US09762439B2

In one embodiment, a computer program product for creating a configuration template for a set of devices includes a computer readable storage medium having program instructions embodied therewith. The program instructions are readable/executable by a hardware processor to cause the processor to separate, by the processor, existing syntactic models describing syntax from existing semantic models describing semantics prior to determining a command information and determine, by the processor, the command information for a plurality of devices. The program instructions also cause the processor to identify, by the processor, a command structure from the command information which is common to a set of devices from the plurality of devices, and associate, by the processor, the set of devices to a common configuration template.
US09762435B2

A system is disclosed that forms a base platform that enables a plurality of objects to be used in forming a plurality of different domain models. The system may have a common data model repository (CDMR) having an object relational mapping layer for mapping instances of the objects to persistent storage. The instances of objects may represent information that includes connections and control capabilities for at least certain ones of the instances of objects, and the CDMR may implement the connections and control capabilities in relation to managed elements.
US09762433B2

Systems and methods are described to provide fault tolerant folded Clos networks. A folded Clos network is disclosed including a set of tier 1 routers interconnected with a set of tier 2 routers. Tier 1 routers are configured to view a set of tier 2 routers as a single aggregate router. Accordingly, tier 1 routers are unaware of faults between tier 2 routers and additional tier 1 routers. A throwback router is connected to each tier 2 router to facilitate handling of data under such fault conditions. When a tier 2 router receives undeliverable data, the data is passed to a throwback router, which retransmits the data to an additional tier 2 router. Data that is retransmitted multiple times can be disregarded by the throwback router.
US09762429B2

A processor is configured to determine non-core functions to be performed by an unmanaged device disposed on a packet based computer network. A control message generator is configured to (i) generate a point-to-point control message conforming to a point-to-point control protocol for controlling the unmanaged device over a point-to-point serial bus connection to perform the determined non-core functions, and (ii) encapsulate the point-to-point control message in a transport packet for transport over the packet based computer network. A packet transmitter is configured to transmit the transport packet including the encapsulated point-to-point control message via a port coupled to the packet based computer network, the packet based computer network configured to route the transport packet including the encapsulated point-to-point control message based on a header included in the transport packet so that the point-to-point control message is received at the unmanaged device via the packet based computer network.
US09762418B2

A receiver includes a plurality of equalization modules each configurable to provide a selectable compensation value to a data bit stream received by the receiver, and a control module configured to perform a plurality of back channel adaptations on the data bitstream to achieve a target bit error rate for the receiver, each back channel adaptation being associated with a set of compensation values of the equalization modules, determine a most common set of compensation values derived from the performance of the plurality of back channel adaptations, and determine an optimized set of compensation values based on the most common set of compensation values.
US09762410B2

The present application provides a method and a device for clearing a MAC forwarding entry. The method includes: detecting, by a first RB, that a topology of a network accessed by a local terminal changes; and sending, by the first RB, a first packet to a second RB, so that the second RB clears a corresponding forwarding entry after receiving the first packet, where the second RB refers to an RB configured with at least one VLAN the same as that of the first RB. According to embodiments of the present application, after the topology of the network accessed by the local terminal changes, MAC forwarding entries of relevant devices in a whole network can be cleared in time, thereby avoiding a forwarding error.
US09762407B2

When it is determined that a position of the display terminal is within a range of a prescribed distance from the house and when it is determined that the log information and the information indicating the operational state of the one electric home appliance are not consistent with each other, the server provides the display terminal with information on a possibility of a malfunction of the one electric home appliance while the position of the display terminal is still within the range of the prescribed distance from the house.
US09762405B2

A method for publishing a publication message includes receiving, at one of a plurality of first relays, a subscription request from a first client and transmitting the subscription request from the one of the plurality of first relays to first and second central relays of a plurality of central relays. The method also includes receiving, at another of the plurality of first relays, a publication request from a second client. The publication request includes the publication message. The method further includes transmitting the publication message from the another of the plurality of first relays to all of the plurality of central relays, transmitting the publication message from at least one of the first and second central relays to the one of the plurality of first relays, and transmitting the publication message from the one of the plurality of first relays to the first client.
US09762402B2

A method is provided in one example embodiment and may include receiving a first Internet protocol (IP) flow for an IP session for a subscriber; selecting a first service function group from a plurality of service function groups to perform one or more services for the IP session for the subscriber, wherein each of the plurality of service function groups comprises a plurality of service function chain types and wherein each service function chain type comprises an ordered combination of one or more service functions; assigning the IP session for the subscriber to the first service function group; and forwarding the first IP flow for the IP session of the subscriber across a first service function chain type for the first service function group based, at least in part, on a service policy for the subscriber.
US09762401B2

A manner of managing data transmission and operating-mode transitions in a communication network. A network node having a transmitter and receiver is selectively transitioned into a Transmit state, where the Transmit state is a condition wherein the transmitter is turned on for data transmission only during timeslots provided for by a PBW (pre-allocation bandwidth) and remains off otherwise. The PBW and clock drift allowance permits the receiver to remain off during all or most of the Transmit state.
US09762400B2

Embodiments include apparatuses, methods, and systems for a physically unclonable function (PUF) circuit. The PUF circuit may include an array of PUF cells to generate respective PUF bits of an encryption code. Individual PUF cells may include first and second inverters cross-coupled between a bit node and a bit bar node. The individual PUF cells may further include a first pre-charge transistor coupled to the bit node and configured to receive a clock signal via a first clock path, and a second pre-charge transistor coupled to the bit bar node and configured to receive the clock signal via a second clock path. Features and techniques of the PUF cells are disclosed to improve the stability and/or bias strength of the PUF cells, to generate a dark bit mask for the array of PUF cells, and to improve resilience to probing attacks. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.
US09762394B1

An access manager determines whether access will be granted to a guarded species or space utilizing a controller including a digital processor with a memory for storing an ID library and a transducer block coupled with the processor for accessing a plurality of different ID types and an actuator block coupled with the processor for unlocking a normally locked portal to the guarded space.
US09762393B2

Authentication methods are disclosed for determining whether a person or object to be authenticated is a member of a set of authorized persons or objects. A query signature is acquired comprising a vector whose elements store values of an ordered set of features for the person or object to be authenticated. The query signature is compared with an aggregate signature comprising a vector whose elements store values of the ordered set of features for the set of authorized persons or objects. The individual signatures for the authorized persons or objects are not stored; only the aggregate signature. It is determined whether the person or object to be authenticated is a member of the set of authorized persons or objects based on the comparison. The comparing may comprise computing an inner product of the query signature and the aggregate signature, with the determining being based on the inner product.
US09762388B2

A system and method includes obtaining a secret key at a processor of a device, obtaining a salt and an environmental variable, generating a cryptographically transformed derived key via the processor of the device using the secret key, the salt, and the environmental variable, storing the derived key in a memory of the device, and using the derived key for cryptographic communications via a network with another device.
US09762376B2

A method, an apparatus, and a transceiver for cancelling multi-carrier transmission interference are provided. The method includes: collecting a high order intermodulation signal in radio frequency signals output by a transmitter; processing the high order intermodulation signal so as to generate a first digital signal; establishing a high order intermodulation model by using the first digital signal and a first baseband signal output by the transmitter; generating a second digital signal by using a coefficient of the high order intermodulation model and a second baseband signal output by the transmitter; and counteracting interference in a digital signal output by a receiver with the second digital signal. By using the embodiments of the embodiments of the invention, high order intermodulation interference of a multi-carrier transmitter on a receiver can be effectively canceled, and therefore, difficulty in duplexer design and requirements on a suppression degree are reduced.
US09762374B1

A power line communication based monitoring system includes an alternating current (AC) power distribution bus, a data source (such as a sensor circuit), a system modulator/demodulator (modem), and a data converter. The sensor circuit is configured to sense a mechanical state of a component and to supply a modulated sensor signal representative of the mechanical state to the AC power distribution bus. The system modem is in operable communication with the AC power distribution bus and is coupled to receive the modulated sensor signal therefrom. The system modem is configured, upon receipt of the modulated sensor signal, to demodulate the modulated sensor signal and supply a demodulated sensor signal. The data converter is coupled to receive the demodulated sensor signal from the system modem and is configured to convert the demodulated sensor signal to digital data in a standard digital data communications protocol.
US09762371B2

A wireless communication apparatus is capable of improving communication efficiency by reducing the amount of control information transmitted. A channel quality information extraction section extracts CQI's from a received signal. An allocation control section allocates subcarriers for every communication terminal apparatus and selects a modulation scheme in such a manner that required transmission rate is satisfied for each communication terminal apparatus based on required transmission rate information, etc. and CQI's for communication terminal apparatus of each user. A required subcarrier number determining section decides the number of subcarriers allocated to every communication terminal apparatus so as to satisfy the required transmission rate for each communication terminal apparatus. A required subcarrier number information generating section generates information for the number of subcarriers allocated to every communication terminal apparatus. A subcarrier allocation section allocates packet data to selected subcarriers. Modulating sections adaptively modulate packet data allocated to each subcarrier.
US09762370B2

A wireless communication base station apparatus which is able to prevent deterioration in the throughput of LTE terminals even when LTE terminals and LTE+ terminals coexist. In this apparatus, based on the mapping pattern of the reference signals used only in LTE+ terminals, a setting unit sets, in each subframe, the resource block groups where the reference signals used only by the LTE+ terminals are mapped. For symbols mapped to the antennas, an mapping unit maps, to all the resource blocks within one frame, cell specific reference signals used for both LTE terminals and LTE+ terminals. For the symbols mapped to the antennas, the mapping unit maps, to the plurality of resource blocks, of which part of the resource block groups is comprised, in the same subframe within one frame, the cell specific reference signals used only for LTE+ terminals, based on the setting results inputted from the setting unit.
US09762361B2

Configuration of secondary cell timers is disclosed for long term evolution (LTE)/LTE-Advanced (LTE-A) having unlicensed spectrum. In order to save power at a user equipment (UE), secondary cells may be deactivated by configuring a secondary cell deactivation timer. Because of transmission uncertainties when operating in LTE/LTE-A systems having unlicensed spectrum, the deactivation timers for unlicensed spectrum may be provided in a clear channel assessment (CCA)-dependent configuration, a CCA-independent configuration, or an alternative threshold-driven configuration of both CCA-dependent and CCA-independent configurations.
US09762360B2

In transmitter apparatus for a digital television broadcasting system, internet-protocol (IP) packets of digital television information are subjected to multilevel coding (MLC) before being Gray-mapped to quadrature-amplitude-modulation (QAM) constellations. The constituent codes of the MLC comprise respective low-density parity-check (LDPC) inner coding. Preferably, the LDPC inner coding is LDPC convolutional coding. The QAM constellations are used in coded orthogonal frequency-division modulation (COFDM) of plural carrier waves up-converted to a radio-frequency broadcast television channel. In receiver apparatus for the digital television broadcasting system the results of de-mapping QAM constellations recovered from demodulating the COFDM carrier waves are de-interleaved, and the LDPC constituent codes of the MLC are independently decoded in parallel with decoding results time-interleaved to recover the IP packets of digital television information.
US09762349B1

Systems and methods for providing transmission and reception of hybrid time and wavelength division multiplexed signals on passive optical networks are provided. Networks that use shared transmission media avoid interference between transmitters by restricting the times or wavelengths that given transmitters may use to transmit their messages. The hybrid broadcast WDM TDM PON architecture enables transmitters to use multiple fixed wavelengths for parallel optical transmission within given timeslots to avoid interference with other transmitters and make use of inexpensive fixed optical components to gain a speed advantage over existing architectures while making use of their deployed infrastructure. A single scheduling manager controls the timeslots of upstream and downstream transmissions, which make use of existing standards.
US09762341B2

A time synchronization system includes a clock supply apparatus that includes an oscillator and generates a first time signal; and a time synchronization apparatus that includes a receiver which includes a fluctuation reducing unit provided on an outside of the clock supply apparatus, and which generates a second time signal based on a satellite signal. In addition, it is preferable that the time synchronization system is used in the network synchronization based on a master-slave synchronization method. Further, it is preferable that the oscillator is an atomic oscillator. In addition, it is preferable that the receiver and the clock supply apparatus are disposed at positions which are separated from each other. Further, it is preferable that the receiver and the clock supply apparatus are connected to each other via an optical fiber.
US09762338B2

Systems for aiding emergency responders are described. An exemplary system may include a primary device and a secondary device. The primary device may be configured to provide audio communication between the primary device and one or more of the plurality of secondary devices along a wireless communication path. The primary device may be configured to compress audio communication for transmission over a low bitrate band. The plurality of secondary devices may be configured as a network where each of the devices is configured to communicate with at least two other secondary devices. The secondary devices may also be configured to receive audio communication from the primary device and automatically transmit the received audio communication to one or more other of the secondary devices.
US09762334B2

We disclose a photonic integrated circuit (PIC) having a first photonic chip and a second photonic chip that are bonded and optically coupled to one another in a manner that reduces the number of different photonic chips that need to be integrated into the same PIC package to achieve a desired electro-optical function. In an example embodiment, the first photonic chip may include active optical components, such as lasers and optical amplifiers, and be fabricated using the III-V semiconductor technology. The second photonic chip may include additional optical components, such as modulators, photodetectors, and passive optical components, and be fabricated using the CMOS technology. The second photonic chip may also include one or more 2×2 optical couplers configured to appropriately (re)direct various optical signals between the active optical components of the first photonic chip and the additional optical components of the second photonic chip to achieve the desired electro-optical function.
US09762322B1

A fully connectorized optic fiber tap assembly is described that includes a first upstream connector interface configured to receive a downstream connector of a first upstream optic fiber line, and a first downstream connector interface configured to receive an upstream connector of a first downstream optic fiber line. The tap assembly further includes a set of service drop line connector interfaces. Moreover, an optic fiber tap of the assembly is configured to: receive an optical signal from the upstream connector interface, extract a portion of the optical signal, direct the extracted portion of the optical signal to the set of service drop line connector interfaces, and pass a remaining portion of the optical signal to the downstream connector interface. The fully connectorized optic fiber tap assembly is configured to be connected to the first upstream optic fiber line and the first downstream optic fiber line without splicing.
US09762320B2

Techniques are disclosed for coding light-based communication (LCom) data in a manner that allows for detection thereof, for example, via a standard low-speed (e.g., 30 frames per second) smartphone camera. In accordance with some embodiments, the disclosed techniques can be used, for example, in encoding and decoding LCom data in a manner that: (1) prevents or otherwise minimizes perceivable flicker of the light output by a transmitting LCom-enabled luminaire; and/or (2) avoids or otherwise reduces a need for additional, specialized receiver hardware at the receiver computing device including the camera. In some cases, the disclosed techniques can be used, for example, to enhance the baud rate between a transmitting LCom-enabled luminaire and a receiver device.
US09762316B2

A gesture is performed by a wireless accessory attempting to pair with a device. The gesture comprises a series of user interactions associated with accessory data detected at the accessory and device data detected at the device. The device begins looking for accessories advertising a Bluetooth service indicating they are attempting to pair. Once an accessory is identified, the device compares the device data to the accessory data for that particular accessory. If the accessory data matches the device data, the gesture detected at the device was made by the accessory and a secure connection can be established. Based on the secure connection, a clock associated with the accessory may synchronize with a clock associated with the device for additional security and fidelity.
US09762314B2

Various aspects of the disclosure relate to handoff of a user terminal in communication with a gateway through a satellite in a non-geosynchronous satellite communication system. In some aspects, a gateway and a user terminal use a satellite and beam transition table to determine when to handoff the user terminal from one beam to another and/or from one satellite to another. In some aspects, a user terminal sends capability information, location information, or other information to a gateway whereby, based on this information, the gateway generates a satellite and beam transition table and/or selects a handoff procedure for the user terminal. In some aspects, handoff of a user terminal to a different satellite involves the user terminal conducting satellite signal measurements and sending a measurement message to the gateway. In some aspects, the gateway generates a new satellite and beam transition table as a result of receiving a measurement message.
US09762310B2

Method and system are provided for mobile distribution of content received via satellite signals. A satellite reception assembly may comprise a receive module and a basestation module. The receive module may receive satellite signals, process the received satellite signals to recover data carried therein, determine when the recovered data comprises a portion for local wireless broadcast by the system, and if so generate broadcast signals for carrying the portion of recovered data. The basestation module may transmit the generated broadcast signals, particularly to a mobile device of a satellite subscriber authorized to receive and access the data carried in the satellite signals. The recovered data may comprise web-based content.
US09762305B2

A method and user equipment for transmitting channel state information (CSI) are provided. The method includes identifying a first CSI configuration with a first channel measurement information, a first interference measurement information, and a first information for a period and an offset; identifying a second CSI configuration with a second channel measurement information, a second interference measurement information, and a second information for a period and an offset; generating a first CSI based on the first channel measurement information and the first interference measurement information; generating a second CSI based on the second channel measurement information and the second interference measurement information; transmitting the first CSI for the first CSI configuration based on the first information; and transmitting the second CSI for the second CSI configuration based on the second information.
US09762300B2

The present invention employs a pilot scheme for frequency division multiple access (FDM) communication systems, such as single carrier FDM communication systems. A given transmit time interval will include numerous traffic symbols and two or more short pilot symbols, which are spaced apart from one another by at least one traffic symbol and will have a Fourier transform length that is less than the Fourier transform length of any given traffic symbol. Multiple transmitters will generate pilot information and modulate the pilot information onto sub-carriers of the short pilot symbols in an orthogonal manner. Each transmitter may use different sub-carriers within the time and frequency domain, which is encompassed by the short pilot symbols within the transmit time interval. Alternatively, each transmitter may uniquely encode the pilot information using a unique code division multiplexed code and modulate the encoded pilot information onto common sub-carriers of the short pilot symbols.
US09762294B2

The communication system includes a first communication device, a second communication device, and a third communication device. The first communication device outputs a high frequency alternating current power, and a power receiving circuit of the second communication device receives the high frequency alternating current power via a second antenna. A power line is connected between the second antenna and the power receiving circuit. A first power line has a first semicircle portion and a second power line has a second semicircle portion. The first and second semicircle portions are combined together to provide a loop-shaped antenna. The third communication device receives the high frequency alternating current power output from the loop-shaped antenna. At least two of the first, second, or third communication devices transmit or receive communication signals using respective antennas. The first and second power lines are twisted with each other at a portion other than the loop-shaped antenna.
US09762292B2

A method of charging a power harvested supply in an electronic communication device, which can be an NFC (near field communication) device. The power harvested supply in the electronic communication device is charged without causing dV/V violation and avoids false wake up. An RF (radio frequency) field is received at the antenna of the electronic communication device. A differential voltage is generated from the RF field at a first tag pin and a second tag pin of the electronic communication device. A bandgap reference voltage and a reference current are generated in response to the differential voltage. A shunt current is generated in response to the differential voltage and the bandgap reference voltage. A bank of switching devices is activated if the shunt current is more than the reference current.
US09762288B2

Methods to improve the data carrying capacity of CATV DOCSIS systems and other communications systems are disclosed. Communications channels may be more efficiently spaced with reduced or absent guard bands by using receivers with adaptive signal cancellation methods, equalizing circuits, or polyphase filter banks and Fast Fourier Transform signal processing methods to correct for higher levels of cross-talk. QAM type communications channels may also be utilized on a synchronized two-transmitter at a time basis by adjusting the transmitters to predefined signal levels, such as +1, −1, +½, −½ to enable the combined signals to be distinguished at the receiver. These two methods may be combined to create a still higher data throughput system.
US09762287B2

Multiplexers are described in which differential signals on the signal paths associated with unselected differential inputs are converted to common mode signals to reduce crosstalk between unselected signal paths and the multiplexer's active signal path.
US09762280B1

Portable mobile phone holders that permit the substantially simultaneous use or access of two or more mobile phones are provided. The holders include a foldable structure having a first panel and a second panel that are rotatable between a closed position and one or more open positions, a first mobile phone retaining device mounted on the first panel, and a second mobile phone retaining device mounted on the second panel. When the foldable structure is opened, the first mobile phone retaining device and the second mobile phone retaining device are accessible. In addition, the mobile phones mounted in the mobile phone retaining devices are also accessible. The phone holders may include one or more third panels that protect the mobile phones when the holders are closed. Methods of using mobile phones, holders for other mobile devices, and kits for providing mobile phone holders are also provided.
US09762279B2

Embodiments of the invention show a tablet cover that folds to provide a stand for the tablet. A friction hinge between two sections of the tablet cover provides sufficient friction to maintain the stand at the desired angle. In order to allow the cover to be easily flattened after use, a release mechanism is provided in the friction hinge.
US09762274B2

An apparatus includes an elliptical inductance-capacitance (LC) filter and a resistive-capacitive (RC) notch filter serially coupled to the elliptical LC filter. The elliptical LC filter and the RC notch filter are configured to filter a radio-frequency (RF) signal received by a feedback receive path.
US09762273B2

Mechanisms for interferer detection can detect interferers by detecting elevated signal amplitudes in one or more of a plurality of bins (or bands) in a frequency range between a maximum frequency (fMAX) and a minimum frequency (fMIN). To perform rapid interferer detection, the mechanisms downconvert an input signal x(t) with a local oscillator (LO) to a complex baseband signal xI(t)+jxQ(t). xI(t) and xQ(t) are then multiplied by m unique pseudorandom noise (PN) sequences (e.g., Gold sequences) gm(t) to produce m branch signals for I and m branch signals for Q. The branch signals are then low pass filtered, converted from analog to digital form, and pairwise combined by a pairwise complex combiner. Finally, a support recovery function is used to identify interferers.
US09762272B1

MMSE-IRC receiver may be used to suppress inter-cell interference for improving the cell-edge user throughput in cellular wireless communication systems. But MMSE-IRC performance is limited by estimation errors, namely, channel estimation error and covariance matrix estimation error. It is important to have an accurate covariance matrix estimation scheme, so that maximum gain from MMSE-IRC receiver may be achieved. In order to have accurate estimation, covariance matrix may be averaged across channel bandwidth in frequency domain. A method and apparatus are disclosed that adaptively determine the averaging bandwidth employed for covariance matrix estimation based on the detected delay spread and SNR. Based on the present disclosure, the throughput performance of MMSE-IRC receiver may be improved by adaptively using suitable sub-band length in frequency domain averaging of covariance matrix estimation.
US09762269B2

An RF communications device may include a circuit board having a dielectric layer and conductive traces, one of the conductive traces defining a transmission line. The RF communications device may also include an RF transmitter carried by the circuit board and coupled to the transmission line, and RF switching circuits, each RF switching circuit including a substrate having a tapered proximal end coupled to the transmission line, and a distal end extending outwardly on the convex side of the transmission line. Each RF switching circuit may include a series diode, and a shunt diode coupled to the series diode, the series diode extending from the tapered proximal end and across an interior of the substrate.
US09762267B2

Methods and apparatus are provided for detection path design for reflection coefficient estimation. In one novel aspect, a hardware-based phase estimator estimates a phase shift between the forward path signal and the reverse path signal. In one embodiment, a data selector is used to pass only signals above a magnitude threshold. In another embodiment, a modified phase unwrap algorithm stores an unwrapping correction for subsequent samples and updates the stored unwrapping correction upon processing of each sample processed. In another novel aspect, mixed hardware and software solutions are used. In one embodiment, the reference signal and the detection signals are matched such that the modulation signal interference is removed. In some embodiments, one or two power detectors and a cross-correlator are used. In yet another embodiment, two detection measurement paths are used to obtain the reflection coefficient. In one embodiment, fractional timing offset is estimated to obtain the reflection coefficient.
US09762259B1

A notch filter in a sigma-delta modulator loop filter increases SNR by limiting in-band quantization noise around a frequency to which the notch filter is precisely tuned. A tuning mode controller isolates the notch filter from other loop filter stages. A bias voltage is applied to the notch filter, causing it to resonate. Tuning mode switches insert the notch filter into a frequency-locked loop (“FLL”) circuit as a variable frequency oscillator component of the FLL. An ADC operational mode input signal is applied to the FLL as a reference signal. A tuning control component of the FLL adjusts a tunable feedback element in the notch filter to drive the FLL error signal to zero in order to precisely tune the notch filter to the center frequency of the ADC input signal. Tuning inputs to the tunable feedback element are then latched prior to re-inserting the notch filter into the modulator.
US09762247B1

Apparatuses for performing combination logic operations with an combination logic circuit are disclosed. According to one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a first-in-first-out stage comprising an combination logic circuit, a input ring counter circuit coupled to the first-in-first-out stage and configured to selectively provide a push signal to the first-in-first-out stage, and a output ring counter circuit coupled to the first-in-first-out stage and configured to selectively provide a pop signal to the first-in-first-out stage, wherein the first-in-first-out stage is configured to perform calculations on input data with the combination logic circuit to generate output data responsive to receiving the push signal and to provide the output data based on the calculations responsive to receiving the pop signal.
US09762231B2

An electronic circuit and methods of operating the electronic circuit are provided. The electronic circuit includes a pull-up transistor for pulling up an input/output (I/O) node of the output circuit to a first voltage and a first isolation transistor for coupling the pull-up transistor to the I/O node. The electronic circuit also includes a pull-down transistor for pulling down the I/O node to a second voltage and a second isolation transistor for coupling the pull-down transistor to the I/O node. In the electronic circuit, the pull-up and the pull-down transistors are transistors supporting a first drain-to-source voltage and a first gate-to-source voltage, while the first and the second isolation transistors are transistors supporting the first drain-to-source voltage and a second gate-to-source voltage greater than the first gate-to-source voltage.
US09762229B2

A data communication method in a single-wire protocol communication is provided. The method includes determining a number of first data bits having a logical high state or a number of second data bits having a logical low state from among data bits in a communication packet, determining whether the number of the first data bits exceeds a first predetermined number or the number of the second data bits is below a second predetermined number, inverting the data bits in the communication packet when the number of the first data bits exceeds the first predetermined number or the number of the second data bits is below the second determined number, and transferring the inverted data bits to a reception side via a single-wire input/output.
US09762225B2

A power switch circuit includes an oscillation circuit that generates a clock signal based on a supplied first voltage. A boosting circuit receiving the clock signal and boosting the first voltage based on the clock signal to output a boosted first voltage as a second voltage is provided. A detection circuit that detects a difference in voltage levels between an input voltage and the first voltage and outputs a voltage selection signal based on the detected difference is provided. A voltage selection circuit that selects one of the first voltage and the second voltage based on the voltage selection signal and outputs the selected voltage is provided. A switching element switching according to a control voltage based on an enable signal and the selected voltage is also provided.
US09762222B2

The invention provides a wireless transmission apparatus, a phase compensating apparatus, and a phase compensating method thereof. The phase compensating apparatus includes main transmission wire, a plurality of capacitors, and at least one phase compensating unit. The main transmission wire is coupled between the output end of the power amplifier and the input end of the impedance matching apparatus. A first end of each of the capacitors is coupled to the main transmission wire. The phase compensating unit has two ends for being coupled to second ends of two of the capacitors.
US09762215B1

An apparatuses and methods for buffering a voltage from a circuit without current drive ability are described. An example apparatus includes a voltage buffer that includes two identical stages. The first stage is configured to receive an input voltage and produce an intermediate voltage as an output. The second stage is configured to receive the intermediate voltage and provide an output voltage that is equal to the input voltage. The voltage buffer may be coupled to a current source. The second stage of the voltage buffer may have current drive ability.
US09762187B2

An audio output circuit drives an electroacoustic conversion element. A Class D amplifier has a segmented configuration including multiple segments arranged in parallel. A pulse modulator pulse modulates an audio signal. A level detector detects the amplitude of the audio signal. A driver selectively drives the multiple segments of the Class D amplifier according to the output of the level detector.
US09762181B2

Methods and systems for a multi-core multi-mode voltage-controlled-oscillator (VCO) may comprise generating a plurality of oscillating signals utilizing a plurality of voltage controlled oscillators (VCOs) arranged symmetrically on an integrated circuit, where interconnects for the VCOs may be arranged in quiet zones at locations equidistant from each pair of the plurality of VCOs. An interconnection ring may be centered within the arranged VCOs that comprises at least two conductive lines that couple to output terminals of each of said plurality of VCOs. The plurality of VCOs may receive control signals from interconnects coupled to at least one conductive line in the interconnection ring. The plurality of VCOs may receive control signals from a conductive line in said interconnection ring. A positive terminal of a first VCO of a pair of adjacent VCOs of the plurality of VCOs may be coupled to a same conductive line of the interconnection ring as a negative terminal of a second of the pair of adjacent VCOs. The interconnection ring ay be circular. Impedances may couple the VCOs to the interconnection ring. Bias signals may be communicated to each of the plurality of VCOs from the interconnection ring. The plurality of VCOs may include four VCOs arranged equidistant from a center point.
US09762180B2

An oscillator includes a front side voltage divider, a rear side voltage divider, and an oscillation unit. The front side voltage divider includes a first resistor connected between a first and second potential sources, and a first output terminal configured to changeably connect to a connection position in the first resistor so as to vary an obtained output voltage. The rear side voltage divider includes a second resistor connected between the first output terminal and a third potential source; and a second output terminal configured to changeably connect to a connection position in the second resistor so as to vary an obtained output voltage. The oscillation unit includes a variable capacitance element with a capacitance varied according to the output voltage from the second output terminal. The oscillation unit varies an output frequency based on a variation in a resonance point associated with a variation in the capacitance.
US09762176B2

The invention provides hybrid photovoltaic-piezoelectric energy harvesting devices in the form of flexible filaments. The devices harvest energy from ambient light, and also from environmental motions and vibrations. They are particularly suitable for incorporation into fabrics and clothing.
US09762171B2

A motor drive device includes: a converter; a power supply; a plurality of inverter units configured to convert DC to AC to drive a plurality of motors by upper arm switching elements connected between a capacitor and motor coils and lower arm switching elements connected between the capacitor and motor coils; a second switch configured to connect the capacitor to the earth; a current detector configured to measure current flowing between the capacitor and the earth; a voltage detector configured to measure the voltage across the capacitor; and, an insulation resistance detector configured to detect insulation resistance of the multiple motors based on the current and voltage measured in a condition that the switching element to which the motor coil to be measured is connected is turned on and the switching elements to which a motor coil other than the target for measurement is connected are turned off.
US09762170B2

A rotor having rotation salient poles, a stator having fixed salient poles with a plurality of field winding sets, K control signal output sections outputting signals by detecting a plurality of sections to be formed on a cylindrical body or a disk pivoted to the rotor by a plurality of sensors installed to correspond to the fixed salient poles with the plurality of sections to be detected are opposed to a track formed in a circumferential direction, and a power-feeding control section having control circuits operating according to control signals, controlling directions and intensities of excitation currents, where the rotation salient poles are opposed to at least two salient poles, and the excitation currents are controlled with magnetic fields in the same direction occur in rotation salient poles of the salient poles advanced by at least one and magnetic fields disappear in rotation salient poles.
US09762168B2

A refrigeration system includes a compressor and a capacitor electrically coupled to the compressor. A method of operating the refrigeration system includes measuring voltage values based on alternating current power powering the compressor. The method includes measuring current values based on the alternating current power. The method includes determining, with a controller, a power factor value based on at least one of the voltage values and at least one of the current values. The method includes receiving a supply air temperature value from an air temperature sensor installed in the refrigeration system. The method includes receiving a return air temperature value from an air temperature sensor installed in the refrigeration system. The method includes determining a temperature split based on a difference between the return and supply air temperature values. The method includes determining a fault in the capacitor based on the power factor value and the temperature split.
US09762162B2

In a method of operating a drive device, a sound signal is generated as a function of at least one operational and/or state variable. An electric machine of the drive device is hereby as a sound generator to output the sound signal. The sound signal can be determined from a time gradient of the operational and/or state variable.
US09762161B2

An on-load tap changer for uninterrupted switching between different winding taps of a tapped transformer has a plurality of fixed selector contacts electrically connected with the individual winding taps, arranged in a line, and actuatable by two longitudinally displaceable movable selector contacts. Two vacuum interrupters serve for the uninterrupted switching of each phase. A motor drive actuates the on-load tap changer. The entire load changeover switch is arranged by a transmission module on the underside of a transformer cover.
US09762160B2

A generator system configured to be connected in parallel with other generators is disclosed. The generator system includes an alternator having a stator with an output winding and a quadrature winding and a rotor with a three-phase winding. The rotor of the alternator is rotatably driven by an engine having a controller to regulate the engine speed. An inverter receives power from the quadrature winding and generates an AC voltage for the rotor winding. The inverter receives an input corresponding to the voltage on the output winding of the stator and also receives an input corresponding to the phase angle of a second AC voltage produced by another power source. The inverter controls the frequency of the AC voltage for the rotor winding such that the phase angle of the voltage on the output winding of the stator is synchronized to the phase angle of the second AC voltage.
US09762155B1

Low speed and high speed estimates of rotor angle and speed (LS_θ_EST/LS_ω_EST and HS_θ_EST/HS_ω_EST) relative to the stator are received from a low speed estimator and a high speed estimator, respectively. LS_θ_EST and a subset of torque-controlling I_Q trajectory curve (“IQTC”) parameter values appropriate to low speed rotor operation are selected for rotor speeds below a low speed threshold value ω_LOW_THRS. HS_θ_EST and a subset of IQTC curve parameter values appropriate to high speed rotor operation are selected for rotor speeds above a high speed threshold value ω_HIGH_THRS. LS_θ_EST and the low speed subset of IQTC parameter values remain selected for rotor speeds less than ω_HIGH_THRS after accelerating to a rotor speed greater than ω_LOW_THRS. HS_θ_EST and the subset of high speed IQTC parameter values remain selected for rotor speeds greater than ω_LOW_THRS after decelerating to a rotor speed less than ω_HIGH_THRS. Hysteresis in the selection of θ_EST and IQTC parameter values results in smooth acceleration/deceleration control.
US09762145B2

A stacked switched capacitor (SSC) energy buffer circuit includes a switching network and a plurality of energy storage capacitors. The switching network need operate at only a relatively low switching frequency and can take advantage of soft charging of the energy storage capacitors to reduce loss. Thus, efficiency of the SSC energy buffer circuit can be extremely high compared with the efficiency of other energy buffer circuits. Since circuits utilizing the SSC energy buffer architecture need not utilize electrolytic capacitors, circuits utilizing the SSC energy buffer architecture overcome limitations of energy buffers utilizing electrolytic capacitors. Circuits utilizing the SSC energy buffer architecture (without electrolytic capacitors) can achieve an effective energy density characteristic comparable to energy buffers utilizing electrolytic capacitors. The SSC energy buffer architecture exhibits losses that scale with the amount of energy buffered, such that a relatively high efficiency can be achieved across a desired operating range.
US09762143B2

An inverter controller is configured to control inverters connected in parallel. The inverter controller is configured to closes switch of a first inverter and turn on a first switching element provided at the first inverter to charge capacitors of the inverters at the time of starting the inverters, and to close the other switches after the capacitors are charged.
US09762141B2

A circuit for an electrical load comprises a passive transformer, the secondary of which is connected to power cells for each phase according to the transformer tappings. Each power cell comprises a low cost but efficient power factor correction circuit to produce lower harmonics on the transformer.
US09762135B2

A secondary-side rectification and regulation circuit includes a secondary-side transformer winding, a full-wave rectifier circuit and a control unit. The full-wave rectifier has a first pair of controllable rectifiers including a first transistor connected to a first terminal of the secondary-side transformer winding and a second transistor connected to a second terminal of the secondary-side transformer winding. The control unit is operable to control switching of the transistors of the full-wave rectifier so that the full-wave rectifier (a) generates a rectified output for supplying a load by rectifying current through the secondary-side transformer winding or voltage across the secondary-side transformer winding and (b) regulates the rectified output.
US09762124B2

A switching power regulator provides for power regulation for a load, based at least in part on comparison of an output voltage with a reference voltage. The reference voltage may be changed, and in some cases changed dynamically, while regulated power is provided to the load. The switching power regulator may include a bypass switch for coupling ends of an output inductor.
US09762115B2

The apparatus of present invention converts AC or DC power sources to AC or DC power loads, in a single stage, bidirectionally, employing variable, high frequency resonant circuits and power switches, to continuously vary the gain of the conversion circuit. Inrush current control, idle converter turn off, line voltage brown out protection, soft start, high pre-charge voltage generation, soft shut down, and dimming operation are inherent characteristics of the apparatus of the instant invention. A remotely configurable and operable controller may optionally be used to control the mode of conversion, the amplitude and frequency of the output voltages. The resonant circuits can be paralleled to derive multiple outputs. Multiple converter stages can be cascaded to meet the various power needs of an application such as multiple outputs and different amplitudes. Components can be eliminated for specific conversion applications. The circuits can be implemented in semiconductor packages.
US09762111B2

Disclosed is a linear vibration generating device including: a stator including a bracket on which a coil is seated, and a case made of a magnetic material which is engaged to the bracket to form an inner space; a vibrator including a permanent magnet for generating a vibration force in cooperation with the coil, and a weight enclosing a circumference of the permanent magnet; a resilient member which is positioned between the vibrator and the stator to resiliently support vertical oscillation of the vibrator; and a plate which is positioned between the resilient member and the vibrator
US09762109B2

A permanent magnet brushless motor has a stator and a rotor. The stator has a yoke and s teeth extending from the yoke, forming a stator core, where s is an integer greater than four. Coils of a stator winding are wound about the teeth. The rotor has a shaft, a rotor core fixed to the shaft and a permanent magnet mounted to the rotor core. The permanent magnet forms p magnetic poles, where p is an even number greater than 2 but less than s. Each section of the permanent magnet corresponding to a respective magnetic pole is divided into n equal parts by n−1 magnet grooves, where n is an integer greater than 1 and p*n is an integral multiple of s. The magnet grooves significantly increase the detent torque of the motor.
US09762103B2

A brush motor has a housing, an end cap and a brush assembly. The brush assembly includes an brush card, brush cages disposed on the brush card, brushes mounted in the respective brush cages, terminals for connecting with an external power supply, and power supply circuits connecting the terminals to the respective brushes. The brush assembly further includes at least one grounding conductor mounted to the brush card and electrically connected to the power supply circuits. The grounding conductor includes a main portion fixed to the brush card and a tongue extending from the main portion. The tongue includes a bent portion for resilient connection to the end cap or housing.
US09762091B2

A power transmitting device according to one embodiment includes a power transmitting antenna, an oscillator, control circuitry, and a communication circuit. The control circuitry sets an initial value of a phase shift amount, causes the oscillator to output preliminary AC power of a voltage corresponding to the initial value, reduces the phase shift amount from the initial value at predetermined time intervals, causes the oscillator to output preliminary AC power of each voltage corresponding to each of the reduced phase shift amounts, fixes the phase shift amount upon activation of control circuitry in the power receiving device upon receipt of a first response signal indicating the activation of the control circuitry in the power receiving device from the power receiving device through the communication circuit, and transmits the AC power while maintaining the voltage corresponding to the fixed phase shift amount.
US09762084B2

There is provided a wireless charging system, including: a wireless power transmitting module including at least one power transmitter transmitting power and at least one wireless power receiving module receiving the power, wherein the wireless power transmitting module controls the power, which is transmitted to the wireless power receiving modules corresponding to the power transmitters, from the power transmitters, depending on targeted voltage gains of the wireless power receiving modules corresponding to the power transmitters.
US09762079B2

An apparatus and method are provided for transmitting and receiving power for wireless power transmission. A power transmitting apparatus includes a power supplier for generating power; a resonator for transmitting the power generated by the power supplier to a plurality of power receiving apparatuses; and a controller for determining whether a power transmission to a new power receiving apparatus is possible using a power receiving apparatus management table, when the new power receiving apparatus is detected while the power transmissions of the plurality of power receiving apparatuses are being performed, and controlling the resonator to transmit power to the new power receiving apparatus, when the power transmission to the new receiving apparatus is possible. The power transmitting apparatus stably supplies power to a plurality of power receiving apparatuses by determining power transmission states of the plurality of power receiving apparatuses.
US09762077B2

The invention relates to a method and a system for managing the charging of a rechargeable battery by a voltage control or by a current control comprising a plurality (n) of branches connected in series, each branch comprising a plurality (p) of electrochemical elements connected in parallel. Each electrochemical element exhibits a charging profile (PC) comprising at least one plateau zone directly followed by a sloping zone in which the variation of the voltage as a function of the state of charge in the plateau zone is on average at least ten times less fast than the variation of the voltage in the sloping zone.
US09762071B2

A circuit includes a power supply configured to generate a supply voltage, an electrical load coupled to receive the supply voltage from the power supply, and a switching circuit. The switching circuit has a first terminal coupled to a first terminal of the electrical load, a second terminal, and a control terminal. The first terminal and the second terminal of the switching circuit correspond to current conducting terminals of the switching circuit. The circuit also includes a current sensing circuit and at least one battery having a first terminal coupled to a corresponding terminal of the current sensing circuit. The circuit additionally includes a battery measurement circuit having a first terminal coupled to the control terminal of the switching circuit and at least a second terminal coupled to the first terminal and a second terminal opposing the first terminal of the at least one battery.
US09762066B2

A method performed by a first control unit for controlling a first energy storage in a microgrid. The method includes calculating a first storage capability parameter for the first energy storage; transmitting capability information about the first storage capability parameter to a second control unit configured for controlling a second energy storage in the microgrid; receiving capability information about a second storage capability parameter for the second energy storage from the second control unit; calculating a first power sharing ratio for the first energy storage, based on the first and second storage capabilities; and sending control signals including information based on the calculated first power sharing ratio, for controlling the first energy storage to inject an amount of power (P) into the microgrid in accordance with the first power sharing ratio for correcting an observed deviation (Δf, ΔV) in the microgrid.
US09762052B2

A device includes a first power node, a second power node, a first input node, a second input node, a protected circuit, and a switch circuit. The protected circuit is coupled between the first power node and the second power node, and the protected circuit is further coupled with the second input node. The switch circuit is coupled with the first power node, the second power node, the first input node, and the second input node. The switch circuit is configured to electrically decouple the first input node and the second input node after (a) the first power node is floating or electrically coupled to the second power node and (b) a voltage level at the first input node is greater than a voltage level at the second power node by a predetermined voltage value.
US09762044B1

Systems and methods are provided for attaching flexible conduit to an adapter. A pin is inserted opposite a retention rib molded into an aperture of the adapter. Due to the geometry of the flexible conduit and the location of the pin and the retention rib, once inserted, the pin secures the flexible conduit and prevents the flexible conduit from coming loose.
US09762043B2

An impact-absorbing wire and/or cable fixture, system, and related methods are disclosed. The impact-absorbing wire fixture apparatus includes a substantially rigid bracket having at least a first arm and a second arm, wherein the first arm is connectable to a utility support structure. A twisted portion is positioned within the second arm, wherein the twisted portion is at least a 90° rotation of the second arm, wherein the twisted portion of the second arm has a width that exceeds a thickness. A fixturing portion is positioned at a distal end of the second arm.
US09762036B2

An electric power distributor comprises a distributor housing, conversion parts which convert electric current from outside of the distributor housing to low-voltage alternating current, a transformer which transforms the low-voltage alternating current from the conversion parts to high-voltage alternating current and a power transmission part which transmits the high-voltage alternating current from the transformer to the outward distributor housing. The distributor housing comprises two conversion parts—and the power transmission part—inside. The transformer is attached to the distributor housing from outside. The transformer and the power transmission part are placed along a predetermined direction in this order, the two conversion parts are placed along a direction approximately orthogonal to the predetermined direction at an opposite side to the transformer with regards to the power transmission part.
US09762028B2

A two-section semiconductor laser includes a gain section and a modulation-independent grating section to reduce chirp. The modulation-independent grating section includes a diffraction grating for reflecting light and forms a laser cavity with the gain section for lasing at a wavelength or range of wavelengths reflected by the diffraction grating. The gain section of the semiconductor laser includes a gain electrode for driving the gain section with at least a modulated RF signal and the grating section includes a grating electrode for driving the grating section with a DC bias current independent of the modulation of the gain section. The semiconductor laser may thus be directly modulated with the modulated RF signal without the modulation significantly affecting the index of refraction in the diffraction grating, thereby reducing chirp.
US09762014B2

A brush holder apparatus includes a stationary support member having at least one groove and a fork electrical connector. A brush retainment member is configured to be releasably affixed to the stationary support member. The brush retainment member has at least one rail configured to slide along the at least one groove. The brush retainment member has a knife electrical connector configured to mate with the fork electrical connector. The stationary support member is configured for electrical connection to a collector mount and the brush retainment member is configured to retain at least one brush.
US09761994B2

The present invention provides a ruggedized heavy duty source connector adapted for use on large air guns. The source connector comprises reinforcing fibers in the cable jacket that are anchored to the connector front shell, an external blast shield in place of a rear shell, and a fatigue resistant strain relief overmold.
US09761992B2

It is aimed to provide a connector capable of enhancing the reliability of rattling prevention. A front member (90) is mounted on a front surface side of a housing main body (11). The front member (90) includes a straight wall (41) configured to face an erroneous connection preventing surface (214) of a mating housing (200) when a housing (10) is in a proper connection posture with respect to the mating housing (200). A rattling preventing portion (45) projects on the straight wall (41) and is configured to suppress rattling between the two housings (10, 200) by contacting an inner surface of a receptacle (210) and a curved wall (99) arranged more outward than the rattling preventing portion (45) when viewed from front and configured to regulate forward detachment of a seal (70) with the front member (90) mounted on the housing main body (11).
US09761990B2

Embodiments include a water bonding device for electrically grounding a swimming pool. One embodiment includes a bonding electrode installed in a pool skimmer or pump strainer. The bonding electrode typically resides in a skimmer or strainer cavity, and a ground conductor coupled directly to the electrode extends out of the skimmer or strainer through a port. A plug assembly forms a water tight seal against the port and the ground conductor, providing a water tight access point for the ground conductor to enter the pool skimmer or pump strainer. The ground conductor is typically electrically connected to both the bonding electrode and a ground pole residing at ground potential.
US09761981B2

A connector, which can mate with an opposing connector in a mating direction, is provided with a first alignment member, a second alignment member, a plurality of first contacts, a plurality of second contacts, a ground member, and a holding member. The first alignment member aligns the first contacts in a pitch direction, and the second alignment member aligns the second contacts in said pitch direction. The ground member has a main section, a locking spring section, and a connecting section. The locking spring section has a locking part that locks to a locking-target part on the opposing connector. The connecting section connects the main section to the locking spring section. The holding member holds the first alignment member, the second alignment member, and the ground member together such that the main section of the ground member is positioned between the first alignment member and the second alignment member.
US09761976B2

A method and electrical connection for providing electrical power is disclosed. The electrical connection comprises an electrical connector connected to an electrical conductor assembly. A current greater than a rated current capacity of at least one of the electrical connector and electrical conductor assembly may be passed through the electrical conductor assembly and electrical connector. The electrical connector and electrical conductor may be actively cooled with a flow of heat transfer medium flowing substantially along a length of the electrical conductor assembly and through the electrical connector to increase the current capacity of the electrical connection.
US09761972B2

An RF connector includes a conductive pin for carrying an RF signal. The conductive pin has a first longitudinal end that serves to interface with a male RF connector to receive the RF signal. The pin also includes a second longitudinal end for connecting with a printed circuit board (PCB). The second longitudinal end may be tapered, and the pin may have a groove formed above the tapered end. A housing encircles the conductive pin. The housing is shaped and sized to accept the male RF connector. A grounding element may be positioned on the bottom of the housing. The grounding element is to contact the PCB when the connector is connected to the PCB. The grounding element may be ring-shaped and soldered to the housing or epoxied to the housing.
US09761971B2

A card holding member includes: a front frame portion and a rear frame portion extending in the transverse direction, and side frame portions connecting both ends of the front frame portion and both ends of the rear frame portion, the side surfaces of a card including terminal members arranged on a terminal accommodating surface being surrounded thereby; and a metal portion and a resin portion, at least a portion of the metal portion being exposed at the front end of the front frame portion.
US09761961B2

A lead-through terminal includes a terminal housing to be held on a wall of an electrical installation, and a wall feedthrough and a pivotable actuation device being provided on the terminal housing. The actuation device is pivotable at least between a contact position and an open position to clamp a conductor at a conductor receptacle in the contact position and to release or hold the conductor at the conductor receptacle in the open position. A gap that exists between the actuation device and the wall feedthrough when the actuation device pivots between the open position and the contact position is closed at least in the contact position.
US09761941B2

There is disclosed A directional multi-band antenna, the antenna comprising: —an optical unit comprising an optical sensor; —an RF unit comprising an RF sensor; —a substantially planar optical lens, the optical lens comprising surface relief elements for beam forming, the lens being arranged to focus optical signal beams, incident along a first optical axis, onto the optical sensor, the optical lens being substantially transparent to RF signals, —an RF beam forming device arranged to receive RF signals incident along the first optical axis and focus such RF signals onto the RF sensor.
US09761930B2

A radio frequency and electromagnetic emission shield employed on wireless personal and portable electronic devices, containing one or more layers of radio frequency (RF) or electromagnetic (EM) screening material, shielding the user from harmful RF or EM radiation, or a redirection antenna that receives all RF signals, and redirects those signals away from the user. The RF emission shield may be contained within a plurality of outer layers, providing a secure fit to a wireless electronic device and an outer layer providing an easy grip for the user.
US09761927B2

A removable case may receive an electronic device. A male connector in the case may mate with a female connector in the device. A battery in the case may supply power to the device through the male connector. The electronic device may have an antenna. The case may have a supplemental antenna that compensates for variations in performance in the antenna when the device is received within the case. The supplemental antenna may be a parasitic antenna resonating element that is formed from metal traces on a flexible printed circuit. The flexible printed circuit, a metal trim structure, and a plastic support structure may form portions of a connector support structure in the case.
US09761925B2

An antenna that includes a first element extending from a connection point, and has a curvature such that a first tip end of the first element extends in a direction toward the connection point. A second element is connected to the connection point, and has a second tip end that extends in a direction away from the connection point, the second tip being disposed within an outer periphery of the first element. A distance between a portion of the first element that is parallel to the second element is greater than λgx/100, where λgx represents an effective wavelength of a first anti-resonance frequency.
US09761924B2

An antenna can be in a computing device. A connector can be in the computing device and adjacent to the antenna for a wired connection. In one implementation the antenna is connector to a controller to monitor the antenna for wireless signal degradation and compensate for the wireless signal degradation.
US09761917B2

A battery unit includes the following elements: a battery module that includes a plurality of battery cells and a gas discharge opening for discharging gas jetted from each of the battery cells; and a gas discharge duct in communication with the gas discharge opening and discharging the gas to the outside of the battery module. The gas discharge duct includes at least one duct outlet of which cross-sectional area of the channel in the duct outlet or the sum of cross-sectional areas of the channel in the respective duct outlets is larger than a cross-sectional area of the channel on the upstream side in the flow direction of the gas. The gas discharge duct also includes a temperature reducing member that is fixed to the periphery of the duct outlet so as to block part of the channel and reduces the temperature of the gas going through gaps.
US09761910B2

An electrolyte solution comprising at least one phosphoranimine compound and a metal salt. The at least one phosphoranimine compound comprises a compound of the chemical structure where X is an organosilyl group or a tert-butyl group and each of R1, R2, and R3 is independently selected from the group consisting of an alkyl group, an aryl group, an alkoxy group, or an aryloxy group. An energy storage device including the electrolyte solution is also disclosed.
US09761904B2

Electrodes employing as active material metal nanoparticles synthesized by a novel route are provided. The nanoparticle synthesis is facile and reproducible, and provides metal nanoparticles of very small dimension and high purity for a wide range of metals. The electrodes utilizing these nanoparticles thus may have superior capability. Electrochemical cells employing said electrodes are also provided.
US09761895B2

[Object] To provide a cell stack device, the power generation efficiency of which is improved, and a fuel cell module and a fuel cell device that include the cell stack device.[Solution] A cell stack device 1 includes a cell stack 2 that includes a plurality of fuel cells 3 electrically connected to one another and arranged, the fuel cells 3 that each includes a gas channel through which a reactant gas flows. In the cell stack device 1, the fuel cells 3 of the cell stack 2 are provided in the form of fuel cell groups that each include an arbitrary number of the fuel cells 3. In the cell stack device 1, the fuel cell groups are arranged such that average pressure loss values of the fuel cells 3 of the fuel cell groups increase sequentially from a central portion to an end portion side in a fuel cell 3 arrangement direction. Thus, the power generation efficiency of the cell stack device 1 can be improved.
US09761889B2

A device (10) for use in a fuel cell includes a fuel-cell flow-field channel (18) having a channel-inlet section (42) and a channel-outlet section (44). At least one of the channel-inlet section (42) or the channel-outlet section (44) includes an obstruction member (46) that partially blocks flow through the fuel-cell flow-field channel (18).
US09761884B2

A method for making tungsten-alloy nanoparticles that are useful for fuel cell applications includes a step of combining a solvent system and a surfactant to form a first mixture. A tungsten precursor is introduced into the first mixture to form a tungsten precursor suspension. The tungsten precursor suspension is heated to form tungsten nanoparticles. The tungsten nanoparticles are combined with carbon particles to form carbon-nanoparticle composite particles. The carbon-nanoparticle composite particles are combined with a metal salt to form carbon-nanoparticle composite particles with adhered metal salt, the metal salt including a metal other than tungsten. The third solvent system is then removed. A two-stage heat treatment is applied to the carbon-nanoparticle composite particles with adhered metal salt to form carbon supported tungsten-alloy nanoparticles. A method for making carbon supported tungsten alloys by reducing a tungsten salt and a metal salt is also provided.
US09761879B2

A binder for a battery including polyurethane particles and a binder polymer is disclosed. Additionally, a binder composition, and an anode and a lithium battery which include the binder are also disclosed.
US09761869B2

The present invention relates to a negative electrode active material for a secondary battery, a conductive composition for a secondary battery, a negative electrode material including the same, a negative electrode structure and secondary battery including the same, and a method for manufacturing the same. The present invention includes: a silicon particle; and an amorphous surface layer formed on the surface of the silicon particle. According to the present invention, the negative electrode structure is formed of a composite of a silicon particle and carbon or lithium ion, the oxygen contents of the solid electrolyte and silicon particles are low, and thus aggregation of silicon particles is inhibited. Therefore, in the event of using the negative electrode structure in a negative electrode, a power storage device such as a lithium secondary battery may have high energy density, high output density, and a longer charging/discharging life cycle.
US09761861B1

The present invention is directed to battery system and operation thereof. In an embodiment, lithium material is plated onto the anode region of a lithium secondary battery cell by a pulsed current. The pulse current may have both positive and negative polarity. One of the polarities causes lithium material to plate onto the anode region, and the opposite polarity causes lithium dendrites to be removed. There are other embodiments as well.
US09761853B2

Provided is a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery in which an increase in resistance is suppressed when high rate pulsed charging and discharging is repeatedly carried out. The non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery provided by the present disclosure is provided with: a positive electrode; a negative electrode; a separator; and a non-aqueous electrolyte solution. The separator is provided with a separator base made of a non-woven fabric; a first resin layer provided on a surface of the separator base that faces the positive electrode; and a second resin layer provided on a surface of the separator base that faces the negative electrode. In addition, a resin matrix of the first resin layer is constituted from polytetrafluoroethylene or a copolymer containing polytetrafluoroethylene as a primary component, and a resin matrix of the second resin layer is constituted from poly(vinylidene fluoride) or a copolymer containing poly(vinylidene fluoride) as a primary component.
US09761852B2

A battery pack includes a battery cell, a case having a housing space accommodating the battery cell, an exhaust tube connecting the housing space to outside of the case; a treatment agent container connected to the exhaust tube, and a supply controller between the exhaust tube and the treatment agent container.
US09761835B2

A display device includes a protective film attached to a display surface as a surface of at least one of a first insulating substrate and a second insulating substrate, and an adhesive material attaching the protective film to the display surface. The display surface includes a display area in which an image is displayed, and a peripheral area surrounding the display area. The adhesive material includes a first adhesive portion and a second adhesive portion. The first adhesive portion is in the peripheral area, and discontinuously surrounds the display area with a disconnected portion. The second adhesive portion is provided in the peripheral area inside or outside the first adhesive portion and the disconnected portion with a gap between the second adhesive portion, and the first adhesive portion and the disconnected portion, so as to be next to the disconnected portion over the entire length thereof.
US09761826B2

Embodiments of the present disclosure relates to a display panel and a method of manufacturing the same, and a display device. The display panel comprises: a first substrate and a second substrate, at least one of which is provided with a first sealant, a second sealant and a third sealant; the first sealant is arranged at an outer side of the package region away from the display region, the second sealant is arranged inside the first sealant and at least within a peripheral region at a corner of the display region, and the third sealant is arranged inside the first sealant and fills the package region and the display region except parts thereof where the first sealant and the second sealant are arranged. With the display panel and the method of manufacturing the same, and the display device provided according to embodiments of the present disclosure, the display panel can be appropriately packaged by providing water resistive and/or water absorptive materials outside corners of the display region, so that infiltration of external moisture into the display region to adversely affect display performance of the display region can be alleviated while ensuring light transmittance of the display region, thereby improving image display quality.
US09761822B2

A light emitting diode includes a first electrode, a second electrode facing the first electrode, and a mixture layer between the first electrode and the second electrode. The mixture layer includes a quantum dot, a hole transporting material, and an electron transporting material.
US09761815B2

The present invention relates to the field of display technology, and particularly provides a flexible substrate, an OLED device including the flexible substrate and a defect detecting method for the same. The flexible substrate comprises a bottom plate and a barrier layer arranged above the bottom plate, wherein the flexible substrate further comprises a crack detection layer, which is arranged adjacent to the barrier layer; the crack detection layer produces a crack when the barrier layer produces a crack; and the color of the crack detection layer with a crack is different from that of the crack detection layer without a crack in a power-on state. The flexible substrate and the OLED device have relatively high detection efficiency, and can ensure the accuracy of detection, so that the rate of qualified products of the flexible substrate and the OLED device are improved.
US09761814B2

A novel compound containing two silicon centers with carbazole, dibenzothiophene, or triphenylene building blocks connected to the silicon is disclosed. The disclosed compound is useful as a host material in the emissive layers in phosphorescent OLEDs.
US09761813B2

The present invention relates to a novel indole-based compound having excellent hole injection and transport capabilities, light-emission, and other properties, and to an organic electroluminescent device the luminous efficiency, driving voltage, service life, and other characteristics of which are improved due to containing the compound in one or more organic material layers.
US09761811B2

Provided are a novel organic electroluminescent device material and an organic electroluminescent device using the same. The organic electroluminescent device material includes a compound represented by the following formula (1). The organic electroluminescent device of the present invention includes a substrate, an anode, an organic layer, and a cathode, the anode, the organic layer, and the cathode being laminated on the substrate, in which the organic layer contains the organic electroluminescent device material. The organic electroluminescent device material is suitable as a host material for a light-emitting layer containing a phosphorescent light-emitting dopant. In the formula, L represents an aromatic group including at least one aromatic heterocyclic group, and Ar1 to Ar4 each represent an aromatic group.
US09761808B2

A heterocyclic compound represented by Formula 1 and an organic light-emitting device including the same. The heterocyclic compound represented by Formula 1 has excellent light emitting characteristics and high charge transporting capabilities.
US09761804B2

OLED materials having the formula: T-A(-S-B(-P-B)m-S-A)n-T where A are independently selected rod-shaped, rigid molecular core units, S are independently selected flexible spacer units, B are polymerisable crosslinking groups independently selected, P are spacer groups independently selected, T are independently selected end groups, m are independently selected from values of from 1 to 4, n is equal to I to 3.
US09761801B2

An inkjet printhead, and an apparatus and method for manufacturing an organic luminescence display using the inkjet printhead. An apparatus for manufacturing an organic luminescence display including an inkjet printhead placeable over a substrate and including a plurality of nozzles; and a moving unit configured to move at least one of the inkjet printhead or the substrate relative to the other, and the plurality of nozzles includes one or more ink ejecting nozzles ejecting an organic light-emitting ink; and one or more solvent ejecting nozzles ejecting a first solvent.
US09761794B2

A method for manufacturing a magnetoresistive sensor may include the following steps: forming a trench structure in a substrate, wherein the step of forming the trench structure comprises performing a wet etching process on a substrate material member, wherein the trench structure has a first side, a second side, and a third side, wherein the second side is connected through the first side to the third side, wherein the second side is at a first obtuse angle with respect to a side of the substrate, and wherein the third side is at a second obtuse angle with respect to the side of the substrate; forming a first magnetic element on the first side of the trench structure; forming a second magnetic element on the second side of the trench structure; and forming a third magnetic element on the third side of the trench structure.
US09761792B2

Magnetic random access memory (MRAM) devices, and methods of manufacturing the same, include at least one first magnetic material pattern on a substrate, at least one second magnetic material pattern on the at least one first magnetic material pattern, and at least one tunnel barrier layer pattern between the at least one first magnetic material pattern and the at least one second magnetic material pattern. A width of a top surface of the at least one first magnetic material pattern may be less than a width of a bottom surface of the at least one second magnetic material pattern.
US09761786B2

A number of devices are described which can be used to generate electric power from the action of wind or other sources of vibration. The devices comprise Piezo electric materials, which are built into the devices in a way that can capture the generated electric power, and can conduct it to storage devices. Several embodiments are described.
US09761776B2

A light emitting device includes: a first support member having an opening; a second support member disposed in the opening of the first support member; an adhesive member disposed between the first and second support members; a first lead electrode disposed on the second support member; a second lead electrode disposed on at least one of the first and second support members; a light emitting chip disposed on the first lead electrode, the light emitting chip being electrically connected to the second lead electrode; and a conductive layer disposed under the second support member, wherein the first support member includes a resin material, the second support member includes a ceramic material, and the first lead electrode is disposed between the light emitting chip and the second support member.
US09761769B2

An electromagnetic radiation emitting assembly includes a carrier, an electromagnetic radiation emitting component arranged above the carrier, and a potting material at least partly surrounding the electromagnetic radiation emitting component and into which are embedded phosphor that converts the electromagnetic radiation and heat-conducting particles that conduct heat arising during operation of the electromagnetic radiation emitting assembly, wherein a phosphor concentration in the potting material near the electromagnetic radiation emitting component is greater than a particle concentration of the heat-conducting particles in the potting material near the electromagnetic radiation emitting component, and a particle concentration of the heat-conducting particles in the potting material near the electromagnetic radiation emitting component is greater than in the potting material remote from the electromagnetic radiation emitting component.
US09761768B2

In embodiments of the invention, a light emitting device includes a semiconductor structure including a light emitting layer disposed between an n-type region and a p-type region. A first wavelength converting layer is disposed in a path of light emitted by the light emitting layer. The first wavelength converting layer may be a wavelength converting ceramic. A second wavelength converting layer is fused to the first wavelength converting layer. The second wavelength converting layer may be a wavelength converting material disposed in glass.
US09761761B2

A light-emitting element includes a semiconductor stacked body, a light transmissive conductive film disposed on the semiconductor stacked body, the light transmissive conductive film including a plurality of through holes, insulation films disposed in the plurality of through holes, the plurality of through holes being disposed on the semiconductor stacked body; and a pad electrode disposed on the light transmissive conductive film and the insulation films.
US09761759B2

A light emitting module including a plurality of light emitting elements, a plurality of first circuit boards, and a second circuit board is provided. Each of the light emitting elements is disposed on the corresponding first circuit board and is electrically connected to the corresponding first circuit board. The second circuit board is disposed on the first circuit boards, wherein any two adjacent first circuit boards are electrically connected to each other through the second circuit board.
US09761745B2

A concentrating solar module comprising a device (D) for managing the moisture contained in a casing (2) of the module (M). The device comprises a housing (12) one of the walls (14) of which is provided with a window (15), a moisture absorbing material provided in the housing (12), a shield (28) provided facing the window (15) and distant therefrom so as to provide a space for the air flow between the window (15) and the shield (28), the shielding means (28) protecting the absorbing material from the concentrated solar radiation. The device is attached to a side wall (4) of the casing (2) such that said window (15) faces an aperture (16) provided inside said side wall (4) ensuring with said window (15) a fluid communication with the internal volume of the module and the shielding means (28) being located inside the solar module (M).
US09761739B2

High speed optoelectronic devices and associated methods are provided. In one aspect, for example, a high speed optoelectronic device can include a silicon material having an incident light surface, a first doped region and a second doped region forming a semiconductive junction in the silicon material, and a textured region coupled to the silicon material and positioned to interact with electromagnetic radiation. The optoelectronic device has a response time of from about 1 picosecond to about 5 nanoseconds and a responsivity of greater than or equal to about 0.4 A/W for electromagnetic radiation having at least one wavelength from about 800 nm to about 1200 nm.
US09761738B2

To provide a semiconductor device which has transistor characteristics with little variation and includes an oxide semiconductor. The semiconductor device includes an insulating film over a conductive film and an oxide semiconductor film over the insulating film. The oxide semiconductor film includes a first oxide semiconductor layer, a second oxide semiconductor layer over the first oxide semiconductor layer, and a third oxide semiconductor layer over the second oxide semiconductor layer. The energy level of a bottom of a conduction band of the second oxide semiconductor layer is lower than those of the first and third oxide semiconductor layers. An end portion of the second oxide semiconductor layer is positioned on an inner side than an end portion of the first oxide semiconductor layer.
US09761734B2

Defects in an oxide semiconductor film are reduced in a semiconductor device including the oxide semiconductor film. The electrical characteristics of a semiconductor device including an oxide semiconductor film are improved. The reliability of a semiconductor device including an oxide semiconductor film is improved. A semiconductor device including an oxide semiconductor layer; a metal oxide layer in contact with the oxide semiconductor layer, the metal oxide layer including an In-M oxide (M is Ti, Ga, Y, Zr, La, Ce, Nd, or Hf); and a conductive layer in contact with the metal oxide layer, the conductive layer including copper, aluminum, gold, or silver is provided. In the semiconductor device, y/(x+y) is greater than or equal to 0.75 and less than 1 where the atomic ratio of In to M included in the metal oxide layer is In:M=x:y.
US09761719B2

A semiconductor device may include: a semiconductor substrate, a device isolating layer embedded within the semiconductor substrate and defining an active region, a channel region formed in the active region, a gate electrode disposed above the channel region, a gate insulating layer provided between the channel region and the gate electrode, and a silicon germanium epitaxial layer adjacent to the channel region within the active region and including a first epitaxial layer containing a first concentration of germanium, a second epitaxial layer containing a second concentration of germanium, higher than the first concentration, and a third epitaxial layer containing a third concentration of germanium, lower than the second concentration, the first to third epitaxial layers being sequentially stacked on one another in that order.
US09761715B2

A ferroelectric field effect transistor comprises a semiconductive channel comprising opposing sidewalls and an elevationally outermost top. A source/drain region is at opposite ends of the channel. A gate construction of the transistor comprises inner dielectric extending along the channel top and laterally along the channel sidewalls. Inner conductive material is elevationally and laterally outward of the inner dielectric and extends along the channel top and laterally along the channel sidewalls. Outer ferroelectric material is elevationally outward of the inner conductive material and extends along the channel top. Outer conductive material is elevationally outward of the outer ferroelectric material and extends along the channel. Other constructions and methods are disclosed.
US09761713B2

Embodiments of the present disclosure describe multi-threshold voltage devices and associated techniques and configurations. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a semiconductor substrate, a channel body disposed on the semiconductor substrate, a first gate electrode having a first thickness coupled with the channel body and a second gate electrode having a second thickness coupled with the channel body, wherein the first thickness is greater than the second thickness. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed.
US09761711B2

A semiconductor device includes a first electrode, a second electrode, a first semiconductor region of a first conductivity type that is between the first electrode and the second electrode. A second semiconductor region is adjacent to the first semiconductor region along a first direction and includes a second conductivity type material. A first insulating region is provided within the second semiconductor region. A third electrode is provided on the first semiconductor region via a second insulating region.
US09761705B2

A semiconductor device comprises an n+ type SiC semiconductor substrate, an n type low concentration drift layer of an SiC semiconductor on the substrate, p type channel regions selectively arranged in the drift layer with a specified distance between the channel regions, an n type source region selectively arranged in the channel region, a source electrode in common contact with the source region and the channel region, and a gate electrode disposed over the drift layer between two channel regions, and over a part of the channel region positioned between the drift layer and the source region intercalating a gate oxide film therebetween. The drift layer has a low concentration of at most 70% of the concentration that is required to exhibit a specified withstand voltage at a minimum ON resistance.
US09761704B2

A heterostructure semiconductor device includes a first active layer and a second active layer disposed on the first active layer. A two-dimensional electron gas layer is formed between the first and second active layers. An AlSiN passivation layer is disposed on the second active layer. First and second ohmic contacts electrically connect to the second active layer. The first and second ohmic contacts are laterally spaced-apart, with a gate being disposed between the first and second ohmic contacts.
US09761693B2

A method for fabricating semiconductor device is disclosed. First, a substrate is provided, a gate structure is formed on the substrate, a spacer is formed around the gate structure, and an epitaxial layer is formed in the substrate adjacent to the spacer. Preferably, the step of forming the epitaxial layer further includes: forming a buffer layer in the substrate; forming a bulk layer on the buffer layer; forming a linear gradient cap on the bulk layer, and forming a silicon cap on the linear gradient cap. Preferably, the etching to deposition ratio of the linear gradient cap is greater than 50% and less than 100%.
US09761689B2

The present disclosure provides a method of forming a semiconductor device, including a shaping of a gate structure of the semiconductor device such that a spacer removal after silicide formation is avoided and silicide overhang is suppressed. In some aspects of the present disclosure, a method of forming a semiconductor device is provided wherein a gate structure is provided over an active region of a semiconductor substrate, the gate structure including a gate electrode material and sidewall spacers. At least one of the gate electrode material and the sidewall spacers are shaped by applying a shaping process to the gate structure and a silicide portion is formed on the shaped gate structure.
US09761670B2

A semiconductor device having: a substrate; a nitride semiconductor layer including a first semiconductor layer made of GaN or InxGa1-xN (0
US09761660B2

Manufacturable spin and spin-polaron interconnects are disclosed that do not exhibit the same increase in resistivity shown by Cu interconnects associated with decreasing linewidth. These interconnects rely on the transmission of spin as opposed to charge. Two types of graphene based interconnect approaches are explored, one involving the injection and diffusive transport of discrete spin-polarized carriers, and the other involving coherent spin polarization of graphene charge carriers due to exchange interactions with localized substrate spins. Such devices are manufacturable as well as scalable (methods for their fabrication exist, and the interconnects are based on direct growth, rather than physical transfer or metal catalyst formation). Performance at or above 300 K, as opposed to cryogenic temperatures, is the performance criteria.
US09761653B2

An electronic device which includes at least one optoelectronic component including a first active layer, a first electrode, and a second interface layer between the first layer and the first electrode; and at least one first field effect transistor including a first semiconductor portion, a first gate, and at least one third layer, between the first gate and the first semiconductor portion. The third layer is made of the same material as the second layer. The electronic device includes a second electrode and a fourth interface layer between the first layer and the second electrode and includes a second field effect transistor that includes a second semiconductor portion, a second gate, and at least one fifth layer between the second gate and the second semiconductor portion. The fifth layer is made of the same material as the fourth layer.
US09761647B2

An organic light emitting display and a method of manufacturing the same. The organic light-emitting display is a transparent display where one can see through the display to view an image on the other side of the display. Each pixel of the display has a first region that includes an organic light emitting diode and a thin film transistor, and a larger second region that is transparent. The second region is made of either transparent layers or ultra-thin layers so that light is not blocked. A second electrode of the display may include magnesium and may be produced by a selective deposition process, so that use of a fine metal mask may be avoided.
US09761644B2

An organic electroluminescent device includes a substrate including a plurality of pixel regions each having a light emission region and an element region; a plurality of thin film transistors (TFTs) including at least one switching TFT and at least one driving TFT in each element region; a planarization layer on the plurality of TFTs; a first electrode on the planarization layer and including first to third portions connected to one another, wherein the first and second portions are at each pixel region, and the third portion is at a neighboring pixel region; an organic light emitting layer on the first electrode; and a second electrode on the organic light emitting layer, wherein an end of the third portion overlaps the driving TFT of the neighboring pixel region.
US09761643B2

Assembly for the display of at least one piece of information for a portable object, this display assembly (1) including a first, at least partially transparent, display device (2) which is located on the side of an observer (4) and arranged to display at least a first piece of information, a second, at least partially transparent, display device (6) for displaying at least a second piece of information and a solar cell (10) being disposed in that order underneath the first display device (2), the first and second display devices (2, 6) being capable of switching between an active state in which they display information and a passive state in which they do not display information.
US09761642B2

A display includes first and second substrates spaced apart from one another, an organic light emitting diode (OLED) structure supported by the first substrate, and a plurality of thin film structures supported by the first substrate, the plurality of thin film structures including a drive circuit element and a reflective element, the drive circuit element arranged in drive circuitry electrically coupled to the OLED structure, the drive circuitry configured to control the OLED structure. The display further includes an optical switch stack disposed between the second substrate and the plurality of thin film structures, the optical switch stack including a color filter positioned relative to the reflective element such that ambient light reflecting off of the reflective circuit element passes through the color filter.
US09761640B2

A display panel is disclosed. The display panel includes a substrate, a plurality of first unit pixel and a plurality of second unit pixel. The substrate includes a first region and a second region extending in a first direction. The plurality of first unit pixels is disposed in the first region of the substrate. The first unit pixel has a first area. The plurality of second unit pixel is disposed in the second region of the substrate. The second unit pixel has a second area which is smaller than the first area.
US09761639B2

The present invention provides an organic light emitting diode array substrate, and a display device, which belongs to the field of display technology, and can solve the problem that the sub-pixels of different colors in the existing organic light emitting diode array substrate have different life times. The organic light emitting diode array substrate of the present invention comprises a plurality of sub-pixels having light emitting layers, the sub-pixels comprising first color sub-pixels, second color sub-pixels and third color sub-pixels with a number of the first color sub-pixels being the same as a number of second color sub-pixels and the same as a number of third color sub-pixels, and the first color sub-pixels are in a diamond shape; the second color sub-pixels and the third color sub-pixels are in a parallelogram shape, and lengths of their short sides are equal to a side length of the first color sub-pixels, lengths of their long sides are both greater than the side length of the first color sub-pixels.
US09761636B2

The inventive concepts relate to image sensors. The image sensor includes a substrate including a floating diffusion region and a pixel circuit, an interlayer insulating layer on the substrate, a contact node and a first electrode on the interlayer insulating layer, a dielectric layer on a top surface of the first electrode, a channel semiconductor pattern on the dielectric layer and connected to the contact node, and a photoelectric conversion layer on the channel semiconductor pattern. The channel semiconductor pattern includes a semiconductor material having an electron mobility that is higher than an electron mobility of the photoelectric conversion layer.
US09761632B2

Embodiments of the present invention disclose a display substrate and a method of manufacturing the same, and a display device comprising the display substrate. The display substrate comprises: a substrate; a black matrix layer and a color filter layer located on the substrate; and at least one main spacer and at least one secondary spacer located on the black matrix layer or the color filter layer and both having direct projections on the substrate within a region where the black matrix layer is located. A sum of thicknesses of portions of the black matrix layer and the color filter layer corresponding to each secondary spacer is smaller than that of portions of the black matrix layer and the color filter layer corresponding to each main spacer, so that a distance from a top end of the secondary spacer to the substrate is smaller than a distance from a top end of the main spacer to the substrate. As a result, a difference between the distance from the top end of the main spacer to the substrate and the distance from the top end of the secondary spacer to the substrate can be varied by adjusting a difference between the sum of thicknesses of the black matrix layer and the color filter layer directly below each main spacer and the sum of thicknesses of the black matrix layer and the color filter layer directly below each secondary spacer, thereby enabling the main spacer and the secondary spacer to provide a good effect of buffering an external force.
US09761626B2

A solid-state image pickup device is provided which can inhibit degradation of image quality which may occur when a global electronic shutter operation is performed. A gate drive line for a first transistor of gate drive lines for pixel transistors is positioned in proximity to a converting unit.
US09761624B2

Visual and near infrared pixels may have deep photodiodes to ensure sufficient capture of light. The pixels may have a silicon layer that is etched to form a microlens for the pixel. The pixels may include an inversion layer formed over the silicon layer to prevent dark current. Additionally, the pixels may include a conductive layer formed over the inversion layer that further prevents dark current. The conductive layer may be coupled to a bias voltage supply line. The conductive layer may be biased during image acquisition to prevent dark current. During readout, the bias voltage may be pulsed at a lower voltage to ensure all of the collected charge is transferred out of the photodiode during charge transfer.
US09761622B2

A semiconductor device includes a substrate, a device layer, a composite grid structure, a passivation layer and color filters. The device layer overlies the substrate. The composite grid structure overlies the device layer. The composite grid structure includes cavities passing through the composite grid structure, and the composite grid structure includes a metal grid layer and a dielectric grid layer stacked on the metal grid layer. The passivation layer conformally covers the composite grid structure. The color filters respectively fill the cavities.
US09761620B1

A charge array wafer includes a plurality of electrical charge storage cells disposed in an array configuration. A programmable amount of charge in each of the electrical charge storage cells causes a predetermined electric field to extend from a charge storage layer, through a passivation layer and into the space above the passivation layer, and the predetermined electric field is operable to attract deposition material to the top surface of the passivation layer. The deposition material may be a gas, a liquid or a powder, having a minimum feature size ranging from tens of nanometers to around five microns. The array of electrical charge storage cells includes an uninterrupted two-dimensional array extending over greater than 100×100 electrical charge storage cells without a select gate and without a bit-line contact positioned between any of the electrical charge storage cells.
US09761615B2

An array substrate, a manufacturing method thereof and a display device are disclosed. The array substrate comprises: a base substrate (1), thin-film transistors (TFTs), an isolation layer (10) and an organic resin layer (8) formed on the base substrate (1), and a common electrode layer (12) formed on the organic resin layer (8). The isolation layer (10) covers source electrodes (6) and drain electrodes (7) of the TFTs; the organic resin layer (8) covers the isolation layer (10) and is provided with first through holes (9) corresponding to the drain electrodes (7) of the TFTs; the isolation layer (10) is provided with second through holes (11) communicated with the first through holes (9) to expose partial drain electrodes (7); and the dimension of the second through holes (11) is greater than that of the first through holes (9). The array substrate, the manufacturing method thereof and the display device resolve the problem of forming dark dots, ensure the product quality, reduce the waste of production materials, and reduce the production cost.
US09761610B2

A method for fabricating a semiconductor device, includes providing a strained silicon on insulator (SSOI) structure, the SSOI structure comprises, a dielectric layer disposed on a substrate, a silicon germanium layer disposed on the dielectric layer, and a strained semiconductor material layer disposed directly on the silicon germanium layer, forming a plurality of fins on the SSOI structure, forming a gate structure over a portion of at least one fin in a nFET region, forming a gate structure over a portion of at least one fin in a pFET region, removing the gate structure over the portion of the at least one fin in the pFET region, removing the silicon germanium layer exposed by the removing, and forming a new gate structure over the portion of the at least one fin in the pFET region, such that the new gate structure surrounds the portion on all four sides.
US09761604B2

Disclosed herein is 3D memory with vertical NAND strings having a III-V compound channel, as well as methods of fabrication. The III-V compound has at least one group III element and at least one group V element. The III-V compound provides for high electron mobility transistor cells. Note that III-V materials may have a much higher electron mobility compared to silicon. Thus, much higher cell current and overall cell performance can be achieved. Also, the memory device may have better read-write efficiency due to much higher carrier mobility and velocity. The tunnel dielectric of the memory cells may have an Al2O3 film in direct contact with the III-V NAND channel. The drain end of the NAND channel may be a metal-III-V alloy in direct contact with a metal region. The body of the source side select transistor could be formed from the III-V compound or from crystalline silicon.
US09761600B2

A semiconductor device according to an embodiment includes two semiconductor pillars, a connection member connected between the two semiconductor pillars, and a contact connected to the connection member. There is not a conductive member disposed between the two semiconductor pillars.
US09761598B2

To provide a semiconductor device with excellent charge retention characteristics, a transistor including a thick gate insulating film to achieve low leakage current is additionally provided such that its gate is connected to a node for holding charge. The node is composed of this additional transistor and a transistor using an oxide semiconductor in its semiconductor layer including a channel formation region. Charge corresponding to data is held at the node.
US09761593B2

A semiconductor device includes: a substrate having a plurality of active regions; a plurality of bit lines extending in a first direction, the plurality of bit lines being separate from the substrate with an insulating layer therebetween; a plurality of first insulating lines extending in a second direction that is different from the first direction, wherein the plurality of first insulating lines intersect the plurality of bit lines and have upper surfaces having levels which are higher than those of upper surfaces of the plurality of bit lines relative to the substrate; and a plurality of first contact structures connected to the plurality of active regions, the plurality of first contact structures being disposed in an area defined by the plurality of bit lines and the plurality of first insulating lines.
US09761588B2

A conventional DRAM needs to be refreshed at an interval of several tens of milliseconds to hold data, which results in large power consumption. In addition, a transistor therein is frequently turned on and off; thus, deterioration of the transistor is also a problem. These problems become significant as the memory capacity increases and transistor miniaturization advances. A transistor is provided which includes a wide-gap semiconductor and has a trench structure including a trench for a gate electrode and a trench for element isolation. Even when the distance between a source electrode and a drain electrode is decreased, the occurrence of a short-channel effect can be suppressed by setting the depth of the trench for the gate electrode as appropriate.
US09761585B2

Macro-transistor structures are disclosed. In some cases, the macro-transistor structures have the same number of terminals and properties similar to long-channel transistors, but are suitable for analog circuits in deep-submicron technologies at deep-submicron process nodes. The macro-transistor structures can be implemented, for instance, with a plurality of transistors constructed and arranged in series, and with their gates tied together, generally referred to herein as a transistor stack. One or more of the serial transistors within the stack can be implemented with a plurality of parallel transistors and/or can have a threshold voltage that is different from the threshold voltages of other transistors in the stack. Alternatively, or in addition, one or more of the serial transistors within the macro-transistor can be statically or dynamically controlled to tune the performance characteristics of the macro-transistor. The macro-transistors can be used in numerous circuits, such as varactors, VCOs, PLLs, and tunable circuits.
US09761581B1

A method of forming an IC includes providing a field dielectric in a portion of a semiconductor surface, a bipolar or Schottky diode (BSD) class device area, a CMOS transistor area, and a resistor area. A polysilicon layer is deposited to provide a polysilicon gate area for MOS transistors in the CMOS transistor area, over the BSD class device area, and over the field dielectric for providing a polysilicon resistor in the resistor area. A first mask pattern is formed on the polysilicon layer. Using the first mask pattern, first implanting (I1) of the polysilicon resistor providing a first projected range (RP1)RP1. I2 provides a CMOS implant into the semiconductor surface layer in the CMOS transistor area and/or a BSD implant into the semiconductor surface layer in the BSD area.
US09761570B1

A method for making an electronic component package from an encapsulated panel. The encapsulated panel includes two packaging substrate assembles including electronic components. Access sides of the electronic components face outward from the encapsulated panel. Standoffs separate the packaging substrate assemblies from each other.
US09761569B2

Embodiments of a method for fabricating System-in-Packages (SiPs) are provided, as are embodiments of a SiP. In one embodiment, the method includes producing a first package including a first molded package body having a sidewall. A first leadframe is embedded within the first molded package body and having a first leadframe lead exposed through the sidewall. In certain implementations, a semiconductor die may also be encapsulated within the first molded package body. A Surface Mount Device (SMD) is mounted to the sidewall of the first molded package body such that a first terminal of the SMD is in ohmic contact with the first leadframe lead exposed through the sidewall.
US09761563B2

Provided is a multi-chip package in which a plurality of semiconductor chips having different sizes are stacked. A multi-chip package may include a substrate, and a plurality of semiconductor chips stacked on the substrate, each of the plurality of semiconductor chips having a different size. Each of the plurality of semiconductor chips including a pad group and a reference region associated with the pad group, each pad group having a plurality of pads, and the plurality of pads in each pad group located at same coordinates with respect to the associated reference region, and each of the plurality of semiconductor chips having their reference regions vertically aligned.
US09761560B2

A display device includes a panel substrate including a pad region, and a COF (Chip On Film) including a wire region, the wire region including a plurality of wires connected to the pad region of the panel substrate, wherein the plurality of wires in the wire region is arranged into a plurality of sections, intervals between wires within each section being different from intervals between wires within an adjacent section, and at least one of the plurality of sections including a plurality of wires at a fixed interval.
US09761558B2

A microelectronic package includes a substrate having a first surface. A microelectronic element overlies the first surface. Electrically conductive elements are exposed at the first surface of the substrate, at least some of which are electrically connected to the microelectronic element. The package includes wire bonds having bases bonded to respective ones of the conductive elements and ends remote from the substrate and remote from the bases. The ends of the wire bonds are defined on tips of the wire bonds, and the wire bonds define respective first diameters between the bases and the tips thereof. The tips have at least one dimension that is smaller than the respective first diameters of the wire bonds. A dielectric encapsulation layer covers portions of the wire bonds, and unencapsulated portions of the wire bonds are defined by portions of the wire bonds, including the ends, are uncovered by the encapsulation layer.
US09761554B2

An apparatus, and methods therefor, relates generally to an integrated circuit package. In such an apparatus, a platform substrate has a copper pad. An integrated circuit die is coupled to the platform substrate. A wire bond wire couples a contact of the integrated circuit die and the copper pad. A first end of the wire bond wire is ball bonded with a ball bond for direct contact with an upper surface of the copper pad. A second end of the wire bond wire is stitch bonded with a stitch bond to the contact.
US09761553B2

Among other things, an inductor comprising a conductive trace and a method for forming the inductor are provided. The inductor comprises a magnetic structure, such as a ferrite core. A molding material, such as a dielectric, is formed around the magnetic structure. A conductive trace, comprising one or more conductive pillars interconnected by one or more upper interconnects and one or more lower interconnects, is formed around the magnetic structure to form the inductor. The conductive trace allows physical limitations associated with winding a wire to be avoided, and thus allows the inductor to be smaller than wire wound inductors. In one example, the inductor is formed within an integrated circuit package comprising an active device, such as an integrated circuit. In this way, the inductor can be connected to the integrated circuit within the integrated circuit package.
US09761547B1

A system and method for vertically integrating heterogeneous devices into a 3D tile architecture are disclosed. The system uses high precision microelectronics fabrication techniques and known-good-die to achieve high yield to integrate devices to process radio frequency signals at microwave frequencies of approximately 300 MHz to 300 GHz and above. The inventive architecture is based on a high density of small diameter vias to manage the integrity of electrical interconnects and simplify electrical routing.
US09761535B1

One aspect of the present disclosure provides an interposer for a semiconductor package. The interposer includes a substrate portion and a wall portion disposed on the substrate portion. The substrate portion has a first side, a second side, and an electrical interconnect structure between the first side and the second side. The substrate portion is substantially free from conductive through vias, and the cost for fabricating through silicon vias (TSV) is very expensive; therefore, the fabrication cost of the interposer can be dramatically reduced. In addition, the wall portion is disposed on the first side and defining an aperture exposing a portion of the electrical interconnect structure. At least one semiconductor die can be bonded to the interposer and inside the aperture. Consequently, the height of the semiconductor package is lower than the design of disposing the semiconductor die on top of the interposer.
US09761533B2

Techniques for providing a semiconductor assembly having an interconnect die for die-to-die interconnection, an IC package, a method for manufacturing, and a method for routing signals in an IC package are described. In one implementation, a semiconductor assembly is provided that includes a first interconnect die coupled to a first integrated circuit (IC) die and a second IC die by inter-die connections. The first interconnect die includes solid state circuitry that provides a signal transmission path between the IC dice.
US09761532B2

A hybrid interconnect structure includes a graphene layer between a non-metallic material layer and a metal layer, and a first interfacial bonding layer between the non-metallic material layer and the graphene layer, or the metal layer and the graphene layer. The graphene layer connects the non-metallic material layer and the metal layer, and the first bonding layer includes a metallic material.
US09761530B2

Graphene wiring of an embodiment has a graphene intercalation compound including a multilayer graphene having graphene sheets stacked therein and an interlayer substance disposed between layers of the multilayer graphene, and an interlayer cross-linked layer connected to a side surface of the multilayer graphene. The interlayer cross-linked layer has a cross-linked molecular structure including multiple bonded molecules cross-linking the graphene sheets included in the multilayer graphene.
US09761528B2

An interconnection structure fabrication method is provided. The method includes providing a substrate; forming a conductive film with a first thickness and having a first lattice structure and a first grain size, wherein the first thickness is greater than the first grain size; and performing an annealing process to change the first lattice structure of the conductive film to a second lattice structure and to change the first grain size to a second grain size. The second grain size is greater than the first grain size, and the first thickness is greater than or equal to the second grain size. The method also includes etching portion of the conductive film to form at least one conductive layer; etching portion of the conductive layer to form at least one trench having a depth smaller than the first thickness in the conductive layer to form an electrical interconnection wire and conductive vias; and forming a dielectric layer covering the substrate, sidewalls of the conductive layer, and the trench.
US09761527B2

A semiconductor device may include pillars and a plurality of conductive layers being stacked while surrounding the pillars and including a plurality of first regions including non-conductive material layers and a plurality of second regions including conductive material layers, wherein the first regions and the second regions are alternately arranged.
US09761521B1

Various embodiments provide for flexible and robust power grid connectivity in a server on a chip environment. The power grid has three parallel conductors, (e.g., wires) which represent two power polarities. The outside two wires can be of a first polarity (e.g. Vdd), while the middle wire is of a second polarity (e.g., Vss). The polarities of the wires can also be switched, as long as the two outside wires have the same polarity, while the inside wire has a different polarity. Power pins from modules adjacent to the set of three wires make connections to the nearest wire of the matching polarity. In this way, every power pin on the modules can be connected to the power grid without need for special alignment or custom power pins.
US09761516B1

A method includes forming one or more vias in a substrate, forming a first photoresist layer on a top surface of the substrate and a second photoresist layer on a bottom surface of the substrate, patterning the first photoresist layer and the second photoresist layer to remove at least a first portion of the first photoresist layer and at least a second portion of the second photoresist layer, filling the one or more vias, the first portion and the second portion with solder material using injection molded soldering, and removing remaining portions of the first photoresist layer and the second photoresist layer.
US09761512B2

A leadframe assembly is formed from an electrically conductive material. The leadframe assembly includes a first longitudinal element, at least one second longitudinal element, a plurality of first leadframe sections and a plurality of second leadframe sections.
US09761509B2

A method for is used for forming a semiconductor device having a through-substrate via. The method includes providing a preliminary structure having an ILD layer on a substrate and a buffer layer on the ILD layer; forming an opening through the buffer layer, the ILD layer, and the substrate; forming a liner structure layer over the substrate, wherein an exposed surface of the opening is covered by the liner structure layer; depositing a conductive material over the substrate to fill the opening; performing a polishing process, to polish over the substrate and stop at the buffer layer, wherein the liner structure layer and the conductive material remaining in the opening form a conductive via; performing an etching back process, to remove the buffer layer and expose the ILD layer, wherein a top portion of the conductive via is also exposed and higher than the ILD layer.
US09761508B2

Composite heat sink structures and methods of fabrication are provided, with the composite heat sink structures including: a thermally conductive base having a main heat transfer surface to couple to, for instance, at least one electronic component to be cooled; a compressible, continuous sealing member; and a sealing member retainer compressing the compressible, continuous sealing member against the thermally conductive base; and an in situ molded member. The in situ molded member is molded over and affixed to the thermally conductive base, and is molded over and secures in place the sealing member retainer. A coolant-carrying compartment resides between the thermally conductive base and the in situ molded member, and a coolant inlet and outlet are provided in fluid communication with the coolant-carrying compartment to facilitate liquid coolant flow through the compartment.
US09761507B1

A rectifier package is provided, which comprises a first rectifier die having an anode and a cathode conductively bonded to a first conductive film on a first surface. The rectifier package also comprises a second rectifier die having an anode and a cathode conductively bonded to the first conductive film on a second surface, which is opposite to the first surface. The first conductive film is in contact with both anodes or both cathodes of the first rectifier die and the second rectifier die.
US09761504B2

A passivation structure includes a bottom dielectric layer. The passivation structure further includes a doped dielectric layer over the bottom dielectric layer. The doped dielectric layer includes a first doped layer and a second doped layer. The passivation structure further includes a top dielectric layer over the doped dielectric layer.
US09761498B2

An integrated circuit included n-type FinFETs in an n-region and p-type FinFETs in a p-region. The integrated circuit includes: an n-type fin in the n-region comprising a silicon (Si) fin portion disposed on an oxidized fin portion, the Si fin portion consisting essentially of Si, and the oxidized fin portion consisting essentially of Si, germanium (Ge) and oxygen; and a p-type fin in the p-region consisting essentially of Si and Ge.
US09761488B2

A method for forming the semiconductor device structure is provided. The method includes forming a metal layer in a first dielectric layer over a substrate and forming an etch stop layer over the metal layer. The etch stop layer is made of metal-containing material. The method also includes forming a second dielectric layer over the etch stop layer and removing a portion of the second dielectric layer to expose the etch stop layer and to form a via by an etching process. The method further includes performing a plasma cleaning process on the via and the second dielectric layer, and the plasma cleaning process is performed by using a plasma including nitrogen gas (N2) and hydrogen gas (H2).
US09761486B2

A method of forming a chip package portion having a reduced loading effect between various metal lines during a leveling process comprises forming a first layer, a passivation layer over the first layer, a second layer over the passivation layer, and a third layer over the second layer. The method also comprises forming a patterned opening having multiple depths by removing portions of the first layer, the passivation layer, the second layer, and the third layer by way of one or more removal processes that remove portions of the first layer, the passivation layer, the second layer, and the third layer in accordance with one or more patterned photoresist depositions. The method further comprises depositing a material into the patterned opening, and leveling the material deposited into the patterned opening.
US09761484B1

Interconnect structures and processes generally include creating point defects in exposed surfaces of the dielectric layer to create a point defect region at a relatively shallow depth, wherein the point defect region is a fraction of the dielectric layer and is created with exposure to silicon, carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, or mixtures thereof such that the point defect region contains Si, C, N O, or mixtures containing at least one of the foregoing. A seed layer can be deposited and includes at least one alloying element that is effective to form an in situ self-aligned liner layer with the Si, C, N O, or mixtures containing at least one of the foregoing within the point defect region, which is formed at a depth of less than 10 nanometers. The in situ liner layer within the dielectric layer maximizes the volume fraction of the conductor of the interconnect structure.
US09761481B2

Integrated circuits and methods of forming integrated circuits are provided herein, in which a plurality of semiconductor devices is formed on a semiconductor substrate. At least one through-semiconductor via is formed in the semiconductor substrate and an interlayer dielectric layer is formed overlying the at least one through-semiconductor via and the plurality of semiconductor devices. A first pattern is etched in the interlayer dielectric layer over the at least one through-semiconductor via, and a second pattern different from the first pattern is etched in the interlayer dielectric layer over the same through-semiconductor via as the first pattern. At least one interconnect via is embedded within the interlayer dielectric layer, in electrical communication with one of the at least one through-semiconductor vias. A metal-containing material is deposited in the first pattern and the second pattern to form a first metal layer in electrical communication with the at least one interconnect via.
US09761475B2

The present invention relates to a film for semiconductor device production, which includes: a separator; and a plurality of adhesive layer-attached dicing tapes each including a dicing tape and an adhesive layer laminated on the dicing tape, which are laminated on the separator at a predetermined interval in such a manner that the adhesive layer attaches to the separator, in which the separator has a cut formed along the outer periphery of the dicing tape, and the depth of the cut is at most ⅔ of the thickness of the separator.
US09761469B2

An unloading mechanism for removing workpieces from a transporting film can include a bottom plate, a picking assembly, and a storage assembly. The picking assembly can include a driving member coupled to the bottom plate, a pressing member coupled to the driving member, and a picking member coupled to the pressing member. The pressing member can define a receiving hole along an axis. The picking member can include a connecting rod coupled to the bottom plate, and a suction member coupled to the connecting rod. The suction member can be coupled to the second end and protruding out of the pressing member. The storage assembly can include a base plate configured to support the transporting film, and a pressing plate stacked on the base plate and the transporting film.
US09761465B2

Systems and methods are provided for an integrated circuit package. A plurality of electrical contacts are configured to provide a structure for electrically connecting the integrated circuit package to a printed circuit board. A package substrate includes at least one patterned metallic layer formed to electrically interconnect I/O contacts of an integrated circuit to the plurality of electrical contacts, and at least one generally uniform metallic layer having a plurality of voids that are respectively situated in axial alignment with corresponding ones of the electrical contacts, and one or more dielectric layers disposed between the plurality of electrical contacts and the metallic layers. Further, the package substrate includes a plurality of metallic elements disposed within the plurality of voids and electrically isolated from the generally uniform metallic layer, the metallic elements configured to reduce a physical size of respective voids without electrically contacting the generally uniform metallic layer.
US09761462B2

A semiconductor device includes an external lead-out terminal having an external terminal and an internal terminal connected to a connecting portion of the external terminal. By forming a resin fixed portion linked to a horizontal resin portion in the vicinity of a leading end of the internal terminal, a gap under the internal terminal when cutting the terminal coupling portion off from the internal terminal can be restricted.
US09761458B2

The invention relates to an apparatus for reactive ion etching of a substrate, comprising: a plasma etch zone including an etch gas supply and arranged with a plasma generating structure for igniting a plasma and comprising an electrode structure arranged to accelerate the etch plasma toward a substrate portion to have ions impinge on the surface of the substrate; a passivation zone including a cavity provided with a passivation gas supply; said supply arranged for providing a passivation gas flow from the supply to the cavity; the cavity in use being bounded by the injector head and the substrate surface; and a gas purge structure comprising a gas exhaust arranged between said etch zone and passivation zone; the gas purge structure thus forming a spatial division of the etch and passivation zones.
US09761452B1

Devices and methods of fabricating integrated circuit devices with reduced cell height are provided. One method includes, for instance: obtaining an intermediate semiconductor device having a substrate including a logic area and an SRAM area, a fin material layer, and a hardmask layer; depositing a mandrel over the logic area; depositing a sacrificial spacer layer; etching the sacrificial spacer layer to define a sacrificial set of vertical spacers; etching the hardmask layer; leaving a set of vertical hardmask spacers; depositing a first spacer layer; etching the first spacer layer to define a first set of vertical spacers over the logic area; depositing an SOH layer; etching an opening in the SOH layer over the SRAM area; depositing a second spacer layer; and etching the second spacer layer to define a second set of spacers over the SRAM area.
US09761451B2

The present disclosure relates to a method of performing a semiconductor fabrication process. In some embodiments, the method is performed by forming a spacer material within openings in a first masking layer overlying a second masking layer, and forming a reverse material over a part of the spacer material. A first plurality of openings are formed within the spacer material. The first plurality of openings are separated by the reverse material. A second plurality of openings are formed within the first masking layer. The second plurality of openings are separated by the spacer material. The second masking layer is patterned according to the first plurality of openings and the second plurality of openings.
US09761447B2

The invention provides a method for manufacturing a TFT substrate and a TFT substrate manufactured thereof. In the above TFT substrate, the low temperature poly-silicon layer is produced by solid phase crystallization, the cost of production is under budget, and the TFT substrate is a double-grid structure that can guarantee the electrical characteristics of the thin film transistor and better the capacity of drive, and leakage phenomenon caused by groove light seldom happens.
US09761443B2

The invention provides a method for passivation of various surfaces (metal, polymer, semiconductors) from external contaminants, and the functionalization of inert surfaces. The method of the invention can functionalize 2D semiconductor and other insert surfaces such as non-reactive metals, oxides, insulators, glasses, and polymers. The method includes formation of a monolayer, an ordered bilayer or an ordered multilayer of metal phthalocyanines (MPc). The invention also provides layer structure in a semiconductor device, the layer structure comprising one of an ordered monolayer, ordered bilayer or ordered multi-layer of metal phthalocyanine upon a surface, and one of an ALD deposited layer or 2D semiconductor on the one of a monolayer, ordered bilayer or ordered multi-layer of metal phthalocyanine.
US09761440B2

The present disclosure provides a semiconductor structure in accordance with some embodiments. The semiconductor structure includes a semiconductor feature, a passivation layer that includes indium sulfide formed over a surface of the semiconductor feature. More particularly, the surface of the semiconductor feature comprises indium-based III-V compound semiconductor material.
US09761439B2

A semiconductor device includes a plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) protective layer configured to prevent failure of the semiconductor device throughout a temperature humidity with bias (THB) test exceeding about 1000 hours and/or a highly accelerated stress test (HAST) exceeding about 96 hours. Including a PECVD protective layer capable of protecting the semiconductor device throughout a THB test exceeding about 1000 hours and/or a HAST exceeding about 96 hours results in an extremely robust device, while providing the protective layer via PECVD results in convenience and cost savings.
US09761435B1

A process for forming a semiconductor package. The process comprises forming a first leadframe strip mounted upon an adhesive tape. The first leadframe strip is at least partially encased in a first mold compound thereby forming a molded leadframe strip. At least one flip chip semiconductor device is mounted on the molded leadframe strip. The semiconductor device has conductive masses attached thereon to effectuate electrical contact between the semiconductor device and the molded leadframe. The conductive masses can be substantially spherical or cylindrical. Liquid encapsulant is dispensed on the semiconductor device to encapsulate the flip chip semiconductor device. A cavity is formed between the semiconductor device and the molded leadframe. The molded leadframe strip, the semiconductor device, and the conductive masses are at least partially encased in a second mold compound. The second mold compound can be molded so that a surface of the flip chip semiconductor device that is not attached to the molded leadframe is substantially exposed or molded to produce a globular form on the flip chip semiconductor device. The molded leadframe strip is singulated to form discrete semiconductor packages.
US09761430B2

The present invention provides a method for acquiring fragment ion mass spectra with a time-of-flight mass spectrometer, whereby mixed mass spectra with fragment ions of different parent ion species are acquired and compared with each other in such a way that the signals of those fragment ions which originate from the same parent ion species are determined. The time-of-flight mass spectrometer contains an ion source, a flight path, a reflector and an ion detector. The flight path is preferably field-free and is positioned before the reflector, and the reflector preferably has a quadratically increasing reflection potential.
US09761427B2

A system for transporting ions includes: an ion transfer tube having an axis and an internal bore having a width and a height less than the width; and an apparatus comprising a plurality of electrodes, each having a respective ion aperture having an aperture center, the apertures defining an ion channel configured to receive the ions from the ion transfer tube and to transport the ions to an outlet end of the apparatus, wherein at least a subset of the apertures progressively decrease in size in a direction towards the apparatus outlet end, wherein the ion transfer tube is configured such that the ion transfer tube axis is non-coincident with an axis of the ion channel or such that the width dimension of the ion transfer tube bore is parallel to a plane defined by the ion transfer tube axis and the ion channel axis.
US09761426B2

The invention generally relates to methods and devices for synchronization of ion generation with cycling of a discontinuous atmospheric interface. In certain embodiments, the invention provides a system for analyzing a sample that includes a mass spectrometry probe that generates sample ions, a discontinuous atmospheric interface, and a mass analyzer, in which the system is configured such that ion formation is synchronized with cycling of the discontinuous atmospheric interface.
US09761420B2

The present invention relates to novel and improved high purity diffusion bonded copper (Cu) sputtering targets having a Cu purity level of 99.9999% (6N) or greater. The target assemblies of the present invention exhibit sufficient bond strength and microstructural homogeneity, both of which are properties previously considered mutually exclusive for conventional 6N Cu target assemblies. The grain structure is characterized by an absence of alloying elements and the bonded interface is generally flat without any type of interlayer or interlocking arrangement.
US09761419B2

In a method of suppressing abnormal discharge through a space between a space and a susceptor, a pulse-modulated high frequency wave is supplied from at least one of a first high frequency power supply and a second high frequency power supply. In addition, a DC voltage, which is pulse-modulated in synchronization with the modulated high frequency wave, is applied to the susceptor from a voltage application unit. A voltage value of the modulated DC voltage is set to reduce a difference between a potential of the substrate placed on an electrostatic chuck and a potential of the susceptor.
US09761414B2

An impedance matching circuit (IMC) is described. The IMC includes a first circuit that includes a first plurality of tuning elements defined along a path. The first circuit has an input coupled to a kilohertz (kHz) radio frequency (RF) generator. The first circuit is coupled to an output. The IMC further includes a second circuit having a second plurality of tuning elements. The second circuit has an input coupled to a megahertz (MHz) RF generator and is coupled to the output. The IMC includes a uniformity control circuit (UCC) defined from at least one of the plurality of tuning elements of the first circuit. The UCC is connected serially along the path of the first circuit to define a capacitance that at least partially influences a radial uniformity profile in an etch rate produced by a plasma chamber.
US09761410B2

An apparatus may include an electrostatic filter having a plurality of electrodes; a voltage supply assembly coupled to the plurality of electrodes; a cleaning ion source disposed between the electrostatic filter and a substrate position, the cleaning ion source generating a plasma during a cleaning mode, wherein a dose of ions exit the cleaning ion source; and a controller having a first component to generate a control signal for controlling the voltage supply assembly, wherein a negative voltage is applied to at least one of the plurality of electrodes when the plasma is generated.
US09761409B2

The present invention relates to modulating an irradiation condition of a charged particle beam at high speed and detecting a signal in synchronization with a modulation period for the purpose of extracting a signal arising from a certain charged particle beam when a sample is irradiated with a plurality of charged particle beams simultaneously or, for example, for the purpose of separating a secondary electron signal arising from ion beam irradiation and a secondary electron signal arising from electron beam irradiation in an FIB-SEM system. The present invention further relates to dispersing light emitted from two or more kinds of scintillators having different light emitting properties, detecting each signal strength, and processing a signal on the basis of a ratio of first signal strength when the sample is irradiated with a first charged particle beam alone to second signal strength when the sample is irradiated with a second charged particle beam alone, the ratio being set by a mechanism. The present invention enables extraction of only a signal arising from a desired charged particle beam even when the sample is irradiated with the plurality of charged particle beams simultaneously. The SEM observation can be performed in the middle of the FIB processing using the secondary electron in the FIB-SEM system, for example.
US09761407B2

The objective of the present invention is to provide an ion beam device capable of forming a nanopyramid stably having one atom at the front end of an emitter tip even when the cooling temperature is lowered in order to observe a sample with a high signal-to-noise ratio. In the present invention, the ion beam device, wherein an ion beam generated from an electric field-ionized gas ion source is irradiated onto the sample to observe or process the sample, holds the temperature of the emitter tip at a second temperature higher than a first temperature for generating the ion beam and lower than room temperature, sets the extraction voltage to a second voltage higher than the first voltage used when generating the ion beam, and causes field evaporation of atoms at the front end of the emitter tip, when forming the nanopyramid having one atom at the front end of the emitter tip.
US09761405B2

An x-ray source in which monochromatic x-rays can be produced is provided. A method for producing X-rays and to the use of the x-ray source for x-raying bodies is also provided. A metallic film is arranged in a housing as a target which is bombarded with the electron beam. As a result, the metallic film is excited for emitting monochromatic x-rays, the relatively thin-walled target being modified such that the intended use for producing monochromatic x-rays is no longer possible. Therefore, advantageously, the production device can be pivoted for producing the electron beam as well as being able to wind the target on rollers.
US09761398B2

Embodiments of switches (10) include electrically-conductive housings (30, 60), and electrical conductors (34, 64) suspended within and electrically isolated from the housings (30, 60). Another electrical conductor (52) is configured to move between a first position at which the electrical conductor (52) is electrically isolated from the electrical conductors (34, 64) within the housings (30, 60), and a second position at which the electrical conductor (52) is in electrical contact with the electrical conductors (34, 64) within the housings (30, 60). The switches (10) further include an actuator (70, 72, 74, 76) comprising an electrically-conductive base (80) and an electrically-conductive arm (82a, 82b) having a first end restrained by the base (80). The electrical conductor (52) is supported by the arm (82a, 82b), and the arm (82a, 82b) is operative to deflect and thereby move the electrical conductor (52) between its first and second positions.
US09761395B2

In a gas circuit breaker according to an embodiment, a container is filled with an arc extinguishing gas. A movable part housed in the container and includes a movable arc contact. The movable part is provided with an accumulation part for increasing pressure of the arc extinguishing gas. A counter part is housed in the container and includes a counter arc contact, an exhaust pipe, and a shield. The shield is disposed in the exhaust pipe in a state that a flow of the arc extinguishing gas inside the exhaust pipe is allowed. A nozzle is housed in the container and provided with a space. An arc discharge occurs between the movable arc contact and the counter arc contact in the space. The arc extinguishing gas having an increased pressure in the accumulation part flows into the space to extinguish the arc discharge and flows into the exhaust pipe. The shield has a first shield wall crossing the axial direction of the exhaust pipe.
US09761388B2

A push switch is provided with a switch case, a push button, a switch component, a terminal member and a lead wire. The terminal member has a flat part and a first suspended part suspended from one end of the flat part. The flat part includes a first connecting part to which the connecting terminal is connected without soldering. The first suspended part includes a second connecting part to which the lead wire is connected without soldering. The switch case has first support part for supporting the lead wire which is inserted into the space, and second support part for supporting the flat part of the terminal member.
US09761387B2

A circuit breaker assembly includes a plurality of circuit breakers each including a housing with a trip mechanism therein and each having an opening in a side of the respective housing. Each trip mechanism has a coupler disc connected thereto. The plurality of circuit breakers are aligned in an end-to-end fashion with a trip member positioned along a side of the housings and connected to the coupler discs such that if the first trip mechanism actuates from a untripped state to a tripped state the trip member actuates the second trip mechanism from a untripped state to a tripped state and vice versa.
US09761381B2

A coin type (button type) electrochemical cell is configured of a negative electrode can configuring a negative electrode side and a positive electrode can configuring a positive electrode side. Then, the negative electrode can and the positive electrode can are formed of non-magnetic stainless steel which does not have magnetic properties due to plastic processing. Specifically, the negative electrode can and the positive electrode can are formed by using high manganese stainless steel or SUS305 having a high nickel (Ni) content. In this way, the negative electrode can and the positive electrode can are formed of non-magnetic stainless steel which maintains non-magnetic properties even after being processed into the shape of a coin, and thus it is possible to provide a non-magnetic electrochemical cell, and as a result thereof, it is possible to provide an electrochemical cell which is not affected even at the time of being arranged in the vicinity of a magnet.
US09761380B2

An electrode comprises graphene, titanium dioxide and a binder, the binder configured to facilitate the binding together of the graphene and titanium dioxide to form the electrode.
US09761374B2

An epoxy resin composition is disclosed for joining dissimilar materials. The identified epoxy resin compositions can fee used to seal metallic and non-metallic components of a capacitor. Specifically the epoxy resin composition can be applied to joints between a non-metallic capacitor bushing and a metallic tank cover and metallic terminal cap. Once the epoxy resin composition is cored, it can provide a seal that can withstand the stresses and environmental conditions to which a capacitor is subjected.
US09761373B2

The invention proposes a method of producing induction components. A plurality of coils are embedded, with predetermined orientation of the coil ends, in a block made of in particular pulverulent substrate. The block is positioned on a plate having a marking for each coil. The combination made up of block and plate is pressed. The winding ends are exposed by milling and provided with contacts. The block is then sawn up mechanically into individual elements each containing a coil.
US09761370B2

An apparatus for dual side control includes a measurement module that measures a voltage and a current of an IPT system. The voltage includes an output voltage and/or an input voltage and the current includes an output current and/or an input current. The output voltage and the output current are measured at an output of the IPT system and the input voltage and the input current measured at an input of the IPT system. The apparatus includes a max efficiency module that determines a maximum efficiency for the IPT system. The max efficiency module uses parameters of the IPT system to iterate to a maximum efficiency. The apparatus includes an adjustment module that adjusts one or more parameters in the IPT system consistent with the maximum efficiency calculated by the max efficiency module.
US09761364B2

A push pin actuator apparatus is provided. The push pin actuator apparatus includes a housing, a wire coil arranged within the housing and arranged around a first armature and a second armature. The first armature is coupled to a first push pin and the second armature is coupled to a second push pin. The push pin actuator apparatus further includes a first permanent magnet and a second permanent magnet. A first spring and a second spring are arranged within the housing. The first spring engages the first armature and the second spring engages the second armature. The first push pin is actuated in response to a current being applied to the wire coil in a first direction, and the second push pin is actuated in response to a current being applied to the wire coil in a second direction opposite to the first direction.
US09761363B2

An electromagnetic actuating apparatus having an armature unit (14) which can move along an axial direction (10) in response to current applied to a stationary coil unit and designed to interact with an actuating partner, wherein the coil unit has a winding (22) with which a connection contact (26) can make contact. The coil unit is accommodated in a housing (12) which surrounds the coil unit at least in sections. The coil unit has an electrical connection for connecting the connection contact to a plug section (18, 20) on the housing. The connection contact (26), together with a flat end section (30) of the electrical connection, which is oriented parallel to the connection contact and is permanently connected to the connection contact, extends at least in sections parallel to the axial direction (10) or is angled out of a position of extent in this direction after connection, wherein the housing end region is axially opposite a housing outlet for the armature unit (14).
US09761353B2

The proposed high temperature insulated bus pipe (busbar section) is equipped with a conductive pipe having end contacts and disposed within electrical insulation, a grounding shield covering the insulation, and a case having a fire-resistant coating. A fire-resistant layer made of a cured composite material is located between the case and the shield. The composite material includes a filler composed of thermally expandable graphite, and a binder configured to form cavities in the fire-resistant layer when the busbar section is exposed to heating. The case is made of a non-magnetic material and is formed as a plain or corrugated vacuum-proof tube. The thickness of fire-resistant layer depends on the cross-section area of conductive pipe and configuration thereof. The binder includes epoxy resin combined with curing agent. The dimension of graphite particles are specified and provided as loose powder or powder whose particles are affixed to a substrate.
US09761352B2

A stranded conductor (2) including a specific number of a first type of wire (5) which, in cross-section of the stranded conductor, are arranged in a hexagonal pattern around a central wire in at least two layers. The wires arranged at the vertices of the hexagonal pattern are of a second type of wire having in principle a smaller diameter than the first type of wires. The interstitial spaces (10) between the first and the second wires are filled by a sealing agent (3).
US09761345B2

A transparent conductive film, includes: an organic polymer film substrate; at least one undercoat layer formed on the organic polymer film substrate by a dry process; and a transparent conductive coating provided on at least one surface of the organic polymer film substrate with the undercoat layer interposed therebetween, wherein the transparent conductive coating is a crystalline coating of an indium-based complex oxide having a content of a tetravalent metal element oxide of 7 to 15% by weight as calculated by the formula {(the amount of the tetravalent metal element oxide)/(the amount of the tetravalent metal element oxide+the amount of indium oxide)}×100(%), the transparent conductive coating has a thickness in the range of 10 to 40 nm, and the transparent conductive coating has a specific resistance of 1.3×10−4 to 2.8×10−4 Ω·cm.
US09761343B2

A p-type transparent conductive material can comprise a thin film of BCSF on a substrate where the film has a conductivity of at least 1 S/cm. The substrate may be a plastic substrate, such as a polyethersulfone, polyethylene terephthalate, polyimide, or some other suitable plastic or polymeric substrate.
US09761338B2

A system and method for drying cavities containing spent nuclear fuel is devised. The invention utilizes a non-intrusive procedure that is based on monitoring the dew point temperature of a non-reactive gas that is circulated through the cavity. In one aspect, the invention is a system for drying a cavity loaded with spent nuclear fuel comprising: a canister forming the cavity, the cavity having an inlet and an outlet; a source of non-reactive gas; means for flowing the non-reactive gas from the source of non-reactive gas through the cavity; and means for repetitively measuring the dew point temperature of the non-reactive gas exiting the cavity.
US09761337B2

A method, system, and apparatus for the thermal storage of nuclear reactor generated energy including diverting a selected portion of energy from a portion of a nuclear reactor system to an auxiliary thermal reservoir and, responsive to a shutdown event, supplying a portion of the diverted selected portion of energy to an energy conversion system of the nuclear reactor system.
US09761336B2

An insulated solution injector may include an outer tube and an inner tube arranged within the outer tube. The outer tube and the inner tube may define an annular space therebetween, and the inner tube may define a solution space within. The annular space may be configured so as to insulate the solution within the solution space. As a result, the solution may be kept to a temperature below its decomposition temperature prior to injection. Accordingly, the decomposition of the solution and the resulting deposition of its constituents within the solution space may be reduced or prevented, thereby decreasing or precluding the occurrence of a blockage.
US09761333B2

A passive auxiliary condensing apparatus of a nuclear power plant includes a steam generation unit configured to heat a water supplied thereto into a steam by a heat produced when operating a nuclear reactor, a water cooled heat exchange unit connected to the steam generation unit and configured to store a cooling water therein to condense the steam provided from the steam generation unit, and a steam-water separation tank including a first side connected to the water cooled heat exchange unit and a second side connected to the steam generation unit, wherein a mixture of a water and a steam provided from the water cooled heat exchange unit is separated into the water and the steam to provide only the water to the steam generation unit.
US09761330B1

A semiconductor device may include a refresh counter configured to output a plurality of refresh addresses by counting a refresh signal; a check signal generator configured to generate a check signal according to a logic level of any one specific refresh address among the plurality of refresh addresses during a refresh operation, and output the check signal in response to a redundancy check pulse signal; a redundancy checker configured to store information on whether a redundancy cell was used, in response to the check signal, the redundancy check pulse signal and the plurality of refresh addresses, and output a word line control signal according to whether the redundancy cell was used; and a refresh controller configured to control a row address for selectively enabling a word line and a redundancy word line of a cell array in response to the word line control signal.
US09761316B2

A memory sense amplifier is configurable on command between a current-sensing mode and a voltage-sensing mode. The sense amplifier is intended, in its current-sensing configuration, to read a datum stored in a memory cell connected to the amplifier, and is intended, in its voltage-sensing configuration, to read a datum stored in a bit-line latch connected to the amplifier.
US09761315B2

A memory device is provided as follows. A memory cell region includes a plurality of blocks, each block including a plurality of NAND strings. A control logic divides the plurality of blocks into a plurality of block regions based on a smaller distance of a first distance with respect to a first edge of the memory cell region and a second distance with respect to a second edge of the memory cell region and controls an operation performed on the memory cell region using a plurality of bias sets of operation parameters for the operation. Each bias set is associated with one of the block regions.
US09761313B2

A semiconductor memory device may include a memory cell array including a plurality of cell strings, a peripheral circuit unit configured to perform a program loop for alternately performing a program operation and a verification operation on the memory cell array, and a control logic configured to control the peripheral circuit unit to perform the program loop, wherein, in performing the program loop, a second pass voltage applied to unselected word lines adjacent to a selected word line among a plurality of word lines coupled to the memory cell array is lower than a first pass voltage applied to remaining unselected word lines during the program operation, wherein a potential level of the first pass voltage is adjusted in accordance with an arrangement position of each of the plurality of word lines and the plurality of word lines are defined as a plurality of groups, and the first pass voltages applied to the plurality of groups, respectively, are different from one another.
US09761312B1

Methods, systems, and devices for operating a ferroelectric memory cell or cells are described. One method includes determining whether to access a first memory cell of a first memory cell array or a second memory cell of a second memory cell array, where a first digit line coupled to the first memory cell is coupled to a paging buffer register including a sense amplifier. The method further includes operating a transfer gate based at least in part on determining to read the second memory cell of the second memory cell array, where the transfer gate is configured to selectively couple a second digit line coupled to the second memory cell to the paging buffer register through the first digit line.
US09761310B2

A memory device is able to store data using both on-chip dynamic random-access memory (“DRAM”) and nonvolatile memory (“NVM”). The memory device, in one aspect, includes NVM cells, word lines (“WLs”), a cell channel, and a DRAM mode select. The NVM cells are capable of retaining information persistently and the WLs are configured to select one of the NVM cells to be accessed. The cell channel, in one embodiment, is configured to interconnect the NVM cells to form a NVM string. The DRAM mode select can temporarily store data in the cell channel when the DRAM mode select is active.
US09761302B1

A SRAM cell includes a first pass-gate device and a second-pass gate device comprising a first conductivity type, a first pull-down device and a second pull-down device comprising the first conductivity type, and a first pull-up device and a second pull-up device comprising a second conductivity type complementary to the first conductivity type. The first pass-gate device and the second pass-gate device respectively include first lightly-doped drains (hereinafter abbreviated as LDDs. The first pull-down device and the second pull-down device respectively include second LDDs. And a dosage of the first LDDs is different from a dosage of the second LDDs.
US09761298B2

Techniques and mechanisms to facilitate an operational mode of a memory device to prepare for a targeted refresh of a row in memory. In an embodiment, the memory device performs one or more operations while in the mode to prepare for a future command from a memory controller, the command to implement, at least in part, a targeted refresh of a row in a first bank of the memory device. Prior to such a command, the memory device services another command from the memory controller. In another embodiment, servicing the other command includes the memory device accessing a second bank of the memory device while the memory device operates in the mode, and before completion of an expected future targeted row refresh.
US09761297B1

Systems, apparatuses and methods may provide a way to reduce and or eliminate contention between refresh operations and read/write operations, and a larger page buffer for read/write operations for dynamic random access memory (DRAM) technology. More particularly, systems, apparatuses and methods may provide a way to improve a DRAM to perform read/write operations with section selection. Systems, apparatuses and methods may provide for including additional transfer gates in a DRAM to provide section selection to reduce and or eliminate contention between refresh operations and read/write operations, and a larger page buffer for read/write operations.
US09761292B2

Provided are a flash memory device, a flash memory system, and methods of operating the same. A method of operating a flash memory system includes selecting memory cells of a flash memory in response to an authentication challenge, programming pieces of input data into the selected memory cells, respectively, reading the selected memory cells and generating and storing control information, dividing the selected memory cells into at least one first region memory cell and at least one second region memory cell based on the control information, and setting read values of the at least one first region memory cell and the at least one second region memory cell as a first value and a second value, respectively, and generating an authentication response in the response to the authentication challenge.
US09761286B2

A current sense amplifier is provided comprising a reference current input terminal, a control line input terminal, a sense current input terminal and a first output terminal. The amplifier further comprises a first NAND gate comprising first and second gate input terminals, and a second output terminal being coupled to the first output terminal of the amplifier. The amplifier also comprises two cross coupled inverters each comprising an n-FET, an n-FET input terminal, and each n-FET having a respective source. The amplifier further comprises a transmission gate comprising two transmission terminals and a gate terminal. The gate terminal is coupled to the control line terminal.
US09761284B1

An apparatus is provided which comprises: a bi-directional switch; and a comparator coupled to the bi-directional switch, the comparator having: a first input coupled to a first terminal of the bi-directional switch; a second input coupled to a second terminal of the bi-directional switch; and an output coupled to a body or substrate of the bi-directional switch.
US09761279B2

Various embodiments of a magnetic stack are disclosed. In one or more embodiments, the magnetic stack includes first and second shield layers, and a magnetically responsive lamination disposed between the first and second shield layers. The magnetically responsive lamination can be configured to receive a sense current IS therethrough. The magnetic stack also includes a cooling element disposed between the first and second shield layers and thermally coupled to the magnetically responsive lamination. The cooling element can be configured to receive a bias current IB therethrough. And the cooling element can be configured to cool the magnetically responsive lamination during a read function.
US09761277B2

There is provided an information processing apparatus including a position change detecting unit that detects a position change of an operating body on a screen, a playback state control unit that controls a playback state of a content, and a display control unit that at least displays a part or all of a text list in which text data items associated with elapsed times in a playback of the content are sorted in an order of the elapsed times, on the screen. The playback state control unit controls the playback state of the content in response to a continuous position change of the operating body detected by the position change detecting unit on the text list displayed by the display control unit.
US09761276B1

Systems, methods, and computer program products to perform an operation comprising receiving a request to create a clip of a media file, wherein the request specifies a time duration for the clip, computing a metric value for each of a plurality of segments of the media file, identifying, based on the plurality of metric values, a first segment of the plurality of segments of the media file, wherein the metric value for the first segment of the media file exceeds a threshold metric value, and generating the clip of the media file, wherein the clip of the media file includes at least the first segment of the media file.
US09761264B2

A light information recording/reproducing apparatus can improve the optical efficiency of an optical system at the time of reproduction to thereby improve the reproduction transfer rate. An optical element (for example, an optical isolator), which removes a return light beam of a light beam, is arranged such that the light beam passes through the optical element at the time of recording information in an optical information recording medium and such that the light beam does not pass through the optical element at the time of reproducing information from the optical information recording medium.
US09761259B2

A unidirectional and bi-directional tape head with sub-ambient pressure cavities. The tape head is adapted for reading and/or writing to a magnetic tape. The tape head includes: a tape-bearing surface; a transducer area, having at least one transducer designed for reading and/or writing to the magnetic tape; a cavity open on the tape-bearing surface adjacent to the transducer area that extends parallel to the transducer area and transversally to the longitudinal direction of circulation of the tape such that an opening of the cavity faces the tape in operation; and one or more air bleed slots connected to the cavity. The cavity is further dimensioned and arranged with respect to the transducer area to create, upon circulation of the tape in operation, sub-ambient pressure therein.
US09761258B2

A storage media includes a plurality of servo sectors with embedded servo patterns characterized by one or more servo pattern parameters. Each of the servo sectors has a servo pattern parameter based on a separation between read sensors of a transducer head reading the servo sector.
US09761256B2

A flexure mounted on a load beam of a disk drive suspension, including a metal base formed of a stainless-steel plate; and a conductive circuit arranged along the metal base. The conductive circuit includes an insulating layer on the metal base; and a conductor on the insulating layer. The conductor includes a thin conductor portion formed in a first region (A1) which is part of the conductive circuit in a longitudinal direction; and a thick conductor portion formed in a second region (A2) which is another part of the conductive circuit in the longitudinal direction, the thick conductor portion being thicker than the thin conductor portion. The flexure includes a flexure tail portion having an opening formed in the metal base; a bent portion of the metal base which is bent in a thickness direction at the opening; and a trace curved portion curved in the thickness direction at a position facing the opening. The trace curved portion includes the thick conductor portion.
US09761255B2

According to one embodiment, a suspension assembly includes a support plate, a trace member on the support plate and a drive element mounted on the trace member. The trace member includes a metal plate, and a multilayered member on the metal plate. The multilayered member includes a first insulating layer, a conductive layer stacked on the first insulating layer, a second insulating layer stacked on the conductive layer. The multilayered member includes a mount portion on which the drive element is mounted, and a branching portion arranged along the mount portion with a gap therebetween. At least one portion of the branching portion is formed into a thin portion having a thickness less than other portions of the multilayered member.
US09761254B2

A MR sensor is disclosed that has a free layer (FL) with perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA), which eliminates the need for an adjacent hard bias structure to stabilize free layer magnetization, and minimizes shield-FL interactions. In a TMR embodiment, a seed layer, free layer, junction layer, reference layer, and pinning layer are sequentially formed on a bottom shield. After forming a sensor sidewall that stops in the seed layer or on the bottom shield, a conformal insulation layer is deposited. Thereafter, a top shield is formed on the insulation layer and includes side shields that are separated from the FL by a narrow read gap. The sensor is scalable to widths <50 nm when PMA is greater than the FL self-demag field. Effective bias field is rather insensitive to sensor aspect ratio, which makes tall stripe and narrow width sensors viable for high RA TMR configurations.
US09761253B1

A main pole has a front end face including a first to a third end face portion. A plasmon generator has a near-field-light-generating surface. A surrounding layer has a first surrounding layer end face and a second surrounding layer end face. A gap film has a first gap film end face and a second gap film end face located on opposite sides of the near-field-light-generating surface in the track width direction. The first and second end face portions are interposed between the first and second surrounding layer end faces. The second end face portion is greater in width than the first end face portion. The third end face portion is greater in width than the second end face portion.
US09761248B2

An action analysis device includes: an acoustic analysis unit 1 for analyzing input acoustic information, and generating acoustic analysis information indicating a feature of the acoustic information; a time difference determination unit 2 for determining a time difference between when an acoustic event identified by the acoustic analysis information occurs and when an event corresponding to the acoustic event occurs in input video obtained by capturing an image of a crowd; and an action analysis unit 3 for analyzing an action of the crowd corresponding to the acoustic event, using the input video, the acoustic analysis information, and the time difference.
US09761238B2

Disclosed are a method and apparatus for encoding and decoding a high frequency for bandwidth extension. The method includes: estimating a weight; and generating a high frequency excitation signal by applying the weight between random noise and a decoded low frequency spectrum.
US09761217B2

A method and system for reducing ambient noise distraction with an electronic personal display is disclosed. One example determines when the electronic personal display is in reader mode. In addition, ambient noise around the electronic personal display is also detected. Noise cancelling sound waves are generated at the electronic personal display for reducing ambient noise distraction. The noise cancelling sound waves are then output from at least one speaker coupled with the electronic personal display.
US09761215B2

According to some aspects, a cymbal system is provided, comprising a cymbal, and a vibrational transducer magnetically coupled to the cymbal, the magnetic coupling provided by at least one magnetic component on an upper side of the cymbal and at least one magnetic component on a lower side of the cymbal. According to some aspects, a method for transducing vibrations of a cymbal is provided, comprising magnetically coupling a vibrational transducer to a cymbal, the magnetic coupling provided by at least one magnetic component on an upper side of the cymbal and at least one magnetic component on a lower side of the cymbal.
US09761211B2

A device that can be temporarily attached to a musical instrument and easily detached without permanent modification to the instrument. The device is comprised of a set of controls attached to circuitry that is used to send digital data to a computer or other hardware to be used for music synthesis, manipulation, or production.
US09761204B1

A system and method are provided for accelerated graphic rendering a view of a design layout view represented by a plurality of graphic objects defined by respective geometry data therefor. A database stores the geometry data having location and geometric portions. A large object module actuates retrieval of the geometry data for each of the graphic objects within the view selectively classified to be a large object. A small object module actuates partial retrieval of the geometry data for each of the graphic objects within the view selectively classified to be a small object, the location portion being thereby retrieved exclusive of the geometric portion of the geometry data for each small object. A rendering control module generates a composite image of the design layout view for display, which includes a geometric reproduction of each large object and an abstracted representation of each small object within the view.
US09761199B2

There is provided an optical navigation system including a light source, a first photosensitive unit, a second photosensitive unit, a control unit and a processing unit. The light source is configured to emit light of a predetermined wavelength. The first photosensitive unit is configured to receive reflected light of the predetermined wavelength reflected by a working surface. The second photosensitive unit is covered with a coating to block light of the predetermined wavelength. The control unit is configured to control the light source, the first photosensitive unit and the second photosensitive unit to expose both the first photosensitive unit and the second photosensitive unit when the light source is turned on. The processing unit is configured to read first image data and second image data respectively from the first photosensitive unit and the second photosensitive unit thereby identifying an ambient light mode or a liftoff mode.
US09761195B2

The present invention provides a driving circuit for display panel, which comprises a power supply circuit and a driving unit. The power supply circuit outputs a driving power supply voltage. The driving unit produces a driving signal according to a data signal and the driving power supply voltage for driving the display panel. In addition, the voltage level of the driving power supply voltage increases to a predetermined level. Thereby, during the process of charging the display panel by the data driving circuit, the driving power supply voltage output by the power supply circuit increases from a low level to a predetermined level for reducing the power consumption of the driving circuit.
US09761188B2

Methods and systems for compensating for VCOM variations include determining a voltage change in pixels between frames to be displayed on an electronic display. Based on the determined voltage change, VCOM variation is calculated based on coupling the VCOM to one or more data lines of the electronic display. VCOM compensation is determined and applied to offset for the VCOM variation. Using the VCOM offset, subsequent pixel content for the one or more pixels is written using the compensated VCOM.
US09761184B2

A method of driving a display panel includes generating corrected grayscale data utilizing a grayscale correction value of a reference pixel including m×n pixels, “m” and “n” being natural numbers greater than zero, and driving M×N pixels of the display panel based on the corrected grayscale data, “M” and “N” being natural numbers greater than zero. “M” is greater than “m” and “N” is greater than “n.”
US09761182B2

A foldable display apparatus that may realize one seamless screen by using two display panels is discussed. The foldable display apparatus can include a first display panel having a first display area; a second display panel having a second display area; and a panel supporter supporting the first and second display panels to mutually fold or unfold the first and second display panels, wherein boundary portions of the first display area of the first display panel and the second display area of the second display panel are matched with each other in a state that the first and second display panels are unfolded.
US09761180B2

An integrated circuit accesses a first storage section that stores a plurality of pattern groups of voltage application for changing an optical state of a pixel to a designated gray level, and outputs a control signal for applying a voltage to a single target pixel of a plurality of pixels as defined above, the voltage being indicated by a pattern that is contained in a pattern group of the plurality of pattern groups that is selected in accordance with the position of the single pixel and the gray level value of the single pixel, the gray level value being indicated by image data acquired by an acquiring section.
US09761179B2

Disclosed are an anti-crosstalk method and apparatus for an image of a 3D liquid crystal display apparatus. The method comprises: determining, according to a prestored mapping relationship between a temperature value and backlight on delay duration, backlight on delay duration corresponding to a current temperature value of a 3D liquid crystal display apparatus, performing delay adjustment on a backlight on time node according to the determined delay duration, and controlling a backlight source to be switched on according to the time node after delay adjustment. An on time of a backlight source is correspondingly adjusted at a different temperature, so that time nodes of image switching and switch-on of a backlight are synchronized, thereby reducing the occurrence of a 3D display crosstalk of a 3D liquid crystal display apparatus to enable a user to browse a clearer and more realistic 3D image.
US09761178B2

A gamma voltage generator includes a resistor string, a gamma voltage provider, and a power supply string point. The resistor string provides a plurality of string voltages through a plurality of resistor string points. The resistor string is connected between a first gamma power supply voltage and a second gamma power supply voltage. The gamma voltage provider provides a plurality of gamma voltages based on the plurality of string voltages. A power supply string point to which the second gamma power supply voltage is applied is determined as the first gamma power supply voltage is changed. The power supply string point corresponds one of the resistor string points.
US09761169B2

An organic light-emitting diode display is disclosed. In one aspect, the display includes a display panel including a plurality of pixels, a scan driver configured to provide a scan signal to the pixels, and a data driver configured to provide a data signal to the pixels. The display also includes a power supply configured to provide first and second power voltages, respectively having first and second voltage levels, to the pixels, wherein the power supply is further configured to substantially periodically change the second voltage level, and wherein the second voltage level is less than the first voltage level. The display also includes a controller configured to control at least one of the scan driver, the data driver, and the power supply.
US09761165B2

A display apparatus includes a power supply for providing power, a circuit board including an integrated circuit (IC) with a central processing unit (CPU) that processes an image signal; and a display configured to display an image corresponding to the image signal; the IC includes a power controller configured to monitor a voltage level of a core voltage provided by the power supply to the IC and adjust a phase margin of a voltage corresponding to a voltage detected by the monitoring. Thus, a phase margin may be adjusted in accordance with a voltage of an IC, thereby compensating for voltage fluctuation due to instantaneously varying ripples and thus stably driving a system.
US09761162B2

A plurality of source signal lines extend parallel to each other. A plurality of gate signal lines extend parallel to each other and intersect the plurality of source signal lines. At least any one of array inspecting terminals is provided. The one array inspecting terminal is connected to two or more signal lines of the plurality of gate signal lines. The other array inspecting terminal is connected to two or more signal lines of the plurality of source signal lines. To perform an inspection for a unit of the two or more signal lines by detecting a value of a voltage or a current generated in the signal lines, the array inspecting terminals are configured to receive an inspection signal for generating the voltage or the current.
US09761161B2

The present disclosure provides a method and a device for reducing image sticking and a display device. The method includes sequentially acquiring a plurality of display frames from a display device; dividing each of the plurality of display frames into a plurality of blocks; and judging that there is a possibility of image sticking when blocks having identical or similar image information are included at an identical position in X consecutive display frames, wherein X is a positive integer greater than or equal to 2.
US09761158B2

An image processing apparatus comprises a specification unit configured to, from a multi-screen display corresponding to multi-screen displays performed by a plurality of projection apparatuses, specify an overlapping region in which first and second projection regions for first and second projection apparatuses overlap; a determination unit configured to, based on the positions of the overlapping regions in the first and second projection regions, determine luminance correction coefficients corresponding to the overlapping region such that the luminance correction coefficient at a coordinate corresponding to a first vertex in the overlapping region and a luminance correction coefficient at a coordinate corresponding to a second vertex located diagonally opposite to the first vertex in the overlapping region are different; and a correction unit configured to correct luminance of image data for the multi-screen display, based on the determined correction coefficients.
US09761151B2

The systems and methods taught herein are generally directed to a dynamic point referencing of an audiovisual performance for an accurate and precise selection and controlled cycling of portions of the performance. The dynamic point referencing can be used by a learning artist, for example, in analyzing or performing a portion of the work through an accurate and precise digital audio/video instructional method having the controlled cycling feature. Such systems and methods will be appreciated, for example, by musicians, dancers, and other enthusiasts of the performing arts.
US09761134B2

A system for logging and reporting on slow drivers in a fast lane is disclosed. The system includes a first vehicle comprising a set of proximity sensors for detecting a passage of another vehicle on a right side of the first vehicle, a processor for logging a number of times that another vehicle passed the first vehicle, and a transmitter for transmitting said number of times a vehicle has passed on a right side of the first vehicle. The system includes a second vehicle comprising a set of proximity sensors for detecting a passage of another vehicle on a left side of the second vehicle, a processor for logging a number of times that the second vehicle passed the first vehicle, and a transmitter for transmitting said number of times.
US09761131B2

Systems and method are disclosed for adaptive and/or autonomous traffic control. In one illustrative implementation, there is provided a method for processing traffic information. Moreover, the method may include receiving data regarding travel of vehicles associated with an intersection, using neural network technology to recognize types and/or states of traffic, and using the neural network technology to process/determine/memorize optimal traffic flow decisions as a function of experience information. Exemplary implementations may also include using the neural network technology to achieve efficient traffic flow via recognition of the optimal traffic flow decisions.
US09761127B2

An electromagnetic remote control and control method thereof; when rotating a second rotary disc (20), the repulsive force between a first magnetic piece (30) on the second rotary disc (20) and a second magnetic piece (40) on a first rotary disc (10) is increased; when detecting increase in force on the second magnetic piece (40), transmitting a corresponding control instruction to a controlled device. The controlled terminal can be controlled by rotating the second rotary disc (20) without providing additional function keys, thus the electromagnetic remote control is small and easy to carry.
US09761119B1

Methods and systems, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for reducing the likelihood of signaling failover in an alarm system, the method including identifying alarm events detected at monitored properties by monitoring systems that are located at the monitored properties; tracking the ability of a primary application infrastructure to transmit, to a central monitoring station server, the alarm events; detecting disruption in the ability of the primary application infrastructure to transmit the alarm events to the central monitoring station server; based on the detected disruption, enabling a signal transmission switch that switches a path for alarm events from the primary application infrastructure to a secondary application infrastructure, the secondary application infrastructure being an infrastructure operated by a cloud service provider; and based on enablement of the transmission switch, transmitting, by the secondary application infrastructure, at least one alarm event to the central monitoring station server.
US09761118B2

A detecting apparatus for a mobile terminal, including a determination unit configured to determine whether a user's attention is preoccupied, and a warning unit configured to provide an alert, in response to the determination unit determining that the user's attention is preoccupied.
US09761110B2

An alarm device for a medical instrument includes a first alarm-signal sound output device which outputs a first alarm signal, an output determination unit which determines whether the first alarm-signal output device is outputting the first alarm signal during the specific alarm condition, and an alarm-signal-output stop unit 39 for manually clearing outputting of the alarm signal. The alarm device is configured so that when the output determination unit determines that the first alarm-signal output device has not output the alarm signal, a second alarm-signal output device outputs a second audible alarm signal distinctive from the first audible alarm signal. The alarm device is configured so that when the stop unit does not manually clear a selected alarm signal within a predetermined time after beginning output of the alarm signal, then an audible output characteristic of the alarm signal is changed.
US09761108B2

An apparatus, method and computer program, the apparatus comprising: processing circuitry; and memory circuitry including computer program code; the memory circuitry and the computer program code configured to, with the processing circuitry, cause the apparatus to, at least in part: obtain information relating to a position of an object relative to a user; determine a field of vision of the user; determine whether or not the object is in the field of vision of the user; and if it is determined that the object is not in the field of vision of the user enable an alert to be provided.
US09761103B2

Provided is an image surveillance method and apparatus. The image surveillance method includes photographing a predetermined place and generating an image signal corresponding to the predetermined place, detecting a change in the image signal by calculating a difference between a current frame and a previous frame of the generated image signal, and generating alarm information corresponding to the detected change in the image signal in order to alarm a user.
US09761096B2

An active exit system may include one or more active exit signs, each exit sign having at least one sensor, a display, and a transceiver. Each active exit sign monitors building environmental conditions, monitors the locations of users and objects within the building, and assists in location services during normal operation. The exit signs transmit a dynamic exit plan to a user's electronic device based on the user's location. In response to sensing an emergency event, the exit sign transmits an emergency signal to the user's electronic device and updates a user's exit plan as needed based on the location of the emergency event. The exit sign also transmits user location information to emergency responders.
US09761090B2

Briefly, example methods, apparatuses, and/or articles of manufacture are disclosed that may be implemented, in whole or in part, using one or more computing devices to facilitate and/or support one or more operations and/or techniques for instant bank account crediting via a bill-validating depositing system, such as a smart safe, for example.
US09761087B2

Systems, electronic devices, and methods for redeeming user activity level or other desired user behaviors for virtual currency are disclosed. In some implementations, a method includes: at a computer system, obtaining user activity information indicating an activity level of a user; and computing an in-application credit based on the activity level. The in-application credit can be redeemed by the user in an associated application. The in-application credit can be redeemed by the user for a coupon that can be applied towards out-of-application purchases. In some implementations, the activity level is determined in accordance with (i) a motion parameter reported by an activity sensor of an electronic device associated with the user, (ii) information obtained from a cell phone tower or a GPS device (e.g., using cell tower triangulation techniques); and (iii) self-reported user activity information. In some implementations, the method also includes converting the in-application credit for out-of-application purchases.
US09761078B1

A vending machine remotes contents sensing apparatus collects information from the actual delivery of a product, sends it on to an MCU, then to a CPU, to the internet, to a remote receiver with a web interface application on a web page for access by a service person for real time delivery information.
US09761073B2

A wireless access control system is provided to lock or unlock a first door at a dwelling of a user. A user remote access device transmits a first signal and a second signal. The user remote access device is configured to be in communication with an intelligent door lock system at the dwelling with the first door. The intelligent door lock system includes: a position sensing device configured to be coupled to a drive shaft of a lock device, the position sensing device sensing position of the drive shaft to assist in locking and unlocking the first lock of the lock device, an engine with a memory coupled to the position sensing device, the engine configured to execute software instructions relative to the positioning sensing device and an energy source coupled to the circuit. The user remote access device provides the first signal to the intelligent lock system for locking or unlocking of the first lock. The intelligent door lock system allows controlled access to the dwelling that includes an occupant of the dwelling as well as a designated third person granted access rights by the occupant. The user remote access device is configured to be in communication to a second lock at a vehicle of the user or at an office of the user. The user remote access device communicates with the second lock with the second signal to cause the second lock to lock or be unlocked. The remote access device has a controller for generating the first and second signals.
US09761071B2

A system and method for dispensing a key from a key kiosk disposed at a realtor's office near a real property based on a showing appointment scheduled with a showing scheduling system. The appointment, including a date and time, as well as an authorized user is communicated from the showing scheduling system to the key kiosk. The user then authenticates herself or himself to the kiosk at the appropriate time, and the key is dispensed. The kiosk authenticates the user by scanning a QR code or using the physical location of the user. The kiosk will not dispense the key if the user has a different key that is checked out, but not returned yet. The key can be returned to the kiosk where it is dispensed, or a different key kiosk. The kiosk also dispenses a single common key when the user shows multiple properties.
US09761065B2

A vehicle includes a regenerative braking system, which may include an electric machine, configured to provide regenerative braking torque to vehicle traction wheels. The vehicle further includes at least one controller configured to provide indicia for display to indicate performance of the regenerative braking system. The indicia represent a comparison of a braking profile that is recorded during a deceleration event and a calculated braking profile that is based on a detected forward object. In various embodiments, the indicia may include a numerical or letter grade representative of a similarity between the recorded braking profile and the calculated braking profile and/or a visual representation of the comparison of the recorded braking profile and the calculated braking profile.
US09761062B2

Provided is a method for determining the urgency for repairing a diagnostic condition in a vehicle. Upon determining the repair urgency, a driver may decide to continue driving (in the case of a “low” urgency determination), or cease driving (in the case of a “high” urgency determination). The urgency status may also enable a driver to shop around for the repair (in the event of a “low” urgency status), or to seek immediate assistance (in the event of a “high” urgency status).
US09761061B1

Systems and methods which provide a shipping interface within a user interface are shown. A shipping interface of embodiments is provided within a open architecture or multiple application user interface, such as a browser user interface. A user may be enabled to use a same shipping account with respect to any number of applications or functions. Moreover, a user may be enabled to select a shipping provider of preference, even where the underlying application or function does not support the selected shipping provider or any shipping functions. Embodiments provide comparison of various shipping providers to a user for selection. Embodiments comprise a browser plug-in operable to provide a shipping interface, such a by inserting one or more shipping buttons within a page displayed by the browser, within a popup window, within a frame along the main browser window, within a browser menu bar, tool tray, etcetera.
US09761055B2

An augmented reality display system comprises a passable world model data comprises a set of map points corresponding to one or more objects of the real world. The augmented reality system also comprises a processor to communicate with one or more individual augmented reality display systems to pass a portion of the passable world model data to the one or more individual augmented reality display systems, wherein the piece of the passable world model data is passed based at least in part on respective locations corresponding to the one or more individual augmented reality display systems.
US09761053B2

A system of properly displaying chroma key content is presented. The system obtains a digital representation of a 3D environment, for example a digital photo, and gathers data from that digital representation. The system renders the digital representation in an environmental model and displays that digital representation upon an output device. Depending upon the context, content anchors of the environmental model are selected which will be altered by suitable chroma key content. The chroma key content takes into consideration the position and orientation of the chroma key content relative to the content anchor and relative to the point of view that the environmental model is displayed from in order to accurately display chroma key content in a realistic manner.
US09761048B2

According to one embodiment, a medical image processing apparatus includes processing circuitry. The processing circuitry extracts a core line of a tubular structure from three dimensional medical image data. For each section of interest of a plurality of sections of interest, the section of interest crossing the core line, being a tubular cross-section of the tubular structure, and including a portion of interest, the processing circuitry sets a straight line in the section of interest crossing the core line and passing through the portion of interest included in the section of interest as a first cut-off line. Further, the processing circuitry sets a curved plane such that the curved plane passes through a plurality of first cut-off lines being set in the corresponding plurality of sections of interest, and the processing circuitry generates a reconstruction image along the set curved plane.
US09761043B1

Systems and methods provide for non-multisampled anti-aliasing for clipping paths, in which a non-multisampled texture is employed to store anti-aliasing data. In some configurations, clipping paths applied to an input object are processed successively using a non-multi-sampled buffer and non-multisampled texture. Each clipping path is processed by incrementing a stencil buffer value for each pixel covered by the clipping path, computing clipping path coverage data, and storing the clipping path coverage data in the non-multisampled texture. An object is rendered by performing a stencil test and multiplying color values for retained pixels by corresponding texture values from the non-multisampled texture to provide anti-aliasing. Further configurations operate without a stencil buffer but employ a logical stack of non-multisampled textures, one for each clipping path.
US09761042B2

A method and apparatus for streaming-optimized volume rendering of a 3D medical volume is disclosed. View parameters for a 2D projection of the 3D medical volume are set based on a received user input. Respective optimal rendering parameters are determined for each of a plurality of rendering stages including an interaction stage, a visual quality refinement stage, and a final assessment stage. In each rendering stage, output 2D projection images corresponding to the view parameters are generated using rendering contexts that perform one or more rendering passes of a progressive volume rendering algorithm on the 3D volume and a display context that composites rendered images generated by the rendering contexts. In each rendering stage, the rendering contexts and the display context are configured using the respective optimal rendering parameters determined for that stage.
US09761038B2

Information to be sent over a network, such as the Ethernet, is packetized by using a graphics processing unit (GPU). The GPU performs packetization of data with much higher throughput than a typical central processing unit (CPU). The packetized data may be output through an Ethernet port, video port, or other port of an electronic system.
US09761025B2

A method of creating a graphical representation of data points in the form of a heatmap wherein the heatmap represents a plurality of multi-directional flow values between the data points, the method including the steps of: positioning data points on a heatmap for graphical representation, calculating bi-directional flow values between at least a first and second data point, determining the intensity and direction of a predominant flow from the bi-directional flow values, and graphically representing the predominant flow and bi-directional flows between the data points in the heatmap.
US09761021B2

A method includes obtaining a dark-field signal generated from a dark-field CT scan of an object, wherein the dark-field CT scan is at least a 360 degree scan. The method further includes weighting the dark-field signal. The method further includes performing a cone beam reconstruction of the weighted dark-field signal over the 360 degree scan, thereby generating volumetric image data. For an axial cone-beam CT scan, in one non-limiting instance, the cone-beam reconstruction is a full scan FDK cone beam reconstruction. For a helical cone-beam CT scan, in one non-limiting instance, the dark-field signal is rebinned to wedge geometry and the cone-beam reconstruction is a full scan aperture weighted wedge reconstruction. For a helical cone-beam CT scan, in another non-limiting instance, the dark-field signal is rebinned to wedge geometry and the cone-beam reconstruction is a full scan angular weighted wedge reconstruction.
US09761018B2

An image processing method includes: (a) displaying a plurality of candidate image processes to be performed on image data, the plurality of candidate image processes including a color modification process; (b) receiving an instruction indicating the color modification process selected from among the plurality of candidate image processes; (c) displaying a display image corresponding to the image data on the display; (d) designating a display image; and (e) displaying a processed display image that represents a result of the selected color modification process performed on the image data corresponding to the designated display image before the selected color modification process on the image data corresponding to the designated display image is performed.
US09761010B2

A tracking apparatus includes a grouping setting unit, a tracking feature detection unit, a tracking unit. The grouping setting unit groups a plurality of focus detection areas with an in-focus state. The tracking feature detection unit detects a feature amount of the tracking target in areas of the groups grouped. The tracking unit tracks the tracking target in accordance with a first or second tracking position depending on the number of the set groups.
US09761008B2

The subject matter described herein includes methods for visual odometry using rigid structures identified by an antipodal transform. One exemplary method includes receiving a sequence of images captured by a camera. The method further includes identifying rigid structures in the images using an antipodal transform. The method further includes identifying correspondence between rigid structures in different image frames. The method further includes estimating motion of the camera based on motion of corresponding rigid structures among the different image frames.
US09761006B2

Image processing methods and related apparatuses (SEG,UV). The apparatuses (SEG,UV) operate to utilize noise signal information in images (IM). According to one aspect, apparatus (SEG) uses the noise information (FX) to control a model based segmentation. According to a further aspect, apparatus (UV) operates, based on the noise information (FX), to visualize the uncertainty of image information that resides at edge portions of the or an image (IM).
US09761004B2

A method and system for automatic coronary stenosis detection in computed tomography (CT) data is disclosed. Coronary artery centerlines are obtained in an input cardiac CT volume. A trained classifier, such as a probabilistic boosting tree (PBT) classifier, is used to detect stenosis regions along the centerlines in the input cardiac CT volume. The classifier classifies each of the control points that define the coronary artery centerlines as a stenosis point or a non-stenosis point.
US09760995B2

Methods and systems for detecting at least one chemical species including obtaining a first image from a first electromagnetic radiation detector and obtaining a second image from a second electromagnetic radiation detector. The first image includes a first plurality of pixels and the second image includes a second plurality of pixels, each pixel having an associated intensity value. A first resultant image is generated. The first resultant image includes a plurality of resultant pixels, each pixel having an associated intensity value. One or more regions of interest are determined. The correlation between the first image, the second image, and the first resultant image is determined for the one or more regions of interest using a correlation coefficient algorithm to calculate a first correlation coefficient and a second correlation coefficient. The presence of the chemical species is determined based, at least in part, on the first correlation coefficient and the second correlation coefficient.
US09760990B2

A method for a cloud-based feedback-driven image training and recognition includes receiving a set of expert annotations of a plurality of training images of a predetermined subject matter, wherein the expert annotations include a clinical diagnosis for each image or region of interest in an image, training one or more classification models from the set of expert annotations, testing the one or more classification models on a plurality of test images that are different from the training images, wherein each classification model yields a clinical diagnosis for each image and a confidence score for that diagnosis, and receiving expert classification result feedback regarding the clinical diagnosis for each image and a confidence score yielded by each classification model.
US09760986B2

An automated measurement system includes multi-axis imager configured to receive images of a workpiece wherein the images include visual information about the workpiece at a plurality of focus planes or visual information about the workpiece between at least two focus planes. The multi-axis imager is also configured to determine a point cloud of a plurality of 3 D data points wherein each of the plurality of 3 D data points represents an intersection of one of the plurality of focus planes with a surface of the workpiece or positional information of the workpiece in a de-focused area between the at least two focus planes. The multi-axis imager is further configured to determine a plurality of dimensions of features of the workpiece and compare the determined plurality of dimensions of the features to manufacturing specifications corresponding to at least some of the determined plurality of dimensions of the features.
US09760983B2

The present disclosure relates to a system and method for image registration and image subtraction. The technique includes perform acquiring data related to the image processing, performing a pre-processing of the images, performing an image registration, performing an image subtraction, performing a post-processing of the images and managing storage of the data.
US09760982B2

An apparatus and meted for insuring the proper alignment of a detected vein pattern, and a projected vein pattern are disclosed. The apparatus enhances the visual appearance of veins so that an error that can lead to improper patient bare or injury can be avoided.
US09760977B2

Known methods for generating super-resolved images from single input images have various disadvantages. An improved method for generating a super-resolved image from a single low-resolution input image comprises up-scaling the input image to generate an initial version of the super-resolved image, searching, for each patch of the low-resolution input image, similar low-resolution patches in first search windows within down-sampled versions of the input image, and determining, in less down-sampled versions of the input image, high-resolution patches that correspond to the similar low-resolution patches. The determined high-resolution patches are cropped, a second search window is determined in the initial version of the super-resolved image, and a best-matching position for each cropped high-resolution patch is searched within the second search window. Finally, each cropped high-resolution patch is added to the super-resolved image at its respective best-matching position.
US09760971B2

An image pipeline execution method includes analyzing at least one attribute of an image and determining an image type of the image from a set of predetermined image types based on the analyzing the at least one attribute of the image. The image pipeline execution method also includes dynamically establishing an image pipeline to process the image based on the image type and executing the image pipeline to print the image.
US09760965B2

A memory stores first video information displayed on a display screen. A processor generates embedded information varying temporally and superimposes the embedded information on an image part at least corresponding to an edge of the display screen in the first video information so as to generate second video information on which the embedded information is superimposed. An output interface outputs the second video information.
US09760960B2

In some embodiments, electronic signature service provides access to an electronic agreement by a signatory. The electronic signature service determines whether a change to the electronic agreement proposed by the signatory is acceptable. The proposed change can change a task that at least one signatory will legally be obligated to perform upon execution of the electronic agreement by all signatories. The electronic signature service determines the acceptability of the proposed change based on data indicative of changes that are acceptable to another signatory. The electronic signature service can update the electronic agreement with the proposed change based on verifying that the proposed change is acceptable. The electronic signature service can determine that the updated electronic agreement is legally binding on the signatories based on determining that the electronic agreement has been executed by all signatories.
US09760959B2

A lowest rate on a multi-night lodging stay is achieved by obtaining lodging rate information for a first lodging location from a plurality of lodging rate sources. The information is correlated with each night of a window during which a consumer is available to travel. A block of nights within the window having the lowest lodging rate is identified. Then, a plurality of lodging reservations corresponding to the identified block are generated, wherein at least two of the lodging reservations correspond to different nights of the multi-night lodging stay and are placed through different lodging reservation systems. A block having the lowest total cost of travel can also be identified by considering the cost of other travel related expenses in conjunction with the lodging rate for the block.
US09760958B2

Techniques for restaurant transaction processing are provided. A handheld device of a waiter is used to automatically associate a check with a table at a restaurant and to recall and modify that check. In an embodiment, two waiters use one or more handheld devices to automatically transfer a customer's check to one another.
US09760954B2

Visual focal point composition of media capture based on a target audience is provided. An aspect includes activating a profile selection function via a media recording device and receiving, via the profile selection function, an identifier of a target viewer of media content. The profile selection function provides a list of social network contacts, including the target viewer, via the media recording device. Another aspect includes retrieving contact preferences associated with the identifier. The contact preferences are determined from data about the target viewer that is sourced from one or more compartmentalized entities. The contact preferences identify focal aspects of media content statistically determined to be of interest by the target viewer. A further aspect includes providing suggested focal aspects of a scene subject to media capture. The suggested focal aspects are derived from the contact preferences.
US09760953B1

Computer-implemented methods, system and computer program products for determining questions or potential questions to present to a user of a tax preparation application based at least in part upon analysis of pre-determined semantic dependencies of interview questions. Questions that are determined to be independent or free of semantic dependency can be selected as questions to be presented to the user or questions that are the subject of non-binding suggestions generated by a rule module and provided to an interface controller, which processes the non-binding suggestions.
US09760948B2

An interface for trading multiple tradeable objects includes a price axis or scale. A first indication of quantities represented in a market for a first tradeable object is displayed in association with the price axis or scale. A second indication of quantities represented in the market for a second tradeable object is displayed in association with the price axis or scale. The first tradeable object may be different than the second tradeable object. Alternatively, the first tradeable object and the second tradeable object may be the same, but the indications of quantity may be provided from different sources, such as different exchanges.
US09760933B1

An interactive shopping advisor receives a natural language query for a product search, generates an initial product recommendation from the natural language query, receives a natural language preference parameter for refining the product search, maps the natural language preference parameter to a product attribute value for the product search, identifies an adjustment orientation of the product attribute value from the natural language preference parameter, and applies the adjustment orientation to the natural language query to provide a refined product recommendation for the product search.
US09760928B1

Methods and apparatus for a cloud resource marketplace for third-party capacity are disclosed. A system includes a plurality of resources of a primary network, and a resource manager. The resource manager implements a reservation interface allowing a client to select and reserve resources of the primary network. In response to a resell request from a third-party resource provider, requesting advertisement of the availability of a third-party resource via the reservation interface, the resource manager may determine whether to resell the third-party resource based on one or more acceptance criteria. In response to determining to resell the third-party resource, the resource manager may indicate, via the reservation interface, a pricing policy associated with the third-party resource, an interruptibility setting of the third-party resource, and a level of compatibility of the third-party resource with a control interface implemented to allow clients to perform operations on resources of the primary network.
US09760922B2

An information objects is defined that is representative of a real-world entity (e.g., a product or a service). The information object may be stored in a data store. The information object has an associated owner. A communication channel is associated with the information object that is configurable to route communications to a manager assigned to the information object. A party is enabled to obtain management of the information object for a time period. The communication channel is configured to route to the party requests that are made by interacting with the information object during the time period. A plurality of users is enabled to interact with the information object during the time period to input requests to the party over the communication channel.
US09760920B2

Aspects of the present disclosure relate to one or more configured computing systems identifying when decoupled content includes a companion content pair (e.g., a first content and a second content) that can be synchronously or interchangeably presented. Further, aspects of the present disclosure relate to notifying a user of the availability of companion content. Notifications can be displayed to a user at any number of notifications triggers that indicate the user may be interested in acquiring companion content. Further, notifications may correspond to an offer to acquire at least a portion of companion content, such as a trial of the companion content. If a user accepts such an offer, synchronization information may be used to begin presentation of the companion content from a last consumed position of a corresponding first content.
US09760917B2

Mechanisms are provided for migrating a computing environment entitlement contract (CEEC) from one computing resource to another. These mechanisms generate one or more CEEC data structures, each CEEC data structure defining terms of a business level agreement between a contracting party and a provider of the data processing system. A CEEC cohort is generated comprising a collection of CEECs having similar terms. The one or more CEEC data structures are associated with a computing resource cohort and a seller of a CEEC data structure, in the one or more CEEC data structures and a buyer of the CEEC data structure, in the one or more CEEC data structures, is identified. The CEEC data structure is migrated from the seller to the buyer and workloads are executed in accordance with terms specified in the CEEC data structure at the buyer after migrating the CEEC data structure.
US09760913B1

Providing user software feedback and conflict resolution from a kiosk device. A computer of the kiosk captures audio and visual data from a user during an interaction between the user and software of the kiosk device. The computer analyzes the audio data and visual data to determine at least a sentiment of the user relative to the interaction and determines a score for the interaction. If the score is greater than a threshold, the computer determining at least a portion of the software needs improvement based on the score and the determined sentiment of the user during the interaction.
US09760904B2

A system and method for generating an electronic catalog for online computer users is disclosed. The system and method in an example embodiment include generating a tagged webpage template corresponding to a seller site; using the tagged webpage template to extract item information from the seller site; storing the extracted item information in a database of item listings; enabling selection of a plurality of item listings from at least some of the item listings provided in the database; enabling arrangement of the plurality of selected item listings on a plurality of pages in a computer-generated electronic catalog; recording an identifier of the computer-generated electronic catalog; and recording information associating each of the plurality of selected item listings with the identifier of the computer-generated electronic catalog.
US09760901B2

Systems and methods to predict bidding behavior are described. The system identifies a listing that includes listing information that describes an item that is being auctioned on a network-based marketplace. The system further identifies bid classification information based on the number of bids received for the item. Finally, the system predicts whether no more bids are expected to be received for the item based on the classification information.
US09760899B2

New and improved methods and systems for modeling the performance of selected company metrics. Multiple, non-traditional sets of objective data along with mathematical analytical techniques are used to provide transparency and visibility into company performance relating to the particular metrics. Company inflection points and changes in strategy may be identified. The performance of a company and/or the performance of a selected industry or industry sector may be analyzed.
US09760896B2

The present disclosure provides a computer-implemented method of acquiring customer insight information in a retail environment. The method includes receiving a product interaction from a mobile device, the product interaction comprising a product identifier corresponding to a product located in the retail environment. The method also includes determining a customer location within the retail environment based on a planned location of the product. The method also includes performing a business action based, at least in part, on the product interaction. The method also includes storing customer insight information corresponding to the product interaction to a data structure.
US09760881B2

A portable e-pay system and method, comprises a card reading module to charge customers by reading their credit cards. The system further comprises tax information memory used to store transaction information with an electronic signature, and the system also comprises a volatile memory used to store the information of a taxpayer. Furthermore, the portable e-pay system also has a printer, a credit-card authorization module and a credit-card payment request module.
US09760879B2

The present disclosure provides an exemplary system, method, and computer program product. The exemplary system includes at least one non-transitory memory storing user account information, wherein the information comprises a digital receipt associated with a user purchase and one or more conditions for delivering the digital receipt. The system further includes one or more hardware processors coupled to the at least one memory and operable to read instructions from the at least one memory to perform the steps of: receiving a payment request from a user; receiving at least one condition from the user for delivering a digital receipt associated with the payment request to at least one recipient; determining whether the at least one condition is satisfied; and delivering the digital receipt to the at least one recipient.
US09760867B2

An exemplary method processes an electronic communication received by a first end-user communication device where the digital electronic communication is packet having a header segment and a user data segment conveyed to the first end-user communication device using one of a plurality of possible transport layer communication protocols. A determination is made whether the received user data segment contains a first label that identifies a corresponding module of an enhanced services application program stored in memory of the first end-user communication device. On determining that a first label is contained in the user data segment, routing the received user data segment to the first module of the first enhanced services application program regardless of which one of the plurality of possible transport layer communication protocols carried the electronic communication to the first end-user communication device. The received user data segment is processed by the first module and clear text information extracted from the user data segment is stored in the memory.
US09760864B2

An apparatus, including a memory device for storing work schedule information or scheduling information for an individual, a transmitter for transmitting a job search request to a computer, wherein the computer is specially programmed for processing the job search request, for generating a message containing information regarding a job opening, a position, an assignment, a contract, or a project, and for transmitting the message to the apparatus in response to the job search request; a receiver for receiving the message; and a display for displaying at least some of the information contained in the message.
US09760856B2

The present subject matter relates to method(s) and system(s) to manage home inventory based on health of a user. The method comprises obtaining at least one health target for the user, wherein the at least one target is related to at least one health parameter. Further, querying a recipe recommender data to recommend at least one recipe based on the at least one health target. The method further comprises ascertaining the availability of one or more items to be used in the at least one recipe in a home inventory of the user, wherein the availability is ascertained based on an available stock and expiry date, and wherein the available stock of each item from among the one or more items is determined periodically, by using a core analytics engine, to manage the home inventory and health of the user.
US09760855B2

A system and method for operating a product return system. One or more electronic devices are received from a carrier at a return provider. A determination is made whether the one or more electronic devices include customer personal information. The one or more electronic devices are quarantined in response to determining the one or more electronic devices include CPI. The one or more electronic devices are processed in response to determining the CPI has been removed.
US09760849B2

Systems and methods for assessing an information security governance of an enterprise are disclosed. The method includes classifying the information security governance into a plurality of sub-information security governances. The method further comprises defining a plurality of governance focus areas and a plurality of governance control dimensions for a sub-information security governance. The method further comprises checking a compliance, by a processor, of the governance practices of users in the sub-information security governances, in the plurality of governance focus areas, and in the plurality of governance control dimensions. The method further comprises assigning weights to the plurality of governance focus areas, to the plurality of governance control dimensions, and to the sub-information security governances. The method further comprises determining a score for sub-information security governance based on the compliance and the weights.
US09760845B2

A Business Intelligence (BI) meta model template is selected based on one or more meta model object types in a model structure. A BI meta model is generated from the selected BI meta model template. One or more BI report specification templates are selected based on a mining model type. A BI report specification is generated from the selected one or more BI report specification templates, a schema of the model structure, and content of the model structure. The BI meta model and the BI report specification are deployed to a BI server for use in generating a BI report using a BI tool at the BI server. In response to a user request for a BI report, the BI report is generated with a BI tool at the BI server that uses the BI meta model and the BI report specification.
US09760840B1

A unit planning system programmed to provide a graphical user interface to one or more user devices associated with users of the system us disclosed. The graphical user interface may provide the user devices with functionality for receiving graphical, geospatial data describing geographic areas, existing retail units, target areas for potential retail units, and sites for potential retail units. In conjunction with the graphical user interface and/or independent from it, the unit planning system may also be programmed to collect, calculate and organize data related to target geographic areas for placement of retail units as well as potential sites for placements of retail units.
US09760835B2

According to an aspect, a cyclical directed graphical model that includes a plurality of nodes connected by directed edges is accessed. Each directed edge has an edge strength indicating a degree of relation between the nodes, and each node has a value and a state of either active or inactive. A first node that has at least one directed incoming edge from a second node having a state of active is selected. At least a subset of the nodes in the cyclical directed graphical model are traversed in a reverse direction relative to the directed edges. The traversing is performed along a path starting from the second node and ending at a third node having a state of active. If the path does not include the first node, an inference about a value of the first node is proposed based on a value of the second node.
US09760832B2

A method and apparatus for predicting based on multi-source heterogeneous data. The method comprises: acquiring, with regard to an event of a set type, at least two types of historical data that can reflect an event result; establishing a joint likelihood model of attribute data of the event of the set type and the historical data; determining an optimal estimation of the attribute data according to a maximum posterior principle; and determining, based on a probability distribution associated with the attribute data in the joint likelihood model, a parameter in the probability distribution as a prediction result of a predicted event of the set type. Some embodiments use a hierarchical model to introduce data of different sources into different data layers, unify heterogeneous data in a joint likelihood model to perform analysis, and obtain a more accurate, instant and stable prediction result through effective fusion.
US09760821B2

A reader for wirelessly receiving a signal from a tag, the signal having a portion on a first side, a portion on a second side and a synchronization sequence to be detected between the first and the second side, wherein the portion on the first side, the synchronization sequence and the portion on the second side are serially arranged with each other, has a processor. The processor is configured for storing the received signal, for detecting the synchronization sequence in the received signal, for calculating a transmission characteristic between the tag and the reader, using the portion of the received signal on the first side and for extracting a payload information from the portion of the received signal on the second side, using the calculated transmission characteristic.
US09760814B2

An image forming apparatus: upon determining that OR drawing of a first drawing object and a second drawing object included in received drawing data is not possible, drives one of a plurality of arithmetic processors to sequentially execute a first drawing process of the first drawing object and a second drawing process of the second drawing object in an original order of the first drawing object and the second drawing object in commands of the received drawing data; and, upon determining that the OR drawing is possible, distributes and assigns the first drawing process and the second drawing process to two or more of the plurality of arithmetic processors and drives the two or more arithmetic processors to execute the first drawing process and the second drawing process in parallel.
US09760809B2

A mechanism for image recognition based on multiple factors is described. A method, system and computer-readable medium for multi-factor image recognition includes using environmental contextual attributes to create likelihood tiers in an image recognition database such that irrelevant entries are excluded from the search. The mechanism described here limits and sorts by contextual likelihood the number of entries to be searched, increasing both the speed and accuracy of the image recognition process.
US09760807B2

A method and apparatus for automatically performing medical image analysis tasks using deep image-to-image network (DI2IN) learning. An input medical image of a patient is received. An output image that provides a result of a target medical image analysis task on the input medical image is automatically generated using a trained deep image-to-image network (DI2IN). The trained DI2IN uses a conditional random field (CRF) energy function to estimate the output image based on the input medical image and uses a trained deep learning network to model unary and pairwise terms of the CRF energy function. The DI2IN may be trained on an image with multiple resolutions. The input image may be split into multiple parts and a separate DI2IN may be trained for each part. Furthermore, the multi-scale and multi-part schemes can be combined to train a multi-scale multi-part DI2IN.
US09760806B1

In accordance with various embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, a method and a system for vision-centric deep-learning-based road situation analysis are provided. The method can include: receiving real-time traffic environment visual input from a camera; determining, using a ROLO engine, at least one initial region of interest from the real-time traffic environment visual input by using a CNN training method; verifying the at least one initial region of interest to determine if a detected object in the at least one initial region of interest is a candidate object to be tracked; using LSTMs to track the detected object based on the real-time traffic environment visual input, and predicting a future status of the detected object by using the CNN training method; and determining if a warning signal is to be presented to a driver of a vehicle based on the predicted future status of the detected object.
US09760793B2

An apparatus and computer-implemented method for generating a three-dimensional scene and non-transitory tangible computer readable medium thereof are provided. The apparatus comprises a storage unit and a processing unit. The storage unit is stored with an image and a plurality of depth data of the image. The processing unit is configured to generate a depth histogram according to the depth data, generate a region of interest of the image according to the depth histogram, decide a moving path of a virtual camera according to the region of interest, and generate the three-dimensional scene according to the image and the moving path.
US09760792B2

Object detection and classification across disparate fields of view are provided. A first image generated by a first recording device with a first field of view, and a second image generated by a second recording device with a second field of view can be obtained. An object detection component can detect a first object within the first field of view, and a second object within the second field of view. An object classification component can determine first and second level classification categories of the first object. A data processing system can create a data structure indicating a probability identifier for a descriptor of the first object. An object matching component can correlate the first object with the second object based on the descriptor of the first object, the probability identifier for the descriptor of the first object, or a descriptor of the second object.
US09760789B2

A method, system, and computer-usable tangible storage device for robustly cropping and accurately recognizing license plates to account for noise sources and interfering artifacts are disclosed. License plate images and sub-images can be tightly cropped utilizing an image-based classifier and gradient-based cropping. An image-based classifier can identify the location of valid characters within the image. Because of a number of noise sources, such as, for example, residual plate rotation and shear in the characters within the image, the image-based classifier performs a “rough” identification of the image boundaries. An additional processing step utilizing gradient-based cropping is performed to fine-tune the license plate image boundaries. Gradient-based cropping eliminates unwanted border artifacts that could substantially impact the segmentation and license plate character recognition results.
US09760787B2

A document camera system includes a page-turning device, an image pickup unit, a specification unit, a recognition unit, a determination unit and a notification unit. The page-turning device turns pages of a book. The image pickup unit picks up an image of each turned page. The specification unit specifies a page number portion in the image picked up by the image pickup unit. The recognition unit recognizes characters in the page number portion specified by the specification unit to identify a page number. The determination unit determines correctness of the order of the page numbers identified by the recognition unit. The notification unit notifies a user of an error when the determination unit determines that the order of the page numbers is incorrect.
US09760786B2

The present disclosure is directed to systems, methods, and devices that enable the revising of Optical Character Recognition (OCR) data by indexing and displaying potential error locations within the OCR data. The primary method for revising the OCR data includes a terminal device indexing, displaying, receiving editing operations for, and editing the OCR data. The terminal device is configured to revise OCR data and includes an OCR review element, which, in some embodiments, is a software stored on a non-transitory, computer-readable medium, that is executed by a processing unit to cause the terminal device to index, display, receive editing operations for, and edit the OCR data.
US09760782B2

A method represents objects of varying visibility surrounding a vehicle for a driver on a display device. The surroundings are automatically recognized by object recognition devices. For recognized objects, it is determined whether the respective object is a first object classified to be visible, or a second object classified to be invisible to the occupant. For a number of recognized objects including at least one first object and second object, respective positions of the objects are determined for the display, in the case of which the geometrical relationships between the number of objects correspond essentially to the real geometrical relationships.
US09760781B2

Methods, systems, and apparatus including computer program products for using extracted image text are provided. In one implementation, a computer-implemented method is provided. The method includes receiving an input of one or more image search terms and identifying keywords from the received one or more image search terms. The method also includes searching a collection of keywords including keywords extracted from image text, retrieving an image associated with extracted image text corresponding to one or more of the image search terms, and presenting the image.
US09760778B1

A system for performing object recognition on images in an image series, for example from a broadcast television signal or video-on-demand source. The system buffers images from the image series and accesses the buffer when an indication is received to start object recognition. The buffered images are sent to a recognition server, which returns object data for objects found in the image. The objects are then navigable using a user interface, through which the user can obtain additional information about the objects, or perform additional functions, such as adding the object to a shopping cart, etc.
US09760775B1

A retina identifying module has a retina identifying chip and an encapsulation body. The encapsulation body is transparent, is mounted on and enclosing the retina identifying chip, and has a convex top face. Accordingly, the thickness of the retina identifying module can be effectively reduced.
US09760769B2

A method comprises receiving from a first data source first recognition results which are associated with the first data source, and receiving from a second data source second recognition results which are associated with the second data source. The method further comprises, processing a first set of confidence levels associated with the first recognition results to provide a first set of normalized confidence levels associated with the first data source, and processing a second set of confidence levels associated with the second recognition results to provide a second set of normalized confidence levels associated with the second data source. The method also comprises storing the first set of normalized confidence levels associated with the first data source in a first table of normalized confidence levels and the second set of normalized confidence levels associated with the second data source in a second table of normalized confidence levels.
US09760755B1

A fingerprint matching device and method are provided. The fingerprint matching method applied to a swipe sensor includes: obtaining first swiping dataset; generating registered dataset from the first swiping dataset, wherein the registered dataset includes a first number of frames; extracting second swiping dataset, wherein the second swiping dataset includes a second number of frames and the second number is greater than the first number; and comparing the frames of the second swiping dataset with the registered dataset.
US09760753B2

A finger guide device that positions a finger (or minutiae containing digit) of a human subject on a fingerprint sensor in a manner optimal for the data capture operation of authentication or identification of said subject wherein a relevant portion of the finger is in alignment with a sensor or scanner. The finger guide device may also be used for enrollment of the initial fingerprint data into the system. The device may contain an outer surface ridge which feels somewhat uncomfortable due to application of a high pressure per square inch on small areas of the finger when the finger is incorrectly positioned to encourage correct placement of the finger. The finger guide device may have a curved inside surface to contour to a wide variety of fingertip shapes and sizes, wherein the sides and front have shorter radii of curvature than the rearward portion of the finger guide device.
US09760752B2

A method and apparatus for decoding codes applied to objects for use with a camera and a conveyor system wherein the camera includes an image sensor having a two dimensional field of view (FOV) and the conveyor system moves objects in a first direction of travel through the FOV such that objects enter the FOV along an entry edge and exit the FOV along an exit edge, the method comprising the steps of providing a processor programmed to perform the steps of obtaining images of the FOV, for each image identifying code candidates in at least portions of the image, ordering at least a subset of the code candidates for decoding in a candidate order wherein the candidate order is determined at least in part as a function of the first direction of travel through the FOV, attempting to decode code candidates in the order specified by the direction of travel and when a new image event occurs, foregoing attempts to decode at least a portion of the identified code candidates.
US09760749B2

A high speed tabletop and industrial printer is disclosed with integrated high speed RFID encoding and verification at the same time. The industrial printer simultaneously prints on and electronically encodes/verifies RFID labels, tags, and/or stickers attached to a continuous web. The industrial printer comprises a lighted sensor array for indexing the printing to the RFID tags; and a cutter powered from the industrial printer for cutting the web that the RFID tags are disposed on. The industrial printer comprises two RFID reader/writers that are individually controlled. Specifically, one of the RFID reader/writers comprises the ability to electronically encode the RFID tags while the web is moving; and the second RFID reader/writer uses an additional RFID module and antenna on the printer for verifying the data encoded to the RFID tags. Further, the printer utilizes adaptive RFID power settings to prevent misreads and other errors when encoding tags.
US09760742B2

Various embodiments provide a dual purpose press-bar and heat sink for an integrated circuit card (ICC) reader. The dual purpose press-bar and heat sink provides two functions. First, the dual purpose press-bar and heat sink conducts and dissipates internal heat generated by a high data transfer ICC inserted in to the ICC reader. Second, the dual purpose press-bar and heat sink ensures that contact pads of the high data transfer ICC create reliable electrical connections with ICC contacts of the ICC reader. As such, the dual purpose press-bar and heat sink simultaneously dissipates heat from a high data transfer ICC and ensures that a high data transfer ICC maintains proper electrical connections with ICC contacts of an ICC reader.
US09760737B2

Techniques for protecting data in a processor are provided. An example method according to these techniques includes performing one or more operations on encrypted data using one or more functional units of a data path of the processor to generate an encrypted result. Performing the one or more operations includes: receiving at least one encrypted parameter pair at a functional unit, each encrypted parameter pair comprising an encrypted parameter value and a challenge value associated with the encrypted parameter value, the encrypted parameter being encrypted using a homomorphic encryption technique, the challenge value being used to recover a key used to encrypt the encrypted parameter value, and performing a mathematical computation on the at least one encrypted parameter. The method also includes outputting the encrypted result.
US09760735B2

A third party facilitates exchange of customer data between first and second entities while maintaining customer privacy. Personally identifiable information (PII) and first entity customer attributes of a first set of customers are received from a first entity. PII for a second set of customers is received from a second entity. First and second set common customers are identified using the PII of the first and the second set of customers. Subsequently, a list of third set of customers is sent to the second entity. The list of third set of customers includes the common customers and a plurality of other customers from the second set of customers. Second entity customer attributes are received for each customer in the list of third set of customers. Further, the first entity customer attributes of the common customers and the second entity customer attributes of the common customers are linked.
US09760732B2

A method and system for verifying a target attribute of a company profile record. It is ascertained that a database stores the company profile record including the target attribute and a validity attribute associated with the target attribute. The validity attribute has a VALID or INVALID value respectively indicating that the target attribute in the company profile record has a valid or invalid value within the database. It is insured that the database stores a first and second user profile record, that a first user of a requisition transaction corresponds to the first user profile record, that the first user profile record includes the target attribute having a value identical to a value of the target attribute of a first company profile record associated with a first company represented by the first user, and that the validity attribute of the first company profile record has the VALID value.
US09760731B2

Methods for configuring and utilizing a configurable data guard (CDG) implemented on a hardware-based programmable logic device are disclosed. The CDG may include integrated circuit portions comprising a plurality of arrays of generic comparison operations and a plurality of arrays of generic action operations. The CDG may receive a data guard configuration. The CDG may perform an authentication and integrity check procedure on the received data guard configuration. The CDG may configure a plurality of guard primitives based on the data guard configuration. Each guard primitive may be configured from at least one generic comparison operation and at least one generic action operation. The guard primitives may be used to enforce the complex data guard rules that correspond to the data guard configuration.
US09760729B2

A method, a secure device, a system and a computer program product for securely managing user access to a file system. The method includes providing a secure device, where the secure device is protected by design against malicious software or malware and adapted to establish a connection to a server through a telecommunication network establishing a connection between the secure device and the server, receiving at the secure device, through the established connection, data pertaining to a file system identifying files which are at least partly stored outside the secure device, exposing at the secure device the file system to a user, based on the data received from the server, the file system navigable by the user.
US09760712B2

Methods and systems for protecting a virtual machine network are disclosed. In an embodiment, a method involves storing an application whitelist including application-to-user associations in memory such that the application whitelist is immutable by a guest virtual machine, receiving a request to execute an application including an application identifier and a user identifier, comparing the application identifier and the user identifier of the request with the application whitelist, and generating an execution decision indicating whether the requested application can execute on the guest virtual machine.
US09760710B2

An encryption manager may encrypt mobile data associated with a mobile application executing on a mobile device, where the mobile application is configured to interact with a remote application executing on a remote server, and the mobile data is encrypted using a mobile password. A mobile password recovery manager may encrypt the mobile password, using a remote password used to access the remote application executing on the remote server, and may recover the mobile data, in case of loss of the mobile password, including decrypting the encrypted mobile password using the remote password.
US09760707B2

A computer implemented method for detecting input gesture events on a touchscreen of an electronic device and for unlocking the electronic device is disclosed. The method may include displaying, while the electronic device is in a locked state, a plurality of guidance lines on the touchscreen of the electronic device, detecting, during an input gesture event, guidance line crossings and calculating a number of guidance line crossings detected during the input gesture event. The method may also include converting a calculated number of detected guidance line crossings into at least one password digit, comparing a sequence of password digits to a stored password in the electronic device and unlocking, in response to comparing the sequence of password digits to the stored password, the electronic device.
US09760705B2

Method and devices for making access decisions in a secure access network are provided. The access decisions are made by a portable credential using data and algorithms stored on the credential. Since access decisions are made by the portable credential non-networked hosts or local hosts can be employed that do not necessarily need to be connected to a central access controller or database thereby reducing the cost of building and maintaining the secure access network.
US09760704B2

An electronic device includes multiple applications that can access a smart card or other security apparatus. A first application that is to use the security apparatus prompts a user for a security string such as a PIN or password. Upon receipt of the PIN or password, the first application unlocks the security apparatus for use. Additionally, the first application receives a token from a security service that interfaces with the security apparatus. The token can be shared by the first application with other applications. For example, the first application can share the token with other trusted applications. The other applications that receive the token can refrain from issuing a prompt for a security string and receiving a response from the user. The token can be used instead of the security string to obtain access to the security apparatus.
US09760697B1

Disclosed herein is a system for enabling secure data storage into a third party managed electronic vault. The electronic vault provides users with a secure location to store important documents, information, and data including but not limited to various forms of personal identifiable information (PII). The system features an interface that dynamically secures, encrypts, and protects data related to transmission, storage, and retrieval, as well as management components that regulate and authenticate access to the contents of the electronic safe deposit boxes (and subdivisions thereof) in the electronic vault. In addition, the system features comprehensive logic for completing and/or auto-filling forms, tracking and/or facilitating renewals of expiring credentials, providing reminders of important dates and events, managing multi-step processes, automatically adjusting security and authentication requirement based on one or more factors, and guiding and suggesting complimentary activities and considerations for detected user events.
US09760696B2

A secure user input system is implemented for a computer system having a user input apparatus and a user output apparatus. The system comprises a user input template, provided to the user on the user output apparatus; and a personal user output interface providing, to the user, personal input interface information, mapped to the user input template, to enable the user to input information through the user input apparatus that is intelligible only to a party having access both to the user input template and the personal input interface information.
US09760667B1

Methods and systems for implementing prototyping and floorplanning for electronic circuit designs are disclosed. The method identifies or generates a representation of a design, modifies or updates the representation by moving a circuit component in the representation. The representation may be characterized in the pre-placement or post-placement stage to determine or identify distance constraints constraining object pairs in the representation. The method performs a timing and/or congestion analysis with distance-based timing information having a spatial dimension rather than timing information having a temporal dimension for the representation of the electronic design. The timing and/or congestion analysis is performed during the circuit component is being moved or shortly after the circuit component has been moved. The results of the timing and/or congestion analysis are provided in an interactive manner or in a batch mode.
US09760665B2

An approach is provided in which an information handling system executes multiple timing constraint sensitivity tests on a circuit model using a first signal arrival time and generates multiple test results. The information handling system compares the multiple test results with a pre-determined probability threshold and, in response to determining that an amount of test failures included in the multiple test results meets a pre-determined failure probability threshold, the information handling system computes a timing constraint sensitivity of the circuit model based upon the first signal arrival time. The information handling system compares the timing constraint sensitivity against a characterized sensitivity generated by a software modeling system and, when the timing constraint sensitivity does not match the characterized sensitivity, one or more of the software modeling system's modeling parameters are adjusted, causing the software modeling system to generate a changed characterized sensitivity of the circuit model.
US09760663B2

Analysis of a first verification test suite automatically generates properties that may be directly used in a subsequent verification test suite. For example, an IP module may be verified by executing a software simulation test suite. The resulting data is accessed and analyzed to detect a set of properties of the software simulation test suite. A set of emulator-synthesizable properties are selected from the set of detected properties. The emulator-synthesizable properties are suitable for incorporation in a hardware emulation test suite used to test the SoC.
US09760661B2

A method for providing a virtual optical disk drive (ODD) is provided. The method can comprise: simulating a PCI IDE controller through PCI configuration space IO trap and simulating the ODD through IDE device IO trap.
US09760657B2

Task-based semantic searches fetch user profile data including a role of the user within an enterprise entity from log-in identity data of the user in response to receiving a query text input. Object and task search predicates limit, as a function of the user role, scopes of objects returnable from search of an object index, and tasks returnable from search of a task index, in satisfaction of the query text as a function of the user role. Task and object index searching results are matched into task and object pairs that are allowed by the user role as a function of the enterprise entitlement system, and the task and object pairs are presented to the user in a graphical user interface as task-object pair hypertext references that invoke the task of each pair as a callable action on the object of each pair.
US09760650B2

A method may include displaying a document including a first item, receiving a first user input selecting the first item and receiving a second user input providing a target value associated with the first item. The method may also include accessing a site associated with the document, monitoring a value associated with the first item and determining whether the value associated with the first item meets the target value. The method may further include generating a notification when the value associated with the first item meets the target value.
US09760643B2

Systems and methods are provided for identifying electronic content based on browsing history and positional or geographic information. In one implementation, popular web pages are identified that have been recently accessed by users within a geographic region associated with a client device. According to a method, a geo-spatial identifier of a geographic region associated with a client device is obtained, and data records associated with the geo-spatial identifier are retrieved from a database. Popular web sites or pages are identified from the data records, based on a number of requests for the web pages, and a number of users that requested the web pages in the geographic region.
US09760642B2

A system including a context-entity factory configured to build a data model defining an ontology of data objects that are context-aware, the model further defining metadata tags for the data objects. The system further includes a storage device storing the data objects as stored data objects, the device further storing associated contexts for corresponding ones of the stored objects. The system further includes a reduction component configured to capture a current context value of a first data object defined in the ontology, the component further configured to compare the current context value of the first data object with stored values of the associated contexts, and wherein when the current context value does not match a particular stored value of a particular associated context, the component is further configured to remove a corresponding particular stored data object and the particular associated context from the stored data objects.
US09760641B1

Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for determining a first count of unique queries, received by a search engine, that are categorized as referring to a particular site; determining a second count of unique queries, received by the search engine, that are associated with the particular site, wherein a query is associated with the particular site when the query is followed by a user selection of a search result that (a) was presented, by the search engine, in response to the query and (b) identifies a resource in the particular site; and determining, based on the first and second counts, a site quality score for the particular site.
US09760639B2

An online social network is provided in which members of the online social network control who may view their personal information and who may communicate with them. The members control who may view their personal information by setting a visibility preference. A member may not view another member's full personal profile if the measure of relatedness between the two is greater than the visibility preference of the other member. The members also control who may communicate with them by setting a contactability preference. A member may not communicate with another member if the measure of relatedness between the two is greater than the contactability preference of the other member.
US09760637B2

A encrypted text wildcard search method enables wildcard search of encrypted text by using a permuterm index storing permuted keyword strings that are encrypted using an order preserving encryption algorithm. The permuted keyword strings are encrypted using an order preserving encryption algorithm or a modular order preserving encryption algorithm and stored in the permuterm index. In response to a search query containing a wildcard search term, the encrypted text wildcard search method transforms the wildcard search term to a permuted search term having a prefix search format. The permuted search term having the prefix search format is then used to perform a range query of the permuterm index to retrieve permuted keyword strings having ciphertext values that fall within the range query. In some embodiments, the encrypted text wildcard search method enables prefix search, suffix search, inner-wildcard search, substring search and multiple wildcard search of encrypted text.
US09760634B1

Some embodiments provide a method for defining a content relevance model for determining whether a content segment is relevant to a particular category. The method receives a first set of content segments that contain content relevant to the particular category and a second set of content segments that contain content not relevant to the particular category. The method identifies a set of key word sets more likely to appear in the first set of content segments than the second set of content segments. The method defines a content relevance model that comprises a set of groups of word sets and a score for each group, each of the groups of word sets comprising a key word set from the set of key word sets and at least one word set found in a context of the key word set in at least one of the received content segments.
US09760631B1

Methods, systems, and apparatus for analyzing performance of video content are disclosed herein. In one aspect, performance data indicative of a number of presentations of a video at user devices is received. The performance data specifies a portion of the total duration of the video that was presented prior to presentation being terminated. For each of two or more segments of the total duration, a play-through rate is determined for the segment. The play through rate for each segment is based on a number of the presentations of the video that were not terminated prior to an end of the segment. A play-through graph generated based on the play through rates is provided. A determination is made that user interaction occurred with a particular area of the play-through graph. A portion of the video from a particular segment that corresponds to the particular area is provided.
US09760625B2

A method, system, apparatus, and computer program product for indexing information stored in data-stores. The system receives a new index request. The system creates an index in response to the request. The new index includes at least one segment, a first flag, and a last flag. Each segment comprises index summary information. The system then stores the index in memory.
US09760623B2

Creating an object is disclosed. An instance of a sharable type is created. An instance of a lightweight type is created. The sharable type is designated as a parent of the lightweight type. The instance of the sharable type is designated as a parent of the instance of the lightweight type. The instance of the sharable type may be shared by one or more other instances of the lightweight type.
US09760607B1

Disclosed are various implementations for a content evaluation application. Various component scores are calculated to reflect a variety of attributes of a document. The component scores may reflect a readability score, a word count, user interactions, content timeliness, or other data. An overall quality score is calculated for a document by applying selected weights to the component scores.
US09760602B1

A system for exploring data in a database comprises a query parser, a parameter manager, a query submitter, and a result formatter. The query parser is to receive a base query and determine an input parameter from the base query. The parameter manager is to provide a first request for a value for the input parameter; receive the value for the input parameter; and provide a second request for the value for the input parameter. The query submitter is to determine a first query using the base query and the value for the input parameter; and provide an indication to execute the first query. The result formatter is to receive a result associated with the indication to execute the first query.
US09760600B2

Computer-implemented systems and methods are provided for indexing and serving calendar event information. In accordance with some embodiments, information common to, and unique among, instances of a recurrent event may be determined. A markup document and search document including the common information and unique information may be generated, and a search index may be updated. Also, in accordance with some embodiments, a search query may be received and parsed, and recurrent event information can be scored as a possible search result.
US09760586B1

Methods, systems, and techniques for managing and using search result snapshot histories are provided. Some examples provide a Search Snapshot Management Engine (“SSME”), which enables users and or programs through the use of an application programming interface (“API”) to define and manipulate search result snapshots. In typical operation, an iteration of a search result is associated with a search result snapshot history. In some examples, the SSME may be used to provide search histories to teams for reviewing patent related publications and other types of literature. In some examples, the SSME promotes cooperative sharing of search result snapshot histories. In other examples, the SSME promotes competitive sharing of search result snapshot histories. One or more designated snapshots may be used to create new or merged search result snapshot histories.
US09760584B2

Systems and methods are provided for supporting transaction recovery based on inline delegation of transaction logs to a database. The system can retrieve transaction recovery information of a transaction from a persistence store, wherein the transaction recovery information is persisted on a resource manager that is associated with the persistence store during a prepare phase. Furthermore, the system can retrieve one or more in-doubt transactions from one or more participating resource managers of the transaction. Then, the system can determine whether to commit or roll back the one or more in-doubt transactions by matching the one or more in-doubt transactions to the transaction recovery information.
US09760581B2

Multiple partial-image selections are received. Each of the multiple partial-image selections includes a user-selected portion of one of a group of images. Partial-image search criteria are derived from a combination of the multiple partial-image selections. A search is performed for images that correspond to the partial-image search criteria derived from the combination of the multiple partial-image selections. Visual search results are returned. The visual search results include at least one identified image that includes features that correspond to the partial-image search criteria derived from the combination of the multiple partial-image selections.
US09760578B2

Calculating fingerprints for each one of a multiplicity of alignment combinations of fixed-size deduplication data blocks and comparing each of the fingerprints to stored deduplicated data fingerprints in a lookup database for determining a preferred deduplication data block alignment. A deduplication data block comprises each of the fixed-size deduplication data blocks.
US09760574B1

A method is used in managing I/O requests in file systems. A first and second I/O requests are received. The first I/O request is directed to a first portion of a file and the second I/O request is directed to a second portion of the file. Respective first portions of the first and second I/O requests are performed concurrently. Respective second portions of the first and second I/O requests are performed concurrently. Execution of the second I/O request starts before execution of the first I/O request finishes.
US09760573B2

Police officers are provided with client devices capable of capturing multimedia and streaming multimedia. The client devices can upload captured multimedia to a central server or share streams in real time. A network operation center can review the multimedia in real time or afterwards. Situational awareness is the provision of multimedia to a police officer as that officer approaches the location of an incident. The multimedia may be real time streams as the officer responds to a particular location, or the multimedia may be historical files as the officer familiarizes himself with incidents as he patrols a new neighborhood. Since the client device also reports real time reporting patterns, police officers can review high resolution and fidelity patrolling and incident reports to analyze the efficacy of patrol coverage. Since the client device may run supplementary applications, example applications are disclosed.
US09760572B1

An event, such as a sports game, may include numerous individual event occurrences, some in a performance area (e.g., a sports field or a concert stage) and some out of the performance area (e.g., in a gym or locker room). Beacons with audiovisual capture capabilities may be set up at key points within the performance area and at important areas outside the performance area in order to capture audiovisual data from various event occurrences that might be difficult to capture otherwise. The audiovisual data may be organized into an event beacon database, which may then be supplied to various other entities, such as media providers or advertisers, to provide to their constituencies, or to sports players or event performers to provide to social media followers, or to event fans to directly access via an API or web interface.
US09760571B1

A tabular (relational) DB interface is responsive to SQL commands for accessing unstructured data bases. An application receives a relational data command or query and maps fields from the relational query to fields in an unstructured data store including documents arranged in a hierarchy and unbounded by fixed types or field lengths. The application generates field names by concatenating nested hierarchy field names to define unique “flat file” field names in a tabular form. The application generates a catalog defining the mapping which is used as metadata for accessing the unstructured data to satisfy the relational query. Use of the metadata avoids copying or translating the unstructured data store to a tabular form because the unstructured data collection remains unmodified, and is accessed via the catalog.
US09760568B2

Systems and methods are provided for enabling communications between users of an instant messaging application and a virtual world environment. In accordance with one implementation, a method is provided that includes operations performed by one or more processors, including enabling a first user to navigate the virtual world environment by controlling an avatar representing the first user. The method also includes capturing a first paralinguistic indicator made by the first user, the first paralinguistic indicator configured for communications in the virtual world environment. In addition, the method includes translating the first paralinguistic indicator into a message configured for text-based communications in the instant messaging application, the message comprising at least one of a text description of the first paralinguistic indicator and a second paralinguistic indicator configured for communications in the instant messaging application. The method further includes providing the message to a second user.
US09760565B2

The present invention discloses a natural expression processing method, which includes: identifying a natural expression from a user, to obtain a certain form of language information which can be processed by a computer; and converting the obtained language information to a standard expression in an encoded form. In the natural expression processing method according to the embodiments of the present invention, the natural expression may be converted into an encoded standard expression; because the conversion to the standard expression is converting the semantics of the natural expression into codes and parameters, and precise verbatim translation is not required, the requirement of accuracy for machine translation can be reduced, and meanwhile the complexity of the database for expression conversion (machine translation) is reduced, increasing data query and updating speed, and thus improving the performance of intelligent processing. In addition, the relatively simple encoded expression reduces the workload of manually-assisted interventions, increasing the efficiency of the work of manually-assisted interventions.
US09760559B2

Systems and processes for predictive text input are provided. In one example process, a text input can be received. The text input can be associated with an input context. A frequency of occurrence of an m-gram with respect to a subset of a corpus can be determined using a language model. The subset can be associated with a context. A weighting factor can be determined based on a degree of similarity between the input context and the context. A weighted probability of a predicted text given the text input can be determined based on the frequency of occurrence of the m-gram and the weighting factor. The m-gram can include at least one word in the text input and at least one word in the predicted text.
US09760558B2

A method for identifying information in a document may include analyzing the document for a text block containing a structure element, wherein said structure element is a position, font attribute, or text character; applying a rule based analysis on the text block to identify an adjacent label and field containing a value; and identifying said label and said value as a label and value pair in the document.
US09760557B2

In a method for utilizing metadata for autofill fields, a computer causes a first form input field to be displayed, the first form input field having two or more form input field entries associated with the first form input field. The computer determines that the two or more form input field entries are similar. The computer determines data describing each form input field entry of the two or more form input field entries.
US09760556B1

Computer implemented systems and methods are disclosed for annotating and linking electronic documents. In accordance with some embodiments, annotations assigned to source electronic documents are received and snippets are generated from the received annotations. The generated snippets are aggregated into clusters, which are used to generate an electronic document. Links between the snippets and their respective source documents may be generated and embedded in the generated electronic document.
US09760554B2

Techniques disclosed herein describe generating annotations for text content rendered on a web browser. The web browser is configured with a content analytics plug-in configured to receive content to render in the web browser. The content itself includes unstructured text. The content analytics plug-in evaluates the unstructured text using content analytics and natural language processing (NLP) techniques to characterize the meaning of one or more passages in the unstructured text. The content analytics plug-in then generates annotations based on the characterizations to display when the web browser renders the content.
US09760551B2

An example method for generating a regular expression includes: acquiring a preset character string; acquiring a to-be-collected character string in the preset character string in response to a trigger instruction; recognizing a character string before the to-be-collected character string from the preset character string, the character string before the to-be-collected character string being used as a first character string; recognizing a character string after the to-be-collected character string from the preset character string, the character string after the to-be-collected character string being used as a second character string; and generating a regular expression of the to-be-collected character string by a first preset rule according to character features of the to-be-collected character string, the first character string and the second character string. The techniques of the present disclosure generate the regular expression of the character string needed by a user.
US09760537B2

One embodiments is a computer-implemented method for finding a CUR decomposition. The method includes constructing, by a computer processor, a matrix C based on a matrix A. A matrix R is constructed based on the matrix A and the matrix C. A matrix U is constructed based on the matrices A, C, and R. The matrices C, U, and R provide a CUR decomposition of the matrix A. The construction of the matrices C, U, and R provide at least one of an input-sparsity-time CUR and a deterministic CUR.
US09760536B2

A method and device for reducing the computational complexity of a processing algorithm, of a discrete signal, in particular of the spectral estimation and analysis of bio-signals, with minimum or no quality loss, which comprises steps of (a) choosing a domain, such that transforming the signal to the chosen domain results to an approximately sparse representation, wherein at least part of the output data vector has zero or low magnitude elements; (b) converting the original signal in the domain chosen in step (a) through a mathematical transform consisting of arithmetic operations resulting in a vector of output data; (c) reformulating the processing algorithm of the original signal in the original domain into a modified algorithm consisting of equivalent arithmetic operations in the domain chosen in step (a) to yield the expected result with the expected quality quantified in terms of a suitable application metric; (d) combining the mathematical transform of step (b) and the equivalent mathematical operations introduced in step (c) for obtaining the expected result within the original domain with the expected quality; (e) selecting a threshold value based on the difference in the mean magnitude value of the elements of the output data vector of the transform said in step (b) and the preferred complexity reduction and degree of output quality loss that can be tolerated in the expected result within the target application; (f) pruning a number of elements the magnitude of which is less than the threshold value selected in step (e); and/or eliminating arithmetic operations associated with the pruned elements of step (f) either in the mathematical transform of step (b) and/or in the equivalent algorithm of step (c).
US09760524B2

In certain information handling system environments, universal serial bus (USB) attached small computer interface (SCSI) protocol (UASP) devices may be connected to a client and redirected to a server or other information handling system. Some operating systems (OS) of a server may not support UASP. Rather than installing non-certified or expensive third party software, a virtual disk enumerator may retrieve the relevant information of the redirected UASP device and determine that all requests to the virtual UASP device must be redirected to the disk stack of the client for processing.
US09760521B2

The invention relates to a detachable switch fabric card. In one embodiment this is accomplished by a fabric element including at least one chip to perform the switching between a plurality of fabric access card and two or more backplane connectors to match the backplane connectors.
US09760511B2

A system and method of implementing a modified priority routing of an input/output (I/O) interruption. The system and method determines whether the I/O interruption is pending for a core and whether any of a plurality of guest threads of the core is enabled for guest thread processing of the interruption in accordance with the determining that the I/O interruption is pending. Further, the system and method determines whether at least one of the plurality of guest threads enabled for guest thread processing is in a wait state and, in accordance with the determining that the at least one of the plurality of guest threads enabled for guest thread processing is in the wait state, routes the I/O interruption to a guest thread enabled for guest thread processing and in the wait state.
US09760505B2

Examples disclosed herein provide systems, methods, and software for network interface controller emulation. In one example, a method of operating a storage subsystem coupled with a host includes emulating, to a main processing system on the host, a network connection through an emulated network interface controller (NIC) to a storage volume. The method further includes receiving, over a bus between the main processing system and the storage subsystem, a data request originated by the main processing system and directed to the emulated NIC that requests access to the storage volume. The method also includes providing the main processing system with the access to the storage volume via the emulated NIC as if the storage volume were accessible over the network connection.
US09760497B2

In one embodiment, a storage system comprises: a first type interface being operable to communicate with a server using a remote memory access; a second type interface being operable to communicate with the server using a block I/O (Input/Output) access; a memory; and a controller being operable to manage (1) a first portion of storage areas of the memory to allocate for storing data, which is to be stored in a physical address space managed by an operating system on the server and which is sent from the server via the first type interface, and (2) a second portion of the storage areas of the memory to allocate for caching data, which is sent from the server to a logical volume of the storage system via the second type interface and which is to be stored in a storage device of the storage system corresponding to the logical volume.
US09760496B2

A translation-lookaside buffer (TLB) includes a plurality of entries, wherein each entry of the plurality of entries is configured to hold an address translation and a local valid bit vector, wherein each bit of the local valid bit vector is mapped from a different value of an x86 instruction set architecture (ISA) process context identifier (PCID). The TLB also includes an input that receives an invalidation bit vector having bits corresponding to the bits of the local valid bit vector of the plurality of entries. The TLB also includes logic that simultaneously invalidates a bit of the local valid bit vector of each entry of the plurality of entries that corresponds to a set bit of the invalidation bit vector.
US09760495B2

Embodiments of the invention relate to tracking processor transactional read and write sets, thereby eliminating speculative mispredictions. Both non-speculative read set and write set indications are maintained for a transaction. The indications are stored in cache. In addition, load and write queues of addresses are maintained. The load queue of addresses relates to speculative members of a read set and the write queue of addresses relates to speculating member of a write set. For a received read request, a transaction resolution process takes place, and a resolution is performed if an address match in the write queue is detected. Similarly, for a receive write request the transaction interference additionally checks the load queue and the non-speculative read set for the pending address.
US09760488B2

A cache system is provided. The cache system includes a first cache and a second cache. The first cache is configured for storing a first status of a plurality of data. The second cache is configured for storing a table. The table includes the plurality of data arranged from a highest level to a lowest level. The cache system is configured to update the first status of the plurality of data in the first cache. The cache system is further configured to update the table in the second cache according to the first status of the plurality of data.
US09760472B2

Systems and methods for debugging tenant code for a multi-tenant system. A tenant code debugger may be installed on a user computing device, and connected to the multi-tenant system over a stateful connection. When an interested event occurs, the multi-tenant system may route execution to the user computing device for local debugging. A proxy may be used for the communications between the tenant code debugger and the multi-tenant system. When interaction with the multi-tenant system is needed, a request may be sent to the multi-tenant system which may interpret the request, execute to fulfill the request, and send the result back to the tenant code debugger, so that execution of the tenant code can be continued in the user computing device. The tenant code is uploaded to the multi-tenant system after debugging.
US09760460B2

A monitoring server includes a transmission and reception unit that receives information from a first storage device and a second storage device by performing polling to the first storage device and the second storage device at a certain interval, and transmits the received information to the first storage device and the second storage device at next polling. The first storage device and the second storage device includes a failover processing unit that inactivates a communication port when the failover processing unit determines that abnormality has occurred in a communication path between the first storage device and the second storage device and determines, based on the polling from the monitoring server, that abnormality has occurred in a communication path between the storage device and the monitoring server.
US09760455B2

A Peripheral Component Interconnect Express (PCIe) network system with fail-over capability and an operation method thereof are provided. The PCIe network system includes a management host, a PCIe switch, a first non-transparent bridge, and a second non-transparent bridge. The upstream port of the PCIe switch is electrically coupled to the management host. The first non-transparent bridge is disposed in the PCIe switch for electrically coupling to the first PCIe port of a calculation host. The first non-transparent bridge can couple the first PCIe port of the calculation host to the management host. The second non-transparent bridge is disposed in the PCIe switch for electrically coupling to the second PCIe port of the calculation host. The second non-transparent bridge can couple the second PCIe port of the calculation host to the management host.
US09760451B2

A method includes a plurality of voltage regulators distributing power to a plurality of components within a compute node, wherein each of the voltage regulators has a controller, volatile memory and non-volatile memory. The controller of each voltage regulator temporarily caches operating data for the voltage regulator in the volatile memory of the voltage regulator, wherein the controller temporarily caches the operating data collected from the voltage regulator over a sliding time period. When a first voltage regulator from among the plurality of voltage regulators experiences a fault event, the controller of each voltage regulator detects the fault event and automatically copies the cached operating data for the voltage regulator from the volatile memory of the voltage regulator to the non-volatile memory of the voltage regulator in response to detecting the fault event.
US09760450B2

Managing storage volumes in a point-in-time copy cascade. The cascade includes a first source volume, a first clone point-in-time target volume, and a second point-in-time target volume that is a point-in-time copy of the first point-in-time target volume. Grain background copies from the first source volume to the first clone point-in-time target volume are tracked, and, if the first clone point-in-time target volume is corrupted, a third point-in-time target volume is created from the second point-in-time target volume. I/O for the first clone point-in-time target volume is directed to the third point-in-time target volume. The first clone point-in-time target volume is cleaned to the second point-in-time target volume. The first clone point-in-time target volume is restarted from the third point-in-time target volume and each grain of the first clone point-in-time target volume that has not been background copied is copied from the cascade to the first clone point-in-time target volume.
US09760447B2

In one embodiment, a computer-implemented method includes the step of accessing a set of data blocks in a local application server disk in an application server. It is determined which of the set of data blocks are used to store data. The data blocks used to store data are read to a deduplication store on the storage appliance. It is determined that a modification occurs to a data block in the local application server disk of the application server. The modification is read to the deduplication store. A remote virtual image of the application server can be generated from the deduplication store.
US09760445B1

Data protection using change-based measurements in block-based backup is disclosed. Block change information indicating an extent of change associated with a volume may be determined. The block change information may be based at least in part on stored information indicating monitored changes to blocks in the volume. A backup operation may be initiated based at least in part on the determined block change information.
US09760444B2

An information management system according to certain aspects allows users to share a portion of a file (e.g., a document) stored in secondary storage. The user may specify a portion of a secondary storage file to share and send a link to the portion to another user. The other user can access the shared portion from the link, and just the shared portion may be restored from secondary storage. The system according to certain aspects provides a native view of secondary storage data on a client computing device. The index data and/or metadata relating to secondary storage data may be stored in native application format for access via the native source application.
US09760441B2

A streams manager intelligently restores multiple consistent regions of streaming applications in a streaming environment to increase performance and reduce overloading of other operators and resources. The streams manager detects a failure that affects multiple consistent regions and determines a preferred schedule to restore the multiple consistent regions by analyzing the relationships of the operators and resources associated with the multiple consistent regions. The streams manager may create a dependency graph that maps the interrelationships of the operators and resources associated with the consistent regions of the streaming application and then consult the dependency graph to determine the schedule to restore the multiple consistent regions affected by the failure.
US09760431B2

A method of firmware dump collection from a primary dump adapter is provided. The method includes identifying a primary system dump device and a secondary system dump device. An operating system (OS) dump coordinator writes non-disruptive state data to the primary system dump device, and writes disruptive state data to the secondary system dump device. Non-disruptive state data is requested from a hardware device adapter that is connected to the non-primary system dump device. Disruptive state data is requested from the hardware device adapter that is connected to the primary system dump device. The non-disruptive state data is written to the primary system dump device. Disruptive state data is written to the secondary system dump device.
US09760420B1

A fleet rebuild service examines hosts in a fleet to determine whether any of the hosts in the fleet are to be rebuilt. If a host is to be rebuilt, the fleet rebuild service moves the host to a vetting pool. The fleet rebuild service, or another service, may cause automated testing to be performed on the hardware and/or software of hosts in the vetting pool. If a host passes the automated testing, the fleet rebuild service may move the host from the vetting pool to a provisioning pool. If a host does not pass the automated testing, the host may be moved from the vetting pool to a diagnostics pool for further testing. The fleet rebuild service may select hosts from the provisioning pool for automated configuration and deployment to the fleet.
US09760411B2

A mechanism is provided for switching a locking mode of an object in a multi-thread program. The mechanism acquires, during execution of the program, access information related to accesses to the object by a plurality of threads. The object supports a single-level locking mode and a multi-level locking mode. The single-level locking mode is a mode capable of locking the object. The multi-level locking mode is a mode capable of locking the object and fields in the object respectively. The mechanism switches the locking mode of the object between the single-level locking mode and the multi-level locking mode based on the access information.
US09760410B2

Technologies for multithreaded synchronization including a computing device having a many-core processor. Each processor core includes multiple hardware threads. A hardware thread executed by a processor core enters a synchronization barrier and synchronizes with other hardware threads executed by the same processor core. After synchronization, the hardware thread synchronizes with a source hardware thread that may be executed by a different processor core. The source hardware thread may be assigned using an n-way shuffle of all hardware threads, where n is the number of hardware threads per processor core. The hardware thread resynchronizes with the other hardware threads executed by the same processor core. The hardware thread alternately synchronizes with the source hardware thread and the other hardware threads executed by the same processor core until all hardware threads have synchronized. The computing device may reduce a Boolean value over the synchronization barrier. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US09760409B2

In one embodiment, the present invention includes a multicore processor having a power controller with logic to dynamically switch a power management policy from a power biased policy to a performance biased policy when a utilization of the processor exceeds a threshold level. Thus at low utilizations, reduced power consumption can be realized, while at higher utilizations, greater performance can be realized. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US09760391B2

A method for implementing an entity of a network by virtualizing said network entity and implementing it on one or more servers each acting as an execution unit for executing thereon one or more applications running and/or one or more virtual machines running on said execution unit, each of said application programs or virtual machines running on a server and implementing at least a part of the functionality of said network entity being called a virtual network function VNF module, wherein a plurality of said VNF modules together implement said network entity to thereby form a virtual network function VNF, said method comprising the steps of: obtaining m key performance indicators (KPI) specifying the required overall performance of the VNF, obtaining n performance characteristics for available types of execution units, determining one or more possible deployment plans based on the obtained m KPI and n performance characteristics, each deployment plan specifying the number and types of execution units, such that the joint performance of VNF modules running on these execution units achieves the required overall performance of the VNF.
US09760384B1

In an approach to API versioning, annotations are provided to differentiate among two or more versions of an API. Statistics associated with the two or more versions of the API are collected. A call from a client to access one of the two or more versions of the API is intercepted. A best-fit version for the client is identified based on employing analytical elements on the collected statistics. API execution is re-routed to the identified best-fit version during run-time.
US09760383B2

An electronic device receives data associated with at least one biometric detected by a sensor of a remote control device that is operable to transmit one or more instructions to the electronic device. A profile for a user associated with the data is determined out of a number of profiles for the user based on the data. The electronic device is then be configured in one or more ways according to the determined user profile. A user may have any number of different profiles for the electronic device, each associated with a different biometric or combination of biometrics. In this way, a user may easily access different experiences with the same device that may each be fully personalized in a different way and/or for a particular purpose.
US09760374B2

A data processing system 2 includes a stack pointer register 26, 28, 30, 32 storing a stack pointer value for use in stack access operations to a stack data store 44, 46, 48, 50. Stack alignment checking circuitry 36 which is selectively disabled may be provided to check memory address alignment of the stack pointer value associated with a stack memory access. The action of the stack alignment checking circuitry 36 is independent of any further other alignment checking performed in respect of all memory accesses. Thus, general alignment checking circuitry 38 may be provided and independently selectively disabled in respect of any memory access.
US09760372B2

A method for combining data values through associative operations. The method includes, with a processor, arranging any number of data values into a plurality of columns according to natural parallelism of the associative operations and reading each column to a register of an individual processor. The processors are directed to combine the data values in the columns in parallel using a first associative operation. The results of the first associative operation for each column are stored in a register of each processor.
US09760368B2

Aspects include a method for expiring out source code comments. The method includes parsing source code to locate one or more comments. The method also includes, for each of the located one or more comments: determining whether the comment specifies expiration criteria; determining whether the expiration criteria meets an expiration threshold based on the comment specifying expiration criteria; and deleting the comment from the source code based on determining that the expiration criteria meets the expiration threshold, the deleting resulting in updated source code. The method further includes storing the updated source code.
US09760366B2

Techniques are presented for managing a deployment pipeline using an inheritable and extensible source code template—generally referred to as a live pipeline template (LPT). As described, live pipeline templates may be used to manage deployment pipelines which, in turn, are used to launch, maintain, and update the services and systems used to host and provide computing services.
US09760351B2

A method for using profiling to obtain application-specific, preferred parameter values for an application is disclosed. First, a parameter for which to obtain an application-specific value is identified. Code is then augmented for application-specific profiling of the parameter. The parameter is profiled and profile data is collected. The profile data is then analyzed to determine the application's preferred parameter value for the profile parameter.
US09760343B2

A framework for building applications is described herein. In accordance with one aspect, App metadata of an App may be specified by a user. The App metadata includes configuration information of the App. The App metadata and build rules may be input into a pre-build module to generate build scripts for building the App. The build scripts may be based on the App metadata and build rules. The build scripts may be provided to a build module to build the App for deployment.
US09760335B2

A modular airborne display system, the system comprising: a plurality of airborne display modules (ADMs) such that each ADM comprises a display unit, a local control unit and a lifting unit; and a central control unit for synchronizing the plurality of ADMs to generate a combined image to be displayed by separately instructing each one of the plurality of ADMs to present a portion of the combined image and to arrive at a respective presentation location.
US09760333B2

An apparatus includes a clock circuit and a virtual pixel clock circuit. The clock circuit provides a common clock signal. The virtual pixel clock circuit provides a plurality of pixel clock signals in response to the common clock signal. One of the virtual pixel clock signals is at a different clock speed than another of the plurality of virtual pixel clock signals.
US09760329B2

A system for internet enabled printing is disclosed. The system includes an internet print service that renders electronic documents from internet connected devices into an intermediate format for printing by an internet connected print client. The print client allows a printer connected to the print client to print electronic documents received from internet print service. A user registers with the internet print service to obtain an identifier for their printer that is accessible over the internet. The identifier can include an e-mail address so that electronic documents can be submitted to the registered printer via e-mail.
US09760328B2

A computer generated method disclosed. The method includes examining a print job data stream spooled in a spooled print production file, identifying one or more white space regions within documents in the print production file and inserting content into each of the white space regions.
US09760320B2

The present invention relates to a print control apparatus that is connected to a data processing apparatus through a first communication unit and connected to an image forming apparatus through a second communication unit.
US09760315B2

Disclosed is a dynamic device allocation apparatus capable of allocating dynamically and flexibly the I/O device, which inputs and outputs information, to the information processing carried out in the system.The dynamic device allocation apparatus includes, a device allocation information storing unit to store device allocation information associating an identifier of an input device apparatus, an identifier of an output device apparatus, and an identifier of the designated information processing apparatus; a registration unit to generate the device allocation information, which specifies contents of the information processing, and to register the generated device allocation information with the device allocation information storing unit; and an instruction unit to generate information processing instruction information which instructs the input device apparatus, the output device apparatus and the information processing apparatus to carry out the information processing according to the device allocation information.
US09760307B2

An array of non-volatile memory cells includes a first plurality of nonvolatile memory cells and a second plurality of non-volatile memory cells. The first plurality of memory cells, which have first diameters of memory holes, are assigned to store portions of data that are not frequently read. The second plurality of memory cells, which have second diameters of memory holes, are assigned to store portions of data that are frequently read. The first diameters are smaller than the second diameters.
US09760299B2

A method and system for accessing enhanced functionality on a storage device is disclosed. A hijack command is sent to the storage device that includes an identifier (such as a signature or an address). The storage device determines whether to hijack one or more subsequently commands by analyzing the subsequently commands using the identifier. For example, the storage device may analyze the subsequently received commands to determine whether the signature is in the payload of the subsequently received commands. As another example, the storage device may compare the address in the subsequently received commands with the address in the hijack command to determine whether to hijack the subsequently received commands.
US09760298B2

Techniques are provided for anonymizing data in a data stream. In various embodiments, data in a data stream is anonymized by obtaining a partitioning of a space into a plurality of regions based on previously obtained data elements associated with the space; receiving a data stream comprising a plurality of newly obtained data elements associated with the space, each comprising an identifying portion and an associated sensitive portion; assigning each of the plurality of newly obtained data elements to one of the plurality of regions based on the identifying portion; determining if a full buffer criterion is satisfied for a buffer that stores at least a portion of the plurality of newly obtained data elements; and selecting one of the plurality of regions having a largest number of the newly obtained data elements and recording the associated sensitive portions of the newly obtained data elements in the selected one of the plurality of regions to a non-volatile storage medium on the condition that the full buffer criterion is satisfied.
US09760293B2

A plurality of arrays of storage devices, each providing dual storage device redundancy, is provided. The plurality of arrays of storage devices includes a plurality of mirrored sets of primary storage devices, each including an even number of at least two or more primary storage devices. Each of the mirrored sets of primary storage devices stores a first and a second copy of data. The plurality of arrays of storage devices also includes a secondary storage device, which is a single physical storage device that stores a third copy of the data stored on each of the plurality of mirrored sets of primary storage devices. The secondary storage device has at least the capacity to store the data stored on the plurality of mirrored sets of primary storage devices. Dual storage device redundancy preserves data if data cannot be read from one or two physical storage devices in any array.
US09760285B2

An image processing system includes, a reconfigurable circuit, a storage unit storing first configuration data for a first logical circuit in a predetermined area on the reconfigurable circuit, and second configuration data for a second logical circuit in the predetermined area, and a configuration unit configured to perform first configuration processing for configuring the first logical circuit in the predetermined area, by using the stored first configuration data and predetermined configuration data, on the predetermined area and a different area, and to perform second configuration processing for configuring the second logical circuit in the predetermined area, by using the stored second configuration data and predetermined configuration data, on the predetermined area and the different area. The predetermined configuration data used for the first configuration processing and the predetermined configuration data used for the second configuration processing are not stored in a duplicated way.
US09760284B2

A method, computer program product, and system maintain virtual product data (VPD) in a computer system. The method includes a processor obtaining a first indicator, which may indicate a repair has commenced in a computer system or an initial program load has commenced in the computer system, accessing VPD related to the computer system, and duplicating the VPD to create a copy of the VPD. The processor stores the copy of the VPD in at least one computing element internal to the processor or accessible to the processor via a communications network. The processor obtains a second indicator that indicates that the initial program load is complete or that the repair process is complete, compares the VPD to the copy of the VPD, and determines whether to replace at least a portion of the VPD with at least a portion of the copy of the VPD.
US09760283B2

Systems and methods for managing sparsely updated counters in memory include, for a given interval of time and N counters associated with the given interval, managing a first set of the N counters in a first level of storage in the memory, wherein the first level of storage utilizes a hash table to store a counter identifier and a value for each of the first set; and responsive to filling up the first level of storage for a given user in the given interval, managing the first set and a second set of the N counters in a second level of storage in the memory, wherein the set utilizes memory buckets to incrementally store the first set and the second set.
US09760270B2

A vehicular electronic device such that volume increase/decrease adjustment can be easily performed using a volume switch displayed on a touch-panel type display unit. Upon detection of a touch operation in a reference volume switch region displayed in an operation region of the display unit, an operation area enabling volume increase/decrease is enlarged from the reference volume switch region to a wide-region volume switch region. Thus, the operation for increasing or decreasing (adjusting) volume (volume increase/decrease operation) can be easily performed.
US09760263B2

According to an embodiment, an image processing device includes a receiver, a determiner, and a generator. The receiver is configured to receive a three-dimensional position in a coordinate system of three-dimensional data including an object. The determiner is configured to determine placement of a three-dimensional pointer having a first 3D shape and a second 3D shape positioned around the first 3D shape so that a position of the first 3D shape corresponds to the received three-dimensional position. The generator is configured to generate a stereoscopic image representing the three-dimensional pointer and the object.
US09760259B2

One embodiment of the present invention is a method for playing a portion of a media work which includes steps of: (a) playing the media work; (b) receiving input from a user; (c) analyzing parameters to determine the portion of the media work to play; (d) altering at least a part of the portion; and (e) playing the portion.
US09760258B2

A dual-screen user device and methods for revealing a combination of desktops on single and multiple screens are disclosed. A number of desktops and/or running applications can be selectively displayed on dual screen displays conditioned upon inputs received and the state of the device. Desktop displays and applications can be selectively shifted between the screens by user gestures or moved off of the screens by other user gestures and therefore hidden. The hidden desktops and screens however can be re-displayed by yet another gesture. The user gestures prevent the user from having to open and close the running desktops and applications, or to execute other user commands that otherwise result in a laborious effort by the user to manage the multiple desktops and applications. One user gesture or input enables a user to change an order of the window stack by simply re-launching a selected desktop or application.
US09760250B2

An electronic device that is capable of efficiently providing or acquiring information on content data, and a method for controlling the same are provided. When information of content data files are provided to an external device in response to a request from the external device, if a number is specified in the request, a specified number of information are transmitted to the external device in an order from a newest content data file from among the content data files.
US09760242B2

Presented herein are techniques for invoking user interfaces in graphical computing environments involving “hooking” gestures applicable to an edge of a display. These gestures involve positioning a pointer near an edge of the display depicting the environment, and then moving the cursor to a second location that is distanced from but near the first location (e.g., moving the pointer into a corner of the display, and then toward the center of the display, or to a midpoint of an adjacent edge of the display), resulting in the presentation of the user interface under the pointer at the second location. Variations include presenting a preview of the user interface (e.g., a subset of a user interface menu) at the second location while the pointer is in the first location, and refraining from presenting the user interface upon failing to complete the gesture or receiving extraneous input before completing the gesture.
US09760239B2

A control device which controls a device is disclosed. The control device can be connected to at least one external device, and includes a display unit which generates and displays a frame; and a control unit which controls the display unit to add at least one frame corresponding to each of the at least one external device or to pre-installed applications. The control unit further controls the display unit to display corresponding content in each frame.
US09760234B2

A set of desktop icons on a graphical user interface (GUI) desktop can be selected, which marks the icons as being associated with a desktop container. In the GUI, a visual depiction that the selected desktop icons are associated with the desktop container can occur. The desktop container can be a GUI object for grouping a set of desktop icons and for manipulating a grouped set of desktop icons as a group. A user interaction with the desktop container can be received, which results in a container action being performed. The container action can affect each of the selected desktop icons and/or can affect targets to which each of the selected desktop icons point.
US09760229B2

A touch screen according to the present invention includes: a transparent substrate; a plurality of row-direction wirings and a plurality of column-direction wirings provided on the transparent substrate, the row-direction wirings and the column-direction wirings intersecting via an inter-layer insulating film with each other in a stereoscopic view; a plurality of lead-out wirings each provided to be electrically extended from each of first ends of the said row-direction wirings and the column-direction wirings; and a shield wiring provided to surround in a planar view the row-direction wirings, the column-direction wirings, and the lead-out wirings, wherein the row-direction wirings, the column-direction wirings, and the shield wiring have comb-teeth parts which are formed to have comb-teeth shapes such that distances from the shield wiring to the row-direction wirings and the column-direction wirings are small at predetermined parts.
US09760213B2

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention relate to a touch technology, and more specifically, to a signal control circuit, a power control circuit, a drive circuit, a timing controller, a touch system, and a touch sensitive display device and a driving method thereof that can simply swing various voltages in a display device for a touch mode period by using a modulated ground voltage obtained by swinging a ground voltage, thereby effectively providing touch driving and preventing unnecessary parasitic capacitance from being generated not only in an active area but also in all other areas.
US09760212B2

Embodiments described herein include an input device, a display device having a capacitive sensing device, a processing system and a method for detecting presence of an input object using a capacitive sensing device. In one embodiment, an input device includes a plurality of sensor electrodes arranged in a planar matrix array. Each sensor electrode is coupled to unique routing trace and has an identical geometric plan form that is symmetrical about a center of area of the sensor electrode. The geometric plan form of each sensor electrode includes core and a plurality of protrusions extending outward from the core. The protrusions are configured to overlap with protrusions extending outward from each adjacent sensor electrode of the matrix array.
US09760207B2

In one embodiment, a touch sensor includes a first electrode and a second electrode. At least a portion of the second electrode is interdigitated with the first electrode. The first electrode includes a base portion, a digit and an extent. The digit includes a first end and a second end, connects to the base portion at the first end, and extends from the base portion in a first direction along a first axis. The extent connects to the digit at the second end and extends from the digit along a second axis that is substantially perpendicular to the first axis.
US09760206B2

A self-capacitive touch panel structure includes a touch detection chip and multiple self-capacitance electrodes which are isolated with each other and arranged as a matrix. Each self-capacitance electrode is connected with the touch detection chip through a connection line, each self-capacitance electrode is connected with a corresponding connection line through at least one via hole. Wherein, for a same column of the multiple self-capacitance electrodes and according to a sequence of gradually far away from the touch detection chip, a cross-sectional area of a connection line connected with a following self-capacitance electrode is larger than a cross-sectional area of a connection line connected with a previous self-capacitance electrode such that resistance values of the connection lines connected between the self-capacitance electrodes and the touch detection chip are approximately equal. An in-cell touch panel and a liquid crystal display including above structure are also disclosed.
US09760205B2

In an example, a processing system for a capacitive sensing device includes a sensor module having sensor circuitry coupled to a first plurality of sensor electrodes. The sensor module is configured to receive resulting signals from the plurality of sensor electrodes using a capacitive sensing signal having a plurality of capacitive sensing bursts and a sensing frequency. The sensor module is further configured to introduce at least one phase shift between a respective at least one pair of the plurality of capacitive sensing bursts. The processing system further includes a determination module configured to determine capacitive measurements based on the resulting signals.
US09760203B2

Disclosed are a sensing circuit and a capacitive touch panel having the sensing circuit. The capacitive touch panel has a glass substrate, first lead wires, second lead wires, third lead wires, signal input channels and signal output channels; amounts of the second, third lead wires are N, and any two of the first, the second and the third lead wires are isolated; each signal input channel is coupled to the first lead wire corresponding thereto; each third lead wire signal output channel of the signal output channels is coupled to the N/2 third lead wires, and an amount of the second lead wire signal output channels is N/2, and each second lead wire signal output channel of the signal output channels is coupled to two second lead wires. The amount of the IC channels is decreased to save the touch panel material cost with the present invention.
US09760198B2

A touch control unit includes a control module, a sensing module, and an output module. The control module is connected to a control line and the sensing module. The sensing module is connected to the control line and the output module. The output module is connected to a sensing line and an output line. The control module is used for writing a charging voltage into the sensing module under control of a control signal output from the control line. The sensing module is used for generating a sensing voltage and outputting the sensing voltage to the output module. The output module is used for outputting a touch signal to the output line under control of the sensing signal output from the sensing line. The technical solutions according to the present invention increase the sensitivity of a touch and the display quality of a picture.
US09760197B2

Disclosed is a touch window with a sensor member. The touch window includes: a cover window including an active area, an unactive area, and a function area; and a sensing electrode on the active area, wherein the function area includes a first printing layer on the cover window and a sensor member on the first printing layer.
US09760195B2

Reducing or eliminating the effects of noise that can be generated by a power system of a touch screen device, such as a gate line voltage system that applies voltage to gate lines of the touch screen, is provided. In one example, a power supply, such as a charge pump, can be disabled during active touch sensing, such that noise from the charge pump is not generated during touch sensing. In some examples, a voltage regulator can help to maintain the gate voltage level at or above a desired threshold. In some cases, noise entering the touch sensing system can have a lasting effect on noise-sensitive components, even after the noise source is disabled. In these cases, a post-noise stabilizing system can be included to stabilize, reset, etc., noise-sensitive components of the touch sensing system, which can help to reduce or eliminate the lasting effect of noise.
US09760194B2

Embodiments of the present invention generally provide a processing system for a display device having an integrated sensing device. The processing system includes a driver module that includes driver circuitry, the driver module coupled to source lines and sensor electrodes. Each sensor electrode including one or more common electrodes configured for display updating and input sensing. The driver module is configured to select a first display line for display updating during a first display update period, drive the sources lines with first display update signals during the first display update period to update the first display line, drive a first sensor electrode of the plurality of sensor electrodes for capacitive sensing during a non-display update period, and operate the source lines in a restore mode during a restart period, wherein the restart period is after the non-display update period and before a second display update period.
US09760182B2

An input apparatus for controlling an information terminal includes a gesture detecting unit that detects a rotational movement of a wrist of a user about a lower arm of the user and an output unit that outputs a control command for controlling a device to be controlled to the device to be controlled on the basis of a rotational direction of the detected rotational movement. If the gesture detecting unit detects a first rotational movement in a first rotational direction and thereafter detects a second rotational movement in a second rotational direction that is opposite to the first rotational direction, the output unit outputs a second control command corresponding to the second rotational direction without outputting a first control command corresponding to the first rotational direction.
US09760174B1

Systems and methods for providing haptic feedback in a home automation monitoring system are provided. A method for providing haptic feedback in a home automation system includes receiving an electronic command by a home automation controller, from a haptic feedback remote control device. The home automation controller determines whether the electronic command is associated with a user interface control condition stored in a haptic effects database. If so, the home automation controller accesses the haptic effects database to identify a first haptic feedback effect associated with the determined user interface control condition, and transmits a first haptic feedback command indicating the first haptic feedback effect to the haptic feedback remote control device. A haptic feedback element in the haptic feedback remote control device is then activated to provide the first haptic feedback effect to a user of the haptic feedback remote control device.
US09760170B2

The present invention relates to control of a computer system, which includes a data processing unit, a display and an eye tracker adapted to register a user's gaze point with respect to the display The data processing unit is adapted to present graphical information on the display, which includes feedback data reflecting the user's commands entered into the unit. The data processing unit is adapted to present the feedback data such that during an initial phase, the feedback data is generated based on an absolute position of the gaze point. An imaging device of the system is also adapted to register image data representing movements of a body part of the user, and to forward a representation of the image data to the data processing unit. Hence, during a phase subsequent to the initial phase, the data is instead generated based on the image data.
US09760168B2

Disclosed is a guidance information display device, including: a display unit; a camera unit; an action detecting unit to detect a specific action of a user; and a control unit to instruct the display unit to display guidance information when the specific action is detected by the action detecting unit and a specific instrument to be operated is shot by the camera unit, the displayed guidance information corresponding to a combination of the detected specific action and the shot instrument to be operated.
US09760155B2

In one embodiment, a multicore processor includes cores that can independently execute instructions, each at an independent voltage and frequency. The processor may include a power controller having logic to provide for configurability of power management features of the processor. One such feature enables at least one core to operate at an independent performance state based on a state of a single power domain indicator present in a control register. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US09760154B2

Provided is a method of dynamically controlling power in a multicore environment including a multicore processor which includes a plurality of cores and a scheduler. The method includes determining whether a management policy is set, collecting frequency change information used to change frequencies of the plurality of cores when it is determined that the management policy is set, calculating an average load of each core on a basis of the frequency change information, calculating an average frequency of each core according to the calculated average load of each core, comparing the average frequency of each core and a predetermined threshold value, and setting a next frequency of each core according to the comparison result.
US09760142B2

In accordance with the example embodiments of the invention there is at least a method and apparatus to perform receiving, by a receiver, more than one modulated signal from each of more than one transmitter of at least one branch circuit, wherein each modulated signal includes a transmitter identification signal; based on characteristics of the more than one modulated signal, detecting at least a number of power supplies on each branch circuit and a power draw from each power supply of the number of power supplies on each branch circuit, wherein the characteristics include a power rating of each power supply of the number of power supplies; and based on the detected information, controlling at least the power draw from each power supply of the number of power supplies on each branch circuit.
US09760141B2

A dynamic power distribution system includes a dynamic powering system that provides dynamic power, an external device, and a powered system that is coupled to the external device and engaging the dynamic powering system. The powered system determines a power budget using the dynamic power received from the dynamic powering system. The powered system also determines a powered system component load for a plurality of powered system components, receives a power request from the external device, and retrieves at least one power distribution rule. Using the powered system component load, the power request, and the at least one power distribution rule, and powered system allocates and distributes a first portion the power budget to the external device, and may also allocate and distribute a second portion the power budget to at least one of the plurality of powered system components. The dynamic powering system may be a wireless powering system.
US09760129B2

A rollable display device, including a flexible display panel; a roller having a cylindrical shape, one end of the flexible display panel being fixed to the roller and rolled around the roller, the roller including a penetration part, the penetration part being inclined with respect to a circumferential surface of the roller, the flexible display panel penetrating through the penetration part; and a first guide at a portion adjacent to the penetration part on the circumferential surface of the roller, the first guide guiding the flexible display panel penetrating through the penetration part to be adjacent to an outer surface of the roller.
US09760127B2

A settlement processing apparatus as an information processing apparatus includes a first substrate, a second substrate which is provided so as to face the first substrate, a frame member which supports the first substrate and the second substrate on the inner surface side of a wall surface portion surrounding the external forms of the first substrate and the second substrate, and a tamper detection circuit which is disposed within a secure region surrounded by the first substrate, the second substrate, and the frame member and detects the release of blocking of the secure region. An information processing apparatus which is small, secures the degree of freedom in design, and has high tamper resistance is provided.
US09760126B2

A mobile terminal includes a first case, a second case relatively rotating with respect to the first case, coupling portions respectively coupled to ends of the first and second cases, to relatively rotate the first and second cases, and a display including a first portion formed on the first case, the first portion having at least one portion fixed to the first case, and a second portion integrally formed with the first portion, the second portion being disposed on the second case. The coupling portion includes a first connecting portion and a second connecting portion, respectively having one end portions fixed to the ends of the first and second cases to integrally rotate with the first and second cases, and rotating portions respectively coupled to the other end portions of the first and second connecting portions, to rotate the first and second connecting portions.
US09760112B2

A semiconductor chip comprising: an internal clock circuit for generating an internal clock signal; a first phase shift device for shifting the phase of an external clock signal and outputting a phase shifting clock signal; a multiplexer, for selectively outputting one of the internal clock signal and the phase shifting clock signal to be a first clock signal; a second phase shift device, for shifting the phase of the first clock signal and outputting a second clock signal; an first output pad, for outputting the first clock signal; and a controllable pad. The controllable pad is controlled to selectively act as an input pad for receiving the external signal and transmitting the external clock signal to the first phase shift device, or act as a second output pad for transmitting the second clock signal.
US09760101B2

In the related art, there is a problem that the condition of a load is monitored in an indirect manner so that an efficiency enhancing effect is not obtained. A switching regulator control circuit includes an oscillator for generating a carrier signal and a transistor drive circuit for driving a switching transistor and a synchronous rectification transistor based on a PWM signal generated based on the carrier signal. The oscillator switches the frequency of the carrier signal based on the direction of a source-drain voltage of the synchronous rectification transistor.
US09760096B2

The disclosed embodiments include a method, apparatus, and computer program product for controlling the mass flow rate of a fluid. For example, the disclosed embodiments include a method and a mass flow controller configured to determine, using on valve hysteresis model, a valve drive necessary to generate a force to achieve a valve lift for moving an adjustable valve to a desired valve position based on a given flow setpoint for controlling the flow of a fluid.
US09760092B2

Methods and devices for actively modifying a field of view of an autonomous vehicle in view of constraints are disclosed. In one embodiment, an example method is disclosed that includes causing a sensor in an autonomous vehicle to sense information about an environment in a first field of view, where a portion of the environment is obscured in the first field of view. The example method further includes determining a desired field of view in which the portion of the environment is not obscured and, based on the desired field of view and a set of constraints for the vehicle, determining a second field of view in which the portion of the environment is less obscured than in the first field of view. The example method further includes modifying a position of the vehicle, thereby causing the sensor to sense information in the second field of view.
US09760089B2

A system and method for interaction, navigation and control of an autonomous robot. The system comprises of two electronic devices, which are compatible with all operating systems and also compatible with magnetic trigger of a virtual reality device. When a virtual reality application run, the application provides two scenes at the display. The interaction, navigation and control over the autonomous robot is based on movement triggered from the virtual reality device. On moving the head upwards and downwards the robot will move forward and backward respectively. The left and right movement of the platform would result in the brain infrastructure movement of the robot. The robot can interact with people in real time and it can also identify if the robot had already interacted with person. The robot can identify person on gender, age, voice and face recognition basis and it can also make calls, texts and clicking selfies etc.
US09760085B2

According to one embodiment, a production support system includes: a production information storage unit; a manufacturing apparatus information storage unit; an inspection/measurement apparatus information storage unit; a planned lot number calculation unit; a first control mode calculation unit. The first control mode calculation unit is configured to calculate an appropriate control mode from the number of products to be subjected to the control of the final quality, a relationship between fluctuation of the final quality and a number of products when performing a predetermined feedback type/feedforward type combined APC, fluctuation of the final quality when performing a feedforward type APC, and fluctuation of the final quality when not performing the feedback type/feedforward type combined APC.
US09760084B2

A process for the manufacture of custom freeform optical elements utilizing parameterized modelling. A system for the automatic manufacture of a custom optical element is also described with the manufacturing being by laser micro-machining. The process and system allow customers to specify and order via a web interface and so reduce engineering time, overhead and cost.
US09760083B2

The apparatus for detecting damage to the tool in the machine and the method of detecting damage to the tool according to the present disclosure are applied to a machine, such as a CNC, to detect and control damage to a tool and possibility of damage in advance, thereby efficiently managing processing work by the machine while achieving safety of the machine.
US09760079B2

In a wire electric discharge machine that machines a blade section of a cutting tool, in a state in which a rod-shaped reference jig is fixed to a rotary axis, a position on an outer circumferential surface of the reference jig is measured at each rotation position and stored. A rotational run-out error is calculated based on the stored rotational run-out position information, and a machining program is corrected to cancel the rotational run-out error.
US09760076B2

In order to be able, for control of an automation system, to project, establish, process and/or simulate device functions of the control devices used in a simple and flexible way, the invention provides a method by means of which at least one software module is made available in an execution environment (350) with a program function (301-305b, 311-315, 321a-324) that can be executed in the execution environment (350), where the program function (301-305b, 311-315, 321a-324) is a representative function of the device function (201-205b, 211-215) that is stored in an associated control device (101-105, 121-125) of the control system, the device function and the program function are at least partially identical, the device function comprises at least one first variable function parameter, and the program function comprises at least one second variable function parameter that is assigned to the first function parameter of the device function, the second function parameter is adjusted as a function of user inputs, the adapted second function parameter is transferred to the associated control device (101-105, 121-125) via a network (400), and the first function parameter is set at the value of the second function parameter.Furthermore, the invention provides a control device and control system that are designed to carry out the method.
US09760071B2

An unmanageable component may be any component in a computing system that does not expose a temperature sensor thereby preventing the component's temperature from being monitored. The embodiments described herein control a fan using settings that decrease the likelihood that an unmanageable component will overheat. Before a user-selected fan profile is used to control the fan, a power system management uses safeguarding profiles to mitigate the risk of overheating the unmanageable components in the computing system when selecting a fan profile. Stated differently, the power management system ensures the computing system does not use the user-selected profile to operate a fan if that profile may cause an unmanageable component to overheat.
US09760067B2

A system and method for predicting future disturbance in MPC applications by segregating a transient part and a steady state value associated with the disturbance. A dynamic state space model that includes a variable disturbance prediction module can be utilized for analyzing a dynamic behavior of a physical process associated with a process model. The process model represents a dynamic behavior of the physical process being controlled and the dynamic state space model represents current deviations from the process model and future deviations over a predetermined prediction horizon. A predicted trajectory can be calculated as a response to the initial conditions estimated by a Kalman Filter for the process model extended by a disturbance model. The output of the dynamic state space model utilized for the disturbance prediction can be further provided as an estimated input to a MPC.
US09760066B2

The invention concerns a method, device and computer program product for controlling a material separation process as well as to a material separating system. The material separating system comprises units separating desired material from undesired material, units measuring process output variables in the material separation process indicative of the degree of separation between desired and undesired material, a unit estimating the state of the process by applying the measured output variables and external constraints for a prediction time interval on a model of the material separation process, a unit optimising an objective function through maximising the recovery of the desired material in the separation process, which optimising provides at least one set point value for each input variable of the model, and at least one regulating unit regulating the separation process by using the set point value.
US09760062B2

Systems and methods for detecting the failure of a precision time source using an independent time source are disclosed. Additionally, detecting the failure of a GNSS based precision time source based on a calculated location of a GNSS receiver is disclosed. Moreover, the system may be further configured to distribute a time derived from the precision time source as a precision time reference to time dependent devices. In the event of a failure of the precision time source, the system may be configured to distribute a time derived from a second precision time source as the precision time signal during a holdover period.
US09760057B2

An image forming apparatus includes a cover that opens and closes an opening of an apparatus body, a unit removable from the apparatus body through the opening, a latch that is included in the unit and that is rotatable about a rotation fulcrum, the latch including a hook that is latched onto a latched portion of the apparatus body from downstream in a mounting direction of the unit to fix the unit onto the apparatus body and an operating portion that opposes the hook across the rotation fulcrum and that is operable through the opening, and a hindering portion that is included in the cover and that interferes, when the hook rotates in a separating direction in which the hook is separated from the latched portion in a state where the cover closes the opening, with the operating portion and hinders the hook from rotating in the separating direction.
US09760054B2

An image forming apparatus includes an image carrier unit, a developing device, and an intermediate transfer body. The image forming apparatus body includes a positioning member having a positioning hole for inserting a positioning pin in a mounting direction and a guiding member including a guide rail portion for guiding the image carrier unit when mounting and removing the image carrier unit. The image carrier unit includes a sliding portion that slides with respect to the guide rail portion. When the image carrier unit is drawn from a mounted state where the image carrier unit is mounted to the image forming apparatus body, the sliding portion is drawn by a predetermined distance in parallel with the rotation shaft direction and then moves in a direction where the image carrier retreats from the developing device and the intermediate transfer body, along the guide rail portion.
US09760053B2

A post-processing device for applying a post-process to a sheet fed from a device of a preceding stage is provided. The post-processing device includes a holding tray; an alignment mechanism; an output mechanism; and a control unit. In the case where a first sheet and a second sheet are different in size, the control unit performs a control in such a manner that, when the first sheet is fed, the alignment mechanism or the output mechanism shifts the first sheet to match the side edge of the first sheet and the side edge of the second sheet to be fed following the first sheet, and that, after the second sheet is fed, the output mechanism outputs the sheet bundle.
US09760047B2

A fixation device includes a fixation belt, a heat source that heats the fixation belt, and a reflector unit that reflects heat from the heat source to the belt. The reflector unit includes a reflective member that reflects the heat from the heat source, and a radiation member that is disposed on an opposite side to a side of the reflective member facing the heat source, and that radiates heat of the reflective member.
US09760042B1

A heating device includes a heating member body having a surface that is configured to contact a continuous medium; plural heat sources that are arranged in a width direction of the continuous medium and that are configured to increase a temperature of the heating member body; an electric power circuit that is configured to supply electric power to the heat sources in accordance with a width of the continuous medium; a heat transfer member that is disposed so as to face the heat sources and that extends in the width direction of the continuous medium; and an overheat prevention device that is disposed in contact with the heat transfer member and that is configured to stop supply of electric power from the electric power circuit if a temperature of the heat transfer member exceeds a predetermined temperature.
US09760040B2

An image forming apparatus of the present disclosure includes an image carrier, an intermediate transfer unit, a secondary transfer roller, and a fixing unit. The intermediate transfer unit includes an intermediate transfer belt, and a driving and driven rollers that rotatably stretch the intermediate transfer belt, and the intermediate transfer unit is insertable/drawable with respect to an apparatus main body. The secondary transfer roller and the intermediate transfer belt constitute a nip portion. The fixing unit is disposed above the intermediate transfer unit, and fixes a toner image on a recording medium. The intermediate transfer unit includes an entry restriction member that restricts entry of a recording medium into a space between the intermediate transfer unit and the fixing unit.
US09760032B1

A toner composition comprising (a) a first lower molecular weight amorphous polyester resin comprising a polyester derived from dodecenyl succinic acid, dodecenyl succinic anhydride, or a combination thereof present in an amount of from about 5 to about 15 weight percent, based on the total weight of the first amorphous polyester; (b) a second higher molecular weight amorphous polyester resin comprising a polyester derived from dodecenyl succinic acid, dodecenyl succinic anhydride, or a combination thereof, and a branching agent derived from a polyacid or polyol component; wherein the dodecenyl succinic acid, dodecenyl succinic anhydride, or combination thereof is present in the second amorphous polyester in an amount of from about 5 to about 15 weight percent, based on the total weight of the second amorphous polyester; (c) a crystalline polyester resin; (d) a wax; and (e) optionally, a colorant.
US09760024B2

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a mask device, an exposure apparatus and an exposure method, which enable a reduction in the possibility that the mask is scratched during exposure so as to protect the mask, and in turn a reduction in production cost of the semiconductor devices. The mask device comprises a mask carrier, a mask disposed on a lower surface of the mask carrier, and at least one protection unit provided on the mask carrier, wherein a lower end of the at least one protection unit is arranged to be lower than the lower surface of the mask during exposure. The mask device is applicable in exposure of a substrate to be exposed.
US09760022B2

A fine-motion module for use in a wafer stage of a photolithography tool includes: a base (201); a fine-motion plate (210); a plurality of vertical motors (203), fixed between the base and the fine-motion plate; a plurality of gravity compensators (202), each having one end fixed on the base and the other end configured to support the fine-motion plate; a plurality of absolute-position sensors (205, 211), configured to measure an absolute position of the fine-motion plate and to adjust pressures in the gravity compensators based on the obtained absolute-position measurements such that the absolute position of the fine-motion plate is changed to a predetermined initial vertical position; and a plurality of relative-position sensors (204, 207), configured to measure a relative position of the fine-motion plate to the base and to control the fine-motion plate based on the obtained relative-position measurements, thereby moving the fine-motion plate to a relative zero position.
US09760019B2

A method for controlling a microlithographic projection exposure apparatus includes: determining a wavefront error of the projection exposure apparatus; generating a travel vector, suitable for correcting the wavefront error, with travels for each zone of the optical manipulator; establishing a constraint parameter with respect to the travel for at least one zone of the optical manipulator; and checking the travels of the generated travel vector with respect to implementability.
US09760016B2

The present invention provides a lithography apparatus which performs a process of forming a pattern on a substrate conveyed from a coating apparatus which coats the substrate with a resist, the lithography apparatus including an obtaining unit configured to obtain, from the coating apparatus, first specifying information which specifies a processing target substrate conveyed from the coating apparatus to the lithography apparatus, out of a plurality of substrates which are coated with the resist by the coating apparatus and on which the process is to be performed, and a processing unit configured to select offset correction information corresponding to the processing target substrate from a plurality of pieces of offset correction information respectively corresponding to the plurality of substrates based on the first specifying information and perform the process on the processing target substrate by using the selected offset correction information.
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