of at least one digital image (I) comprising at least one portion of the user's (U) face; —processing of such at least one image (I) to define expression data (D_EXi, i being a positive integer) containing information relating to facial expressions (EXa, EXb) of the user (U); —an analysis of such expression data (D_EXi) using a predefined first database (DB1) to determine a sound effect data (D_EFj, j being a positive integer) containing information relating to at least one sound effect (EFA, EFB) corresponding to the facial expression (EXa, EXb) of the user (U).
US09734808B2

A drum configured for permanent installation in an outdoor environment is presented. The drum comprises a mounting structure configured to permanently engage a mounting surface in the outdoor environment. The drum also comprises a shell coupled to the mounting structure. The drum also comprises a drum head coupled to the shell through use of a plurality of fasteners. The drum head comprises a tuned configuration. The drum structure is configured to be weather resistant. The drum head is configured to maintain the tuning configuration after a period of outdoor exposure.
US09734799B2

Herein disclosed an image display including: row scan lines configured to supply a control signal; column signal lines configured to supply a video signal; and pixel circuits configured to be disposed at intersections between the scan lines and the signal lines, wherein each of the pixel circuits has at least a drive transistor, a sampling transistor connected to a gate of the drive transistor, a capacitive part connected between the gate and a source of the drive transistor, and a light-emitting element connected to the source of the drive transistor.
US09734790B2

A method of switching button functions is disclosed. The method is used for switching the functions of buttons used to operate a display when the portable device is connected to the display. The method includes the following steps of: detecting whether the portable device is connected to the display; if yes, determining whether the functions of the buttons can be switched according to whether a button information is received; if yes, pairing each of the buttons with functions provided by the portable device; and storing a pairing information of each of the buttons and the functions provided by the portable device.
US09734789B2

The present invention discloses a display device, comprising a display panel, a data driving circuit, and a scan driving circuit, the data driving circuit being disposed on a side of the display panel in a first direction, the scan driving circuit being disposed on a side of the display panel in a second direction, the first direction being perpendicular to the second direction; both the data driving circuit and the scan driving circuit are connected to the display panel. The present invention can reduce a width of a non-display region of the display device under a premise of improving a display quality.
US09734787B2

The disclosure provides a method, mobile electronic device, and computer readable medium for operating the mobile electronic device having a motion sensor, touch sensor, microcontroller, and processor. The method includes the following steps. The motion sensor detects a motion and generates motion data in response to the detected motion. The touch sensor detects a fingerprint and generates fingerprint data in response to the detected fingerprint. The microcontroller compares the generated motion data with enrolled motion data, and one of the microcontroller and the processor compares the generated fingerprint data with enrolled fingerprint data, where the enrolled fingerprint data and the enrolled motion data including the first motion data are prestored in the mobile electronic device. When the generated motion data matches the first motion data and the generated fingerprint data matches the enrolled fingerprint data, the processor performs a first action in associated with the first motion data.
US09734782B2

A curved liquid crystal display (LCD) includes a curved liquid crystal panel assembly. The curved liquid crystal panel assembly includes: a lower panel including a first linear polarizer having a first polarization axis; an upper panel including a second linear polarizer having a second polarization axis, the second polarization axis cross the first polarization axis in a plan view; and a liquid crystal layer interposed between the lower panel and the upper panel. An angle formed by a first polarization axis and a second polarization axis does not meet at a right angle in a plan view.
US09734780B2

An object is to provide a driving method of a liquid crystal display device with a low power consumption and a high image quality. A pixel includes a liquid crystal element and a transistor which controls supply of an image signal to the liquid crystal element. The transistor includes, in a channel formation region, a semiconductor which has a wider band gap than a silicon semiconductor and has a lower intrinsic carrier density than silicon, and has an extremely low off-state current. In inversion driving of pixels, image signals having opposite polarities are input to a pair of signal lines between which a pixel electrode is disposed. By employing such a structure, the quality of the displayed image can be increased even in the absence of a capacitor in the pixel.
US09734777B2

A display device that may be driven at both frequencies of 120 Hz and 240 Hz, includes a plurality of pixels arranged in a column direction and a row direction, a plurality of data lines connected with one of the pixels of a j-th row (‘j’ is a natural number) and one of the pixels of a (j+1)-th row in k-th column (‘k’ is a natural number), and connected with one of the pixels of a (j+2)-th row and one of the pixels of a (j+3)-th row in (k−1)-th column, a first gate circuit part configured to apply a gate signal to a (4m−3)-th gate line row (‘m’ is a natural number), a second gate circuit part configured to apply a gate signal to a (4m−2)-th gate line row, a third gate circuit part configured to apply a gate signal to a (4m−1)-th gate line row and a fourth gate circuit part configured to apply a gate signal to a 4m-th gate line row.
US09734776B2

A display device includes a display unit that displays an image, an illuminating unit that irradiates light to the display unit, a plurality of electrodes that are arranged on the display unit, an applying unit that applies an electric signal to the electrodes, a detecting unit that detects electrical changes of the electrodes occurring due to the electric signal, and a control unit that controls the display unit or the illuminating unit based on temperature information of the electrodes indicated by the electrical changes. Each of the electrodes includes a plurality of extension portions, and a coupling portion that couples one ends of the extension portions. A longitudinal direction of each of the extension portions is along the other direction perpendicular to the one direction. The control unit controls the display unit or the illuminating unit based on a temperature distribution of each of the electrodes in the other direction.
US09734771B2

A touch-screen control panel interface has a dielectric flat or curved front panel and a printed circuit board with a front side and a reverse side which is the component side. Alphanumeric display module(s) or an LCD display and optional protective cap mounted on the reverse side of the circuit board are visible through window cutout(s) on the board. An array of LED indicators can be mounted on the back side of the circuit board and visible through cutouts in the board. Metallized capacitive pads on or adjacent the back side of the front panel at touch locations permit selection of various modes, functions, and settings. These pads may be formed on the flat front side of the circuit board, on the back of the front plate, or on an intermediate membrane. A microprocessor is connected with the various components and with capacitive pad. Icons may be printed onto the flat panel, in registry with the metallized capacitive electrode pads. A potting dam is formed of a back plate configured to adhere to the front panel and an open frame extending rearwards. Synthetic resin potting material fills the frame and hermetically seals the circuit board. Positions of the capacitive touch pads can be illuminated when active, as a guide for the user or operator. A second circuit board may be positioned in the frame directly proximal of the first circuit board, and optionally encapsulated.
US09734763B2

The embodiments of the present disclosure disclose a pixel circuit, a driving method and a display apparatus. The pixel circuit comprises multiple sub-pixel circuits, one of which is arranged with a threshold compensation module, and shares a voltage compensated by the threshold compensation module with other sub-pixel circuits. According to the embodiments of the present disclosure, only a threshold compensation module may be arranged for multiple pixels, so as to reduce an average area occupied by a single pixel and is beneficial for improving the PPI of the display apparatus.
US09734756B2

An electronic device may be provided with an organic light-emitting diode display. The display may include row driver circuitry that provides an emission control signal at an output terminal to display pixels. The emission control signals may enable or disable light emission by the pixels. The row driver circuitry may include a bootstrapping capacitor that stores charge for boosting a gate signal at an intermediate node for a pull-up transistor above a power supply voltage. The row driver circuitry may include a pull-down transistor coupled to the intermediate node. The source terminal of the pull-down transistor may be coupled to the output terminal or an additional pull-down transistor may be stacked with the pull-down transistor to reduce leakage current. Charge pump circuitry may be coupled to the intermediate node to ensure that the intermediate node is maintained at a voltage above the power supply voltage.
US09734754B2

A drive circuit classifies frame periods as a drive period and a pause period, and applies a selection voltage to scanning lines in turn and applies voltages according to a video signal (a measurement voltage in the case of measurement targets) to data lines in turn during the drive period. During the pause period, the drive circuit applies the selection voltage to one scanning line corresponding to measurement target pixel circuits, and a measurement circuit measures drive currents outputted to the data lines from the measurement target pixel circuits. The drive circuit may set a write period and a measurement period in the pause period. During the write period, the drive circuit may apply the measurement voltage to the data lines. During the measurement period, the measurement circuit may measure drive currents outputted to the data lines from the measurement target pixel circuits.
US09734747B2

The present invention provides a method for driving an Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED) display apparatus. The method is for displaying a grayscale of one frame with N (N is a natural number equal to or larger than two) number of sub-frames including a writing period and a light-emitting period. Here, M (M is a natural number equal to or smaller than N) number of the sub-frames among the N number of sub-frames include a non-light-emitting period, and a length of the light-emitting period in a specific sub-frame of which a length of the light-emitting period is the shortest is proportional to a difference between a frame time and a time obtained by multiplying a length of the writing period and M.
US09734740B1

A compliance material organizer and display device that is operable to receive and retain a plurality of compliance posters being different in size and provide display thereof. The compliance material organizer includes a wall mount that is configured to be secured to a wall. The wall mount has secured thereto a ring mount wherein the ring mount is configured to be expandable in length so as to be extended to a length of at least three feet. A plurality of rings are secured to the ring mount and are movable so as to receive and suspend therefrom numerous compliance posters. The compliance material organizer and display is configured to receive, retain and display a plurality of compliance posters wherein the posters are arranged in a stacked pattern against the wall with the largest compliance poster being proximate the wall.
US09734735B2

An optically variable surface pattern is made available, having at least two partial areas with reflection elements, wherein the reflection elements of the first partial region on the one hand and the reflection elements of the second partial region on the other hand reflect impinging light in different reflection directions. The first partial region is so covered with a first glazing ink layer that a viewer, upon a change of the viewing angle at which the viewer views the optically variable surface pattern, sees the first partial region glow in a first color upon reaching a first viewing angle. The second partial region glows in a second color that is different from the first color upon reaching a second viewing angle.
US09734734B2

Self-erectable displays and methods of making such self-erectable displays are disclosed. An example self-erectable display includes a shroud including a first shroud panel opposite a second shroud panel and a support coupled within the shroud. In the example display, the support including a top edge, a bottom edge, and first and second side edges. The first and second edges extend through an aperture defined by the support. The example display also includes an elastic band coupled to the support to outwardly bias first shroud panel from the second shroud panel.
US09734721B2

A method comprising receiving sensor information from at least one sensor, determining that a vehicle was involved in an accident based, at least in part, on the sensor information, determining that an informative notification criteria is satisfied based, at least in part, on the accident, sending an informative notification in response to the determination that the informative notification criteria is satisfied, determining whether a remedial request criteria is satisfied based, at least in part, on the accident and the sensor information, in circumstances where the remedial request criteria is satisfied, sending a remedial request based, at least in part, on the satisfaction of the remedial request criteria, and in circumstances where the remedial request criteria fails to be satisfied, precluding sending of the remedial request based, at least in part, on the failure of satisfaction of the remedial request criteria is disclosed.
US09734712B1

A system and method are provided for determining a position of a vehicle traversing a constrained path via cooperating communications equipment installed at fixed points along a known route and onboard the vehicle. The disclosed schemes leverage certain commonly-installed communications nodes to provide positioning information for participating vehicles when those vehicles are specifically limited in their movement to a particular path, including a train track. Signal analysis between cooperating nodes provides localization information, including timing information, that is sufficient, given the physical constraints of the participating vehicles to a particular track, lane or the like, to quickly resolve a positional localization for the vehicles. Common wireless transceiver connectivity is used to support a backup position locating system that has an appropriate fidelity to provide a required modicum of safety without stopping movement of all vehicles in a vicinity of a particular location with which other communications may have broken down.
US09734707B2

A multi-sided controlling device automatically makes keys on one or more sides of the controlling device active as a function of an operating mode of the controlling device. One or more sides of such a multi-sided controlling device may also have at least one keycap behind which is positioned an IR transmitter usable when another side of the controlling device is active.
US09734705B2

A logo assembly, a control method, a controller and an electronic device are provided. The logo assembly comprises: a front case of a logo and a touchpad attached to a backside of the front case of the logo. The touchpad comprises a touch sensor configured to send a control signal to the controller when detecting a touch control operation to the front case of the logo, such that the controller performs a control operation to the electronic device after receiving the control signal. By attaching the touchpad to the backside of the front case of the logo, it solves the issue that a logo has a negative impact on the design of the position of buttons at the front panel of the electronic device, thus reducing the impact of the logo on the position of the buttons.
US09734694B2

A system for programming, controlling and monitoring wireless networks enabling a wireless device (Dev) being utilized and integrated into car electronic control module or home (or business) alarm/security system. This system also presents a general control (robotic) device, which controls general input and output functions, where plurality of cellular handsets, internet devices can co-control, monitor, share and exchange information through the cellular, the internet networks and other wire/wireless network.
US09734689B2

Systems are described for analyzing an environment. A system embodiment includes, but is not limited to, a tag and a reader pair, the tag and the reader configured for individual positioning proximate a human appendage and an environmental object, wherein the reader is configured to identify the tag; a substrate configured to conform to the human appendage, the substrate coupled to at least one of the tag or the reader, the other of the tag or the reader configured to be coupled to the environmental object; a processor operably coupled to the reader and configured to receive one or more output signals from the reader, the one or more output signals corresponding to a threshold associated with the tag or the reader; and an output reporter operably coupled to the processor and configured to generate one or more communication signals responsive to instruction by the processor.
US09734688B2

A wearable device, a non-transitory computer readable recording medium that stores a control program, and a control method are disclosed. A wearable device comprises a belt and a processor. The belt is to be fastened to a body. The processor determines whether the wearable device is removed from the body. The processor notifies another device of removal of the wearable device from the body when determining the removal.
US09734684B2

Aspects include a method, system and computer program product for monitoring a fence about an ad-hoc perimeter. The method includes defining an ad-hoc perimeter to be monitored. A number of autonomous drones are determined for creating a monitoring fence arrangement of the ad-hoc perimeter, each of the autonomous drones including a movement detection mechanism. A position is determined for each of the determined number of autonomous drones. The position is transmitted to each of the autonomous drones. A status of the autonomous drones is monitored. A signal is transmitted in response to at least one of the autonomous drones detecting a breach of the ad-hoc perimeter with the movement detection mechanism.
US09734679B2

An alarm device includes a portable alarm emitter, the portable alarm emitter being configured to detect a change in an electrical property of a sensor element which is connected to the portable alarm emitter and to signal an alarm if a change is established. The portable alarm emitter and the sensor element are separate units configured to be interconnected with electrical contact. The portable alarm emitter is a reusable unit. The sensor element is a disposable unit.
US09734678B2

A system is disclosed for communicating tactile messages to a user, such as a racecar driver, yacht crewmember, or other athlete. The system can include a tactile vest having tactile activators for conveying tactile messages to the user, including real time messages for helping the user assess and improve physical performance. The messages may be generated based on various types of sensor data, including, for example, data collected by vehicle sensors of a racecar or yacht.
US09734665B2

A gaming system includes at least one memory device that stores instructions that cause a processor to operate with a display device an input device to display a wagering game having a basic game and a bonus game having a first end-game outcome, trigger a first instance of the bonus game during play of the basic game, provide a first number of award opportunities during play of the first instance of the bonus game, complete the first instance of the bonus game in response to the first end-game outcome, store any remaining award opportunities in the at least one memory device in response to the first end-game outcome being achieved with at least one award opportunity remaining, trigger a second instance of the bonus game during play of the basic game, and provide any stored remaining award opportunities during play of the second instance of the bonus game.
US09734664B1

One aspect of the disclosure relates to facilitating virtual item rewards for implementation in a virtual space based on a game of chance in an online game. A virtual wheel with multiple game outcomes may be spun and/or any other action may be taken. One of multiple virtual outcomes corresponding to different game outcomes may be selected and/or displayed. There may be various visual mechanisms for selecting and/or presenting one outcome from multiple possible game outcomes.
US09734658B2

A system and method for providing multiple synchronous games for multiple plays from a live table game located in a casino includes a physical game table, a physical game system for playing a live table game in connection with the physical game table to generate a single live game data sequence by a live dealer operating the physical game system, a game server to receive the single live game data sequence and generate multiple synchronous games from the single live game data sequence, and one or more electronic gaming terminals in communication with the game server, each of the one or more electronic gaming terminals having a display to display the multiple synchronous games and an input mechanism to input one or more wagers on the multiple synchronous games. The game server is configured to receive the one or more wagers on the multiple synchronous games from the one or more electronic game terminals, to provide the multiple synchronous games to the one or more electronic gaming terminals synchronously, to determine results of the multiple synchronous games, to resolve the one or more wagers on the multiple synchronous games synchronously from the one or more electronic game terminals, and to payout rewards on the multiple synchronous games to the one or more electronic game terminals.
US09734656B2

A gaming system comprises a player interface (50) comprising a display on which a plurality of selectable symbol display positions are displayed to a player, the player interface (50) allowing a player to select one or more windows (700-703) defining respective ones of one or more subsets of the symbol display positions (600), and a game controller (60) arranged to select symbols for display at all symbol display positions (600), and to evaluate selected symbols within each selected window based on a win entitlement applying to the selected window to determine a game outcome.
US09734655B2

The present invention provides a variety of systems and methods of playing a slot machine game in which players accumulate elements during one or more spins and at the conclusion of any spin may record the accumulation of said elements for future use at the same or different slot machine game. In three preferred embodiments, a player accumulates: the cumulative number of times one or more predetermined symbols appear in the symbol matrix; the cumulative number of points awarded by the game for winning symbol combinations appearing in the symbol matrix; or a set of predetermined winning symbol combinations.
US09734651B1

A money handling apparatus is constituted by a mechanical processing unit configured to mechanically process money, and a manually-handled money storage unit for storing money by a manual handling. The mechanical processing unit includes an inlet for receiving money, a recognition and counting unit configured to recognize and count the money that has been received in the inlet, a mechanically-processed money storage unit configured to store the money, an outlet to which the money fed from the mechanically-processed money storage unit is discharged, and a money transport unit configured to connect these units and portions. The manually-handled money storage unit is not connected to the money transport unit of the mechanical processing unit, and has a structure in which money to be manually managed can be directly stored therein by hand and the stored money can be directly taken out therefrom by hand.
US09734638B2

A method of obtaining a three-dimensional digital model of an artificial object, made up of a plurality of geometric primitives, the artificial object being in a single two-dimensional photograph, the method comprising: using edge detection to define a two-dimensional outline of the artificial object within the photograph; interactively allowing a user to define two-dimensional profiles of successive ones of the geometric primitives; interactively allowing a user to sweep respective profiles over an extent of a corresponding one of the geometric primitives within the image; generating successive three-dimensional model parts from existing detected edges of the corresponding geometric primitives and the sweeping of the respective profile; and aligning the plurality of three-dimensional model parts to form the three-dimensional model.
US09734635B1

The visualization of color on a display of a device is improved using environmental awareness. In one example, a distribution of lighting in an environment is captured using at least one sensor of the device, such as light or image sensors. Further, a viewing angle of a viewer of the display of the device is determined using sensors. Based on the distribution of lighting and the viewing angle, among other environmental factors, color in at least one area on the display of the device is rendered. In addition to the distribution of lighting and the viewing angle, the color can be rendered with reference to a reflectance distribution function associated with the color, a display profile of the display of the device, or other parameters. Further, movement of the device can be tracked, and the color on the display of the device adjusted dynamically based on the movement.
US09734634B1

Systems and methods for displaying 3D containers in a computer generated environment are described. A computing device may provide a user with a catalog of objects which may be purchased. In order to view what an object may look like prior to purchasing the object, a computing device may show a 3D container that has the same dimensions as the object. As discussed herein, the 3D container may be located and oriented based on a two-dimensional marker. Moreover, some 3D containers may contain a representation of an object, which may be a 2D image of the object.
US09734630B2

A system and method includes acquisition of a first at least two two-dimensional images of a body, generation of a first three-dimensional image based on the first at least two two-dimensional images, acquisition of a second at least two two-dimensional images of the body, generation of a second three-dimensional image based on the second at least two two-dimensional images, determination of a difference between the first three-dimensional image and the second three-dimensional image, determination of a region of interest based on the difference, replacement of first voxels of the region of interest of the first three-dimensional image with second voxels of the region of interest of the second three-dimensional image to generate a first updated three-dimensional image, and display of the first updated three-dimensional image.
US09734622B2

A method of digital continuous and simultaneous three-dimensional painting and three-dimensional drawing with steps of providing a digital electronic canvas having at least one display and capable of presenting two pictures for a right eye and a left eye; providing means for continuous changing of a virtual distance between the digital electronic canvas and a painter by digitally changing a horizontal disparity (shifting) between images for the right eye and the left eye on the digital electronic canvas corresponding to instant virtual canvas position; providing at least one multi-axis input control device allowing digital painting or drawing on the digital electronic canvas; painting on the digital electronic canvas for any instant virtual positions of the digital electronic canvas providing simultaneous appearance of a similar stroke on the images for the right eye and the left eye.
US09734614B2

A surface covering layout system includes a processing circuit configured to receive image data regarding one or more images associated with a surface to be covered with a surface covering, and generate a surface covering layout based on the image data, the surface covering layout providing an indication of a pattern of a plurality of covering members included in the surface covering.
US09734612B2

The image processing apparatus includes a region detection unit that detects a face region of the attention person, an attention person movement region of the moving image, the entire region of the attention person, and an attention person transfer region of the moving image, a region image extraction unit that extracts an image of the face region of the attention person, an image of the attention person movement region of the moving image, an image of the entire region of the attention person, and an image of the attention person transfer region of the moving image, which respectively correspond to the face region of the attention person, the attention person movement region of the moving image, the entire region of the attention person, and the attention person transfer region of the moving image, from the still image, and a composite image generation unit that generates a composite image.
US09734606B2

In a system according to an embodiment, program structure information may include interval information. Each interval information may include source code position information indicating a successive region on a source code of a target program and parent-child information for specifying a parent-child relationship with respect to the interval information. The program structure information may include a reference interval without a parent. A processing unit may specify the number of parents existing between each interval information and the reference interval as a depth of each interval information from the reference interval, and create display information by arranging the interval information on a coordinate system defined by a first axis representing depth from the reference interval and a second axis representing the parent-child relationship based on the depth from the reference and the parent-child information.
US09734602B2

An apparatus for processing a medical image includes: a receiver configured to receive a signal having a plurality of frequency bands; an image reconstructor configured to segment the signal into a first signal of a first frequency band and a second signal of a second frequency band based on a signal strength, and configured to generate a first reconstructed image of the first frequency band and a second reconstructed image of the second frequency band; and an image synthesizer configured to synthesize the first reconstructed image and the second reconstructed image.
US09734600B2

An imaging system (36) includes a Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scanner (38) and one or more processors (52). The Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scanner (38) which generates event data including true coincident events and scatter events, the event data includes each end point of a line of response (LOR) and an energy of each end point. The one or more processors (52) are programmed to generate (72) a plurality of activity map and attenuation map pairs based on the true coincident events, and select (76) an activity map and an attenuation map from the plurality of activity and attenuation map pairs based on the scattered events.
US09734594B2

An example method of generating three-dimensional objects based on two-dimensional images of at least part of the object may include receiving a rendering transaction request. The method may further include transmitting, to the requestor, a rendering transaction response identifying a first storage location. The method may further include receiving, from the requestor, a notification indicating that images depicting an object have been uploaded to the first storage location. The method may further include transmitting, to a rendering application, a rendering request. The method may further include receiving, from the rendering application, a rendering response indicating that a polygonal mesh representing the images has been stored at a second storage location. The method may further include producing, using the polygonal mesh, a preview image and storing the preview image at a third storage location. The method may further include transmitting, to the requestor, a notification of completion of the rendering transaction.
US09734590B2

A process for producing a total match metric for matching color and appearance of a target coating and at least a specimen coating is provided. The total match metric (TMM) are produced based on color difference values (ΔE) at three or more color viewing angles, sparkle difference values (ΔS) at one or more sparkle viewing angles and flop difference value (Δf) between the target coating and the specimen coating using one or more linear functions, one or more non-linear functions, or a combination thereof. The total match metric can be used in producing matching coatings that match color and appearance of the target coating. The total match metric can be particularly useful for repair coating damages to vehicles.
US09734581B2

An on-vehicle control device includes: an image acquiring unit that acquires an image from an image-capturing device that captures the image of surroundings of a vehicle; an overhead view image generating unit that generates an overhead view image from the image acquired by the image acquiring unit, the overhead view image being a plan view of the surroundings of the vehicle seen from above the vehicle; a white line recognizing unit that recognizes possible white lines on a road surface in the overhead view image; a white line information saving unit that saves information including positional information of the possible white lines recognized by the white line recognizing unit; a white line position predicting unit that predicts a position of a possible white line to be reached, based on information about a previous possible white line saved by the white line information saving unit and vehicle behavior information; and a white line judging unit that excludes, among the possible white lines recognized by the white line recognizing unit, a possible white line that extends in a radial direction from the image-capturing device in the overhead view image and satisfies a predetermined condition.
US09734575B2

The present invention relates to a method for determining a change in the mobility of a population of organisms over time, said method comprising: a) obtaining a first image (I1) of the population at a first time point (T1) b) obtaining a second image (I2) of the population at a second time point (T2) c) calculating the absolute differences between I1 and I2 (ΔD1) d) obtaining a third image (I3) of the population at a third time point (T3) e) obtaining a fourth image (I4) of the population at a fourth time point (T4) f) calculating the absolute differences between I3 and I4 (ΔD2). g) calculating the change between ΔD1 and ΔD2 to calculate a change mobility of the population as a whole.
US09734568B2

Shadow-grams are used for edge inspection and metrology of a stacked wafer. The system includes a light source that directs collimated light at an edge of the stacked wafer, a detector opposite the light source, and a controller connected to the detector. The stacked wafer can rotate with respect to the light source. The controller analyzes a shadow-gram image of the edge of the stacked wafer. Measurements of a silhouette of the stacked wafer in the shadow-gram image are compared to predetermined measurements. Multiple shadow-gram images at different points along the edge of the stacked wafer can be aggregated and analyzed.
US09734563B2

An image is sharpened by using a frequency component exceeding a Nyquist frequency. In particular, an image processing apparatus 100 of the disclosure herein for generating an output image by sharpening an input image includes a first nonlinear processing unit 101 configured to generate a first signal by carrying out nonlinear processing on an input image signal representing the input image, a sharpening processing block 102 configured to generate a second signal containing a frequency component higher than a frequency component contained in the first signal by carrying out sharpening processing on the first signal, and an adder 103 configured to generate an output image signal representing the output image by adding the second signal to the input image signal.
US09734555B2

A method for generating a tree map for tree map visualization includes obtaining node information of a plurality of nodes to be processed, the plurality of nodes to be processed being sub-nodes sharing a same parent node and the node information comprising at least sizes of the nodes; determining from the plurality of nodes a plurality of candidate nodes whose sizes are less than a threshold size; determining at least one super node including the plurality of candidate nodes based on the node information of the determined plurality of candidate nodes, a screen size, and the threshold size, such that when displaying in a zooming-in mode the super node on the screen, all candidate nodes in the super node are displayed at display sizes not less than the threshold size; and determining data required for displaying the tree map based on the determined super node.
US09734548B2

One embodiment of the present invention includes techniques for adaptively sizing cache tiles in a graphics system. A device driver associated with a graphics system sets a cache tile size associated with a cache tile to a first size. The detects a change from a first render target configuration that includes a first set of render targets to a second render target configuration that includes a second set of render targets. The device driver sets the cache tile size to a second size based on the second render target configuration. One advantage of the disclosed approach is that the cache tile size is adaptively sized, resulting in fewer cache tiles for less complex render target configurations. Adaptively sizing cache tiles leads to more efficient processor utilization and reduced power requirements. In addition, a unified L2 cache tile allows dynamic partitioning of cache memory between cache tile data and other data.
US09734539B2

The present invention provides a coordinated coil scheduling method of multiple production lines in cold rolling area in steel plant, comprising: acquiring the information about the candidate coils to be scheduled in each of the multiple production lines in cold rolling area; building a coordinated coil scheduling model of multiple lines; obtaining the initial coordinated coil schedule of multiple lines by using a heuristic algorithm; improving the initial coordinated coil schedule in real time; and sending the improved coordinated coil schedule to the ACS of each production line. In this method, besides different production technological requirements of each coil, the cohesion relationship of different production lines are taken into account to make material supply to each equipment reasonable, and the smooth production process of coils in each of the lines is guaranteed with the changeover minimized, such that the whole efficiency of the manufacturing process is improved.
US09734538B2

Provided are a Social Network Service (SNS) function integration operation method and a system supporting the same. The SNS function integration operation system, includes a plurality of SNS servers providing a plurality of SNS information; and a portable terminal for subscribing to the plurality of SNS servers in order to receive the plurality of SNS information and provide a plurality of SNS functions corresponding to the plurality of SNS information, and providing at least one of an SNS integration operation user interface that integrates a list of the plurality of SNS functions and the plurality of SNS information, and for providing an SNS information screen corresponding to a detailed view of SNS information selected from the plurality of SNS information.
US09734533B1

A system and method for operating an on-demand auction for a Financial Instrument are provided in which a request is made for a Trading Center to conduct an on-demand auction for a Financial Instrument. If requirements are met, the Trading Center transitions from an Open Trading State (OTS) to a SNAP Auction State (SAS), excludes from the auction any order which explicitly requests exclusion, includes in the auction any remaining Resting Orders, includes in the auction certain new orders which arrive before the auction ends, activates and includes currently dormant orders, takes a snapshot of displayed buying/selling interest and attempts to include in the auction any available buying/selling interest in other Trading Centers which must be satisfied, computes the auction price, sends external Satisfaction Orders, attempts to match all responses to Satisfaction Orders and all internal orders included in the auction, and transitions back from the SAS to the OTS.
US09734528B2

A vehicle control and interconnection system comprises a vehicle interconnection component and a software component. The vehicle interconnection component communicably couples to a corresponding portable electronic processing device when the portable electronic processing device is suitably positioned within a corresponding vehicle. The vehicle interconnection component further couples to a vehicle subsystem within the vehicle. The software component is downloaded into the corresponding portable electronic processing device, and implements a supervisory controller, a vehicle interface and a user interface. The supervisory controller provides control information that is utilized by the vehicle subsystem connected through the vehicle interconnection component to implement a customized vehicle configuration. The vehicle interface communicates the control information from the supervisory controller to the vehicle subsystem component through the vehicle interconnection component. The user interface couples to an input device and a display to provide a common interface for the device coupled to the vehicle interconnection component.
US09734524B2

A system and method for virtual markets with product pickup generally comprised of a three-dimensional user supermarket interface, where a user places an order, and a retail/warehouse hybrid procurement center, comprised of a fulfillment warehouse and a pickup bay, where the order is generally fulfilled, packaged and picked-up by a user.
US09734523B2

Provided are methods of providing a virtual service that may provide partial real time service to clients of a production computing service that is unavailable. Methods may include generating, based on transaction data corresponding to a production computing service that is available, a production computing service model that includes multiple request types and multiple confidence values that correspond to ones of the request types. Methods may include responding to a request received from a client of the production computing service with a model-generated response to the request in response to the production computing service being unavailable. The production computing service is updated with the request received from the client and the model-generated response responsive to the production computing service being available after being unavailable.
US09734520B2

Methods and systems are provided for giving prompt, detailed ratings feedback (e.g., as a purchase is being made or a user is shopping or dining with a merchant) that can be subjected to a controlled delay in sending the actual feedback to merchants. “Merchant” is used in a general sense to include both providers of goods and providers of services, such as dining (e.g., restaurants, coffee shops), car maintenance, carpet cleaning, home remodeling, and plumbing, for example). The feedback may be provided from a consumer mobile device. Embodiments may provide information useable in real time (e.g., as the user is considering the ratings to be given) from the merchant back to the consumer for improving the ratings feedback or that the consumer can use, for example, for making purchasing decisions.
US09734491B2

Exemplary voice call payment systems and methods provide parties to a voice call with features for sharing sensitive information over an active voice connection supporting the voice call. An exemplary method includes a voice call payment system detecting, during a voice call between a user of a user device and a representative of a merchant over an active voice connection between the user device and a merchant device of the merchant, a request by the user to submit inaudible payment information to the merchant over the active voice connection as payment in a transaction between the user and the merchant, directing, in response to the request, the user device to acquire the inaudible payment information, and directing, in response to the request, the user device to transmit the inaudible payment information to the merchant device over the active voice connection.
US09734488B2

A simple mail transfer protocol (“SMTP”) computer fails to deliver a multi-recipient e-mail to another SMTP computer. The SMTP computer generates a multi-line SMTP response including a per-recipient delivery status for each recipient of the multi-recipient e-mail message. The multi-line SMTP response may include a line for each recipient of the e-mail message. The multi-line SMTP response alternatively may include a line only for recipients for which delivery of the e-mail message has failed.
US09734483B2

A product management device searches for a missing bar-code ID which is not present among bar-code IDs read by a reading section from among a list of bar-code IDs recorded, in advance, in a predetermined order, calculates a reading time of the missing bar-code ID using reading times associated with bar-code IDs before and after the missing bar-code ID, and instructs the outputting of image data of capture times by cameras of the product to which the missing bar-code ID is attached using the calculated reading time, the relative positions of the cameras, and a speed of a belt conveyor.
US09734471B2

Provided are systems, methods and computer program products. Embodiments may include methods that include receiving a query that includes multiple requests, each including target data and corresponding to different respective attributes of the query, and selectively and iteratively executing a portion of multiple elemental computer programs responsive to different ones of the requests. Ones of the elemental computer programs are configured to be executed to provide a portion of target values corresponding to respective ones of the requests. More than one of the elemental computer programs are executed to provide, in aggregate, target values corresponding to the target data.
US09734470B2

A method includes generating a graphical display associated with an industrial process control system having multiple field devices. The graphical display includes a custom group of field devices, where the custom group includes a user-defined subset of the field devices. The method also includes presenting the graphical display. The method further includes receiving a request to perform an action associated with the custom group. In addition, the method includes initiating performance of the action for each field device in the custom group. The action could include a user-defined custom action, and the method could further include defining the custom action based on user input. The graphical display could include multiple custom groups of field devices and, for each custom group, identify a status of each field device in the custom group. Each custom group could identify critical field devices associated with a different functional unit in an industrial facility.
US09734465B2

A distributed workflow-enabled system includes: a workflow-enabled provider and a workflow-enabled client communicatively coupled by a network. The workflow-enabled provider and the workflow-enabled client include a workflow unit. The workflow unit allows the workflow-enabled provider and the workflow-enabled client to communicate, distribute processes and present a user interfaces by providing a communication manager, a process control module and a user interface module. The present invention also includes a number of novel methods including a method for communication, a method for processing by a process control module, a method for creating and presenting the user interface and a method for retrieving processes executable by the process control module.
US09734464B2

A computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer usable program product for creating a labor standard for a task. The process automatically detects event data derived from a continuous video stream, wherein the event data comprises metadata describing a sequence of motions for performing the task, and parses the event data to identify appropriate event data describing a discrete set of motions from the sequence of motions. The process then analyzes, using an analysis server, the discrete set of motions to form a labor standard, wherein the labor standard specifies an optimal manner of performing the discrete set of motions. Thereafter, the process generates a set of recommendations for performing the task efficiently according to the labor standard.
US09734462B2

A method, using a mobile device, of initiating the processing of a transaction for a parking session between a parking system and a payment provider on behalf of a user, the method comprising storing a user identifier in memory on the mobile device, receiving a parking identifier and transmitting the user identifier and the parking identifier to a network server.
US09734459B2

A method for managing a project including displaying, to a user, a Gantt chart illustrating one or more project items of the project as one or more corresponding bars, alerting the user when one of the one or more project items has a status of warning or critical, selecting one of the one or more corresponding bars, and displaying additional information pertaining to the project item corresponding to the selected one of the one or more corresponding bars.
US09734450B2

A method includes a computing device receiving data traffic flow and initializing a subroutine to assess alerts for the received data traffic flow; the computer device determining a collection of rules which produce more than a threshold of false positive alerts and more than a threshold of true positive alerts for the assessed alerts; the computer device determining a logical condition and an atomic rule element to add to the collection of rules; and the computer device implementing the added logical condition and atomic rule element if the number of assessed alerts are decreased below a value.
US09734449B2

Methods and apparatus are provided for run-time user control of system-generated content. A user is presented with the system-generated content and can configure one or more rules at run-time. The rules identify one or more automated actions to perform upon the system-generated content when one or more conditions are satisfied. The automated actions are executed upon the system-generated content when the one or more conditions are satisfied. The exemplary automated actions may comprise transform, retrieve, update and alert. The conditions can specify, for example, when to perform the automated actions. Active tags may optionally be attached to or embedded directly in the system-generated content or in a document containing the system-generated content. Tools are optionally provided to allow a user to manage active tags.
US09734446B2

A method and structure for a radio frequency identification (RFID) system including an RFID tag. The RFID tag can include a dampener configured to dampen a resonation of a resonator. Prior to dampening the resonation of the resonator using the dampener, the RFID tag may be configured to transmit a first response signal from a transmit antenna. Subsequent to dampening of the resonation of the resonator using the dampener, the RFID tag may be configured to transmit a second response signal that is different from the first response signal. The dampener may include a chemical agent or a fusible link.
US09734445B2

In various embodiments, a circuit arrangement is provided, including a first antenna tuned to a first frequency range, a second antenna tuned to a second frequency range being different from the first frequency range, a controller coupled to the first antenna and the second antenna, wherein the controller is configured to receive its operational power via at least one of the first antenna and the second antenna, and a deactivating structure configured to deactivate the communication of the controller via the second antenna upon reception of electromagnetic waves with the first frequency range via the first antenna.
US09734442B2

A security feature and a method for creating a barcode are disclosed. Data is concatenating to be represented in the barcode. The concatenated data is partitioned into n-bit segments. The formatted data is encoded by assigning a respective code to each n-bit segment. The barcode is created using the encoded data.
US09734440B2

System and method of calibration, screening, and compensation for multiple gray-level digital presses. Unequal quantization of the input range is employed with compensated overlapping of sub-ranges. Multiple instances of bi-level screening algorithms, tone modification functions, and a recombination algorithm are employed to produce calibrated screening on individual tone ranges. The method works with any bi-level screening algorithm and devices with any number of gray-levels. Quality imaging results from high detail, high tonal accuracy, low screening noise, and lack of printed artifacts. Dynamic re-calibration is facilitated. The elimination of the constraint of evenly spaced gray-levels has advantages of cost and yield for print head fabricators and digital press manufacturers. Multiple implementations are given for hardware and software embodiments. The present invention, which comprises a print profile for each colorant, is extended to comprise additional print profiles, as needed, specifying the print characteristic of a single or group of aberrant nozzles.
US09734434B2

Feature interpolation techniques are described. In a training stage, features are extracted from a collection of training images and quantized into visual words. Spatial configurations of the visual words in the training images are determined and stored in a spatial configuration database. In an object detection stage, a portion of features of an image are extracted from the image and quantized into visual words. Then, a remaining portion of the features of the image are interpolated using the visual words and the spatial configurations of visual words stored in the spatial configuration database.
US09734433B1

A system determines what regions in a scene captured by a camera include highly reflective (specular) surfaces. The system illuminates the scene by outputting images to a display screen such as a television screen so as to illuminate the scene from different angles. Images of the scene are captured by the camera under the different illuminations. The images are analyzed to determine which regions in the scene exhibit changes in reflected luminance that correspond to the changes in illumination, indicating a specular surface. Regions containing diffuse surfaces are also identified based on such regions exhibiting a reflected luminance that is substantially independent of the changes in illumination.
US09734431B2

A method and system include replicating an image representing a sequence of bytes on a local storage medium on a target device by determining a similarity between images and reconstructing a new image using equivalent blocks from one or more similar images locally available on the target device or available on donor devices to reduce network link usage and transfer time in replicating the image.
US09734426B2

A food recognition assistant system includes technologies to recognize foods and combinations of foods depicted in a digital picture of food. Some embodiments include technologies to estimate portion size and calories, and to estimate nutritional value of the foods. In some embodiments, data identifying recognized foods and related information are generated in an automated fashion without relying on human assistance to identify the foods. In some embodiments, the system includes technologies for achieving automatic food detection and recognition in a real-life setting with a cluttered background, without the images being taken in a controlled lab setting, and without requiring additional user input (such as user-defined bounding boxes). Some embodiments of the system include technologies for personalizing the food classification based on user-specific habits, location and/or other criteria.
US09734423B2

An image-based structural health monitoring system and method are disclosed herein. The image-based structural health monitoring system includes a marker image acquisition unit, a marker coordinate calculation unit, a shape function determination unit, and a structural health evaluation unit. The marker image acquisition unit acquires marker images of markers attached onto the surface of a structure. The marker coordinate calculation unit calculates the coordinates of the markers in the marker images. The shape function determination unit determines a shape function by performing spline interpolation based on the calculated marker coordinates. The structural health evaluation unit evaluates the structural health of the structure by calculating the strain or stress of the structure based on the radius of curvature calculated at each location on the determined shape function.
US09734422B2

Enhanced defect detection of a sample includes acquiring two or more inspection images from a sample from two or more locations of the sample for a first optical mode. The defect detection also generates an aggregated defect profile based on the two or more inspection images from the two or more locations for the first optical mode for a selected defect type and calculating one or more noise correlation characteristics of the two or more inspection images acquired from the two or more locations for the first optical mode. Defect detection further includes the generation of a matched filter for the first optical mode based on the generated aggregated defect profile and the calculated one or more noise correlation characteristics.
US09734421B2

The present invention relates to a method and a device for inspecting a volume and/or a composition of at least one, especially fluid, sample. The method comprises the steps of making available at least one pipette, in which an interface is formed between a sample and a fluid which is adjacent to the sample. That interface being optically perceptible outside the pipette as an interface line between the sample and at least one fluid that extends approximately (about) horizontally A camera is arranged in an image so that the marking and at least a first section of the at least one pipette is shown in a recorded imageThe present invention thus provides an apparatus and method for a singular approach to detecting, evaluation and recording results.
US09734411B2

A method assists in locating objects using their images. One or more processors receive a set of one or more machine readable reference images of an object, and then distribute the set of one or more machine readable reference images to a plurality of computing devices, where each computing device from the plurality of computing devices is capable of capturing an image. Each computing device from the plurality of computing devices captures a set of one or more images. For each set of one or more images in each computing device from the plurality of computing devices, machine logic within each computing device determines whether each set of one or more images includes an image portion corresponding to the object.
US09734399B2

A system and a method for real-time detection of a moving object on a travel path in a geographical area is provided. The system and method may also be used to track such a moving object in real-time. The system includes an image capturing device for capturing successive images of a geographical area, a geographical reference map comprising contextual information of the geographical area, and a processor configured to calculate differences between successive images to detect, in real-time, a moving object on the travel path. The method includes capturing successive images of the geographical area using the image capturing device, geo-registering at least some of the successive images relative to the geographical reference map, and calculating differences between the successive images to detect, in real-time, an object.
US09734391B2

Disclosed methods include a method of controlling a computing device includes the steps of detecting a gesture made by a human user, identifying the gesture, and executing a computer command. The gesture may comprise a change in depth of a body part of the human user relative to the 2D camera. The gesture may be detected via a 2D camera in electronic communication with the computing device. Disclosed systems include a 2D camera and a computing device in electronic communication therewith. The 2D camera is configured to capture at least a first and second image of a body part of a human user. The computing device is configured to recognize at least a first object in the first image and a second object in the second image, identify a change in depth, and execute a command in response to the change in depth.
US09734388B2

A method for counting and tracking defined objects includes the step of receiving subset data with a data capturing device, wherein the subset data is associated with defined objects and includes a unique identifier, an entry time, an exit time, and location data for each defined object. The method further includes the steps of receiving subset data at a counting system, counting the defined objects, tracking the defined objects, associating a location of a defined object with a predefined area, and/or generating path data by plotting X and Y coordinates for the defined object within the predefined area at sequential time periods.
US09734377B2

A bar code reading terminal can, in one embodiment, include a two-dimensional image sensor and an imaging assembly. The terminal can be configured, in response to receipt of a trigger signal, to buffer a set of frames and subject each frame of the set of frames to a decode attempt. The terminal can also be configured to convert the convert the captured set of video frames into a compressed video format, and transfer the resulting video file to a file server or to one or more playback devices, in response to a user interface action, or in response to difficult read condition having been detected. The terminal can also be configured to establish two-way video- and audio-communication with a remote video- and audio-streaming device. The video capturing and streaming operation of the terminal can be controlled remotely from a playback device via web interface.
US09734369B2

According to various embodiments, a mobile device continuously and/or automatically scans a user environment for tags containing non-human-readable data. The mobile device may continuously and/or automatically scan the environment for tags without being specifically directed at a particular tag. The mobile device may be adapted to scan for audio tags, radio frequency tags, and/or image tags. The mobile device may be configured to scan for and identify tags within the user environment that satisfy a user preference. The mobile device may perform an action in response to identifying a tag that satisfies a user preference. The mobile device may be configured to scan for a wide variety of tags, including tags in the form of quick response codes, steganographic content, audio watermarks, audio outside of a human audible range, radio frequency identification tags, long wavelength identification tags, near field communication tags, and/or a Memory Spot device.
US09734356B2

A portable media system for a host computer system, and method of operation thereof, that includes: a controller in the portable media system for communicating clear information between the portable media system and the host computer system; and an encryption system in the portable media system for providing an encryption algorithm for the controller to decrypt cipher information for the host computer system.
US09734355B2

Embodiments of systems and methods disclosed herein provide a simple and effective method for authentication and key exchange that is secure from man-in-the-middle attacks and is characterized by perfect forward secrecy. More specifically, in certain embodiments, the systems and methods are disclosed that enable secure communications between a local device and a remote device(s) via a protocol that uses a Central Licensing Authority that shares derived secrets with the endpoints, without sharing the secrets themselves. The derived secrets may be comprised of public information, taking the form of nonces, in order to protect the system against replay-style attacks. Each endpoint can generate its own nonce with sufficient entropy such that neither endpoint is dependent on the trustworthiness of the other.
US09734350B2

Techniques for sorting encrypted data within a software as a service (SaaS) environment. Data is encrypted on a per symbol basis with a symbol based encryption module. Sort and search functionality preserving encryption that allows other modules to sort tokens and to search for tokens is provided. Encrypted tokens that have been encrypted by the symbol based encryption module are stored in a database. Access to the encrypted tokens is provided through the SaaS environment.
US09734348B2

A method for automatically encrypting files is disclosed. In some cases, the method may be performed by computer hardware comprising one or more processors. The method can include detecting access to a first file, which may be stored in a primary storage system. Further, the method can include determining whether the access comprises a write access. In response to determining that the access comprises a write access, the method can include accessing file metadata associated with the first file and accessing a set of encryption rules. In addition, the method can include determining whether the file metadata satisfies the set of encryption rules. In response to determining that the file metadata satisfies the set of encryption rules, the method can include encrypting the first file to obtain a first encrypted file and modifying an extension of the first encrypted file to include an encryption extension.
US09734344B2

A method for receiving a policy is provided. The method includes receiving a policy, determining a context based on the received policy, and applying the policy, based at least in part on the determined context, to a user space of an electronic device.
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