US09825422B2

An optic-microwave frequency discriminator includes: a fiber coupler receives and combines a first laser and a second laser, than the fiber coupler respectively generates and outputs a first light signal and a second light signal; a photodiode module respectively receives the first light signal and the second light signal, and converts the first light signal into a first microwave signal and converts the second light signal into a second microwave signal; a microwave phase shifter generates a shifted microwave signal by introducing a phase shift to the second microwave signal; a 90° microwave bridge combines the first microwave signal and the shifted microwave signal for generating a first bridge signal and a second bridge signal; a normalized balanced detection module generates an error signal; and a control module generates a controlling voltage signal according to the error signal for tuning a frequency of the second laser.
US09825417B2

There may be provided a laser unit including a display configured to display one or both of electric power consumed by the laser unit and electric energy consumed by the laser unit.
US09825412B2

Provided is a protective plate for at least one plug connector attached to a mounting rail, said protective plate having a substantially U-shaped basic form with a closed main surface and side surfaces angled at approximately 90° to the main surface, wherein a securing region is angled at approximately 90° to the side surfaces, said securing region having at least one hole, and wherein an abutting region is angled at approximately 90° to the side surfaces, said securing region and the corresponding abutting region being positioned approximately perpendicular to one another. The system, formed by protective plate, a mounting rail and at least one plug connector, is optimally coordinated.
US09825405B1

A push-push fixing structure includes a base, a guiding element, a flexible element and a locating element. The guiding element is disposed on the base, includes a first guiding groove, a second guiding groove and a locating portion. The first guiding groove is connected to the second guiding groove, the locating portion is located at a junction of the first guiding groove and the second guiding groove. The flexible element is disposed on the base and pressed against the guiding element. The locating element has a first end portion and second end portion opposite to each other. The first end portion is disposed on the base. The second end portion is slidably disposed in the first guiding groove and the second guiding groove of the guiding element. When the guiding element is moved by push force, the second end portion of the locating element slides along the first guiding groove and the second guiding groove, and locates at the locating portion.
US09825396B2

An electrical connector can include a male blade terminal protector that protects one or more male blade terminals from external objects before, during, and after coupling of the male connector to a female connector. The male blade terminal protector can be slidably disposed within a housing of the male connector and configured to retract when the female connector is coupled to the male connector and extend when the female connector is decoupled from the male connector. The male blade terminal protector is moveable from an extended position to a retracted position when a ledge is disengage from a catch by a ramped surface of a female housing and a retraction tab of the female housing is configured to move the male blade terminal protector from the retracted position to the extended position as the female connector is disengaged from the male connector.
US09825395B2

A protective cover is provided for a connector that is mounted to a host structure. The cover includes a metal shell having a body defined by at least one shell segment that includes a base and a support wall that extends outward from the base. The support wall includes an interior side that defines a connector pocket configured to receive a corresponding sub-segment of a cantilevered connector segment of the connector. The base of the shell segment is configured to be mounted to the host structure with the support wall extending outward from the host structure over the corresponding sub-segment of the cantilevered connector segment such that the body of the metal shell is cantilevered from the host structure around at least a portion of a circumference and along at least a portion of a length of the cantilevered connector segment to provide a metal barrier that covers at least a portion of the cantilevered connector segment.
US09825382B2

A connector (100) and assembly of the same, the connector comprises an insulative housing (1) and a plurality of contacts (2) assembled onto the insulative housing (1), the insulative housing (1) defining a mating surface (11) and a mounting surface (12) opposite to the mating surface (11). Each contact (2) including a contact portion (21) arranged in the insulative housing (1) and a mounting portion (22) locating at the mounting surface (12) and protruding sidewardly beyond said insulative housing, the mounting portion (22) defines a soldering surface (222) for being soldered onto to said printed circuit board (200), said soldering surface (222) face toward the mounting surface (12). Therefore, when the connector (100) assembled to the printed circuit board (200), we could make full use of the height space at the up and down direction of the printed circuit board (200), thus greatly reducing the height space occupied by the connector (100).
US09825380B2

An optical module includes an optical transceiver and the fastening structure wherein the optical transceiver includes a body, a plurality of first connecting legs extending along a first direction from the body, a plurality of second connecting legs extending initially from the body along the second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and successively along the first direction. The fastening structure includes a plurality of through holes through which the first connecting legs and the second connecting legs extend so as to be mounting to an external printed circuit board under said optical module.
US09825376B2

The pressure welding contact is provided with an electric wire connecting portion and a contact connecting portion. The electric wire connecting portion comprises a first fixing plate and a pressure welding piece. The pressure welding piece comprises a notched groove into which the core wire of the electric wire can be introduced. The contact connecting portion comprises a second fixing plate and an elastic piece. The second fixing plate contacts the first fixing plate. The elastic piece turns back from the base end portion of the second fixing plate. Further, the elastic piece is disposed in a state inclined upwards, towards the tip portion of the second fixing plate. The elastic piece comprises at its tip portion a contact point portion. The mating side connector can be inserted from between the second fixing plate and the elastic piece.
US09825366B2

A printed circuit board antenna and a printed circuit board are disclosed. The printed circuit board antenna includes a feeding part having at least one first branch; a coupling interdigital part having at least one second branch, where a gap is formed between the first branch and the second branch; a grounding part, where a gap is formed between the grounding part and the feeding part, a gap is formed between the grounding part and the coupling interdigital part, an opening is provided on the grounding part, and a feeding point of the feeding part extends out from the opening. The embodiments of the present invention resolve a problem of relatively low efficiency when high-frequency bandwidth of an antenna is relatively wide, implementing that efficiency meets a product requirement in an entire range of bandwidth.
US09825361B2

A circuit arrangement includes a first antenna configured to couple to an electromagnetic field from a first frequency band and a second antenna configured to couple to an electromagnetic field from a second frequency band, the second frequency band being different than the first frequency band. The first antenna is connected in series with the second antenna as an electrical supply line therefor.
US09825357B2

An electronic device may include wireless communications circuitry and an antenna assembly coupled thereto. The antenna assembly may include a substrate, an electrically conductive layer defining a ground plane carried by the substrate, and an electrically conductive patch antenna element carried by the substrate and spaced from the ground plane. The patch antenna element may have a symmetric axis dividing the patch antenna element into first and second symmetric areas, and first and second feed openings in the first and second symmetric areas, respectively. The antenna assembly may also include first and second feed pads in the first and second feed openings, respectively, and first and second feed lines extending through the substrate and respectively coupling the feed pads to the wireless communications circuitry. Spaced apart conductive shielding vias may be coupled to the ground plane and may extend through the substrate surrounding the patch antenna element.
US09825355B2

A first electronic device uses a first wireless link to connect wirelessly to an audio source device, and a second wireless link to connect to a second electronic device. In some cases, the first electronic device and the second electronic device can be worn by, or mounted to, a user. Upon receiving audio from the audio source device, the first electronic device extracts stereo channels from the received audio, and transmits at least one of the channels to the second electronic device. In some embodiments, an antenna of the first electronic device and an antenna of the second electronic device create a coaxial antenna pair. Alternately or additionally, each antenna, when worn by or mounted to a user, propagates an electric field in a direction generally normal to the user's head. In turn, this generates a creeping wave that travels along a surface, such as the surface of the user's head.
US09825344B2

A heat generating element housing device includes a first side surface, a second side surface, a first shelf plate, second shelf plates, module cases, and highly heat conductive members. The module cases are in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape and are fixed to the second shelf plates at the respective heights, with their longitudinal direction directed along a flow direction of the air. Each of the highly heat conductive members is fixed, with its heat transfer surface being in contact with at least one of the longitudinal side surfaces of the module case and with a side portion of the heat transfer surface being in contact with the second shelf plate.
US09825342B2

A conduit for cooling a heating element includes an inlet mouth for entry of a fresh air flow, a plurality of cooling channels, the fresh air flow dividing between the channels into a plurality of air flows to collect heat produced by the heating element, an outlet mouth for an exit of a heated air flow, the heated air flow resulting from a merger of the plurality of air flows after the heat collection, and air deflectors in the outlet mouth facing the channel outlets situated closest to an exit opening of the outlet mouth relative to the other channel outlets to prevent at least one of the plurality of air flows from exiting the cooling channels. The air deflectors extend over lengths which reduce as distances from the opening of the outlet mouth increase to guide the air flows towards the exit opening of the outlet mouth.
US09825330B2

A nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery according to an embodiment includes a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a nonaqueous electrolyte. The negative electrode contains a negative electrode active material. A lithium insertion-extraction reaction potential of a negative electrode active material is higher than the oxidation-reduction potential of lithium by a value of 1 V or more. The nonaqueous electrolyte contains an electrolytic salt, a nonaqueous solvent, at least one hydroxyalkylsulfonic acid, and at least one sulfonate.
US09825326B2

A rechargeable battery includes a wound electrode assembly having first and second electrodes at opposite surfaces of a separator; a first case accommodating a first side of the electrode assembly and being coupled to the first electrode; a second case accommodating a second side of the electrode assembly and coupled to the second electrode; and a gasket engaged by the electrode assembly and combined at the first and second openings to seal the first and second openings.
US09825325B2

A rechargeable battery with improved safety and increased capacity of a cell including: an electrode assembly including a first electrode, a second electrode, and a separator between the first and second electrodes; a case comprising an opening configured to receive the electrode assembly; a cap assembly coupled to the sides of the opening of the case; and a lead tab connecting the first electrode to the cap assembly, wherein the first electrode includes a coating region where an active material is coated on both surfaces of a current collector, a first uncoated region where the active material is not coated on the current collector, and a second uncoated region where the active material is not coated on one surface of the current collector.
US09825315B2

A gas diffusion layer having a first major surface and a second major surface which is positioned opposite to said first major surface and an interior between said first and second major surfaces is formed. The gas diffusion layer comprises a porous carbon substrate which is directly fluorinated in the interior and is substantially free of fluorination on at least one of the first major surfaces or the second major surfaces, and preferably both surfaces. The gas diffusion layer may be formed using protective sandwich process during direct fluorination or by physically or chemically removing the C—F atomic layer at the major surfaces, for example by physical plasma etching or chemical reactive ion etching.
US09825302B1

Provided are a metal foil, a metal foil manufacturing method and a method for manufacturing an electrode using the same, in which the adhesion between the metal foil and a conductive resin layer and the coating performance of the conductive resin layer can be improved by treating the surface of the metal foil. The metal foil comprises: a metal base substrate; a surface treatment layer formed on at least one surface of the metal base substrate by treating the surface of the metal base substrate; and a conductive resin layer applied to the surface of the surface treatment layer, wherein the surface treatment layer has a surface energy of 34-46 dyne/cm.
US09825297B2

A negative-electrode active material for a sodium-ion secondary battery contains a porous carbon material which has a plurality of open pores that extend through to the surface, a plurality of closed pores that do not extend through to the surface, and a solid made of carbon material. The distance between (002) planes of the solid portion is not less than 0.340 nm and not more than 0.410 nm. The plurality of closed pores account for a volume ratio of not less than 0% and not more than 10% with respect to a total volume of the plurality of open pores, the plurality of closed pores, and the solid portion. The plurality of open pores account for a volume ratio of not less than 0% and not more than 50% with respect to a total volume of the plurality of open pores, the plurality of closed pores, and the solid portion.
US09825292B2

A process for producing lithium titanate which includes the steps of synthesizing a lithium titanate hydrate intermediate via aqueous chemical processing, and thermally treating the lithium titanate hydrate intermediate to produce the lithium titanate. The lithium titanate hydrate is preferably (Li1.81H0.19)Ti2O<<2H2O. The lithium titanate is preferably Li4Ti5O12 (LTO). Synthesizing the lithium titanate hydrate intermediate may include mixing a titanium-containing compound with a lithium-containing compound in a solvent to produce a lithium-titanium precursor mixture. Preferably the titanium-containing compound includes titanium tetrachloride TiCl4. Also, a lithium titanate obtained according to the process and a lithium battery including the lithium titanate.
US09825287B2

An active material for an electrochemical device wherein a surface of the active material is modified by a surface modification agent, wherein the surface modification agent is an organometallic compound.
US09825278B2

A high voltage battery for vehicles includes an anode tab that is divided into a first part placed near a battery cell and a second part placed near a terminal. A first part extension extends from the first part and is fixed to a lower pouch. A second part extension extends from the second part, comes into contact with the first part extension, and is fixed at an upper end thereof to an upper pouch. An cathode extension extends from a cathode tab and is spaced apart from the upper end of the second part extension. A cushion is interposed between the second part extension and the cathode extension, with a reference level of pressure formed in the cushion.
US09825266B2

A battery pack includes at least one battery module, a housing accommodating the at least one battery module therein, a controller to control the at least one battery module, a partition positioned between the controller and the at least one battery module, and a connector at least partially passing through the partition, the connector electrically connecting the at least one battery module with the controller.
US09825263B2

[Object] To prevent elements in a pack main body and an electronic apparatus from malfunctioning even if the pack main body having an outer shape line-symmetric in up and down directions and left- and right-hand directions is incorrectly attached.[Solving Means] There are provided a pack main body 11 installing the battery cell 29 and a terminal portion 12 constituted of a plus terminal 12a, a minus terminal 12b, and a control terminal 12c that are provided on a front surface 11c of the pack main body 11. The plus terminal 12a, the minus terminal 12b, and the control terminal 12c are provided so as to be deviated to one end portion 11f in a width direction of the front surface 11c and arranged in an order of the plus terminal 12a, the control terminal 12c, and the minus terminal 12b. The sizes of the control terminal 12c, the plus terminal 12a, and the minus terminal 12b are increased in an order of the control terminal 12c, the plus terminal 12a, and the minus terminal 12b such that the control terminal 12c is formed to be the smallest. While being attachable to various electronic apparatuses, the pack main body can ensure a sufficient mechanical strength.
US09825262B2

Disclosed is an organic light emitting display apparatus in which an anode electrode, an organic emission layer, a cathode electrode, and an auxiliary electrode connected to the cathode electrode and disposed on the same layer as that of the anode electrode are disposed in an active area of the substrate, a signal pad and a pad electrode connected to the signal pad and covering a top of the signal pad are disposed in a pad area of the substrate, and a top of the pad electrode has lower oxidation rate than the top of the signal pad.
US09825259B2

An organic light emitting diode display device, including a flexible substrate; pixels on the flexible substrate, the pixels including an organic emission layer; a pixel definition layer between the pixels, the pixel definition layer including openings; an encapsulation layer covering the pixels; and a conductive light shielding member on the encapsulation layer, the conductive light shielding member not overlapped with the pixels, and overlapped with the pixel definition layer.
US09825246B2

Various embodiments may relate to a process for producing an optoelectronic component. In the process, a carrier is provided. A first electrode is formed upon the carrier. An optically functional layer structure is formed upon the first electrode. A second electrode is formed upon the optically functional layer structure. At least one of the two electrodes is formed by disposing electrically conductive nanowires on a surface on which the corresponding electrode is to be formed, and by heating the nanowires in such a way that they plastically deform.
US09825234B2

An organic light-emitting diode (OLED) includes a first electrode; a second electrode facing the first electrode; and an organic layer between the first electrode and the second electrode. The organic layer includes a compound represented by one of Formula 1 or Formula 2, and a metallic complex.
US09825218B2

A device or class of devices that provides a mechanism for controlling charge current flow in transistors that employs collective magnetic effects to overcome voltage limitations associated with single-particle thermionic emission as in conventional MOSFETs. Such a device may include two or more magnetic stacks with an easy-in-plane ferromagnetic film sandwiched between oppositely magnetically oriented perpendicular magnetization anisotropy (PMA) ferromagnets. Each stack includes two non-magnetic layers separating the easy-plane ferromagnetic film from the PMA layers. Charge current flow through one of these stacks controls the current-voltage negative differential resistance characteristics of the second stack through collective magnetic interactions. This can be exploited in a variety of digital logic gates consuming less energy than conventional CMOS integrated circuits. Furthermore, the easy-in-plane magnetic films may be subdivided into regions coupled through exchange interactions and the in-plane fixed magnetic layers in the input magnetic stacks can be used in non-volatile logic and memory.
US09825203B2

A light emitting diode chip includes an epitaxial layer with a plurality of recess portions and protrusion portions over the top layer; a light transmission layer, located between top ends of adjacent protrusion portions and forming holes with the recess portions. The light transmission layer has a horizontal dimension larger than a width of the top ends of two adjacent protrusion portions, and serves as current blocking layer; a current spreading layer covering the surface of the light transmission layer and the surface of an epitaxial layer of a non-mask light transmission layer. As the refractive index of the light transmission layer is between those of the epitaxial layer and the hole, indicating a difference of refractive index between the light transmission layer and the epitaxial layer, the probability of scattering generated when light from a luminescent layer emits upwards can be increased, thus avoiding light absorption by electrodes and improving light extraction efficiency.
US09825192B2

Manufacture for an improved stacked-layered thin film solar cell. Solar cell has reduced absorber thickness and an improved back contact for Copper Indium Gallium Selenide solar cells. The back contact provides improved reflectance particularly for infrared wavelengths while still maintaining ohmic contact to the semiconductor absorber. This reflectance is achieved by producing a back contact having a highly reflecting metal separated from an absorbing layer with a dielectric layer.
US09825190B2

A solar cell and a method for manufacturing the same are discussed. The solar cell includes a substrate of a first conductive type, an emitter region of a second conductive type opposite the first conductive type, the emitter region forming a p-n junction along with the substrate, a passivation layer which is positioned on a back surface of the substrate and has a plurality of via holes exposing portions of the back surface of the substrate, a first electrode connected to the emitter region, and a second electrode which is positioned on a back surface of the passivation layer and is connected to the substrate through the plurality of via holes.
US09825189B2

A photosensitive pixel with gain stage is disclosed. The photosensitive pixel with gain stage may receive an input light stimulus and output a corresponding output voltage in response to the input light stimulus. The output voltage may correspond linearly to the magnitude of the input light stimulus over a linear operating region and logarithmically to the magnitude of the input light stimulus over a logarithmic operating region. In this manner, the photosensitive pixel with gain stage may be both sensitive to input light stimuli over the linear operating region and may exhibit dynamic range enabling non-saturated response to input light stimuli over the logarithmic operating region.
US09825184B2

According to one embodiment, an inter-electrode insulating film interposed between a floating gate electrode and a control gate electrode includes a lower layer insulating film disposed on a side closer to the floating gate electrode, an upper layer insulating film disposed on a side closer to the control gate electrode, and an intermediate insulating film interposed between the lower layer insulating film and the upper layer insulating film, wherein the intermediate insulating film contains a first element, and the lower layer insulating film contains the first element and a second element, such that a ratio of the first element relative to the second element is larger on a side closer to the intermediate insulating film than on a side closer to the floating gate electrode.
US09825179B2

A novel oxide semiconductor is provided. An oxide semiconductor contains In, an element M (M represents Al, Ga, Y, or Sn), and Zn. The oxide semiconductor has little characteristics variation and structure change and has high electron mobility in the case where the atomic ratio of In to M and Zn in the oxide semiconductor ranges from 4:2:3 to 4:2:4.1 or is a neighborhood thereof.
US09825175B2

A thin film transistor and a fabrication method thereof, an array substrate and a display device are provided. The thin film transistor includes: an active layer, a source-drain metal layer and a diffusion blocking layer located between the active layer and the source-drain metal layer, wherein, the source-drain metal layer includes a source electrode and a drain electrode; the diffusion blocking layer includes a source blocking part corresponding to a position of the source electrode and a drain blocking part corresponding to a position of the drain electrode; and the diffusion blocking layer is doped with different concentrations of nitrogen from a side close to the source-drain metal layer to a side close to the active layer.
US09825173B2

A fin-type field-effect transistor (FinFET) device includes a plurality of fins formed over a substrate. The semiconductor device further includes a dielectric layer filled in a space between each fin and over a first portion of the plurality of fins and a dielectric trench formed in the dielectric layer. The dielectric trench has a vertical profile. The semiconductor device further includes a second portion of the plurality of fins recessed and exposed in the dielectric trench. The second portion of the plurality of fins have a rounded-convex-shape top profile.
US09825167B2

In characteristic test measurements of double-gate-in-trench p-channel power MOSFETs each having a p+ polysilicon gate electrode and a p+ field plate electrode in a trench, which were fabricated according to common design techniques, it has been found that, under conditions where a negative gate bias is applied continuously at high temperature with respect to the substrate, an absolute value of threshold voltage tends to increase steeply after the lapse of a certain period of stress application time. To solve this problem, the present invention provides a p-channel power MOSFET having an n-type polysilicon linear field plate electrode and an n-type polysilicon linear gate electrode in each trench part thereof.
US09825165B2

A charge-compensation semiconductor device includes a semiconductor body having a first surface, a lateral edge delimiting the semiconductor body in a horizontal direction substantially parallel to the first surface, an active area, a peripheral area arranged between the active area and the lateral edge, a drift region, first compensation regions forming respective first pn-junctions with the drift region, and second compensation regions extending from the first surface into the drift region and forming respective second pn-junctions with the drift region. The first compensation regions form in the active area a lattice comprising a first base vector having a first length. The second compensation regions have, in a horizontal direction parallel to the first surface, a horizontal width which decreases with an increasing vertical distance from the first surface and with a decreasing horizontal distance from the edge.
US09825163B2

Super-junction MOSFETs by trench fill system requires void-free filling epitaxial growth. This may require alignment of plane orientations of trenches in a given direction. Particularly, when column layout at chip corner part is bilaterally asymmetrical with a diagonal line between chip corners, equipotential lines in a blocking state are curved at corner parts due to column asymmetry at chip corner. This tends to cause points where equipotential lines become dense, which may cause breakdown voltage reduction. In the present invention, in power type semiconductor active elements such as power MOSFETs, a ring-shaped field plate is disposed in chip peripheral regions around an active cell region, etc., assuming a nearly rectangular shape. The field plate has an ohmic-contact part in at least a part of the portion along the side of the rectangle. However, in the portion corresponding to the corner part of the rectangle, an ohmic-contact part is not disposed.
US09825161B2

Provided is a logical operation element that performs logical operations on three or more inputs using a single unique device. The logical operation element 30 is provided with an electrode 5A and the other electrode 5B that are provided to have a nanogap, a metal nanoparticle 7 arranged between the electrode 5A and the other electrode 5B in insulated state, and a plurality of gate electrodes 5C, 5D, 11, 11A, 11B for adjusting a charge of the metal nanoparticle 7. Electric current that flows between the electrode 5A and the other electrode 5B is controlled in accordance with the voltage applied to three or more of the gate electrodes 5C, 5D, 11, 11A, 11B.
US09825158B2

An IGBT is provided having a first gate unit having first trench gates with first conductive layers and planar gates with second conductive layers. A second gate unit having a second trench gates may be connected to the emitter electrode, with the first and second conductive layers forming a first shape closed in itself and enclosing the second gate unit. Third trench gates are arranged between a planar gate and the second gate unit such that first and third trench gates are connected and form a second shape closed in itself by which the second gate unit is enclosed. P+ doped bars below the planar gale contact the emitter electrode with each third trench gate separating a bar and a planar gate electrode from the second gate unit, with a p doped base layer separating the second gate unit from the enclosing second shape.
US09825157B1

The present disclosure relates to semiconductor structures and, more particularly, to a heterojunction bipolar transistor with a stress component and methods of manufacture. The heterojunction bipolar transistor includes a collector region, an emitter region and a base region. Stress material is formed within a trench of a substrate and surrounding at least the collector region and the base region.
US09825154B2

The tunneling channel of a field effect transistor comprising a plurality of tunneling elements contacting a channel substrate. Applying a source-drain voltage of greater than a turn-on voltage produces a source-drain current of greater than about 10 pA. Applying a source-drain voltage of less than a turn-on voltage produces a source-drain current of less than about 10 pA. The turn-on voltage at room temperature is between about 0.1V and about 40V.
US09825151B2

The present invention suggests a substrate manufacturing method and a manufacturing method of a semiconductor device comprising: providing a SOI structure having an insulation layer and a silicon layer laminated on a substrate; laminating to form a silicon germanium layer and a capping silicon layer on the SOI structure; implementing oxidation process at two or more temperatures and heat treatment process at least once during the oxidation process to form a germanium cohesion layer and a silicon dioxide layer; and removing the silicon dioxide layer.
US09825142B2

Methods of fabricating semiconductor devices include forming a first impurity region in a substrate by implanting a first impurity of a first conductivity type in a cell region and a peripheral region of the substrate to a first target depth from a top surface of the substrate; forming a second impurity region in the cell region and the peripheral region by implanting a second impurity of the first conductivity type into the cell region and the peripheral region to a second target depth that is smaller than the first depth from the top surface of the substrate; forming a cell transistor with a channel in the cell region, wherein the first impurity region forms the channel of the cell transistor; and forming a peripheral transistor with a channel in the peripheral region, wherein the second impurity region forms the channel of the peripheral transistor.
US09825136B2

A semiconductor component includes an element composed of a conductive material, which is arranged above a surface of a semiconductor substrate. The element includes an element region not adjoined by any electrical contacts to an overlying or underlying electrically conductive plane. In this case, a surface of the element facing away from the semiconductor substrate is patterned with elevations or depressions and a surface of the element region facing the semiconductor substrate is patterned to a lesser extent or is not patterned.
US09825133B2

A semiconductor device may include a gate electrode, an insulating layer, a first channel member, and a second channel member. The insulating layer may overlap the gate electrode. The first channel member may be positioned between the gate electrode and the insulating layer. The second channel member may be positioned between the gate electrode and the first channel member. A semiconductor material of the second channel member may be different from a semiconductor material of the first channel member.
US09825115B2

An organic light emitting diode display device comprises a substrate including a pixel region, the pixel region including a first portion and a second portion, a first electrode in the second portion of the pixel region, a bank layer separating the first portion and the second portion of the pixel region, an emitting layer in the second portion of the pixel region but not in the first portion of the pixel region, an emission assisting layer extending in the first portion of the pixel region and in the second portion of the pixel region, the emission assisting layer in the first portion of the pixel region being more conductive than the emission assisting layer in the second portion of the pixel region, and a second electrode on the emission assisting layer in the first portion of the pixel region and in the second portion of the pixel region.
US09825114B2

An organic light-emitting display apparatus, including a substrate including a display region and a fan-out region outside the display region; a plurality of pixel electrodes in the display region of the substrate; a plurality of first signal lines connected electrically to the pixel electrodes in the display region in one direction and constituting a plurality of first line portions in the fan-out region; a plurality of second signal lines connected electrically to the pixel electrodes in the display region to intersect the first signal lines and constituting a plurality of second line portions in the fan-out region; and a dummy pattern between the first line portions.
US09825113B2

The present invention provides a double-sided display substrate and a manufacturing method thereof and a display device. The double-sided display substrate includes several sub-pixel units, the sub-pixel unit includes a front side light-emitting layer provided for front side displaying, a back side light-emitting layer provided for back side displaying, a pixel electrode layer, a common electrode layer, and a driving transistor, and the front side light-emitting layer and the back side light-emitting layer are interposed between a corresponding pixel electrode layer and the common electrode layer, respectively, the common electrode layer corresponding to the back side light-emitting layer and/or the front side light-emitting layer is disposed in the same layer as a gate electrode layer of the driving transistor. According to the double-sided display substrate, quick manufacture and spread of the double-sided display substrate are realized.
US09825111B2

A method of forming an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display device is discussed. The method according to an embodiment includes forming a first bank pattern on a substrate and in an emission region and a non-emission region; forming a second bank pattern on the first bank pattern; forming an organic emission layer on the substrate in the emission region; and forming a planarization film on the substrate to include an opening under the first and second bank patterns in the non-emission region. The second bank pattern is on the first bank pattern in the non-emission region, and the first bank pattern is in the opening of the planarization film in the non-emission region.
US09825100B2

According to one embodiment, a nonvolatile semiconductor memory device includes a plurality of conducting layers, a semiconductor layer, a variable resistive element, and a first wiring. The plurality of conducting layers are laminated in a first direction at predetermined pitches. The conducting layers extend in a second direction. The second direction is along the surface of the substrate. The semiconductor layer extends in the first direction. The variable resistive element is disposed at an intersection point between the plurality of conducting layers and the semiconductor layer. The first wiring is opposed to an inside of the semiconductor layer via a gate insulating film. The first wiring extends in the first direction. The semiconductor layer at least includes a first part and a second part. The first part is upward of the conducting layer on a lowermost layer. The second part is downward of the first part. The first part has a first length in a third direction. The third direction is intersecting the first direction and the second direction, and is along the surface of the substrate. The second part has a second length in the third direction. The second length is shorter than the first length.
US09825095B2

An insulating layer is deposited over a transistor structure. The transistor structure comprises a gate electrode over a device layer on a substrate. The transistor structure comprises a first contact region and a second contact region on the device layer at opposite sides of the gate electrode. A trench is formed in the first insulating layer over the first contact region. A metal-insulator phase transition material layer with a S-shaped IV characteristic is deposited in the trench or in the via of the metallization layer above on the source side.
US09825094B2

Embodiments are directed to a method of forming portions of a fin-type field effect transistor (FinFET) device. The method includes forming at least one source region having multiple sides, forming at least one drain region having multiple sides, forming at least one channel region having multiple sides, forming at least one gate region around the multiple sides of the at least one channel region and forming the at least one gate region around the multiple sides of the at least one drain region.
US09825090B2

A light-emitting structure includes a first epitaxial unit; a second epitaxial unit disposed next to the first epitaxial unit; a crossover metal layer including a first protruding portion laterally overlapping the first epitaxial unit and the second epitaxial unit wherein the first protruding portion is electrically connected with the first epitaxial unit and the second epitaxial unit; a conductive connecting layer disposed below the first epitaxial unit and the second epitaxial unit and surrounding the first protruding portion; and an electrode arranged on the conductive connecting layer.
US09825086B2

An image pickup apparatus includes a first pixel electrode connected to a pixel circuit, a second pixel electrode adjoining the first pixel electrode and connected to the pixel circuit, a photoelectric conversion film continuously covering the first and second pixel electrodes, and an opposite electrode facing the first and second pixel electrodes via the film. The film includes a recessed portion recessed toward a portion between the first and second pixel electrodes on a surface opposite to the first and second pixel electrodes. The depth of the recessed portion is greater than the first pixel electrode's thickness, and a distance from the first pixel electrode to the recessed portion is greater than a distance from the first pixel electrode to the second pixel electrode. The opposite electrode is provided continuously along the surface via the film, and the recessed portion surrounds a part of the opposite electrode.
US09825085B2

A semiconductor image sensor includes a substrate having a first side and a second side that is opposite the first side. An interconnect structure is disposed over the first side of the substrate. A plurality of radiation-sensing regions is located in the substrate. The radiation-sensing regions are configured to sense radiation that enters the substrate from the second side. A buffer layer is disposed over the second side of the substrate. A plurality of elements is disposed over the buffer layer. The elements and the buffer layer have different material compositions. A plurality of light-blocking structures is disposed over the plurality of elements, respectively. The radiation-sensing regions are respectively aligned with a plurality of openings defined by the light-blocking structures, the elements, and the buffer layer.
US09825083B2

Disclosed is an optical detector in which a boundary line BY defining an edge of a semiconductor region 14 is covered with signal read wiring E3 and a capacitor is configured between the semiconductor region 14 and the signal read wiring E3. High frequency components peak components of a carrier are quickly extracted to the outside via the capacitor, but the signal read wiring E3 covers the boundary line BY so that a semiconductor potential in the vicinity of the boundary line is stabilized and an output signal is stabilized.
US09825073B2

An image sensor includes a photodiode disposed in semiconductor material to accumulate image charge in response to light directed through a back side of the semiconductor material. A scattering structure is disposed proximate to the front side of the semiconductor material such that the light that is directed into the semiconductor material through the back side is scattered back through the photodiode. A deep trench isolation structure is disposed in the semiconductor material that isolates the photodiode and defines an optical path such that the light that is scattered back through the photodiode in the optical path is totally internally reflected by the DTI. An antireflective coating is disposed on the back side of the semiconductor material and totally internally reflects the light scattered by the scattering structure to confine the light to remain in the optical path until it is absorbed.
US09825069B2

An array substrate manufacturing method, including: forming an active layer of a thin film transistor, in which photoresist with a partial thickness at a location corresponding to a channel area between source/drain electrodes of the thin film transistor on the active layer is reserved; forming a source/drain metal layer, and further forming source/drain electrodes; lifting off the photoresist with the partial thickness on the channel area between the source/drain electrodes. The array substrate manufacturing method can avoid damaging the metal oxide layer in the etching process for source/drain electrodes, and lower production cost, simplify processes, and increase yield and product profit.
US09825067B2

A display device including a pixel electrode portion electrically connected to a thin film transistor; a semiconductor light emitting device configured to emit light to form an individual pixel, and including a conductive electrode; a conductive adhesive layer adhered to the semiconductor light emitting device, and configured to electrically connect the pixel electrode portion to the conductive electrode; and a buffer layer including an elastic material to protect the thin film transistor, and disposed between the thin film transistor and the conductive adhesive layer.
US09825065B2

A substrate including gate wirings including gate line and a gate electrode disposed on the substrate, a storage line disposed on the same layer as the gate wirings, a gate insulating layer disposed on the gate wirings and the storage line, an oxide semiconductor layer pattern disposed on the gate insulating layer, data wirings including a data line crossing the gate line, a source electrode disposed on one side of the oxide semiconductor layer pattern, and a drain electrode disposed on another side of the oxide semiconductor layer, and an etch stopper including a first etch stopper portion disposed between the storage line and the data line and partially overlapping both the data line and the storage line.
US09825057B2

To provide a display device in which plural kinds of circuits are formed over one substrate and plural kinds of transistors corresponding to characteristics of the plural kinds of circuits are provided. The display device includes a pixel portion and a driver circuit that drives the pixel portion over one substrate. The pixel portion includes a first transistor including a first oxide semiconductor film. The driver circuit includes a second transistor including a second oxide semiconductor film. The first oxide semiconductor film and the second oxide semiconductor film are formed over one insulating surface. A channel length of the first transistor is longer than a channel length of the second transistor. The channel length of the first transistor is greater than or equal to 2.5 micrometer.
US09825050B2

A semiconductor device whose performance is improved is disclosed. In the semiconductor device, an offset spacer formed in a memory cell is formed by a laminated film of a silicon oxide film and a silicon nitride film, and the silicon oxide film is particularly formed to directly contact the sidewall of a memory gate electrode and the side end portion of a charge storage film; on the other hand, an offset spacer formed in a MISFET is formed by a silicon nitride film. Particularly in the MISFET, the silicon nitride film directly contacts both the sidewall of a gate electrode and the side end portion of a high dielectric constant film.
US09825048B2

A 3D memory has multiple memory layers stacked on top of a substrate. Word lines in different memory layers are connected respectively to different columns of contact pads in the substrate directly under the multiple memory layers. The connection is accomplished by creating vertical shifts above each contact pad and creating a vertical word line VIA connecting to the contact pad. For a given memory layer and its column of vertical word line VIAs, an auxiliary vertical shaft down to the memory layer is formed between each vertical word line VIA and an adjacent word line. The auxiliary vertical shaft is contiguous with the vertical shift allowing access to the vertical word line VIA. The auxiliary vertical shaft also enables excavating a lateral space between the word line and the vertical word line VIA. Filling the space with a conductive material completes a conductive path from the word line to the contact pad.
US09825044B2

The method for preventing epitaxial growth in a semiconductor device begins with cutting a set of long fins into a set of fins of a FinFET structure, the set of fins having respective cut faces of a set of cut faces located at respective fin ends of a set of fin ends. A photoresist layer is patterned over the set of fin ends of the set of fins of the FinFET structure. The photoresist pattern over the set of fin ends differs from the photoresist pattern over other areas of the FinFET structure as the photoresist pattern over the set of fin ends protects the first dielectric material at the set of fin ends. A set of dielectric blocks is formed at the set of fin ends, wherein each of the dielectric blocks covers at least one cut face. The set of dielectric blocks prevents epitaxial growth at the set of fin ends in a subsequent epitaxial growth step.
US09825042B2

In a conventional DRAM, when the capacitance of a capacitor is reduced, an error of reading data easily occurs. A plurality of cells are connected to one bit line MBL_. Each cell includes a sub bit line SBL_n_m and 4 to 64 memory cells (a memory cell CL_n_m_1 or the like). Further, each cell includes selection transistors STr1_n_m and STr2_n_m and an amplifier circuit AMP_n_m that is a complementary inverter or the like is connected to the selection transistor STr2_n_m. Since parasitic capacitance of the sub bit line SBL_n_m is sufficiently small, potential change due to electric charge in a capacitor of each memory cell can be amplified by the amplifier circuit AMP_n_m without an error, and can be output to the bit line.
US09825033B2

An integrated circuit device includes a substrate including a first region and a second region, a first transistor in the first region, the first transistor being an N-type transistor and including a first silicon-germanium layer on the substrate, and a first gate electrode on the first silicon-germanium layer, and a second transistor in the second region and including a second gate electrode, the second transistor not having a silicon-germanium layer between the substrate and the second gate electrode.
US09825032B1

Methods of forming a VFET SRAM or logic device having a sub-fin level metal routing layer connected to a gate of one transistor pair and to the bottom S/D of another transistor pair and resulting device are provided. Embodiments include pairs of fins formed on a substrate; a bottom S/D layer patterned on the substrate around the fins; conformal liner layers formed over the substrate; a ILD formed over a liner layer; a metal routing layer formed between the pairs of fins on the liner layer between the first pair and on the bottom S/D layer between at least the second pair, an upper surface formed below the active fin portion; a GAA formed on the dielectric spacer around each fin of the first pair; and a bottom S/D contact xc or a dedicated xc formed on the metal routing layer adjacent to the GAA or through the GAA, respectively.
US09825025B2

A semiconductor device includes a first drain region that is made primarily of SiC, a drift layer, a channel region, a first source region, a source electrode that is formed on the first source region, a second drain region that is connected to the first source region, a second source region that is formed separated from the second drain region, a first floating electrode that is connected to the second source region and to the channel region, first gate electrodes, and a second gate electrode that is connected to the first gate electrodes.
US09825019B1

A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor layer of a first conductivity type, and first and second electrodes on the layer. A first region of the first type is between the layer and the first electrode and contacting the first electrode. A second region of a second conductivity type is between the layer and the second electrode. A third region of the second type is connected to the second electrode, between the first and second regions, and between the layer and the second electrode. A fourth region of the first type is between the second region and the second electrode and contacting the second electrode. A fifth region of the second type is between the layer and the second region and has an impurity concentration greater than the second region and the third region. A sixth region of the first type is between the second region and the third region.
US09825013B2

A light emitting device array including a circuit substrate and a plurality of device layers is provided. The circuit substrate includes a plurality of bonding pads and a plurality of conductive bumps located over the bonding pads. The device layers are capable of emitting different colored lights electrically connected with the circuit substrate through the conductive bumps and the bonding pads. The device layers capable of emitting different colored lights have different thicknesses and the conductive bumps bonded with the device layers capable of emitting different colored lights have different heights such that top surfaces of the device layers capable of emitting different colored lights are located on a same level of height.
US09825010B2

A stacked chip package structure includes a first chip, pillar bumps, a first encapsulant, a first redistribution layer, a second chip, a second encapsulant, a second redistribution layer and a through via. The pillar bumps are disposed on a plurality of first pads of the first chip respectively. The first encapsulant encapsulates the first chip and exposes the pillar bumps. The first redistribution layer is disposed on the first encapsulant and electrically connects the first chip. The second chip is disposed on the first redistribution layer. The second encapsulant encapsulates the second chip. The second redistribution layer is disposed on the second encapsulant and electrically coupled to the second chip. The through via penetrates the second encapsulant and electrically connects the first redistribution layer and the second redistribution layer.
US09825007B1

A chip package structure is provided. The chip package structure includes a first chip, a second chip, and a third chip. The second chip is between the first chip and the third chip. The chip package structure includes a first molding layer surrounding the first chip. The chip package structure includes a second molding layer surrounding the second chip. The chip package structure includes a third molding layer surrounding the third chip, the first molding layer, and the second molding layer.
US09825006B2

An electronic component device includes a first electronic component, a second electronic component disposed on and connected to the first electronic component, a first underfill resin filled between the first electronic component and the second electronic component, the first underfill resin having a base part arranged around the second electronic component and an alignment mark formed on an upper surface of the base part, a third electronic component disposed on and connected to the second electronic component, and a second underfill resin filled between the second electronic component and the third electronic component.
US09825004B2

A semiconductor device includes a package interface including N numbers of first group of data balls which are disposed on a first side thereof, N numbers of second group of data balls which are disposed on a second side thereof, and M numbers of command/address balls which are disposed between the first side and the second side; a first semiconductor chip which is stacked on the first side over the package interface, and includes 2N numbers of first group of data pads and M numbers of first command/address pads; and a second semiconductor chip which is stacked on the second side over the package interface, and includes 2N numbers of second group of data pads and M numbers of second command/address pads.
US09824997B2

A die package having lead structures connecting to a die that provide for electromagnetic interference reductions. Mixed impedance leads connected to the die have a first lead with a first metal core, a dielectric layer surrounding the first metal core, and first outer metal layer connected to ground; and a second lead with a second metal core, and a second dielectric layer surrounding the second metal core, and a second outer metal layer connected to ground. Each lead reducing susceptibility to EMI and crosstalk.
US09824996B2

A semiconductor device includes a header, a semiconductor chip fixed to the header constituting a MOSFET, and a sealing body of insulating resin which covers the semiconductor chip, the header and the like, and further includes a drain lead contiguously formed with the header and projects from one side surface of the sealing body, and a source lead and a gate lead which project in parallel from one side surface of the sealing body, and wires which are positioned in the inside of the sealing body and connect electrodes on an upper surface of the semiconductor chip and the source lead and the gate lead, with a gate electrode pad arranged at a position from the gate lead and the source lead farther than a source electrode pad.
US09824989B2

An embodiment is a package including a molding compound laterally encapsulating a chip with a contact pad. A first dielectric layer is formed overlying the molding compound and the chip and has a first opening exposing the contact pad. A first metallization layer is formed overlying the first dielectric layer, in which the first metallization layer fills the first opening. A second dielectric layer is formed overlying the first metallization layer and the first dielectric layer and has a second opening over the first opening. A second metallization layer is formed overlying the second dielectric layer and formed in the second opening.
US09824976B1

In some examples, a circuit package further includes an insulating layer and a first transistor extending through the insulating layer, where the first transistor includes a first control terminal on a top side of the insulating layer, a first source terminal on the top side of the insulating layer, and a first drain terminal on a bottom side of the insulating layer. The circuit package includes a second transistor extending through the insulating layer, where the second transistor includes a second control terminal on the top side of the insulating layer, a second source terminal on the bottom side of the insulating layer, and a second drain terminal on the top side of the insulating layer.
US09824974B2

Die (110) and/or undiced wafers and/or multichip modules (MCMs) are attached on top of an interposer (120) or some other structure (e.g. another integrated circuit) and are covered by an encapsulant (160). Then the interposer is thinned from below. Before encapsulation, a layer (410) more rigid than the encapsulant is formed on the interposer around the die to reduce or eliminate interposer dishing between the die when the interposer is thinned by a mechanical process (e.g. CMP). Other features are also provided.
US09824965B2

An isolation device for isolating a first signal of a first circuit from a second circuit disclosed. The isolation device may have a substrate and a plurality of metal layers disposed on the substrate. The plurality of metal layers have a topmost metal layer disposed furthest away from the substrate and a first interconnect metal layer formed nearest to the substrate. The first interconnect metal layer is disposed at a first distance away from the substrate, whereas the topmost metal layer is disposed at an isolation distance away from a first adjacent metal layer formed nearest to the topmost metal layer. A portion of the topmost metal layer forms a first plate. The first plate is configured to transmit the first signal from the first circuit to a second plate that is connected to the second circuit, but electrically isolated from the first plate.
US09824959B2

A semiconductor device having a leadframe including a pad (101) surrounded by elongated leads (110) spaced from the pad by a gap (113) and extending to a frame, the pad and the leads having a first thickness (115) and a first and an opposite and parallel second surface; the leads having a first portion (112) of first thickness near the gap and a second portion (111) of first thickness near the frame, and a zone (114) of reduced second thickness (116) between the first and second portions; the second surface (112a) of the first lead portions is coplanar with the second surface (111a) of the second portions. A semiconductor chip (220) with a terminal is attached the pad. A metallic wire connection (230) from the terminal to an adjacent lead includes a stitch bond (232) attached to the first surface of the lead.
US09824956B2

A process for manufacturing surface-mount semiconductor devices, in particular of the Quad-Flat No-Leads Multi-Row type, comprising providing a metal leadframe, in particular a copper leadframe, which includes a plurality of pads, each of which is designed to receive the body of the device, the pads being separated from adjacent pads by one or more rows of wire-bonding contacting areas, outermost rows from among the one or more rows of wire-bonding contacting areas identifying, together with outermost rows corresponding to the adjacent pads, separation regions.
US09824955B2

An ESD protection device including a Si substrate with an ESD protection circuit formed at the surface of the substrate; pads formed on the Si substrate; a rewiring layer opposed to the surface of the Si substrate, which includes terminal electrodes electrically connected to the pads. The rewiring layer includes a SiN protection film formed on the surface of the Si substrate to cover parts of the pads except regions in contact with openings (contact holes) formed in a resin layer, and the resin layer that is lower in dielectric constant than the SiN protection film, and formed between the SiN protection film and the terminal electrodes. Thus, provided is a semiconductor device which can reduce the generation of parasitic capacitance, and eliminates variation in parasitic capacitance generated.
US09824954B2

An integrated circuit device comprises N stacked first integrated circuit chips each of which includes a first circuit and N stacked second integrated circuit chips each of which includes a second circuit. The N stacked second integrated circuit chips are stacked on the N stacked first integrated circuit chips. A first and second integrated circuit chips at symmetric positions with respect to a reference surface are paired. Each of the first and second integrated circuit chips include connection terminals for connecting the first circuit of the first integrated circuit chip and the second circuit of the second integrated circuit chip in the pair, and through electrodes each penetrating an inside of the chip. The connection terminals and through electrodes are arranged to be symmetric with respect to the reference surface.
US09824950B2

A semiconductor device according to the invention includes an insulating substrate including an insulating plate, a circuit pattern that is formed on a front surface of the insulating plate, and a radiator plate that is fixed to a rear surface of the insulating plate, a semiconductor chip that is fixed to the circuit pattern, an external lead terminal that is connected to a surface electrode of the semiconductor chip through a wiring line, a molding resin that covers the insulating substrate, the semiconductor chip, the wiring line, and the external lead terminal such that a rear surface of the radiator plate and a portion of the external lead terminal are exposed, and an anchor layer including a stripe-shaped concave portion which is formed in the circuit pattern by laser beam irradiation.
US09824937B1

A method for semiconductor processing includes forming a first dielectric layer comprising an N-type dopant over a first plurality of fins extending above a first region of a substrate, forming a second dielectric layer comprising a P-type dopant over the first plurality of fins and a second plurality of fins extending above a second region of the substrate, the second dielectric layer overlying the first dielectric layer, and forming an isolation layer between adjacent ones of the first plurality of fins, and between adjacent ones of the second plurality of fins. The method further includes performing an implantation process using a first dopant, the implantation process changing an etching rate of the isolation layer, and recessing the isolation layer, the first dielectric layer, and the second dielectric layer, where after the recessing, the first and the second plurality of fins extend above an upper surface of the isolation layer.
US09824930B2

A method of fabricating advanced node field effect transistors using a replacement metal gate process. The method includes dopant a high-k dielectric directly or indirectly by using layers composed of multi-layer thin film stacks, or in other embodiments, by a single blocking layer. By taking advantage of unexpected etch selectivity of the multi-layer stack or the controlled etch process of a single layer stack, etch damage to the high-k may be avoided and work function metal thicknesses can be tightly controlled which in turn allows field effect transistors with low Tinv (inverse of gate capacitance) mismatch.
US09824929B2

A semiconductor device includes a n-type gate structure over a first semiconductor fin, in which the n-type gate structure is fluorine incorporated and includes a n-type work function metal layer overlying the first high-k dielectric layer. The n-type work function metal layer includes a TiAl (titanium aluminum) alloy, in which an atom ratio of Ti (titanium) to Al (aluminum) is in a range substantially from 1 to 3. The semiconductor device further includes a p-type gate structure over a second semiconductor fin, in which the p-type gate structure is fluorine incorporated includes a p-type work function metal layer overlying the second high-k dielectric layer. The p-type work function metal layer includes titanium nitride (TiN), in which an atom ratio of Ti to N (nitrogen) is in a range substantially from 1:0.9 to 1:1.1.
US09824928B2

A semiconductor device may include a first-type substrate. The semiconductor device may further include a second-type well configured to form a PN junction with the first-type substrate. The semiconductor device may further include a diode component configured to form a diode with the second-type well. The diode may be connected to the PN junction in a reverse series connection. The second-type may be N-type if the first-type is P-type, and wherein the second-type may be P-type if the first-type is N-type.
US09824918B2

A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes providing a semiconductor substrate, sequentially forming an etch stop layer and an interlayer dielectric layer on the semiconductor substrate, forming a copper metal interconnect structure in the interlayer dielectric layer, forming a copper layer in the copper metal interconnect structure, forming a cobalt layer on the copper layer, and forming an aluminum nitride layer on the cobalt layer. The stack of cobalt layer and copper layer effectively suppresses electromigration caused by diffusion of the copper layer into the interlayer dielectric layer, improves the adhesion between the copper layer and the etch stop layer, and prevents delamination.
US09824913B2

The invention provides an isolation structure and a manufacturing method thereof for a high-voltage device in a high-voltage BCD process, the isolation structure comprising: a semiconductor substrate having a first type of doping; an epitaxial layer having a second type of doping over the semiconductor substrate, wherein the first type of doping is opposite to the second type of doping; an isolation region having the first type of doping, wherein the isolation region extends through the epitaxial layer into the semiconductor substrate, and wherein the isolation region has a doping concentration on the same order as a doping concentration of the epitaxial layer; a field oxide layer over the isolation region. This invention effectively isolates the epitaxial island where the BCD high-voltage device is located, thereby increasing the breakdown voltage of the high-voltage device in the BCD process. Further, with a minimum thickness of the field oxide layer, the parasitical threshold voltage between the aluminum wiring and the silicon surface of the high-voltage device can be higher than 1200V, thereby improving the planarization of oxide layer steps on the silicon surface in the whole high-voltage BCD process, and enhancing the reliability of the product.
US09824911B2

A substrate support for supporting a substrate when forming a film on a surface of the substrate by chemical vapor deposition. The substrate support includes a graphite material having a recessed portion for accommodating the substrate, a multilayer film on the recessed portion and consisting of a first degassing prevention film of SiC and a sublimation prevention film of TaC or HfC stacked together, and a second degassing prevention film of SiC located on portions of the graphite material other than the recessed portion.
US09824897B2

A method is provided for the processing of a device having a crystalline silicon region containing an internal hydrogen source. The method comprises: i) applying encapsulating material to each of the front and rear surfaces of the device to form a lamination; ii) applying pressure to the lamination and heating the lamination to bond the encapsulating material to the device; and iii) cooling the device, where the heating step or cooling step or both are completed under illumination.
US09824891B1

The invention disclosed a method of manufacturing the thin film, which belongs to the technological field of SOI wafer manufacture. By growing a layer of dielectric material (silicon oxide) on the provided high-resistivity silicon wafer, then to grow a layer of amorphous silicon on the dielectric material, to transfer a layer of silicon oxide to the amorphous silicon, to make the mono crystalline silicon exist on the oxidation layer, so that a SOI wafer with a layer of amorphous silicon is manufactured. The process above is completed in specific process conditions. The manufactured thin film, e.g. SOI wafer with amorphous silicon layer, is used main for RF apparatus.
US09824890B2

A reactor for growing or depositing semiconductor films or devices. The reactor may be designed for inline production of III-V materials grown by hydride vapor phase epitaxy (HVPE). The operating principles of the HVPE reactor can be used to provide a completely or partially inline reactor for many different materials. An exemplary design of the reactor is shown in the attached drawings. In some instances, all or many of the pieces of the reactor formed of quartz, such as welded quartz tubing, while other reactors are made from metal with appropriate corrosion resistant coatings such as quartz or other materials, e.g., corrosion resistant material, or stainless steel tubing or pipes may be used with a corrosion resistant material useful with HVPE-type reactants and gases. Using HVPE in the reactor allows use of lower-cost precursors at higher deposition rates such as in the range of 1 to 5 μm/minute.
US09824888B2

To provide a crystalline oxide semiconductor film. By collision of ions with a target including a crystalline In—Ga—Zn oxide, a flat-plate-like In—Ga—Zn oxide is separated. In the flat-plate-like In—Ga—Zn oxide, a first layer including a gallium atom, a zinc atom, and an oxygen atom, a second layer including a zinc atom and an oxygen atom, a third layer including an indium atom and an oxygen atom, and a fourth layer including a gallium atom, a zinc atom, and an oxygen atom are stacked in this order. After the flat-plate-like In—Ga—Zn oxide is deposited over a substrate while maintaining the crystallinity, the second layer is gasified and exhausted.
US09824884B1

A method of depositing silicon nitride films on semiconductor substrates processed in a micro-volume of a plasma enhanced atomic layer deposition (PEALD) reaction chamber wherein a single semiconductor substrate is supported on a ceramic surface of a pedestal and process gas is introduced through gas outlets in a ceramic surface of a showerhead into a reaction zone above the semiconductor substrate, includes (a) cleaning the ceramic surfaces of the pedestal and showerhead with a fluorine plasma, (b) depositing a halide-free atomic layer deposition (ALD) oxide undercoating on the ceramic surfaces, (c) depositing a precoating of ALD silicon nitride on the halide-free ALD oxide undercoating, and (d) processing a batch of semiconductor substrates by transferring each semiconductor substrate into the reaction chamber and depositing a film of ALD silicon nitride on the semiconductor substrate supported on the ceramic surface of the pedestal.
US09824874B2

An ion funnel device is disclosed. A first pair of electrodes is positioned in a first direction. A second pair of electrodes is positioned in a second direction. The device includes an RF voltage source and a DC voltage source. A RF voltage with a superimposed DC voltage gradient is applied to the first pair of electrodes, and a DC voltage gradient is applied to the second pair of electrodes.
US09824866B2

Method for carrying out plasma processing on a wafer under Run-to-Run control by using a plasma processing apparatus having a plasma processing chamber, a process monitor which monitors a condition in the plasma processing chamber, and an actuator which controls parameters which are constituent elements of a plasma processing condition. The method includes the steps of making one of the parameters a (N−1)th manipulated variable, calculating a first difference between a process monitor value in the plasma processing obtained by the process monitor and a desired value of the process monitor value in the plasma processing, calculating a correction amount of the (N−1)th manipulated variable on the basis of the first difference and a previously obtained correlation between the process monitor value in the plasma processing and the (N−1)th manipulated variable, wherein N is a natural number equal to or larger than 2.
US09824861B2

A substrate processing apparatus includes at least one process module configured to process first substrates. A position detector is configured to detect first positions of the first substrates. A control unit is configured to control the position detector so as to measure a second position of a second substrate selected from the first substrates to be processed in a same process module depending on a measurement interval set for the same process module.
US09824859B1

Methods, devices and systems for targeted, maskless modification of material on or in a substrate using charged particle beams. Electrostatically-deflected charged particle beam columns can be targeted in direct dependence on the design layout database to perform direct and knock-on ion implantation, producing patterned material modifications with selected chemical and 3D-structural profiles. The number of required process steps is reduced, reducing manufacturing cycle time and increasing yield by lowering the probability of defect introduction. Local gas and photon injectors and detectors are local to corresponding individual columns, and support superior, highly-configurable process execution and control. Targeted implantation can be used to prepare the substrate for patterned blanket etch; patterned ALD can be used to prepare the substrate for patterned blanket deposition; neither process requiring photomasks or resist. Arrays of highly configurable beam columns can also be used to perform both positive and negative tone lithography in a single pass.
US09824856B2

A deposition method is implemented in a focused ion beam system that supplies a compound gas to a specimen, and applies an ion beam to the specimen to deposit a deposition film, the deposition method including: a first deposition film-depositing step that deposits a first deposition film on the specimen using the ion beam that is defocused with respect to the specimen; and a second deposition film-depositing step that deposits a second deposition film on the first deposition film using the ion beam that is smaller in defocus amount than that used in the first deposition film-depositing step.
US09824836B1

An input device for use with a first electronic device and a second electronic device includes a frame, a plurality of manually depressible input members supported by the frame, a communication module supported by the frame and operable to selectively communicate with the first electronic device and the second electronic device, and a switch supported by the frame and coupled to the communication module. The switch is operable to change whether the communication module communicates with the first electronic device or the second electronic device. The input device also includes a light source coupled to the switch and positioned at least partially within the frame. The light source is operable to provide a backlight for the plurality of input members. The backlight is modified in response to actuation of the switch.
US09824835B2

A key-switch includes a keycap configured to be pressed down, a base member, and a link mechanism disposed between the keycap and the base member and configured to support the keycap such that the keycap is movable up and down relative to the base member, wherein the link mechanism includes four links arranged in a rectangular shape, and each of the links includes a sliding part configured to slide on the base member, a mounting part attached to the keycap, and joints connecting adjacent links among the four links together.
US09824816B2

A wireless power receiving device and a wireless power transmission apparatus are provided. The wireless power receiver may include a resonator configured to emit an electromagnetic field, a blocker configured to surround a portion of an exterior of the resonator, and a spacer disposed between the resonator and the blocker.
US09824810B2

A transformer includes a magnetic core, a first coil unit and a second coil unit. The first coil unit is disposed within the magnetic core and includes a laminated board having layers laminated therein and conductive patterns. Respective ones of the conductive patterns are disposed on the laminated layers. The second coil unit includes a conductive wire spaced apart from the conductive patterns of the laminated board by an insulating distance. The conductive wire includes a triple-insulated wire surrounded by three sheets of insulating paper to maintain the insulating distance from the conductive patterns.
US09824799B2

A measuring resistor for high-current measurements is provided, which has a defined resistance value. The measuring resistor has a resistive layer having a sheet resistivity. The resistance value of the measuring resistor is defined by the resistive layer and is less than the sheet resistivity of the resistive layer.
US09824784B2

To provide a protection barrier, which includes an inlet from which laser light emitted from a laser device enters; an outlet from which the laser light is output towards an irradiation target; and a unit configured to prevent a leakage, where the unit is configured to reduce an intensity of the laser light leaked from the protection barrier, wherein the protection barrier is configured to surround a light path of the laser light emitted from the laser device.
US09824783B2

The invention generally relates to a radiation shielding apparatus that includes a shielding box unit into which a radiation generating device is inserted, a locking unit disposed on an outside of the shielding box unit, an operation display unit disposed on the outside of the shielding box unit to display a locked state of the locking unit, and a control unit for controlling an operation of each of the radiation generating device and the operation display unit.
US09824778B2

A nonvolatile memory system includes a nonvolatile memory device including a distribution table suitable for storing recovery read level intervals that are set by being changed through multiple stages according to a distribution value of threshold voltage levels of a plurality of memory cells, measured at a reference read level, is changed through the multiple stages; and a memory controller suitable for reading measurement data from the memory cells by additionally using a measurement read level, searching for a difference value between the normal data and the measurement data from the multiple stages of distribution values stored in the distribution table, and recovering the normal data based on a recovery read level interval corresponding to a searched distribution value, when an error occurs in normal data read from the memory cells by using the reference read level.
US09824777B2

A storage system is provided which includes: a storage device including a first memory, which may be nonvolatile memory, and a second memory, which may be a device memory, and configured to request a test on at least one of the first and second memories; and a host configured to test the at least one memory in response to the request for the memory test from the storage device and store the test result in the first memory or a third memory.
US09824766B2

The present invention provides a semiconductor device including a nonvolatile memory of which the memory size of a data area and the memory size of a code area can be freely changed. The semiconductor device according to one embodiment includes a nonvolatile memory which can switch between a reference current reading system which performs data read by comparing a current flowing through a first memory cell as a read target and the reference current and a complementary reading system which performs data read by comparing currents flowing through a first memory cell and a second memory cell storing complementary data, as a read target.
US09824758B2

A semiconductor memory device includes a plurality of memory blocks. The semiconductor memory device also includes a block decoder configured to output a block select signal for selecting at least one memory block of the plurality of memory blocks to at least one block word line of a plurality of word lines, and a connecting circuit including a plurality of pass transistors configured to electrically connect global lines to local lines of a plurality of memory cells included in the plurality of memory blocks in response to the block select signal. The semiconductor device may also include a control logic configured to apply a voltage pulse to global word lines and a ground voltage to global select lines of the global lines, and the voltage pulse to at least the one block word line while the semiconductor memory device is in a ready state.
US09824752B2

A memory device includes an array of resistive memory cells wherein each pair of resistive memory cells includes a first switching element electrically coupled in series to a first resistive memory element and a second switching element electrically coupled in series to a second resistive memory element. A source of the first switching element and a source of the second switching element receive a common source line signal.
US09824750B2

Technologies are generally described herein for technologies to sense the threshold voltage for memory cells in one sensing operation. The memory cells may be storage circuits for a flash memory device, such as a multilevel flash memory device. Data may be stored and retrieved in the memory cells of the flash memory without involving the use of hardwired or predetermined thresholds. According to some configurations, the sense time distribution from a set of flash cells (e.g., one row), may be processed to decode the digital state of each memory cell. In some examples, computer-executable instructions may be used to process and decode the digital state of the memory cells.
US09824748B1

Static random access memory (SRAM) bitcell structures with improved minimum operation voltage (Vmin) and yield are provided. The structures may include a silicon substrate, a deep n-well (DNW) layer, p-well (PW) regions, doped back-plate (BP) regions, a buried oxide (BOX) layer, and/or active regions formed on the BOX layer and over portions of the BP regions. At least one BP region may extend below at least one shallow trench isolation (STI) region, at least one contact to back plate (CBP), at least one active region and at least one PC construct overlapping the at least one active region forming a channel of at least one of a first pull-up (PU1) transistor and a second pull-up (PU2) transistor. The at least one CBP facilitates biasing of at least one the PU1 and PU2 transistors during at least one of a read, write or standby operation of the structures.
US09824747B2

The present disclosure provides a static random access memory (SRAM) cell comprising first, second, and third fins defined in various well regions. The fins are spaced from each other along a first direction and extend lengthwise generally along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The fins include source, drain, and channel regions for various pull-up, pull-down, and pass-gate fin field-effect transistors (FinFETs). The SRAM cell further includes various gate features over the fins and extending lengthwise generally along the first direction. The gate features include gate regions for the various FinFETs.
US09824746B1

A memory device may include: a plurality of cell mats arranged in a plurality of rows and columns; a plurality of first drivers, each first driver being disposed on a left side of a corresponding cell mat of the plurality of cell mats and configured to drive a first sub-word line of the corresponding cell mat; and a plurality of second drivers, each second driver being disposed on a right side of the corresponding cell mat of the plurality of cell mats and configured to drive a second sub-word line of the corresponding cell mat, wherein, during an active operation, among the plurality of cell mats, sub-word lines of cell mats disposed in odd-numbered columns or sub-word lines of cell mats disposed in even-numbered columns are selectively activated.
US09824741B2

Provided is a refresh control device including: an arbitration operating unit configured to arbitrate (i) a memory access request for accessing a volatile memory that requires a refresh operation for holding data and (ii) a refresh trigger for requesting execution of the refresh operation; and a trigger generating unit configured to generate refresh triggers in a non-constant cycle to satisfy refresh-rate requirements defining the number of refresh operations necessary to be executed per predetermined period for the volatile memory to hold the data.
US09824739B2

A magnetic storage apparatus is disclosed, and is configured to access data. The magnetic storage apparatus includes a magnetic storage track, a first write apparatus, a second write apparatus, and a drive apparatus. The first write apparatus and the second write apparatus are located at different positions on the magnetic storage track. The first write apparatus is configured to write first data “0” or second data “1”. The second write apparatus is configured to write third data “2” and fourth data “3”.
US09824735B1

An apparatus includes a perpendicular magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) including a free layer. The apparatus includes a spin orbit torque metal layer coupled to the perpendicular MTJ and configured to change a magnetization state of the free layer responsive to flow of a current along the spin orbit torque metal layer. The apparatus includes a random number generator configured to generate a random number at least partially based on a state of the perpendicular MTJ.
US09824724B2

According to one embodiment, a magnetic recording and reproducing device includes a magnetic recording medium including a plurality of recording tracks, a magnetic head, and a controller. The plurality of recording tracks includes a first track. The controller causes the magnetic head to implement a first recording operation of recording first information in at least two of a plurality of first track recording components included in the first track. The controller causes the magnetic head to implement a first reproduction operation of reproducing the first information from a first information reproducing/recording component of one of the at least two of the plurality of first track recording components.
US09824719B2

A method for automatically starting an audio recording that includes receiving audio data and dividing the audio data into a first set of consecutive segments and a second set of consecutive segments that occur after the first set. The method further includes analyzing the first set of segments by measuring an average energy and peak value for each segment of the first set and determining a silence score therefrom, and analyzing the second set of segments by measuring an average energy and peak value for each segment of the second set and determining an music score therefrom. The method begins a recording of the audio data if the silence score is above a first predetermined value and the music score is above a second predetermined value.
US09824717B2

The respective occupancies of a set of audio buffers are controlled via a common target occupancy value common to all the buffers in the set. This common target may take non-integral values. For each buffer, the difference is taken between the occupancy value of the buffer and the common target occupancy value. A sample is dropped or repeated as the difference exceeds half a sample. A recursive sum is formed of the fractional parts of the difference measures from the set of buffers and the recursive sum is used to adjust the common target occupancy value, within a selected range of values.
US09824703B2

According to one embodiment, a magnetic recording and reproducing device includes a magnetic recording medium, a magnetic head, and a processor. The magnetic head includes a first reproducing element portion and a second reproducing element portion. The processor is configured to acquire a first signal and a second signal, and to output an output signal according to either one of the first signal and the second signal. The first signal is obtained by reproducing information recorded on a first recording region by the first reproducing element portion. The second signal is obtained by reproducing the information recorded on the first recording region by the second reproducing element portion.
US09824698B2

A see-through, head mounted display and sensing devices cooperating with the display detect audible and visual behaviors of a subject in a field of view of the device. A processing device communicating with display and the sensors monitors audible and visual behaviors of the subject by receiving data from the sensors. Emotional states are computed based on the behaviors and feedback provided to the wearer indicating computed emotional states of the subject. During interactions, the device, recognizes emotional states in subjects by comparing detected sensor input against a database of human/primate gestures/expressions, posture, and speech. Feedback is provided to the wearer after interpretation of the sensor input.
US09824695B2

Embodiments herein include receiving a request to modify an audio characteristic associated with a first user for a voice communication system. One or more suggested modified audio characteristics may be provided for the first user, based on, at least in part, one or more audio preferences established by another user. An input of one or more modified audio characteristics may be received for the first user for the voice communication system. A user-specific audio preference may be associated with the first user for voice communications on the voice communication system, the user-specific audio preference including the one or more modified audio characteristics.
US09824693B2

An ancillary code is extracted from the media signal by monitoring the media signal during a first time interval according to a first monitoring parameter, evaluating the media signal to detect an ancillary code and optionally monitoring the media signal during a second monitoring time interval depending on an outcome of the evaluation of the media signal. In different iterations, different data acquisition window durations and/or overlaps are applied according to a factor such as an iteration count or a detection confidence level.
US09824688B2

A method is provided for controlling a speech-recognition text-generation system that captures speech, and converts the captured speech into character strings through speech recognition. The method includes determining whether or not the character strings include a predetermined phrase, and specifying, in a case where the predetermined phrase is determined to be included, a character string associated with the predetermined phrase among the character strings as a first character string which is a deletion candidate. The method also includes displaying the first character string in a first display form on a display terminal and displaying a second character string, which is a character string other than the first character string, in a second display form on the display terminal.
US09824674B2

A recording method includes acquiring each piece of acoustic data representing a sound from each of a plurality of portable terminal devices. The each of the plurality of portable terminal devices includes a recording unit configured to generate the piece of acoustic data. The recording method also includes executing synchronization processing for synchronizing the respective pieces of acoustic data and executing mixing processing for mixing a plurality of pieces of acoustic data for which the synchronization processing has been executed.
US09824662B2

The present disclosure provides a Thin Film Transistor Array Substrate and a Liquid Crystal Display apparatus thereof, and relates to the technical field of liquid crystal displaying. The Thin Film Transistor Array Substrate of the present disclosure includes a plurality of gate lines and a plurality of data lines, wherein regions surrounded by the gate lines and the data lines are pixel regions, and wherein a high level common voltage line being used when signal on the data line is at a low level and a low level common voltage lines being used when signal on the data line is at a high level are also arranged in parallel to the gate lines in each of the pixel regions. With the Thin Film Transistor Array Substrate of the present disclosure, the Greenish phenomenon in the existing liquid crystal display apparatus may be effectively solved.
US09824650B2

A method for an electronic device with a display unit and an electronic device are provided. The method may comprise: obtaining an environmental parameter under an environment where the electronic device is disposed when the display unit is in a first display status, the environmental parameter including at least an environmental color temperature parameter of the environment and configured for adjusting the display status of the display unit; determining whether to adjust the display status based on at least the environmental color temperature parameter included in the environmental parameter to get a first determination result; and adjusting the display status from the first display status to a second display status different from the first display status if the first determination result indicates that it is to adjust the display status.
US09824648B2

A transparent display apparatus and a method for driving transparent display panel thereof are provided. The transparent display apparatus includes a transparent display panel, an image processor and a display driver. The image processor receives a display data signal having multiple display data and a transparency control signal having transparency values to provide multiple driving data. When each of display data corresponds to a transparent state, the image processor sets the corresponding driving data according to a predetermined transparent state gray-level corresponding. When each of display data corresponds to a non-transparent state, the image processor transforms the each of display data into the driving data corresponding to the non-transparent state. The display driver drives the transparent display panel to display a display frame having all gradations of a black state, a white state and the transparent state according the driving data.
US09824645B2

According to one embodiment, a display device includes first, second, and third interconnects, switch elements, pixel electrodes, a display layer, first, and second color filters, and a controller. The first interconnects extend in a first direction and are arranged in a second direction. The second interconnects extend in the second direction and are arranged in the first direction. The switch elements are electrically connected to the first and second interconnects. The pixel electrodes are electrically connected to the switch elements. The third interconnects extend in the second direction and are arranged in the first direction. The display layer performs an optical operation of light emission or a change of an optical characteristic. The first color filters are of a first color. The second color filters of a second color have a higher visibility than the first color. The controller is electrically connected to the first, second, and third interconnects.
US09824638B2

A display device including a display panel, a timing controller, a backlight unit, and a backlight controller. The display panel includes a plurality of display blocks, and receives an image signal and display an image. The backlight unit includes a-numbered red light sources, b-numbered green light sources (a and b are natural numbers, b
US09824634B2

An OLED display device includes an OLED display panel on which subpixels are disposed, a gamma reference voltage supply circuit supplying gamma reference voltages that are variable during driving and when sensing a threshold voltage, and a data driver supplying data voltages based on the gamma reference voltages to data lines. The data driver senses a voltage of a sensing node within each of the subpixels in sensing mode. A timing controller controls the data driver, and performs a compensation process based on the voltage sensed by the data driver.
US09824631B2

In a display element such as an organic EL element, deterioration progresses due to light emission, and emission luminance is lowered even if the same voltage is applied to the display element. Therefore, use over time causes variations in luminance of each pixel, thereby a so-called “image burn-in” phenomenon occurs. Given this factor, the invention provides a display device which can reduce the difference in deterioration of a display element in each pixel and suppress variations in light emission of a display element in a pixel. It is prevented that only a specific pixel has a long accumulated lighting time. For that purpose, a gray scale of a display pattern is changed to prevent the difference in deterioration of display element in pixels from increasing. Alternatively, a specific display pattern is prevented from being fixedly displayed in a specific region. Further alternatively, a pixel lagging behind in deterioration is deteriorated so that the accumulated lighting time of pixels is equal to each other.
US09824627B2

A display circuit includes a plurality of pixel circuits and a shared compensation transistor. Each pixel circuit includes a driving transistor to control light emission of a light emitter. The compensation transistor is to compensate the threshold voltages of the driving transistors of the pixel circuits.
US09824617B2

A data driver electrically connected to data lines includes a digital-to-analog converter configured to sequentially receive data signals respectively corresponding to the data lines and outputting an analog image signal, and a switching output unit configured to sequentially output the analog image signal outputted from the digital-to-analog converter as analog driving signals respectively corresponding to the data lines in synchronization with a clock signal.
US09824609B2

A system assesses the susceptibility of an electronic device user to a cybersecurity threat by identifying information relating to the user of an electronic device, selecting a mock attack, and causing the mock attack to be deployed to the user so that the user receives the mock attack in the user's regular context of use of the electronic device. When a sensor detects a user action that the user has interacted with the electronic device in response to the mock attack, the system will record the sensed user action and use the sensed user action to determine the susceptibility of the user to a cybersecurity threat. In some embodiments, the lack of user action in response to a mock attack also may be used to determine the user's susceptibility to a cybersecurity threat.
US09824608B1

A method for visually guided storage array installation is disclosed. The method includes receiving an installation plan for a storage array and determining a component of the storage array that is specified in the installation plan. One or more visual indicators that are associated with the component of the storage array are displayed to indicate a status corresponding to executing a portion of the installation plan.
US09824606B2

A method, information processing system, and computer readable article of manufacture reinforce behavior in an individual. A behavior associated with an individual is monitored. A determination is made, based on the monitoring, that the behavior substantially matches a behavior in a set of behaviors. A set of interactive actions associated with the behavior are identified. At least one of the interactive actions in the set of interactive actions is selected. The at least one of the interactive actions that has been selected is performed. A response from the individual is monitored in response to the least one of the interactive actions being performed. An indicator is associated with the at least one of the interactive actions based on the reaction from the individual. The indicator indicates a relative degree of success in obtaining a desired response from the individual.
US09824598B2

A flight hindrance display apparatus includes circuitry. The circuitry is configured to acquire surrounding information of an aircraft. The surrounding information is related to a hindrance factor which is a possible flight hindrance to the aircraft. The circuitry is configured to determine a spatial range of the flight hindrance factor on a basis of the acquired surrounding information. The circuitry is configured to determine a flight hindrance cross-section that intersects a plane including a vector of a flight direction of the aircraft and is included in the determined spatial range of the flight hindrance factor. The circuitry is configured to cause a display unit to stereoscopically display an own position of the aircraft, the spatial range of the flight hindrance factor, and the flight hindrance cross-section.
US09824591B1

A system and method are provided for monitoring, collecting and aggregating position information from multiple independent data sources to localize a position of an aircraft operating worldwide. The localized position information is provided to one or more end-users or stakeholders in a format for direct integration into one or more mapping and/or situational awareness display applications. Information is collected from a plurality of monitored data sources. Weighted values are applied to certain of the information collected from the plurality of data sources according to known or predictable/determinable static and/or dynamic accuracy errors and latencies of the information provided. A detailed analytic algorithm is applied to provide a probabilistic analysis that results in a resolution of a real-time, or near real-time, aircraft location, as well as an ability to accurately predict an aircraft location along a track at some future time.
US09824588B2

An electronic device includes: a monitor unit configured to monitor a speed and a position of a host car and a preceding car; a reception unit configured to receive traffic signal information including at least a current display state of a traffic light in an intersection and timing information of a change of the display state of the traffic light; a prediction unit configured to generate a first prediction result and a second prediction result; and a warning unit configured to give a first-stage warning when the first prediction result indicates that the preceding car will go into the intersection after the traffic light changes to the red signal display state, and give a second-stage warning when the second prediction result indicates that the preceding car cannot stop without braking suddenly.
US09824585B2

A collision avoidance apparatus includes an obstacle detection unit to detect an obstacle ahead of a vehicle; an approaching object detection unit to detect an approaching object approaching the vehicle from behind the vehicle; and an electronic control unit to calculate a collision time until the vehicle collides with the obstacle, based on the distance and relative speed of the obstacle, and starts a drive support to avoid a collision with the obstacle when the vehicle speed is a lower limit speed or greater, and the collision time is a threshold or less. When there is a likelihood for the object to collide with the vehicle from behind the vehicle, the electronic control unit lowers the lower limit speed, and/or starts drive support when the collision time is the threshold or less, even when the vehicle speed is less than the lower limit speed.
US09824580B2

Provided is a mechanism for producing an uncertainty-based traffic congestion index, wherein the mechanism may comprise: obtaining a plurality of GPS data points; dividing the plurality of GPS data points into a plurality of variable sliding windows, wherein the dividing maximizes an amount of shape information in each of the plurality of variable sliding windows, performing a map matching process on the plurality of GPS data points as the GPS data points had been divided by the dividing; calculating a confidence value indicative of the map matching process; and producing the traffic congestion index, wherein the traffic congestion index is produced by taking into account the calculated confidence value indicative of the map matching process. In various embodiments, such a mechanism may be implemented via systems, methods and/or computer program products.
US09824577B2

A method in which a control device controls at least one of a plurality of terminal devices is provided. The method includes transmitting a search request for requesting information on a location of each of a plurality of terminal devices, and information on a direction of each of the plurality of terminal devices based on a direction in which the control device is directed, receiving a response corresponding to the transmitted search request, determining at least one of the plurality of terminal devices that are controllable from among the plurality of terminal devices based on the received response, and controlling the determined at least one of the plurality of terminal devices that are controllable.
US09824574B2

A number of different approaches are described for minimizing or preventing false alarms. In one case, override panels are used such as locally near or in the protected space or remotely at a security desk, for example. These override panels are used to deactivate or block the generation of a fire alarm signal in the case where the occupants or a management personnel recognizes that the fire alarm signal should not be generated. In this way, an alarm verification step is included. In another aspect, additional, contextual information is used to characterize or adjust when fire alarm signals are generated. This contextual information can be generated from sources that are not typically used in the generation of the fire alarm signal but instead are based on other sources of the information concerning the protected space.
US09824554B2

A system is provided that includes a tracking system including one or more processors that detect movement of people within a secured geographic area, a movement analysis system including one or more processors that correlate the detected movements of people within geographic locations of a building information model (BIM) of the secured area, and an optimization system including one or more processors that correlate the locations of people with a distance of each movement to provide reports that optimize a location of people or equipment within the secured area based upon the distances and frequencies of movement.
US09824552B2

Communication devices are disclosed. In an example embodiment, a communication device may include a communication module including an illumination source and a body element. The body element may be configured to allow illumination generated by the illumination source to propagate within and illuminate at least a portion of an outer surface of the body element.
US09824551B2

A seating area system for use in a seating area where the seats have respectively associated radiation emitting devices (for example, infrared light emitting diodes) to help people find their seats through a camera type display on their mobile devices. Upon request from an end user, a server system turns on the radiation emitting device, associated with the end user's request, for a limited time.
US09824543B2

A parlay card sweepstakes opportunity is presented to a player via a web site hosted by a computer system. The parlay card sweepstakes opportunity may include one or more player-selectable parameters for the selection of previously generated pre-populated parlay cards associated with the sweepstakes opportunity. The pre-populated parlay cards may be stored in a data store that is accessed upon receiving a parameter selection from the player. The pre-populated parlay cards include a plurality of events as well as predicted outcomes for these events. A particular pre-populated parlay card may be selected from the plurality of previously generated pre-populated parlay cards and presented to the player via the web site. Actual outcome information regarding events included in the pre-populated parlay card may then be received and a prize may be presented to the player based a combined actual outcome of the plurality of events included on the pre-populated parlay card.
US09824539B2

An electronic method of gaming comprises an electronic game controller forming a game outcome by selecting a plurality of symbols for display at respective ones of a plurality of symbol display positions of a symbol display, evaluating the game outcome to determine whether to a) make an award in respect of the game outcome, and b) remove one or more symbols from the symbol display, and upon removing one or more symbols, making an additional award upon the removal of the one or more symbols corresponding to one or more removal outcomes.
US09824537B1

A method, apparatus, and computer readable storage to implement an augmented game system. A player can play an online game and accumulate loyalty points without have to pay cash. The player can enter a physical casino and play an electronic gaming machine which can retrieve the player's information from the online game including the number of loyalty points the player has and any other incentives or game add-ons the player would be entitled to. The player would then play a physical game on the electronic game normally (by depositing cash and playing) but the game play would be augmented by virtue of the player having the loyalty points or other incentives or add-ons. For example, the game can be augmented by giving the player a better paytable.
US09824536B2

A gaming system which facilitates the two-way communication between mobile devices, such as mobile phones, and different gaming system components to enhance a player's gaming experience.
US09824530B2

An exemplary method comprises receiving information associated with a game-playing transaction conducted between a user device and a game-playing terminal, wherein the game-playing transaction is associated with a request for playing a game; determining a location of the user device associated with the game; determining the user device is located in an approved location associated with the game; and processing the game-playing transaction based on determining the user device is located in the approved location associated with the game. The game-playing transaction is conducted on a first communication interface, and the information associated with the game-playing transaction is received on a first or second communication interface.
US09824529B2

This disclosure provides a wagering system associated with a first wagering facility, the system communicably coupled with a network and including a memory operable to store betting odds on a plurality of wagering events hosted by the first wagering facility. The system further includes a processor coupled to the memory and operable to receive a first bet on a particular event via the network, the particular event comprising at least one of the wagering events hosted by the first wagering facility. If a second bet is received within a predetermined period of time after the first bet is received, then the processor recalculates the betting odds on the particular event based upon both of the first bet and the second bet. If a second bet is not received within a predetermined period of time after the first bet is received, then the processor recalculates the betting odds on the particular event based upon the first bet.
US09824526B2

A gaming system including a game which utilizes one or more designated symbols. In these embodiments, if at least one single individual designated symbol is generated and displayed at at least one single symbol display position, the gaming system modifies the single individual designated symbol into one or more individual designated symbols at the same single symbol display position. This modification of an individual designated symbol into a plurality of individual designated symbols is associated with one or more benefits, such as the availability of one or more awards not previously available prior to the modification.
US09824522B2

Embodiments of the invention provide a vending machine for enabling a transaction between a user and one of a plurality of remote sources. Vending machine may include a communication interface communicatively coupled with each source. Vending machine may include an input interface for receiving an input regarding the selection of a source. Vending machine may include a speaker and a microphone for audio communication with selected source, as well as a display for providing information related to the transaction from selected source. Vending machine may include a processor that transmits an indication that a source has been selected and establishes, via the communication interface, audio communication. Processor may receive, via the communication interface, a control command from selected source directing a hardware peripheral of vending machine to perform a function. Processor may receive an issuance authorization from selected source. The issuance authorization may cause a transaction item to be issued.
US09824510B2

A vehicle operation sensing system includes an operation sensor, a fixture sensor, and a vehicle operation sensing unit. The operation sensor is an acceleration sensor fixed to an operation member, and sensing an acceleration generated in the operation member at least in a gravitational acceleration direction. The operation member has one end fixed to a vehicle and the other end a position of which is displaced in the gravitational acceleration direction when the operation member is operated. The fixture sensor is an acceleration sensor used at a position unchanging part of the vehicle, and sensing an acceleration generated in the vehicle at least in the gravitational acceleration direction. The vehicle operation sensing unit has an operation sensing part sensing an operation of the operation member by using a sensing result of the fixture sensor as an object to be compared with a sensing result of the operation sensor.
US09824498B2

Methods, systems, and computer programs are presented for the presentation of images in a head-mounted display (HMD). One HMD includes a screen, a processor, inertial sensors, a motion tracker module, and a display adjuster module. The motion tracker tracks motion of the HMD based on inertial data from the inertial sensors, and the display adjuster produces modified display data for an image frame to be scanned to the screen if the motion of the HMD is greater than a threshold amount of motion. The display data includes pixel values to be scanned to rows in sequential order, and the modified display data includes adjusted pixel values for pixels in a current pixel row of the image frame to compensate for the distance traveled by the HMD during a time elapsed between scanning a first pixel row of the image frame and scanning the current pixel row of the image frame.
US09824489B2

A grading and monitoring system that evaluates a quality of index of a neighborhood via satellite images in described. The system utilizes a fuzzy-logic rule based technique in determining the quality of the neighborhood. The crisp input parameters that define the characteristics of a neighborhood are first fuzzified and based on a set of rules that are obtained from an experts knowledge, an output fuzzy set of type-2 is obtained. Further, the output fuzzy set is aggregated and type-reduced to obtain an output crisp value corresponding to the neighborhoods quality. The system also monitors changes in the neighborhood quality in predetermined time intervals.
US09824488B2

Systems and methods for rendering 2D grids using texture mapping and fragment shaders.
US09824481B2

Techniques describe tagging visual data (e.g., image and/or video data) with wireless and sensor measurement information by a mobile device. Tagged visual data may be sent to a server, such as a crowdsourcing server. Techniques further describe receiving visual data from a device, wherein the visual data is tagged with information comprising source identifying information associated with an at least one signal emitting device, identifying at least one visual feature from the visual data, determining a coordinate on a map at which the visual data was acquired based on identifying the at least one visual feature from the visual data, and associating the coordinate on the map with the information associated with the at least one signal emitting device.
US09824477B1

A system and method for creatively directing a promotional campaign comprised of photos or videos captured by a plurality of remote contributors. The method may comprise creating, via a graphical user interface of a computing device, a list of shot templates for desired photos or videos, each shot template comprising shot specifications. The shot specifications may comprise a description of a desired subject of the shot template and one or more desired camera settings. The method may then comprise generating a notification regarding the list of shot templates from the graphical user interface, sending the notification to an image capture device of one or more of the plurality of remote contributors, and displaying the list of shot templates on the image capture device.
US09824474B2

One embodiment is directed to a method comprising obtaining, using a portable device, identifier information about one or more identifiers associated with one or more of a rack and equipment installed in the rack and displaying on the portable device a picture of the rack captured and displaying on the portable device an overlay that includes markings that define a perimeter of the rack and a plurality of equipment positions within the rack. The method further comprises receiving, by the portable device, an alignment of the overlay on the picture of the rack and the equipment positions and receiving location information for the rack. The method further comprises storing the picture of the rack, the alignment of the overlay on the picture of the rack, the identifier location, and the location information by a management application. Other embodiments are disclosed.
US09824473B2

The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for cross-platform data visualizations using common descriptions. Embodiments of the invention provide mechanisms for simplifying software development and enhanced code reliability. A user interface, along with interactive and dynamic characteristics, can be described (programmatically and/or declaratively) independently of any specific device platform. User interface qualities can be described using a generic scene graph structure with attached behaviors. The generic scene graph can then be used to drive the user interface on any number of different computing platforms using platform specific (e.g., rendering, gesture recognition, etc.) sub-systems. Platform specific sub-systems can vary based on technologies that are used by the platform specific sub-systems. For example, rendering sub-systems can vary based on the technology used to render graphical data, such as, for example, Open GL, XAML, Direct X, Quartz, etc.
US09824472B2

According to one embodiment of the present invention, a computer-implemented method generates an alternative visualization of a data set based on a specification of a selected first visualization of the data set and parameters comprising information about a data visualization goal and statistical relations between two or more variables in the data set. Embodiments of the present invention further include a system and computer program product for generating an alternative visualization in substantially the same manners described above.
US09824468B2

A computationally efficient dictionary learning-based term is employed in an iterative reconstruction framework to keep more spatial information than two-dimensional dictionary learning and require less computational cost than three-dimensional dictionary learning. In one such implementation, a non-local regularization algorithm is employed in an MBIR context (such as in a low dose CT image reconstruction context) based on dictionary learning in which dictionaries from different directions (e.g., x,y-plane, y,z-plane, x,z-plane) are employed and the sparse coefficients calculated accordingly. In this manner, spatial information from all three directions is retained and computational cost is constrained.
US09824465B2

A texture repository is provided for use with an image manipulation application. The texture repository provides a canvas to the image manipulation application for use with an image filter. The texture repository may provide an existing canvas matching the request from the image filter, or the texture repository may generate a new canvas for the request. The generated canvas may be procedurally generated to match the request, or the generated canvas may be resized from an existing canvas stored in a non-volatile storage or a cache.
US09824436B2

A method of comparing measured three-dimensional (3D) measurement data to an object is provided. The method includes the steps of providing a three dimensional measurement device configured to measure 3D coordinates of points on the object and a computing device having a camera and display. During an inspection process, the method measures the object with the 3D measurement device which provides a first collection of 3D coordinates. The first collection of 3D coordinates is stored on the computer network and is associated with an AR marker. During an observation process the method reads the AR marker and transmits from the computer network the first collection of 3D coordinates and a dimensional representation of the object to the computing device. A portion of the first collection of 3D coordinates is registered to the camera image. On the integrated display the registered collection of 3D coordinates and the camera image are shown.
US09824435B2

Proposed are an image analyzing apparatus and program in which the orientation of fiber bundles can be easily analyzed from a three-dimensional image of CMC. Provided is an image analyzing apparatus for analyzing an orientation of a fiber bundle from a three-dimensional image of a fiber-reinforced composite material, comprising an input unit which inputs the three-dimensional image, a binarization processing unit which binarizes the input three-dimensional image and acquires a binary image, an orientation estimation processing unit which estimates each orientation of foreground pixels in the binary image based on an orientation detection filter having a parameter for causing a shape of a detected cross section to have anisotropy, a center extraction processing unit which extracts center pixels showing a center of the fiber bundle from a foreground pixel group, in which the orientation thereof was estimated, based on the orientation detection filter, a fiber bundle connection processing unit which deems center pixels having a same or similar orientation to be a same fiber bundle with regard to the extracted center pixel group, and connects the center pixels indicating the same fiber bundle, and a meander determination processing unit which calculates a meandering amount of the connected center pixel group indicating the same fiber bundle.
US09824432B2

A method of inspecting two or more sides of an object is provided. The method includes generating one set of image data of two or more sides of the object, such as by using spherical mirror segments that project all sides of the object onto a single image and generating an X by Y array of image data of the single image. The projection of the image data is then compensated for, such as by identifying inspection processes to locate defects of the object in the projected image data or by converting the image data from the projected inspection coordinates to Cartesian coordinates. Predetermined inspection processes are then performed on the compensated image data, such as by using the inspection processes that are optimized for use with the projected image data or by converting the projected image data into a Cartesian format and using Cartesian image data inspection processes.
US09824430B2

Provided are a method and an apparatus for adjusting image brightness. The method includes: acquiring an image to be processed, and acquiring a single-channel brightness image based on grayscales of each channel of the image to be processed; performing Gaussian filtering on the single-channel brightness image to acquire a Gaussian filtered image; adjusting grayscales of the Gaussian filtered image based on the grayscales of the Gaussian filtered image and a preset proportion; comparing the Gaussian filtered image after adjustment with the Gaussian filtered image before adjustment to acquire a grayscale change rate of each pixel through adjustment; processing the image to be processed based on the grayscale change rate of each pixel to acquire a processed image; and outputting the processed image.
US09824424B2

Embodiments of the disclosure provide an image amplifying method, an image amplifying device, and a display apparatus, and relate to field of image processing technique, the method comprises: obtaining, by an image amplifying device, high-frequency and low-frequency components of a source image; performing, by the image amplifying device, pixel interpolation on the low-frequency components of the source image through a first interpolation algorithm, to obtain a low-frequency sub-image; performing, by the image amplifying device, pixel interpolation on the high-frequency components of the source image through a second interpolation algorithm, to obtain a high-frequency sub-image; and merging, by the image amplifying device, the low-frequency and high-frequency sub-images, to obtain a merged image; wherein the first interpolation algorithm and the second interpolation algorithm adopt different algorithms, so that it can ensure image quality of the amplified image while reducing the operation amount. Embodiments of the disclosure are applied to image amplification.
US09824410B1

A restaurant service system for assessing the accuracy of estimated delivery time provided by a restaurant includes an order server, a restaurant server, a service server and an assessment server. Each of the servers includes a server software application. The order server software application collects a set of orders from a set of diner devices. The restaurant server software application retrieves an estimated delivery time for each order in the set. The service server software application determines an order actual delivery time for at least one order in the set. The assessment server software application determines an accuracy measure of estimated delivery time for the restaurant.
US09824386B2

According to one aspect, embodiments of the invention provide a router having a first I/O terminal and a second I/O terminal, wherein the first I/O terminal is configured to be in communication with at least one client via a first network, wherein the second I/O terminal is configured to be in communication with a plurality of remote servers via a second network, and wherein the router is configured to receive, at the first I/O terminal via the first network, a web services request from the at least one client, identify, based on the web services request from the at least one client, a group of the plurality of remote servers that are capable of fulfilling the web services request, and transmit, in parallel via the second I/O terminal and the second network, the received web services request to each one of the plurality of remote servers within the group.
US09824384B2

A current location of a portable computerized device can be determined within a retail store. A computer-implemented method to provide a directional aid for a consumer within the store includes receiving an item being sought within a retail store, monitoring, at the processing device, the current location of a portable computerized device, determining an in-store location of the item being sought; and displaying to the consumer a graphic describing a direction and a distance from the current location to the in-store location of the item being sought.
US09824381B2

A mobile station is arranged to determine its location, which is searched against street addresses from a database, and at least one matching street address is retrieved. The street address is searched on the mobile station and/or over the network. The search engine conducts a search in the mobile station file system and/or the Internet and/or a file system over the network with the at least one query term,—at least one search result is arranged to be displayed to user on the screen of the mobile station. This facilitates on-demand effortless Mobile Internet Search that allows the users to access opportunities that they did not know about, or would not have had time to find out about with minimum effort as the software of the mobile phone is scanning the Internet and information pages for these opportunities and displaying the results dynamically on the mobile phone screen.
US09824379B2

A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, an avatar engine having a controller to retrieve a user profile of a user, present the user an avatar having characteristics that correlate to the user profile, detect one or more responses of the user during a communication exchange between the avatar and the user, identify from the one or more responses a need to engage in an e-commerce transaction, engage in a commercial exchange with a merchant system according to the e-commerce transaction, identify a commercial status of the e-commerce transaction from the commercial exchange with the merchant system, and present the user by way of the avatar the commercial status of the e-commerce transaction. Other embodiments are disclosed.
US09824378B2

Embodiments for creating a unified catalog include systems and methods that import catalog data from one or more underlying catalog systems. The systems provide a user interface to a user for browsing items from the catalog data and receive a request for at least one selected item from the user. The systems also determine an item identifier for the at least one selected item and match the at least one selected item to at least one source catalog selected from the one or more underlying catalog systems based on the identifier.
US09824374B1

An ad gateway is disclosed. The ad gateway comprises a processor, a memory, and an application stored in the memory. The application when executed by the processor, determines a type of network connection by which a mobile communication device is communicatively coupled to a communication network and a current quality of service (QOS) level of the communication network. The application then selects an advertisement type based on the type of network connection and based on the current QoS level of the communication network. The application then requests an advertisement of the selected type for the mobile communication device from an advertisement data store, wherein the advertisement types comprise a static image type, an animation type, a video type, and a high definition video type. The application then receives the advertisement from the advertisement data store. The application then transmits the advertisement to the mobile communication device.
US09824372B1

The subject matter of this specification can be embodied in, among other things, a method that includes identifying web pages that embed a selected video, aggregating content derived from the identified web pages, and transmitting one or more advertisements (ads) that are targeted to the aggregated content for presentation with the selected video embedded on the identified web pages.
US09824369B1

An online survey platform and process for correlating the bid price offered by a supplier for the completion of an out-of-network survey hosted on the survey platform to one or more intrinsic value indicators of the survey. If the supplier's bid price is less than or equal to the survey budget price set by the buyer, then the routing platform of the present invention will route the supplier's respondent(s) to the survey.
US09824365B2

Systems, methods, apparatuses, and computer program products are provided for determining carbon emissions of one or more vehicles. For instance, in one example embodiment, an apparatus may calculate miles traveled by the vehicles along a predefined route and may calculate a fuel usage of the vehicles for traveling along the route to obtain one or more fuel values. The apparatus may also analyze data indicating the miles traveled and the fuel values to determine fuel efficiency values corresponding to the vehicles traveling the route. The apparatus may also determine an estimate of an amount of carbon emissions for each of the vehicles based in part on applying at least one carbon emission value to respective fuel values associated with corresponding determined fuel efficiency values.
US09824357B2

A method for authenticating an access attempt includes detecting an access attempt by a user device over a network. A challenge-response authentication is provided over the network to the user device. The challenge-response authentication includes an image having a plurality of image objects. The challenge-response authentication is operable to display the image such that at least one of the plurality of image objects is in focus and at least one of the plurality of image objects is not in focus. In response to providing the challenge-response authentication, an authentication response is received from the user device over the network, and it is determined whether the authentication response includes an indication of the at least one of the plurality of image objects that is in focus to determine whether to authenticate or deny the access attempt.
US09824354B1

A transaction is conducted between a merchant site and a customer's electronic device using a payment processor. The merchant site is associated with a client-side application and a server-side application. The client-side application executes on the customer's electronic device. The client-side application electronically sends payment information retrieved from the customer's electronic device to the payment processor. The client-side application does not send the payment information to the server-side application. The payment processor creates a token from the payment information sent by the client-side application. The token functions as a proxy for the payment information. The payment processor electronically sends the token to the client-side application. The client-side application electronically sends the token to the server-side application for use by the server-side application in conducting the transaction. The payment information can thus be used by the server-side application via the token without the server-side application being exposed to the payment information.
US09824345B2

To appropriately execute a receipt generating process based on whether or not an application is installed on a mobile terminal as the target communication device. A printer driver according to the invention has an installation decision unit that determines if a specific application is installed on a mobile device targeted for communication; a receipt generation decision unit that determines whether or not to generate a paper receipt and/or electronic receipt based on the decision of the installation decision unit; and receipt generating process units that execute paper receipt and/or electronic receipt generating processes according to the decision of the receipt generation decision unit.
US09824342B2

Under control of an operator of a payment processing network, a bill presentment service is provided, wherein bills received from a plurality of billing entities are made available to a plurality of consuming entities. The operator also provides at least a portion of a bill payment service wherein the consuming entities are afforded an option of paying the bills from the plurality of billing entities. The operator stores, in a database, registration and preference data pertaining to each of the plurality of consuming entities. At least portion of the registration and preference data includes payment preference data specifying how a given one of the consuming entities wishes to pay at least two of the billing entities. The given one of the consuming entities is afforded an option to pay the at least two of the billing entities with a single command, in accordance with the payment preference data.
US09824332B1

A system comprises connection handler circuitry and privacy enforcement circuitry of a first email subsystem. The connection handler circuitry is operable to receive the email message from a mail user agent. The privacy enforcement circuitry is operable to, after the reception of the email message by the connection handler circuitry and before relaying of the email message to a second email subsystem: detect tracking code in the email message; and replace the detected tracking code with replacement content. The connection handler circuitry is operable to send the email message to the second email subsystem after the replacement of the detected tracking code in the email message. The tracking code may comprise a first uniform resource locator (URL), and the replacement content may comprise a second URL.
US09824331B2

Disclosed are methods and systems for handling social media inputs in an existing multi-channel converged CSTA based infrastructure. The methods and systems may be characterized by determination of priority and potential churn index of the inputs received from sentiment analysis module based on predetermined parameters. The inputs are translated into qualifier by using predetermined combinations of severity index and anticipated churn index, which are then adapted into the CSTA specifications. Thereafter, the method and system includes determination of routing of the adapted posts for further treatment using inbound mechanism or outbound mechanism. Specifically, the routing of the inbound post is carried out leveraging the “one number service” of the CSTA based infrastructure.
US09824325B2

The present invention provides systems and methods for processing return transactions over a network. An embodiment of the invention discloses an online return application that generates an electronic return shipping label that can be delivered to a browser of a customer that wishes to make a return. Also, disclosed is the creation and transmission of label delivery links, which provide for dynamic generation and delivery of shipping labels.
US09824324B2

Automated package deliveries comprises a server at a package delivery system that receives a request for a package delivery, the request comprising an identification of a package and an identification of a first kiosk location. The server associates the package with an aerial delivery device and a user authentication to retrieve the package. The server transmits to the delivery device instructions to deliver the package to the first kiosk. Subsequently, the server receives a request from a user computing device to retrieve the package from the first kiosk and deliver the package to an alternate kiosk. The server transmits to the delivery device instructions to retrieve the package from the first kiosk and instructions to deliver the package to the alternate kiosk. The delivery device retrieves the package from the automated kiosk and delivers the package to the alternate kiosk.
US09824317B2

A method includes forming a working mixed integer linear program (MILP) from a given MILP for job allocation to allocate people to jobs at least by choosing a subset of variables from the MILP. Only person/job combinations that are deemed most valuable are chosen for the subset. The working MILP includes the chosen subset of variables but no other variables from the given MILP. The working MILP is solved to determine a solution. Using the solution, a special linear program is formed and solved to determine a price of each constraint relative to the solution. Using the prices, variables that are not in the working MILP are evaluated to determine any variables that can contribute to an improved solution. The variables evaluated as contributing to an improved solution are added to the working MILP. The working MILP with the added variables is solved. Apparatus and program products are also disclosed.
US09824312B2

Systems and methods can support complex event handling. A complex event handler can receive a current event. The current event may be stored to an event log. The current event may be matched against rule conditions within a rule implementation system. Prior events may be identified, within the rule implementation system, upon which the matched rule conditions also depend. The event log may be searched for the identified prior events. Prior event parameters, corresponding to the identified prior events, may be retrieved from the event log. The rule conditions may be evaluated in view of the current event and the retrieved prior event parameters. Actions may be executed that correspond to the rule conditions triggered in response to the evaluating. Domain specific language expression may be received, processed, and incorporated as rules and facts into the rule implementation system.
US09824311B1

A liquid state machine pulse domain neural processor circuit comprising an asynchronous input filter circuit provided for, at any given time, receiving a series of analog input signals and generating in response a set of time-encoded values that depend on the series of analog input signals received at said given time and before said given time; and an asynchronous trainable readout map circuit for transforming at least a portion of said set of time encoded values into output signals.
US09824304B2

Font recognition and similarity determination techniques and systems are described. In a first example, localization techniques are described to train a model using machine learning (e.g., a convolutional neural network) using training images. The model is then used to localize text in a subsequently received image, and may do so automatically and without user intervention, e.g., without specifying any of the edges of a bounding box. In a second example, a deep neural network is directly learned as an embedding function of a model that is usable to determine font similarity. In a third example, techniques are described that leverage attributes described in metadata associated with fonts as part of font recognition and similarity determinations.
US09824303B2

An image matching method includes: extracting a plurality of feature points from a reference image; selecting a first feature point from the feature points, and selecting a first reference search area comprising the first feature point; setting a first matching candidate search area corresponding to the first reference search area from a target image, and extracting a plurality of feature points from the first matching candidate search area; selecting a second feature point closest to the first feature point in the first reference search area, and selecting a first straight line connecting the first and second feature points; generating a plurality of segments from the feature points extracted from the first matching candidate search area; and determining a first matching straight line matching a length and an angle of the first straight line, from the segments generated from the feature points extracted from the first matching candidate search area.
US09824298B1

Techniques for predicting and detecting produce quality may be provided. For example, visual or infrared characteristics of a produce item (e.g., skin, shape, wrinkles, and other characteristics of an apple, pepper, etc.) may be compared with ripeness characteristics of the type of produce item (e.g., other apples or peppers). The ripeness characteristics may correspond with the type of produce item at different stages of ripeness along a ripeness regression (e.g., a timeline of the produce item from raw to rotten). One or more ripeness scores of the produce item may be determined along a timeline (e.g., raw at day 1, rotten at day 10, etc.), so that when a user requests a produce item corresponding with a particular ripeness score, the produce item can be provided to the user based in part on the visual or infrared characteristics of the produce item and ripeness regression.
US09824295B2

Systems and methods for characterizing an obscurant and imaging a target are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method of imaging a target includes characterizing at least one obscurant present in an environment, and determining, based on the at least one characterized obscurant, one or more of the following: one or more wavelengths corresponding to the at least one obscurant, a polarization state corresponding to the at least one obscurant, and a sensor exposure time corresponding to the at least one obscurant. The method further includes adjusting one or more parameters of an imagining system based at least in part on a characterization of the at least one obscurant.
US09824285B2

A control system for a vehicle includes a forward-viewing camera and an image processor operable to process image data captured by the forward-viewing camera. The control system is operable to detect a traffic light and to determine a change in state of the traffic light from red to green. The control system determines that another vehicle is ahead of the stopped equipped vehicle at the traffic light, and determines a change in state of the traffic light from red to green. Responsive to (a) a threshold period of time elapsing during which the other vehicle ahead of the equipped vehicle has not moved after the traffic light changes state from red to green and/or (b) the other vehicle ahead of the equipped vehicle moving a threshold distance away from the equipped vehicle, the control system (i) generates an alert and/or (ii) controls a vehicle system of the equipped vehicle.
US09824266B2

A handwriting input apparatus and method are provided. The handwriting input apparatus includes: a touch screen configured to display a handwriting corresponding to a touch input; and a processor configured to generate a skeleton for the handwriting by performing text recognition with respect to the handwriting, correct a style of the handwriting based on the generated skeleton, apply a beautification effect to the corrected style of the handwriting, and control the touch screen to display the beautified handwriting.
US09824254B1

A biometric sensing system includes discrete ultrasonic transducers, a first electrode layer disposed over a first surface of the discrete ultrasonic transducers, and a second electrode layer disposed over a second surface of the discrete ultrasonic transducers. The first electrode layer may be a sheet of conductive material that is a common ground connection for the discrete ultrasonic transducers. Alternatively, the first electrode layer can be formed with discrete electrode elements, with a discrete electrode element disposed over the first surface of a discrete ultrasonic transducer. The second electrode layer may be formed with discrete electrode elements, with a discrete electrode element disposed over the second surface of one ultrasonic transducer. At least one integrated circuit can be attached and connected to one of the electrode layers. The integrated circuit includes drive circuits and sense circuits for the discrete ultrasonic transducers.
US09824252B1

A method and structure for a radio frequency identification (RFID) sensor that may be used to monitor various environmental conditions. The environmental condition measured depends on a sensor material used in the RFID sensor. The sensor material is selected based on a flux in electrical conductivity relative to its saturation of the environmental condition being monitored. The sensor material is placed between adjacent electrically conductive structures of the RFID sensor. Upon a change in the environmental condition being measure, the electrical conductivity of the sensor material changes, thereby increasing or decreasing an amplitude of a response by the RFID sensor to an interrogation by an RFID reader.
US09824251B2

Device testing using radio-frequency identification (RFID) is described herein. The testing uses one or more RFID readers that interrogate an RFID tag on a mobile device and, in response to the interrogation, receive data from the RFID tag. The one or more RFID readers, in response to receipt of the data from the RFID tag, transmit a command to execute a test program on the mobile device. The results of the test program are then provided by the mobile device.
US09824248B2

Methods and apparatuses are described for proximity-based and user-based access control using wearable devices. A short-range frequency reader coupled to a target device detects a plurality of wearable devices in proximity to the reader, each wearable device comprising a short-range frequency antenna. The reader identifies, for each wearable device, a user wearing the wearable device. The reader determines, for each wearable device, a distance from the reader and an orientation in relation to the target device. The reader determines a level of access available to the target device based upon the identity of each user, the distance of each wearable device from the reader, the orientation of each wearable device in relation to the target device, and the distance of the wearable devices from each other in a three-dimensional space.
US09824246B2

Disclosed is an RFID tag configured to store a plurality of data and selectively provide a predetermined data of the plurality of data to an RFID reader. The RFID tag includes a radio frequency (RF) interface, a memory, an input unit, and a control unit. The RF interface include an antenna for communication with an RFID reader. The memory is configured to store a plurality of data. The input unit is configured to receive a selection for provision data to be provided to the RFID reader among the plurality of data stored in the memory. The control unit is configured to control the selected data to be provided to the RFID reader through the RF interface when a request for data is received from the RFID reader.
US09824242B2

A storage location of a device that can be configured to act as a master in a particular security mode, such as a Direct Memory Access (DMA) having one or more channels, can be programmed to indicate a security indicator to be provided when configured to operate as a master device.
US09824232B1

Described are techniques for associating messages with a particular portion of media content. A message received from a first device, associated with a portion of media content stored on the first device, may be provided to a second device and stored in association with a corresponding portion of media content on the second device. Content consumption data associated with the second device may indicate whether the second device has previously accessed the portion of the media content. The message may be suppressed from presentation if the second device has not previously accessed the corresponding portion of the media content. The message may be presented to the second device when the corresponding portion of the media content is accessed.
US09824228B2

A system and non-transitory computer program product for preserving data redundancy in a data deduplication system in a computing environment is provided. A selected data segment, to be written through the data deduplication system, is encrypted such that the selected data segment is not subject to a deduplication operation. Copies of the data segment that are to be precluded from data deduplication are determined and identified. A unique encryption key is used to encrypt the selected data segment to be written through the data deduplication system such that the selected data segment is not subject to a deduplication operation. The data deduplication system is tricked to recognize the encrypted, selected data segment as new, undeduplicated data by the encrypting thereby skipping steps of the deduplication operation that includes fingerprint generation and matching. The encrypted, selected data segment is directly written to a new physical storage location.
US09824227B2

An example method of providing simulated control of a third-party database to a client includes receiving, at a simulation control proxy, a query that selects data from a database table stored in a third-party database. The method also includes submitting, over a network, the query to the third-party database. The method further includes loading a set of database records included in an initial result set of the query. The method also includes determining whether a data storage device includes modification data indicating that the initial result set is stale. The method further includes updating the initial result set in accordance with the modification data if the initial result set is stale. The method also includes sending the updated result set of the query to a client. The updated result set of the query is different from the initial result set of the query.
US09824219B2

An electronic system having wake up verification comprises an electronic device and a mobile device. The electronic device wirelessly connects to the mobile device. When the mobile device executes a verification program, the mobile device provides a sampling signal input interface on which a user can input a sampling signal. When the sampling signal is input, the mobile device transforms the sampling signal into sampling data and transmits the sampling data to the electronic device. The electronic device verifies the sampling data. When the sampling data are correct, the electronic device executes an operation system. When the sampling data are incorrect, the electronic device cannot execute the operation system. Therefore, information stored in the electronic device can be protected by two factor authentication to increase reliability for safeguarding information.
US09824217B2

A method for detecting malicious active processes and self replicating executable binary files on a computing device. The method comprises monitoring in runtime active processes running on a computing device, extracting unique identifier(s) of each of the active processes which maps the active process to executable binary file(s) containing executable code of the active process, monitoring in runtime creation and modification of data files hosted by the computing device, identifying executable binary files among the data files, monitoring concurrent operation of logical sensors which detect malicious behavioral patterns of the active processes and maintain one or more lists of malicious behavioral pattern findings, and detecting malicious active process(es) of a malware from the active processes and self-replicating executable binary file(s) of the malicious active process(es) according to a match between the respective unique identifier(s), the malicious behavioral pattern findings and at least one the executable binary files.
US09824213B2

A method and apparatus for assembling a component in a router are provided. The router includes at least one reconfigurable component, the at least one reconfigurable component has a unique function, the method includes: obtaining attribute information of the at least one reconfigurable component in the router, wherein the attribute information comprises information on an importance and/or a using frequency of the at least one reconfigurable component in the router; coding the at least one reconfigurable component based on Huffman Coding to generate a Huffman code according to the attribute information of the at least one reconfigurable component; selecting the at least one reconfigurable component, and assembling the selected reconfigurable component to realize a routing function and to form an assembly code; and generating a routing paradigm table according to a user security requirement and the assembly code, such that the router performs the routing function according to the routing paradigm table.
US09824203B2

Pursuant to at least some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to a method that includes configuring an RFID tag to store information related to a battery charge level of a battery of a peripheral device, reading the RFID tag, and disabling a subsequent reading of the RFID tag in response to determining that the RFID tag includes stored information indicative of the battery charge level being low or depleted.
US09824201B2

A method for a java application to access an intelligent key apparatus. The apparatus comprises: a java application calling a JNI interface; obtaining a corresponding lower level interface function according to a correspondence table of a JNI interface function and the lower level interface function; converting a source parameter list of the JNI interface function into a target parameter list of the corresponding lower level interface function according to the target parameter list of the lower level interface function; calling a lower level interface; accessing an intelligent key apparatus; obtaining a returned result; and returning a value of the returned result to the java application. By means of the method in the present invention, it is not easy to obtain a source code by decompiling a java application, thereby improving the security of the java application accessing an intelligent key apparatus.
US09824194B2

In accordance with the teaching described herein, systems and methods are provided for providing secure access to a software application on a computing device. The software application may include a security framework having a set of predetermined security requirements. Prior to enabling access to the software application by a user, the computing device may, (i) verify installation of a device security configuration profile on the computing device, wherein the device security configuration profile certifies that the software application includes the set of predetermined security requirements, (ii) receive identifying information from the user via a user interface, (iii) verify the identifying information with an authentication server, and (iv) based on a successful verification of the identifying information, receive and store a security token. Access to the software application on the computing device may be provided for a specified period identified by the security token.
US09824192B2

A computer simulation method for a macromolecular material and filler is disclosed, wherein a polymer model of a macromolecular chain of the macromolecular material and a filler model of the filler are defined; and a molecular dynamics calculation is performed using the filler model and the polymer models disposed in a space in order to compute the thickness of an interface layer between the filler and the macromolecular material. To compute the thickness, the space is partitioned into domains bounded by boundary surfaces; relaxation moduli of the domains are computed; and based on a variation of the relaxation moduli of the domains, the thickness of the interface layer is computed.
US09824185B2

Systems and methods are disclosed for managing and storing electronic health records data. In an embodiment, a database module containing a plurality of databases stores a plurality of different types of patient medical data records. Each patient medical data record is composed of one or more categories of data which may be stored in different databases. A server module configured to respond to requests received from a client is connected to the database module. The server module includes a layer of application logic, a layer of composite services, a layer of domain services, and a layer of foundation services. A request received by the server module is first processed by the application logic, then by the appropriate composite services, domain services and foundation services. Domain services may communicate with the database module, generating a response that may be processed by the composite and application logic layers before sending back to the client.
US09824179B2

Methods are described for diagnosis of a lymphoid hematological malignancy in a subject prior to treatment, and for detecting minimal residual disease (MRD) in the subject after treatment for the malignancy, by high throughput quantitative sequencing (HTS) of multiple unique adaptive immune receptor (TCR or Ig) encoding DNA molecules that have been amplified from DNA isolated from blood samples or other lymphoid cell-containing samples. Amplification employs oligonucleotide primer sets designed to amplify CDR3-encoding sequences within substantially all possible human VDJ or VJ combinations. Disease-characteristic adaptive immune receptor clonotypes occur, prior to treatment, at a relative frequency of at least 15-30% of rearranged receptor CDR3-encoding gene regions. Following treatment, persistence of at least one such clonotype at a detectable frequency of at least 10−6 or at least 10−5 receptor CDR3-encoding regions indicates MRD. Improved quantitative embodiments are provided by inclusion of a template composition for amplification factor determination and related methods.
US09824172B1

Implementing circuitry from an application can include determining a data flow of an application including a producer function, a loop construct, and a consumer function and creating a new function including contents of a body of the loop construct. A circuit design can be generated from the application including a producer function circuit block, a new function circuit block, and a consumer function circuit block. Control circuitry for each circuit block can be included within the circuit design. The control circuitry of the new function circuit block can initiate operation of the new function circuit block according to a loop induction variable of the loop construct.
US09824152B1

User activity data describing how a user interacts with recipes posted on a web page or provided by an application is received. A first set of recommended recipes for the user is generated based on the user activity data. A content model that aligns recipe features extracted from the content of the recipes is built based on content of the recipes. A second set of recommended recipes is generated based on the content model. The first set of recommended recipes and the second set of recommended recipes are merged and transmitted for display to the user.
US09824150B2

This invention relates generally to software and computers, and more specifically, to systems and methods for providing information discovery and retrieval. In one embodiment, the invention includes a system for providing information discovery and retrieval, the system including a processor module, the processor module configurable to performing the steps of receiving an information request from a consumer device over a communications network; decoding the information request; discovering information using the decoded information request; preparing instructions for accessing the information; and communicating the prepared instructions to the consumer device, wherein the consumer device is configurable to retrieving the information for presentation using the prepared instructions.
US09824141B2

Embodiments of the present application include an apparatus with at least one processor that is configured to determine whether to electronically publish textual data in an online environment (e.g., the Internet) based on a comparison of a computed numeric likelihood to a set of threshold values. The set of threshold values may include a first threshold value representative of numeric likelihoods assigned to a first portion of reference content suitable for publication in the online environment, and a second threshold value representative of numeric likelihoods assigned to a second portion of the reference content unsuitable for publication in the online environment. The second threshold value may exceed the first threshold value.
US09824138B2

Methods and systems for searching over a large corpus of data to discover relevant information artifacts based on similar content and/or relationships are disclosed. Improvements over simple keyword and phrase based searching over Internet scale data are shown. A search query may be modified or relaxed based on the search terms and a contextual relationship therebetween. The search results may be ranked based on both a data ranking corresponding to the data entries in the corpus and a query ranking corresponding to the search query and/or the modified or relaxed search query. In this manner, the accuracy and relevance of the search results is improved.
US09824135B2

Method for decomposing a complexly shaped object in a data set, such as a geobody (31) in a seismic data volume, into component objects more representative of the true connectivity state of the system represented by the data set. The geobody is decomposed using a basis set of eigenvectors (33) of a connectivity matrix (32) describing the state of connectivity between voxels in the geobody. Lineal subspaces of the geobody in eigenvector space are associated with likely component objects (34), either by a human interpreter (342) cross plotting (341) two or more eigenvectors, or in an automated manner in which a computer algorithm (344) detects the lineal sub-spaces and the clusters within them.
US09824133B1

A multi-tenant system for providing hosted analytic services may be dynamically configured in response to a request from a user. A request for analytic services may comprise an indication of at least one data source to be incorporated into an n-dimensional cube. A data source connector and transformation pipeline may transform data received from the data source to a format compatible with a dimension and hierarchy model of the n-dimensional cube.
US09824130B1

Optimizing synchronization of enterprise content management systems is described. A system identifies multiple synchronization intervals corresponding to multiple synchronization tasks. The system estimates multiple execution times corresponding to the multiple synchronization tasks. The system calculates multiple remaining times corresponding to the multiple synchronization tasks, wherein the multiple remaining times are based on the multiple synchronization intervals corresponding to the multiple synchronization tasks minus the multiple execution times corresponding to the multiple synchronization tasks. The system orders the multiple synchronization tasks for execution based on corresponding multiple remaining times, from a lowest remaining time to a highest remaining time. The system executes a set of the multiple synchronization tasks based on a corresponding set of the multiple remaining times, wherein at least one of the corresponding set of the multiple remaining times equals the lowest remaining time.
US09824121B2

Methods, systems, and computer readable media can provide for aggregating high-rate, large-volume input data streams into low-volume output data streams in real-time. Aggregating high-rate, large-volume data streams into low-volume output data streams can be facilitated by analyzing lossless aggregation relationships among helper views within one or more continuous query tasks and executing conventional queries to derive high-level, low-volume output data streams from low-level, high-volume input data streams.
US09824119B2

The present application is related to a system and method for load balancing and connection multiplexing structured query language (SQL) queries among a plurality of database servers. A device intermediary to a plurality of clients and a plurality of database servers receives an SQL query to access a database provided by the plurality of database servers from a client via a first connection established between the device and the client. The device identifies for the SQL query a policy for selecting among the plurality of servers. The policy includes an expression to identify predetermined data from content of the SQL query. The device may select a server from the plurality of servers based on applying the expression of the policy to content of the SQL query and forward the SQL query to the selected server via a second connection established between the device and the selected server.
US09824118B2

A system and method for querying a database is disclosed. Database tables are represented as nodes in a model. Each node is associated with at least one leaf. The nodes can be interconnected with one another. A model input is received by a server from a client device, the model input including a starting node, one or more leaves, and optionally one or more filters. A query is executed against a database based on the model input. A subsequent query can be generated by selecting a result of the first query. Also disclosed is a technique for cancelling queries.
US09824114B1

Implementations are provided herein for the use of multiple threads in concurrently restriping files by maintaining multiple cursors for a single file. The cursors can be stored and tracked on disk in a mirrored data structure (“MDS”) extension block also referred to as a Cursor Extension Block. During a restripe operation, individual cursors stored in the delta-block portion of the MDS extension block will be updated using delta operations of a file system. The operating system kernel can maintain an in-memory version of the delta-block portion of the MDS extension block as well. The Cursor Extension Block associated with a file can store data representing the ending logical cluster number of the cursor, the current logical cluster number of the cursor, and a current cursor count for a file.
US09824108B2

In accordance with embodiments, there are provided mechanisms and methods for performing transparent object migration across storage tiers. In an embodiment and by way of example, a method for appending data to large data volumes is provided. The method embodiment includes a) setting a CustomEntityOption bit that determines (at object creation time) where the object is stored, either in the relational or the non-relational data store portion, b) loading the CustomEntityOption bit in a cached CustomEntityDefinition, c) showing the CustomEntityOption bit as EntityInfo, and d) allowing custom object definition and Metadata API functionality when the bit is shown.
US09824099B2

An identification method and process for objects from digitally captured images thereof that uses data characteristics to identify an object from a plurality of objects in a database. The data is broken down into parameters such as a Shape Comparison, Grayscale Comparison, Wavelet Comparison, and Color Cube Comparison with object data in one or more databases to identify the actual object of a digital image.
US09824093B1

Systems and methods for maintaining a datacenter are provided. A repair component includes modules that are configured to scan the data objects based on the identifiers of the data objects, identify potential issues or concerns with the data objects, and then repair the issues as they are discovered or over time. The repair component can be run in a non-centralized and highly parallelized manner.
US09824084B2

A computer-implemented method of (600) and a system (222, 208) for processing a text stream. The method comprises accessing (602) the text stream; parsing (604) the text stream; analyzing (606) a first collection of words to identify a homonym candidate; generating (608) a homonym word pattern, the homonym word pattern comprising at least one word of the first collection of words; determining (610), for at least one word of the homonym word pattern, a first context element; generating (612) a homonym context pattern; analyzing (614) a second collection of words to identify a non-homonym candidate having a non-homonym context pattern at least partially matching the homonym context pattern, the non-homonym candidate being associated with a lexical tag; and assigning (616) the lexical tag associated with the non-homonym candidate to the homonym candidate.
US09824083B2

A general-purpose apparatus for analyzing natural language text that allows for the implementation of a broad range of natural language understanding applications. The apparatus for natural language understanding analyzes a source text and transforms the source text into a semantically-interpretable syntactic representation (SISR), comprising a syntax template and semantic clause annotations. The general-purpose apparatus for natural language understanding is adaptable to various source text natural languages and is adaptable to various natural language understanding applications, such as query answering, translation, summarization, information extraction, disambiguation, and parsing. A natural language query answering apparatus for answering questions about a source text, whereby the query answering apparatus utilizes the general-purpose apparatus for transforming the natural language query into SISR format.
US09824078B2

A user terminal device is provided that includes a display part configured to display a document preparation window, an input part configured to receive a selection command for selecting a text in a document displayed in the document preparation window, a communication part configured to connect to a server, and a controller configured to control displaying of an activated search button in a region of the document preparation window when the text is selected, and to search for, when the search button is selected, at least one image corresponding to the selected text using the communication part, wherein the controller is further configured to control displaying of images searched for from at least one of the server and a storage part of the user terminal device, and to, when one of the searched images is selected, insert the selected image at a predetermined position of the document preparation window.
US09824076B2

Embodiments of the invention are directed to systems, methods, and computer program products to enable a user to edit a large text file. In some embodiments, the system is configured to receive a first input from a user, wherein the first input comprises selecting a large text file from an external source; receive a second input from the user, wherein the second input comprises a start line and an end line; retrieve the section of the selected large text file defined by the start line and the end line from the external source and load the retrieved section onto a temporary memory location; initiate presentation of the retrieved section of the selected large text file to the user; and enable the user to edit and save at least a portion of the retrieved section of the selected large text file.
US09824075B1

A system and method for interactive test coverage are disclosed. An example embodiment receives a document object model representation of a user interface page and determines at least one visible and interactive element in the document object model. If there are multiple visible interactive elements, an example embodiment creates a CSS selector for each element. A CSS selector identifies the element by information including ancestry tags from a root node to a leaf node. In one embodiment, a determination is made regarding whether the current CSS selector is similar to previously-stored CSS selectors. An example embodiment stores the CSS selector when no previously-stored CSS selectors are similar. A user interface test is executed and a determination is made as to whether the elements represented by the stored CSS selectors were invoked by the test. Results from the test execution can be displayed to a user via a user interface display.
US09824072B2

Adjusting the layout size of a hyperlink includes displaying at least one hyperlink in a user interface; detecting a touch operation for the at least one hyperlink, and extracting position coordinates of a touch point formed by the touch operation on the user interface. Adjusting the layout size further includes determining a target hyperlink from the at least one hyperlink, and determining the precision of the touch operation with respect to the target hyperlink based on the position coordinates of the touch point; and adjusting layout size of the target hyperlink based on the determined precision. The hyperlink layout in a web page can be adapted to the touch precision of user's finger automatically, which facilitates the recognition of hyperlinks by the user's finger.
US09824067B2

Systems and methods for forecasting a time series data are disclosed. The methods include receiving a historical time-series data including a series data and a non-stationary series data. The historical time-series data is processed to obtain a unified time series data. On the unified time series data, a data distribution is plotted and the data distribution is validated based upon a rate function associated with a Large Deviation Theory (LDT). The unified time series data is split validated into vectors based on autocorrelation function (ACF). The unified time series data is further validated. A mixture of Gaussian distribution models is applied and weights are assigned to each of the Gaussian distribution model. By controlling the weights based upon various what-if scenarios, a resultant Gaussian time series data is generated. The resultant Gaussian time series data indicates forecasted time series data of the historical time series data.
US09824064B2

A system and method which uses pattern recognition in assessing or monitoring a vehicle status and/or an operator's driving behavior. A vehicle, for use by an operator or driver, can be equipped with a data collection and assessment system. The system can comprise one or more data collection devices, e.g., accelerometers, which can be used to capture data and information, or otherwise measure vehicle actions. A pattern recognition module is configured with one or more defined operating patterns, each of which operating patterns reflects either a known change in vehicle status corresponding to, e.g., when a passenger has embarked or disembarked the vehicle, or a known vehicle operating or driving behavior. Information collected as events describing a current vehicle status or a current driving behavior can be compared with the known operating patterns.
US09824059B2

In one example, a host device may identify a serial device connected to the host device to determine a host action. The host device may receive a serial device signal with a child serial device identifier from a serial device bridge. The host device may identify a child serial device based on the child serial device identifier. The host device may execute a host action based on the child serial device.
US09824048B2

A method for effectively transmitting data, in which a switch is connected between a plurality host and storage, comprises steps of the following. First, the hosts recognize the storages via the switch, and revise a data transmission path within an original command, meanwhile transforming it into a specific command. Later, the switch receives the specific command, alternatively revises the data transmission path or not, and transforms the specific command into a standard command. The standard command is then transmitted to the storage. After receiving it, the storage is able to search for a corresponding host based on the data transmission path such that data is simply transmitted between the storage and its corresponding host. By employing the proposed method, the present invention is beneficial to reducing system complexity and raising data transmission efficiency.
US09824046B2

A method of triggering a desired operating mode in a universal serial bus (USB)-compatible client device is provided. A USB-compatible client device detects that it has been coupled to a USB-compatible host device via a USB bus. The USB-compatible client device attempts to pull a data line of the USB bus high. The USB-compatible client device then ascertains that the data line remains pulled low, thereby indicating that the USB-compatible client device should enter a first mode of operation. The USB-compatible client device operates according to the first mode of operation.
US09824045B2

Described examples include USB controllers and methods of interfacing a host processor with one or more USB ports with the host processor implementing an upper protocol layer and a policy engine for negotiating USB power delivery parameters, in which the USB controller includes a logic circuit implementing a lower protocol layer to provide automatic outgoing data transmission retries independent of the upper protocol layer of the host processor. The controller logic circuit further implements automatic incoming data packet validity verification and acknowledgment independent of the upper protocol layer of the host processor.
US09824043B2

A system includes a host device, an external bus and a storage device. A driver is installed in the host device. The external bus is connected with the host device. The external bus supports a communication protocol. The storage device includes a controlling circuit and a non-volatile memory. After the storage device issues a request to the host device according to the communication protocol, a reserved space is created in a host memory of the host device in response to the request, and a device information from the storage device is stored into the reserved space. While the host device issues a first command to operate the storage device, the first command is converted into a second command by the driver according to the device information, and then the second command is transmitted to the storage device.
US09824040B2

In some embodiments, a method includes executing an atomic transaction in a system having a transactional memory. The method includes receiving a signal interrupt during executing of the atomic transaction. The method includes storing a state of the signal interrupt to enable subsequent execution of the signal interrupt. The method includes returning to executing the atomic transaction until the atomic transaction is at least one of completed and aborted. The method includes after executing the atomic transaction is at least one of completed and aborted, determining whether the signal interrupt is received during executing of the atomic transaction. The method includes after determining that the signal interrupt is received during executing of the atomic transaction, retrieving the state of the signal interrupt. The method includes executing an interrupt handler for processing the signal interrupt and returning from executing of the atomic transaction.
US09824038B2

The disclosure includes, in general, among other aspects, an apparatus having multiple programmable units integrated within a processor. The apparatus has circuitry to map addresses in a single address space to resources within the multiple programmable units where the single address space includes addresses for different ones of the resources in different ones of the multiple programmable units and where there is a one-to-one correspondence between respective addresses in the single address space and resources within the multiple programmable units.
US09824035B2

A memory module is operatable in a memory system with a memory controller. The memory module comprises a module control device mounted on the module board to receive command signals from the memory controller and to output module command signals and module control signals, and memory devices mounted on the module board to perform a first memory operation in response to the module command signals. The memory module further comprises a plurality of buffer circuits distributed across a surface of the module board. Each respective buffer circuit is associated with a respective set of the memory devices and includes logic that is configured to obtain timing information based on signals received by the each respective buffer circuit during a second memory operation prior to the first memory operation and to control timing of the data and strobe signals through the each respective buffer circuit in accordance with the timing information.
US09824034B1

Embodiments include method, systems and computer program products for a parallel ordering queue using an encoded command type. In some embodiments, a command may be receive from a receiver of a first bus, wherein the command is to be sent to a second bus. The command may be decoded. The command may be associated with an encoded command type. The command may be placed in an ordering queue. A first entry of a second queue may be popped based on the encoded command type of the first entry of the ordering queue. The first entry of the ordering queue may be removed from the ordering queue.
US09824032B2

Systems and methods for guest page table validation by virtual machine (VM) functions. An example method comprises: storing a first VM function invocation instruction in a first memory page executable from a default memory view of a VM, wherein executing the first VM function invocation instruction switches a page table pointer to a trampoline memory view of the VM; configuring a write access permission, from the trampoline memory view, to a page table comprised by a VM page table hierarchy; storing a second VM function invocation instruction in a second memory page executable from the trampoline memory view, wherein executing the second VM function invocation instruction switches the page table pointer to an alternative memory view of the VM; storing, in the second memory page, validation instructions to validate the VM page table hierarchy; and storing protected instructions within a third memory page executable from the alternative memory view.
US09824030B2

Provided are a computer program product, system, and method for adjusting active cache size based on cache usage. An active cache in at least one memory device caches tracks in a storage during computer system operations. An inactive cache in the at least one memory device is not available to cache tracks in the storage during the computer system operations. During caching operations in the active cache, information is gathered on cache hits to the active cache and cache hits that would occur if the inactive cache was available to cache data during the computer system operations. The gathered information is used to determine whether to configure a portion of the inactive cache as part of the active cache for use during the computer system operations.
US09824020B2

Systems and methods for managing memory in a dynamic translation computer system are provided. Embodiments may include receiving an instruction packet and processing the instruction packet. The instruction packet may include one or more instructions for obtaining a block of virtual memory for use in an emulated operating environment from a slab of virtual memory in a host environment, maintaining a mapping between the block of virtual memory and physical memory when the block is returned to the host environment, and for filling the block of virtual memory with zeros and a pattern based, at least in part, on a detected fill type.
US09824017B2

Provided is a cache control apparatus and method that, when a plurality of processors read a program from the same memory in a chip, maintain coherency of data and an instruction generated by a cache memory. The cache control apparatus includes a coherency controller client configured to include an MESI register, which is included in an instruction cache, and stores at least one of a modified state, an exclusive state, a shared state, and an invalid state for each line of the instruction cache, and a coherency interface connected to the coherency controller and configured to transmit and receive broadcast address information, read or write information, and hit or miss information of another cache to and from the instruction cache.
US09824015B2

Providing memory management unit (MMU) partitioned translation caches, and related apparatuses, methods, and computer-readable media. In this regard, an apparatus comprising an MMU is provided. The MMU comprises a translation cache providing a plurality of translation cache entries defining address translation mappings. The MMU further comprises a partition descriptor table providing a plurality of partition descriptors defining a corresponding plurality of partitions each comprising one or more translation cache entries of the plurality of translation cache entries. The MMU also comprises a partition translation circuit configured to receive a memory access request from a requestor. The partition translation circuit is further configured to determine a translation cache partition identifier (TCPID) of the memory access request, identify one or more partitions of the plurality of partitions based on the TCPID, and perform the memory access request on a translation cache entry of the one or more partitions.
US09824012B2

Providing coherent merging of committed store queue entries in unordered store queues of block-based computer processors is disclosed. In one aspect, a block-based computer processor provides a merging logic circuit communicatively coupled to an unordered store queue and cache memory. The merging logic circuit is configured to select a first store queue entry in the unordered store queue, and read its memory address, an age indicator, and a data value. The age indicator and the data value are stored in merged data bytes within a merged data buffer. The merging logic circuit then locates a remaining store queue entry having a memory address identical to the first selected store queue entry, and reads its age indicator and data value. Based on the age indicator and one or more age indicators of the merged data bytes within the merged data buffer, the data value is merged into the merged data buffer.
US09824006B2

An object-based storage system comprising a host system capable of executing applications for and with an object-based storage device (OSD). Exemplary configurations include a call interface, a physical layer interface, an object-based storage solid-state device (OSD-SSD), and are further characterized by the presence of a storage processor capable of processing object-based storage device algorithms interleaved with processing of physical storage device management. Embodiments include a storage controller capable of executing recognition, classification and tagging of application files, especially including image, music, and other media. Also disclosed are methods for initializing and configuring an OSD-SSD device.
US09824005B1

A leak detection system may be configured to receive a plurality of memory use reports periodically from a user device. The memory use reports may include an indication of memory that may be used and/or allocated by/to a particular process, such as a process that may currently be running on the user device. The memory use report may further provide a relatively granular view of the allocation of memory associated with the process, such as by type of memory and/or category of memory associated with the process. The leak detection system may use the plurality of memory use reports to generate a memory profile associated with the process and particular memory types and/or categories of memory allocation. By analyzing the memory profiles, the leak detection system may be configured to identify a memory leak associated with the process on the user device.
US09823996B2

In some aspects, a debugging application can obtain log data from a target device. The log data can be generated from the execution of object code by the target device. The object code can be generated from assembly code for the target device. For each of multiple program counter entries in the log data, the debugging application can identify a correspondence between the program counter entry and a respective portion of the assembly code and simulate a respective operation performed by the execution of the object code. The simulated operation corresponds to the program counter entry. Simulating the execution can include configuring a display device to display a visual indicator for the portion of the assembly code that caused a given operation. The visual indicator is displayed based on the identified correspondence between a portion of the assembly code and a program counter entry from the log data.
US09823989B2

An apparatus and method of connecting an external device are provided. The method includes connecting the apparatus to the external device when a distance between the external device and the apparatus is less than a reference range; after the external device is connected to the apparatus, continuously maintaining the connection when a distance between the external device and the apparatus is greater than the reference range; and disconnecting the external device from the apparatus when a distance between the external device and the apparatus is greater than a detectable range.
US09823975B2

Determining a summary feature set is disclosed. A plurality of subsegments of a first segment are selected. For each subsegment, a plurality of values by applying a set of functions to each subsegment are computed. From all the values computed for all the subsegments, a first subset of values is selected.
US09823973B1

The described system provides that backend array-based snapshots may be created separately on each site of a cluster, and then the snapshots fixed so as to be consistent and/or otherwise identical among the plurality of sites. The system advantageously allows creation of a consistent cluster-wide snapshot with minimal or no I/O delays. In an embodiment, the system provides for use of a change tracker that tracks the metadata of all the I/Os incoming to the volumes being snapped. When the system wants to create a snapshot on all sites, the change tracker is activated on each site separately for the volumes being snapped. A snapshot is then created on each of the cluster sites/backend storage arrays separately. The change trackers are then ordered to stop tracking. A snapshot fixing procedure is then initiated.
US09823971B2

A data processing apparatus includes a storage unit configured to store plural data processing programs and a corresponding error processing program for when an error occurs with a first data processing program; and a processor configured to record to memory before executing the first data processing program, information of the error processing program that corresponds to the first data processing program; update and record in the memory after the first data processing program ends, information of a second data processing program scheduled to be executed next; and switch to any one among the first data processing program that corresponds to information recorded in the memory and the error processing program, when program processing is started next.
US09823970B2

A data recovery method to improve storage consistency of a distributed storage system includes: receiving a recovery message from a storage node after a fault recovery of the faulty storage node; obtaining N lost erasure coding (EC) blocks of the faulty storage node through computation according to EC blocks stored by non-faulty storage nodes; sequentially sending N lost EC blocks to the faulty storage node for storage. In the process of sequentially sending the N lost EC blocks to the faulty storage node, when it is determined that for a first EC block that is to be stored by the faulty storage node, a second EC block having a same key value as the first EC block exists in the lost EC blocks, after the faulty storage node stores the second EC block, the first EC block is sent to the faulty storage node to store.
US09823952B2

An order controller calculates an absolute value of a difference between a first counter value stored with a first next entry set to an active status in a first queue from among at least two queues and a second counter value stored with a second next entry set to the active status in a second queue. The order controller compares the absolute value with a counter midpoint value. The order controller, responsive to the absolute value being less than the counter midpoint value, selects a smaller value of the first counter value of the first counter value and the second counter value as a next event to process. The order controller, responsive to the absolute value being greater than or equal to the counter midpoint value, selects a larger value of the first counter value and the second counter value as the next event to process.
US09823948B2

A method includes identifying high-availability jobs and low-availability jobs that demand usage of resources of a distributed system. The method includes determining a first quota of the resources available to low-availability jobs as a quantity of the resources available during normal operations, and determining a second quota of the resources available to high-availability jobs as a quantity of the resources available during normal operations minus a quantity of the resources lost due to a tolerated event. The method includes executing the jobs on the distributed system and constraining a total usage of the resources by both the high-availability jobs and the low-availability jobs to the quantity of the resources available during normal operations.
US09823943B2

An apparatus controls migration of a virtual machine between plural servers in a communication network. The apparatus acquires flow information by classifying, for each of virtual machines, pieces of data transmitted and received in each of the plural servers into flows having respective different destinations. The apparatus selects, based on the flow information, a migration target which is a virtual machine to be migrated from a first server whose number of virtual machines in operation is relatively large to a second server whose number of virtual machines in operation is relatively small, from among virtual machines in operation in the first server, by giving a higher priority to a virtual machine whose matching number of flows is larger, where the matching number of flows indicates a number of flows that are currently processed by both the virtual machine and the second server.
US09823933B2

A reissue instruction parking system for a microprocessor including a reservation stations module that dispatches instructions for execution and a reorder buffer that reissues instructions to the reservation stations module during a reissue state, in which the reissue instruction parking system includes at least one first pipeline stage and at least one second pipeline stage, in which the first pipeline stages provide a first reissue instruction from a reissue data path to the reservation stations module during the reissue state and that parks the first reissue instruction once the reservation stations module is determined to be full, and in which the second pipeline stages select a pointer to the reorder buffer which provides a corresponding first reissue instruction onto the reissue data path, in which the second pipeline stages are placed into a hold state when a second full signal is asserted.
US09823915B1

A system for building a package with a deterministic identifier for selective software component installation comprises an interface and a processor. The interface is to receive package configuration information. The processor is to retrieve build resources; determine a deterministic package identifier based at least in part on the build resources; build a package based at least in part on the package configuration information using the build resources; and provide the package. The package includes the deterministic package identifier. A selected software component from the package is installed on a target system.
US09823913B2

The present invention, in some embodiments thereof comprises a computer implemented method of detecting global variables in JavaScript code, and adding local variables in place of the global variables, comprising receiving a JavaScript code containing at least one of a plurality of globally defined functions, identifying at least one of: one or more confined global variables which receive a value within a first JavaScript scope wherein the value is not referenced outside of the first JavaScript scope, and one or more repeating global variables accessed repeatedly within a second JavaScript scope, and adding local variables in place of at least one of the confined global variables and the repeating global variables.
US09823912B2

Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for performing data flow analysis using collapsed contexts. One of the methods includes obtaining data representing a plurality of software elements, wherein one or more software elements are initially designated as elements having the particular property; iteratively designating other software elements to which data of the one or more elements having the particular property flows, including: whenever the program includes multiple calls to a function, analyzing the function in a collapsed context to determine whether any argument flows to a return value of the function, and whenever any data in an argument that has the particular property according to the collapsed context flows to a return value of the function, adding each call to the function throughout the program having one argument having the particular property; and providing the set of software elements having the particular property.
US09823906B2

A complementary editor opens a plurality of views. Changes are received in a particular view of the plurality of views. The received changes are propagated to other views of the plurality of views other than the particular view and received by each particular view. The propagated changes are transformed in each particular view by a computer based on formatting constraints associated with each particular view and display of the transformed propagated changes is initiated in each particular view.
US09823904B2

The present disclosure relates to maintaining assertions in an integrated development environment (IDE) tool. According to one embodiment, the IDE receives a request to add an assertion at a specified location within source code of an application from a user interacting with an integrated development environment (IDE) tool. The source code is stored in a first file associated with a development project. The IDE tool receives a definition for the assertion and stores the definition for the assertion in a second file associated with the development project. The IDE tool creates an association in the development project between the source code of the application and the assertion.
US09823903B2

Debugging tools to allow a developer to debug software at a higher level of abstraction than the source code. These tools may be configured to recognize certain source code, and map it to visual representations that can be shown to the developer. The tools may allow the developer to set breakpoints in those visual representations, and they may allow the debugger to stop at those breakpoints, show the developer the visual representation and indicate the stopped location of the program being debugged, for example, by highlighting a particular component of the visual representation. The tools may also map breakpoints in visual representations to actual source code breakpoints.
US09823897B2

An apparatus and method for floating-point multiplication are provided. Two partial products are generated from two operand significands. An unbiased result exponent is determined from operand exponent values and leading zero counts, and a shift amount and direction for a product significand as needed for a predetermined minimum exponent value of a predetermined canonical format. First and second rounding values for injection into addition of the partial products are generated by shifting a predetermined rounding pattern by the shift amount in an opposite shift direction for the first rounding value and left shifting by one bit the first rounding value to give the second. The first and second partial products are added together with the first rounding value to give a first product significand, and are added together with the second rounding value to give a second product significand. These product significands are shifted by the shift amount in the shift direction and one is then selected in order to generate a formatted significand in the predetermined canonical format. The early injection rounding provides a faster floating-point multiplier.
US09823892B2

An audio adjustment system is provided that can output a user interface customized by the provider of the audio system instead of the electronic device manufacturer. Such an arrangement can save both field engineers and manufacturers a significant amount of time. Advantageously, in certain embodiments, such an audio adjustment system can be provided without knowledge of the electronic device's firmware. Instead, the audio adjustment system can communicate with the electronic device through an existing audio interface in the electronic device to enable a user to control audio enhancement parameters in the electronic device. For instance, the audio adjustment system can control the electronic device via an audio input jack on the electronic device.
US09823890B1

Embodiments of methods, systems and storage media associated with modification of non-active bezels on touchscreens of portable computing devices, such as tablet computers are described herein. A tablet computer with a touchscreen may incorporate a bezel that may provide a non-active area where a user may grip or otherwise touch the tablet computer without activation of the touchscreen. The bezel may surround, or otherwise form an edge of, an active area of the touchscreen. The bezel may be a virtual bezel that is displayed on the touchscreen, or may be a mechanical bezel that covers or otherwise limits access to the touchscreen. The tablet computer may modify the size and/or shape of the bezel based after detecting interactions by a user with the device that indicate a desire to change the shape and/or size of the active area of the touchscreen.
US09823885B2

Provided is an image forming apparatus that is capable of proposing a user-suitable default value. The image forming apparatus, which is configured to store an operation related default value on a per-user basis as default information, includes a storage part that is configured to store an operation history on a per-user basis as operation history information and a default value determination part that is configured to determine, by referring to the operation history, whether or not an operation conducted by a user reaches a criterion for rewriting the default value and to make a propose to update the default value if the user conducted operation reaches the criterion for rewriting the default value.
US09823883B2

A printing management device includes: a customer property DB configured to accumulate history data for each customer; a printer property DB configured to record printer property data for each of multiple printers; target image quality index decision means configured to decide a target image quality index by the use of the history data of the customer property DB; and printout condition decision means configured to decide/output output conditions with reference to the printer property DB according to order information and the target image quality index.
US09823878B2

A data erasing method and apparatus applied to a flash memory. The method includes receiving a data erasing instruction, where the data erasing instruction instructs to erase data or at least one data section of data sections corresponding to data, when the data erasing instruction instructs to erase the data, searching for recorded storage addresses of all the data sections corresponding to the data, and erasing all the data sections corresponding to the data according to the storage addresses that are found; and when the data erasing instruction instructs to erase the at least one data section of the data sections corresponding to the data, searching for a recorded storage address of the at least one data section, and erasing the at least one data section according to the storage address that is found. The data erasing method and apparatus may be used in an implementation technology of the flash memory.
US09823868B2

A virtual system on chip (VSoC) is an implementation of a machine that allows for sharing of underlying physical machine resources between different virtual systems. A method or corresponding apparatus of the present invention relates to a device that includes a plurality of virtual systems on chip and a configuring unit. The configuring unit is arranged to configure resources on the device for the plurality of virtual systems on chip as a function of an identification tag assigned to each virtual system on chip.
US09823862B2

According to one embodiment, a storage system includes a plurality of memory nodes that are connected to each other in a plurality of different directions. Each memory node stores a count value. Each memory node, when receiving an update command of which destination is not own memory node, transmits the update commando to other memory nodes connected thereto. Each memory node, when receiving an update command of which destination is own memory node, executes the update command, increases the stored count value, and issues a notice indicating the increased count value.
US09823853B2

A data storage device includes a first nonvolatile memory device including a target memory region, and a controller suitable for performing a first data input operation to transmit first data, which is to be stored in the target memory region, to the first nonvolatile memory device, regardless of whether a size of the first data corresponds to the target memory region.
US09823842B2

Gang migration refers to the simultaneous live migration of multiple Virtual Machines (VMs) from one set of physical machines to another in response to events such as load spikes and imminent failures. Gang migration generates a large volume of network traffic and can overload the core network links and switches in a datacenter. In this paper, we present an approach to reduce the network overhead of gang migration using global deduplication (GMGD). GMGD identifies and eliminates the retransmission of duplicate memory pages among VMs running on multiple physical machines in the cluster. The design, implementation and evaluation of a GMGD prototype is described using QEMU/KVM VMs. Evaluations on a 30-node Gigabit Ethernet cluster having 10 GigE core links shows that GMGD can reduce the network traffic on core links by up to 65% and the total migration time of VMs by up to 42% when compared to the default migration technique in QEMU/KVM. Furthermore, GMGD has a smaller adverse performance impact on network-bound applications.
US09823840B1

A storage management system monitors relationships between data sets stored on current implementation resources, such as a storage servers. The relationships may be used to determine whether a data set should be moved from a current implementation resource to an available implementation resource.
US09823839B2

An electronic device, with a touch-sensitive surface and a display, includes one or more sensors to detect intensity of contacts with the touch-sensitive surface. The device detects a contact on the touch-sensitive surface while a focus selector corresponding to the contact is at a respective location on the display associated with additional information not initially displayed on the display. While the focus selector is at the respective location, upon determining that the contact has an intensity above a respective intensity threshold before a predefined delay time has elapsed with the focus selector at the respective location, the device displays the additional information associated with the respective location without waiting until the predefined delay time has elapsed; and upon determining that the contact has an intensity below the respective intensity threshold, the device waits until the predefined delay time has elapsed to display the additional information associated with the respective location.
US09823836B2

Methods, computer systems, and computer storage media are provided for initiating clinical actions associated with a clinical object on a touch screen interface using incremental gestures. A clinical object is presented in an object row on the touch screen interface, and clinical actions associated with the clinical object are determined. A user gesture comprising an incremental gesture of the object row in a first direction is detected; the incremental gesture reveals an indicator associated with one of the clinical actions. The indicator is revealed after the incremental gesture has traveled a first distance. The action is initiated upon release of the incremental gesture.
US09823829B2

An image display apparatus according to the present invention includes: a display unit configured to display an image on a screen; a calculation unit configured to calculate, based on input image data, an amount of light of a predetermined color emitted from the screen in a case where an image based on the input image data is displayed on the screen; and a notification unit configured to perform predetermined notification, based on the amount of light calculated by the calculation unit.
US09823808B2

The invention provides methods and devices that address problems encountered when attempting to accurately reconstruct visual stimuli being displayed to a user as they interact with online-content, typically through a browser interface. In one embodiment, the invention provides for the browser to maintain a record of selected technical parameters and relevant data that may impact the manner in which online-content is being displayed to the user, taking into consideration the current context in which the browser is being operated. In another embodiment, the invention is a device for recording events as reported from a browser interface. The events are recorded in a selected format and syntax to form a primary index of events and related outcomes which comprise the users interface experience. In operation, the devices detect events as detected at the browser interface. Next, the devices identify, categorize, and filter detected events as to their relevance to the visual stimuli being presented to the user. The devices then assign a unique identifier, preferably in the form of an alphanumeric string, to each relevant event. Furthermore, the devices record selected events into a log (along with their categorization), a unique identifier, and the time in which the event occurred. Yet another embodiment are devices that record changes in parameters that may impact the visual stimuli.
US09823806B2

A method includes monitoring an activity stream to identify actions that match stored sponsored story specifications, for providing one or more sponsored stories to a viewing user. The sponsored story specifications include a visual specification for the sponsored story, and matched sponsored stories are ranked for a viewing user. Users can set privacy preferences related to sponsored stories. The ranking and privacy settings contribute to which sponsored stories are provided for display to the viewing user.
US09823797B2

A touch panel includes a bending region which is at least one region which is bendable in the touch panel based on an axis; a flat region which is a region which is not bendable in the touch panel; a first unit conductive pattern formed in the flat region and configured to sense a touch; and a second unit conductive pattern formed in the bending region and configured to sense the touch. A dimension of the second unit conductive pattern is smaller than that of the first unit conductive pattern due to an opening portion formed in the second unit conductive pattern.
US09823790B2

Provided are a touch sensing apparatus and a method of driving the same. The touch sensing apparatus includes a signal source configured to output a driving signal, a touch panel configured to be driven by the driving signal output by the signal source and output a current signal generated using the driving signal, a charge amplifier configured to convert the current signal output by the touch panel into a voltage signal, and a controller configured to control the charge amplifier to be periodically reset.
US09823782B2

Aspects include a method, system, and computer program product for determining the location of an object relative to a reflective surface. The method includes acquiring an image of an object and the reflective surface with a camera, the camera positioned adjacent the reflective surface. The object is identified in the image. A reflection of the object on the reflective surface is identified in the image. Three-dimensional coordinates of at least a portion of the object are determined based at least in part on the object and the reflection of the object in the image.
US09823781B2

This invention relates to sensor arrangements and signal processing architectures for touch-based user interfaces comprising multiple sensor types and other arrangements so as to create user interface output signals responsive to the touch of at least one human finger. Sensor types and other arrangements can include capacitive tactile sensor arrays, optical tactile sensor arrays, proximity sensor arrays, pressure sensor arrays, and video cameras. At least one software algorithm comprises at least one of a functional partition (wherein some user interface output signals are derived only from a pre-specified sensor), decision-based selection (wherein some user interface output signals are selectively derived from a selected sensor), or sensor-fusing (wherein user interface output signals are obtained from threshold testing, conditional testing, vector quantization, algorithms employing parameterized calculations, algorithms employing compensation calculations and operations, artificial neural networks, etc.)
US09823779B2

This invention discloses a method and device for controlling a touch screen, including: determining that that the touch screen is working in a track mode; when a finger is sliding on the touch screen, obtaining a sliding track of the finger and displaying the sliding track on both the terminal device and the head-mounted display device synchronously, wherein the sliding track is used to locate the position of the finger on the touch screen; when a switching condition is satisfied, switching the touch screen from the track mode to a trigger mode; and when an operation instruction to the touch screen is detected, triggering the touch screen to perform the corresponding function in accordance with the operation instruction. Compared with existing technologies, the method and device provided by this invention have a higher control precision of the touch screen, do not need to add additional hardware and thus reduce the cost invested.
US09823777B2

A touch panel driving device includes: a noise detection section (43) that detects the presence or absence of at least external noise of an input operation performed on a touch panel (30); and a liquid crystal drive parameter setting section (51) that, in a case where the presence of external noise has been detected by the noise detection section (43), executes a process for reducing the external noise by adjusting a cycle or duration of a 1H period.
US09823776B2

According to one embodiment, an electronic apparatus, includes a sensor-equipped display device includes a display device and a sensor configured to detect a contact or proximate position, a display driver configured to output an image display signal to the display device and to output a drive signal to the sensor, a detecting circuit configured to generate, based on the information from the sensor, raw data (Raw data) including three-dimensional information of coordinates of a position on the display device and a physical quantity at the coordinates, and an application processor configured to discriminate whether a part of the region in the display area should be further sensed or not, based on the raw data, and if the part of the region is further sensed, to output the range of the display device to be further sensed and the timing of driving the sensor to the display driver.
US09823775B2

The present invention relates to display technology field and particularly to a touch screen and a method of manufacturing the same, a display panel and a display device. The touch screen includes an insulating layer and a touch-controlling electrode. The insulating layer is provided with at least one recess structure in a side thereof and the touch-controlling electrode is arranged in the recess structure, a cross section area of the touch-controlling electrode in a direction perpendicular to a touch face of the touch screen being larger at a position corresponding to the top of the at least one recess structure than at a position corresponding to the bottom of the at least one recess structure. The touch screen eliminates adverse influence of the pattern of touch-controlling electrode on the display while ensuring the touch-controlling effect.
US09823763B2

Provided is a touch panel. The touch panel includes a base and a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer attached to the base and having a peel strength with respect to a polycarbonate sheet of 1,900 g/25 mm or more. The pressure-sensitive adhesive layer includes an acryl polymer compound containing an acryl polymer and a thiol polymer derived by binding a thiol compound into a chain, or a side chain or terminal end of a chain of the acryl polymer. Accordingly, penetration of oxygen, moisture or other impurities at an interface between the base film and the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer, or at an interface between a conductor thin film and a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer may be effectively inhibited, and degradation in optical properties such as visibility due to bubbles generated at a pressure-sensitive adhesive interface may be prevented. In addition, when the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer is directly attached to the conductor thin film and even exposed to severe conditions such as high temperature or high temperature and high humidity, the change in the resistance of the conductor thin film may be effectively inhibited, and thus the touch panel may be stably driven for a long time.
US09823762B2

An electronic device for controlling at least one function based on a user input, and a control method for the electronic device are provided. According to various example embodiments, an electronic device that operates based on a user input may acquire a gesture through an input area of a display unit functionally connected to the electronic device. The electronic device may perform at least one function of the electronic device, based on various variables (for example, a time period for which the gesture is sensed, a size of an area in which the gesture is sensed, a direction in which the gesture moves, or intensity at which the gesture is sensed, through the input area) corresponding to the acquired gesture. Various other example embodiments are disclosed.
US09823760B2

A source audio signal to be rendered by a touch input medium is received. A transmitted signal to be propagated through the touch input medium is sent. The transmitted signal includes the source audio signal and a touch location detection signal. An event is indicated, where the touch input medium has been contacted at a location on the touch input medium by a touch contact such that rendering of the source audio signal by the touch input medium is affected by the touch contact. The location of the touch contact on the touch input medium is determined by analyzing a disturbance by the touch contact on the rendered touch location detection signal. At least a portion of the source audio signal is modified based on an expected effect of the contact on the touch input medium determined using the indication of the detector.
US09823747B2

A system comprising an input device includes a detector coupled to a processor. The detector detects an orientation of the input device. The input device has multiple modal orientations corresponding to the orientation. The modal orientations correspond to multiple input modes of a gestural control system. The detector is coupled to the gestural control system and automatically controls selection of an input mode in response to the orientation.
US09823744B2

Systems and methods are provided for discerning the intent of a device wearer primarily based on movements of the eyes. The system can be included within unobtrusive headwear that performs eye tracking and controls screen display. The system can also utilize remote eye tracking camera(s), remote displays and/or other ancillary inputs. Screen layout is optimized to facilitate the formation and reliable detection of rapid eye signals. The detection of eye signals is based on tracking physiological movements of the eye that are under voluntary control by the device wearer. The detection of eye signals results in actions that are compatible with wearable computing and a wide range of display devices.
US09823736B2

Systems and methods for processing data from a motion sensor to detect intentional movements of a device are provided. An electronic device having a motion sensor may process motion sensor data along one or more dimensions to generate an acceleration value representative of the movement of the electronic device. The electronic device may then determine whether the acceleration value changes from less than a low threshold, to more than a high threshold, and again to less than the low threshold within a particular amount of time, reflecting an intentional movement of the electronic device by the user. In response to determining that the acceleration value is associated with an intentional movement of the electronic device, the electronic device may perform a particular event or operation. For example, in response to detecting that an electronic device has been shaken, the electronic device may shuffle a media playlist.
US09823735B2

A method for determining an information source from a plurality of information sources for display on smart glasses is disclosed In one embodiment, the method includes determining a spatial orientation of the smart glasses, determining from a plurality of criteria, which are respectively related to the spatial orientation of the smart glasses, a criterion which is fulfilled by the determined spatial orientation of the smart glasses, assigning each of the plurality of criteria an information source from the plurality of information sources, and selecting the information source assigned to the determined criterion.
US09823728B2

Embodiments of the present invention are capable of lowering touch scan rates in a manner that conserves power resources without compromising performance or user experience thereby promoting battery life. Embodiments of the present invention perform touch scan operations using a touch sensitive panel at a first scan rate. In response to certain events automatically detected within the mobile device (e.g., when a full-screen video is being displayed), embodiments of the present invention may then perform touch scan operations at a second scan rate that is slower than the first scan rate that also consumes less power compared to the first scan rate. As such, for events or use cases in which limited user interaction with the touch sensitive panel is typical, embodiments of the present invention may lower touch scan rates in a manner that still enables users to interact with applications (e.g., interaction with playback controls during video playback) and promotes efficient power usage and extends battery life.
US09823725B2

An electronic device performs a method for adjusting a sleep mode display mechanism. The method includes determining, responsive to a trigger, whether a trusted device is proximate to the electronic device. The method further includes adjusting a sleep mode display mechanism of the electronic device when the trusted device is determined to be proximate to the electronic device.
US09823720B2

A method for verifying interconnection of a PSE and PD with 4-pair PoE capabilities includes performing a first classification event on first and second pairs, respectively, and detecting a first predetermined class current on first and second sets of twisted pairs, respectively. The method includes performing a second classification event on first and second pairs, respectively, and detecting first and second predetermined class currents on first and second pairs, respectively. After expiration of a first variable delay period related to a first pseudo-random variable of the PSE, the method includes performing a third classification event on the first pair and detecting a first derived class current on the first pair. After expiration of a second variable delay period related to a second pseudo-random variable of the PD, the method includes performing the third classification event on the second pair and detecting a second derived class current on the second pair.
US09823714B2

The instant disclosure relates to a hard disk quick release unit and a hard disk replacement module which includes a plurality of fixed guiding grooves and hard disk quick release units; each hard disk quick release unit includes a slidable guiding groove having at least a guiding member; at least a side fixing unit arranged adjacent to the outer side surface of the slidable guiding groove, the side fixing unit has a restricting groove, the guiding member engaged into the restricting groove for guiding the slidable guiding groove to move along a straight path; a cover board pivotally connected to the front end of the slidable guiding groove; and a resilient positioning member arranged on the front end of the slidable guiding groove, when the slidable guiding groove is moved to an exit position, the resilient positioning member engages with a side of the hard disk socket.
US09823710B2

Provided is a miniaturized computation and storage merged system, which relates to the fields of communications, information, industrial control and the like. The miniaturized computation and storage merged system includes: a mid-back board having a plurality of board card slots; a first processing board which is connected with the mid-back board; a second processing board which is connected with the mid-back board; and one or more rear-inserted board cards, each of which is fixed on the mid-back board via a board card slot, wherein the one or more rear-inserted board cards are configured to provide support in data storage and/or computation for the first processing board and the second processing board, to enable the first processing board and the second processing board to complete a data storage and/or computation task. The system has a very high expansibility and a very high popularity.
US09823705B2

Examples include discreet wiring coupling a physical keyboard to a mobile device. The keyboard includes a user interface component including a first housing body aligned substantially along a first axis, a device interface component including a second housing body aligned substantially along a second axis, and one or more conductors coupling the user interface component to the device interface component. A hinge assembly includes a first hinge body coupled to the first housing body such that the hinge assembly is movably coupled to the user interface component and a second hinge body coupled to the second housing body such that the hinge assembly is movably coupled to the device interface component. The conductors include a first segment extending substantially along the first axis and a second segment extending substantially along the second axis. Aspects enable a user to use a physical keyboard to provide input to the mobile device.
US09823704B2

A case for a computing device includes a rear support surface that is operatively coupled to a perimetral edge that securely engages with a perimetral edge of the computing device. A support stand may be in communication with the rear support surface, wherein the stand is operable to move between one or more elevations. The rear support surface and the perimetral edge may substantially or entirely shield a rear surface of the computing device. The support stand may include a stand mechanism with support and pivot portions, the support portion operable to communicate with a corresponding mounting surface and the pivot portion operable to pivot the support stand between a closed state and one or more elevations.
US09823693B2

A convertible display includes a number of video display panels which are movable between a first position in which the panels extend in the same plane to define a unified display and a configuration in which one or more of the panels are moved into other planes which allow them to form steps. Multiple of the rotated panels may form a sequence of steps, e.g. a staircase. The convertible display may be moved via a robotic mount, whereby the position or orientation of the convertible display may be changed.
US09823683B2

A mechanism to prevent an adjustment knob associated with a piece of equipment (e.g. musical instrument or amplifier) from being moved accidentally includes an inner hub held in place on an adjustable shaft. An knob body fits concentrically over the inner hub, and is biased into position over the hub. The bottom of the knob body has locking structure which lockingly but releasingly cooperates with locking structure associated with the piece of equipment to which the shaft is affixed. A biasing structure such as a spring retains the knob body in a first, locked, position, in which the knob body is prevented from rotating, which in turn prevents rotation of the adjustable shaft. However, when the knob body is pulled away from the locking structure against the spring force, the knob body can be rotated, which in turn rotates the hub and shaft shaft. Releasing the knob body allows the biasing structure to urge the knob body back into engagement with the locking structure.
US09823676B2

A method of controlling current includes receiving a current value detected by at least one regulator supplying a unit-specific voltage to each unit of an electronic device. The method also includes controlling a current flowing through the each unit on the basis of the current value.
US09823670B2

An automatic engine driven pump (EDP) depressurization system for an aircraft is disclosed. The aircraft includes at least two EDPs driven by a main engine for converting mechanical power provided by the main engine into hydraulic power for distribution by a hydraulic system. The EDP depressurization system includes a depressurization device corresponding to each of the at least two EDPs and a control module. The depressurization devices are each energized to depressurize a respective EDP. The control module is in signal communication with each of the depressurization devices. The control module includes control logic for automatically generating a depressurization signal that energizes one of the depressurization devices based on a plurality of operational conditions of the aircraft.
US09823664B2

A method of positioning an instrument by an unmanned aircraft for measurement purposes relating to a target surface is provided. The method includes coupling the instrument to the unmanned aircraft and moving the unmanned aircraft to position the instrument away from the target surface. The method further includes stabilizing the unmanned aircraft to maintain a constant altitude and a level attitude relative to the target surface and orientating the instrument perpendicular to the target surface. A measurement is conducted by the instrument while the instrument is orientated perpendicular to the target surface. The method also includes transmitting the measurement to a receiver.
US09823655B2

An unmanned vehicle for use with an entity physically spaced from the unmanned vehicle, the unmanned vehicle having objective parameters corresponding to controlled parameters of the entity. The unmanned vehicle comprises a transceiver that is configured to wirelessly receive an input signal from the entity, wherein the input signal is indicative of the controlled parameters of the entity. The unmanned vehicle further comprises a Phase-Locked Loop (PLL) circuit that is configured to generate a command signal based on a phase of the input signal and a phase of a reference signal, wherein the reference signal is indicative of the objective parameters of the unmanned vehicle. The transceiver is further configured to wirelessly transmit the command signal to the entity such that the entity controls the controlled parameters of the entity based on the command signal.
US09823654B2

Embodiments described herein may relate to an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) navigating to a target in order to provide medical support. An illustrative method involves a UAV (a) determining an approximate target location associated with a target, (b) using a first navigation process to navigate the UAV to the approximate target location, where the first navigation process generates flight-control signals based on the approximate target location, (c) making a determination that the UAV is located at the approximate target location, and (d) in response to the determination that the UAV is located at the approximate target location, using a second navigation process to navigate the UAV to the target, wherein the second navigation process generates flight-control signals based on real-time localization of the target.
US09823639B2

A control arithmetic device controls so that an approval-receiving device displays a content of a new control program that the control arithmetic device received from the editing device. The approval-receiving device receives input of approval information that indicates whether a change of a control program is approved or not from an manager. The control arithmetic device changes the control program to the new control program in the case where the approval information received from the approval-receiving device indicates approval of the control program.
US09823635B2

A handheld information processing device such a mobile telephone or portable computer has a normal operating mode in which it executes information processing operations in response to user activation of user controls from the user control interface. Furthermore, the device has a remote control signal transmitter coupled to its processing circuit. The processing circuit is configured to switch automatically to a remote control mode when no user activation of the user controls has been detected for a predetermined time duration. In an embodiment handheld information processing device switches to the remote control mode only if it is within a predetermined range of spatial locations after the time duration. In the remote control mode the processing circuit responds user activation of the user controls substantially only by causing the remote control signal transmitter to transmit conventional remote control command signals to equipment like TVs, recorders etc.
US09823631B1

A portable computer that has a motorized hinge structure capable of moving the lid between an open and closed position. The movement of the lid is based on input from a plurality of sensors. One sensor may be configured to determine whether the user is within a predetermined threshold distance. Another sensor may be capable of detecting whether the user has made direct contact with the laptop. In one embodiment, the computer may have an image sensor configured to detect the user's face and continuously adjust the angle and position of the lid to keep the face in the field of view of the camera and/or keep the lid in the optimum viewing position.
US09823623B2

Fast processing of information represented in digital holograms is provided to facilitate converting a complex Fresnel hologram into a phase-only hologram, which can be a localized error diffusion and redistribution (LERDR) hologram, for displaying 3-D holographic images representative of a 3-D object scene. For a complex Fresnel hologram representing a 3-D object scene, a holographic generator component (HGC) can directly apply an LERDR process to the complex hologram to facilitate converting the complex hologram into an LERDR hologram. As part of the LERDR process, the HGC can partition the complex hologram into segments, convert the complex values of the pixels in each segment to phase-only values, and apply error diffusion to each segment to facilitate generating the phase-only hologram. The HGC can apply error redistribution to the last pixel of each segment to produce the resulting LERDR hologram, which can be displayed on a phase-only display device.
US09823622B2

A drive force transmission device includes a frame that supports therein plural gears transmitting a rotational drive force and that has a flat portion extending in a direction intersecting a direction in which the rotational drive force is transmitted. The drive force transmission device has an air channel that allows air sucked from an outside of the frame to pass therethrough so as to exhaust the air to the outside of the frame.
US09823614B2

To reduce the influence of a coupling pin that fixes a shaft to a photoreceptor drum on rotation of a photoreceptor drum. To provide photoreceptor device including: a photoreceptor drum having an insertion hole formed along a lengthwise direction; and a flange that is provided at a lengthwise end portion of the photoreceptor drum and has a through hole formed thereon at a position to overlap the insertion hole, wherein the flange has a first protruding portion and a second protruding portion that: are provided on an end surface at which the through hole is provided and around the through hole; and protrude from the end surface, the first protruding portion has a first opening at a position facing the through hole, and the second protruding portion is provided at a position opposite to the first opening across a center of the through hole on the end surface.
US09823612B2

A printing device includes a first ejector that ejects a recording medium to an exterior, a second ejector that enhances a rigidity of the recording medium more than by the first ejector, and ejects the recording medium to the exterior, and an ejector selector that selects either the first ejector or the second ejector.
US09823596B2

Provided is an electrostatic image developing toner including a toner mother particle containing a colorant and a binder resin comprising a crystalline resin and an amorphous resin; and an external additive. The external additive includes an inorganic fine particle having a number average major axis in a range of 50 to 100 nm, an average aspect ratio in a range of 3 to 10, and a volume resistivity in a range of 1×1010 to 1×1012 Ω·cm in primary particles.
US09823586B2

A product structure (407, 330′) is formed with defects (360-366). A spot (S) of EUV radiation which is at least partially coherent is provided on the product structure (604) to capture at least one diffraction pattern (606) formed by the radiation after scattering by the product structure. Reference data (612) describes a nominal product structure. At least one synthetic image (616) of the product structure is calculated from the captured image data. Data from the synthetic image is compared with the reference data to identify defects (660-666) in the product structure. In one embodiment, a plurality of diffraction patterns are obtained using a series overlapping spots (S(1)-S(N)), and the synthetic image is calculated using the diffraction patterns and knowledge of the relative displacement. The EUV radiation may have wavelengths in the range 5 to 50 nm, close to dimensions of the structures of interest.
US09823583B2

A liquid immersion member used in a liquid immersion exposure apparatus, and is capable of forming liquid immersion space on a surface of an object opposite to an emitting surface of optical member which emits exposure light. Liquid immersion member includes a first member that includes a first part disposed at surrounding of an optical path of exposure light, and in which a first opening part, through which exposure light is able to pass, and first liquid supply part, which is disposed at at least a portion of surrounding of first opening part and is capable of opposing surface of object, are provided at first part, and a second member that includes a first liquid recovery part which is capable of opposing surface of object and is movable with respect to first member outside first part with respect to optical path.
US09823572B2

A method of patterning lithographic substrates that includes using a free electron laser to generate EUV radiation and delivering the EUV radiation to a lithographic apparatus which projects the EUV radiation onto lithographic substrates. The method further includes reducing fluctuations in the power of EUV radiation delivered to the lithographic substrates by using a feedback-based control loop to monitor the free electron laser and adjust operation of the free electron laser accordingly, and applying variable attenuation to EUV radiation that has been output by the free electron laser in order to further control the power of EUV radiation delivered to the lithographic apparatus.
US09823571B2

An EUV light source for an illumination device of a microlithographic proj ection exposure apparatus, includes an electron source for generating an electron beam, an accelerator unit for accelerating the electron beam, and an undulator arrangement for generating EUV light by deflecting the electron beam. The undulator arrangement includes a first undulator for generating EUV light having a first polarization state and at least one second undulator for generating EUV light having a second polarization state different than the first polarization state. The second undulator is downstream of the first undulator along the direction of propagation of the electron beam. The undulator arrangement is configured so that it has a first operating mode, in which the first undulator is in saturation with regard to the generation of EUV light, and at least one second operating mode, in which the first undulator is not in saturation with regard to the generation of EUV light.
US09823565B2

Embodiments in accordance with the present invention encompass negative-tone, solvent developable, self-imageable polymer compositions containing photobase generators which are useful for forming films that can be patterned to create structures for microelectronic devices, microelectronic packaging, microelectromechanical systems, optoelectronic devices and displays.
US09823555B2

An optical path changing device includes: a reflective member that reflects a light beam incident thereto, in a predetermined reflection direction; and a housing holding the reflective member. The housing has a first surface and a second surface with the reflective member interposed therebetween in a direction orthogonal to the reflection direction. The first surface and the second surface have openings, respectively, and a cooling gas is circulated from the opening in the first surface to the opening in the second surface.
US09823553B2

An optical device includes a movable unit that supports a glass plate, axis portions that swingably support the movable unit around a swing axis, a support unit that supports the axis portions and, a permanent magnet that is provided in the movable unit, and a coil that is disposed to face the permanent magnet, and a coil support unit that is supported by the support unit and supports the coil. A conductive wire is wound around the coil and a drawn wire is drawn from the side of the inner circumference of the coil. The coil support unit includes a through hole overlapping the inner circumference of the coil and the drawn wire is inserted through the through hole.
US09823540B2

An optical IQ modulator (IQM) including two parallel Mach-Zehnder modulators (MZM1, MZM2) generates single sideband data signals. A control unit (18) generates additional optical single sideband pilot signals (PS1, PS2) positioned in a lower and a higher sideband respectively, and also further pilot signals (PS3, PS4) in both sidebands. A IQ modulator output signal (MOS) converted into electrical monitoring signals (MOS) and monitored. A control unit (18) selects control signals (CS12, CS3, CS4) and controls the IQ modulator via its bias ports (6, 7, 8) till the power transfer functions (PTF) of the Mach-Zehnder modulators (MZM1, MZM2) and the phase difference (ΔΦ) between their output signals is optimized.
US09823534B2

The present invention relates to a group of novel electrochromic materials. More specifically, it relates to electrochromic materials based on either single or two-core viologen systems and the use of these viologen systems as a variable transmittance medium for the manufacture of an optical article, such as an ophthalmic lens.
US09823533B2

A liquid crystal display device includes: a plurality of scan lines and signal lines on one of a pair of substrates arranged to be opposed to each other with a liquid crystal layer sandwiched therebetween, the scan lines and signal lines extending in different directions; and an orientation film, pixel electrode, insulating layer and common electrode, the orientation film being rubbed in a rubbing direction having a given inclination with respect to a pixel arrangement direction. The pixel electrode is partitioned by the scan lines and signal lines and has subpixels made up of first and second regions. The first region has a plurality of slit-shaped openings having a given inclination in a first direction with respect to the rubbing direction. The second region has a plurality of slit-shaped openings having a given inclination in a second direction with respect to the rubbing direction.
US09823529B2

Provided are a liquid crystal panel and a display apparatus using a liquid crystal panel preventing uneven luminance while contributing a slimmed border of the display apparatus.
US09823525B2

A display panel is provided. The display panel includes a first sub-pixel row including a plurality of sub-pixels electrically connecting to a scan line; and a second sub-pixel row including a plurality of sub-pixels, wherein the scan line overlaps with an area of the sub-pixels of the second sub-pixel row, and the scan line overlaps with an edge of a first sub-pixel of the sub-pixels of the first sub-pixel row, wherein the edge is adjacent to a driving transistor of the first sub-pixel.
US09823521B2

Disclosed are an apparatus and an LCD device. An apparatus includes a color filter (CF) substrate having a black matrix layer, a thin-film transistor (TFT) substrate facing said CF substrate, a column spacer array, between said CF substrate and said TFT substrate, corresponding to certain portions of said black matrix layer, and a structure, between said CF substrate and said TFT substrate, corresponding to said column spacer array and configured to protect said column spacer array from damage due to external pressure.
US09823517B2

The present invention relates to a liquid crystal display device including a specific liquid crystal composition and a sealant in which a cured product of a specific curable resin composition is used.The present invention provides a liquid crystal display device which prevents a decrease in the voltage holding ratio (VHR) of the liquid crystal layer and which enables elimination of problematic defective display such as voids, uneven alignment, and screen burn-in.Since the liquid crystal display device of the present invention prevents a decrease in the voltage holding ratio (VHR) of the liquid crystal layer and enables a reduction in defective display such as uneven alignment and screen burn-in, it is particularly useful for active-matrix liquid crystal display devices of a VA mode and PSVA mode and can be applied to liquid crystal display apparatuses such as liquid crystal TVs, monitors, mobile phones, and smartphones.
US09823504B2

The present invention provides a method for manufacturing a PDLC display device and a PDLC display device. The method for manufacturing a PDLC display device according to the present invention includes mixing PDLC with graphene nanoparticles to improve the response speed of the PDLC and reduce a driving voltage of the PDLC, and also combines QDs to make a novel high color saturation display device, which requires no alignment layer and polarizer, providing a simple manufacturing process, showing an innovated and unique displaying effect, demonstrating at least four displaying modes of red, green, blue, and indistinctness, and overcoming light leakage of pixels and color mixture occurring in an existing PDLC display device. The PDLC display device according to the present invention includes a PLDC substrate, an array substrate, and a QD substrate, having a simple structure, showing an innovated and unique displaying effect, demonstrating at least four displaying modes of red, green, blue, and indistinctness, and overcoming light leakage of pixels and color mixture occurring in an existing PDLC display device.
US09823502B2

In accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes a display section and a touch panel section. The touch panel section is adjacent the display section. The touch panel section includes a first layer, a second layer and a third layer. The first layer includes a conductive material. The second layer includes a bottom guard layer. The third layer includes a top guard layer. The first layer is between the second and third layers. The conductive material includes a color filter and a black matrix.
US09823489B2

Connection hinge for spectacles frames of the type adapted to connect the lateral sidearm of a spectacles frame to the front part of the same spectacles frame; the connection hinge being characterized by comprising: a cup-shaped body, which is structured so as to be fixed cantilevered in a rigid manner onto the lateral side of the front part of a spectacles frame, and is provided with a central cavity of substantially cylindrical shape and with a transversal, oblong, pass-through slot or cut, which extends along the lateral side of the cup-shaped body while remaining on a lying plane locally substantially perpendicular to the reference axis of the central cavity, and penetrates in the cup-shaped body up to said central recess; a central pin which has a cylindrical shape substantially complementary to that of the central cavity of the cup-shaped body, and is inserted in axially rotatable manner in the central cavity of the cup-shaped body; and a transverse locking plug which has an end rigidly fixed to the body of the central pin, and is structured so as to protrude cantilevered from the cup-shaped body engaging in pass-through and sliding manner the pass-through slot or cut present on the lateral side of the cup-shaped body, and to be rigidly fixed or incorporated on the proximal end of the lateral sidearm of the spectacles.
US09823487B2

A lens assembly and test apparatus includes a bearing tray, a controller, a lens eccentricity detection system, a lens assembly device, a dispensing device and a resolution detection device. The bearing tray includes a mechanical arm. The lens eccentricity detection system, the lens assembly device, the dispensing device and the resolution detection device are arranged along the edge of the bearing tray. The controller is configured to control the bearing tray and the mechanical arm, and make the mechanical arm grab an optic lens and arrange the optic lens in the lens eccentricity detection system, and the lens assembly device in sequence. The lens eccentricity detection system is configured to detect the optic lens. The lens assembly device is configured to assemble the optic lens into a lens barrel to form a lens module. The dispensing device is configured to cement the lens module.
US09823480B2

In various embodiments, wavelength beam combining systems feature multiple beam emitters each emitting an individual beam, as well as multiple micro-optics arrangements each disposed optically downstream from a beam emitter to intercept the beam emitted thereby and direct the beam toward a dispersive element for combination into a multi-wavelength output beam.
US09823475B2

A head-mounted display having a first light incident region and a first light emitting region is provided. The head-mounted display includes a first light-guide plate, a first micro-display, a first reflector, a first collimating lens and a first filling structure. A first inner surface of the first light-guide plate has plural first hollow microstructures located in the first light emitting region. The first micro-display is located in the first light incident region and faces the first inner surface. The first reflector is located in the first light incident region, obliquely disposed at the first light-guide plate and faces the first micro-display. The first collimating lens is disposed between the first reflector and the first micro-display. The first filling structure fills in the first hollow microstructures, wherein a refractive index of the first filling structure is greater than a refractive index of the first light-guide plate.
US09823468B2

A lens for a camera that has a flash and an image sensor is disclosed. The lens includes a transparent portion including a flash portion for covering the flash and an image sensor portion for covering the image sensor. The lens also includes a barrier positioned between the image sensor portion and the flash portion. The barrier has a top portion and a lower portion, the lower portion defining a plurality of securing holes such that lens material passes through at least some of the securing holes to secure the barrier to the transparent portion.
US09823463B2

To provide a light source unit whose overall size is relatively small and a projector which incorporates the light source unit, there is provided a light source unit including a first light source device for emitting light in a first wavelength range, a second light source device which is disposed on an axis of the light in the first wavelength range and having a luminescent light emitting area for emitting light in a second wavelength range by receiving the light in the first wavelength range, and a third light source device which is disposed on the axis of the light in the first wavelength range so as to face the first light source device for emitting light in a third wavelength range.
US09823460B2

A blade inspection apparatus has a borescope and a PC. The borescope has a distance sensor for detecting an insertion length when an insertion section of the borescope is inserted through a hole provided in a casing in which a rotor of an engine is housed, an acceleration sensor for detecting an attitude of the insertion section, and distance sensors for detecting two distances from the insertion section to two stator vanes on a stator. The PC compares the attitude and two distances detected in the borescope with the attitude and two distances relating to an inspection image stored in a HDD. When a match occurs therebetween, the PC outputs match information.
US09823457B2

This disclosure provides systems, methods, and apparatus related to optical microscopy. In one aspect, an apparatus includes a sample holder, a first objective lens, a plurality of optical components, a second objective lens, and a mirror. The apparatus may directly image a cross-section of a sample oblique to or parallel to the optical axis of the first objective lens, without scanning.
US09823454B2

A scalable parabolic or disc shaped mirror, that is formed and maintained by inflating, with air or inert gas, a rigid polymer membrane envelope, that is pre-formed, and such that when inflated, forms this parabolic or disc shape, governed by a center supporting pole, and ring around circumference of the mirror. The top half of the ballooned envelope is made of a clear transparent membrane through which the sun's rays pass through and on to the lower inner lower surface, which is coated with reflective surface. The balloon is skewered through the middle of each membrane, and clamped with flanges to hermetically seal the envelope.The pole or center structure is anchored and hinged at the base so the Pneumatic Mirror can be articulated to face towards the sun, thus focussing the energy to whatever device is at the focal point.
US09823440B2

The present invention relates to an imaging lens, the imaging lens including, in an ordered way from an object side, a first lens having positive (+) refractive power, a second lens having negative (−) refractive power, a third lens having negative (−) refractive power, a fourth lens having negative (−) refractive power, wherein the imaging lens meets a conditional expression of −0.5
US09823438B2

An electro-optical apparatus has an element substrate that is provided with a mirror and a sealing member which seals the mirror, and the sealing member includes a light-transmitting cover which faces the mirror opposite from the element substrate. An infrared cut filter is laminated on the light-transmitting cover.
US09823435B2

A device for moving a nonlinear crystal or a saturable absorber in two dimensions includes a first and a second piezo unit, each having a corresponding carrier, piezo driver, and carriage moveable by the piezo driver at incremental steps along a linear path with respect to the carrier between a first and a second end location, in which the linear paths of the first piezo unit and the second piezo unit are orthogonal. The nonlinear crystal/saturable absorber is fastenable on the carriage of the first piezo unit and the carrier of the first piezo unit is fastened on the carriage of the second piezo unit. The device further includes stops that define the carriage end locations, an end location detection configured to detect the carriages at their respective end locations, and a counting unit configured to count the steps covered during the moving of the carriage.
US09823433B2

Staggered Splices. At least some illustrative embodiments are apparatus including a tube having a wall defining an interior volume, first and second optical fibers disposed within the interior volume and the first and second optical fibers joined at a first splice. Also included are third and fourth optical fibers disposed within the interior volume, the third and fourth optical fibers joined at a second splice. The first splice and the second splice have an axially spaced-apart relationship within the interior volume of the tube.
US09823428B1

LC optical connectors and a duplex clip for forming duplex connector assemblies are provided herein. The LC optical connector includes a rigid latch member for positive locking with another component, such as an adaptor. The duplex clip is configured to hold two LC optical connectors to form a duplex connector assembly.
US09823425B2

A dust-proof apparatus for a fiber optic connector has a base; a ferrule receiving sleeve positioned on a mating end of the base; two primary cantilevered arms extending substantially in parallel from the mating end of the base, with the ferrule receiving sleeve being positioned therebetween; and a secondary cantilevered arm extending from the mating end of the base, and having a locking projection receiving hole disposed on a free end.
US09823416B2

At least some illustrative embodiments are including a method exposing a first optical fiber and a second optical fiber disposed within an interior volume of a first tube. A splice is formed between the first optical fiber and a third optical fiber, the splice joining an end of the first optical fiber and an end of the third optical fiber. A second tube is disposed the first, second, third optical fibers and the splice between the first and third optical fibers, wherein an end of the second tube adjoins an end of the first tube to form a structure comprising either an overlapping structure; or an abutting structure.
US09823414B2

A semiconductor device for use in an optical application and a method for fabricating the device. The device includes: an optically passive aspect that is operable in a substantially optically passive mode; and an optically active material having a material that is operable in a substantially optically active mode, wherein the optically passive aspect is patterned to include a photonic structure with a predefined structure, and the optically active material is formed in the predefined structure so as to be substantially self-aligned in a lateral plane with the optically passive aspect.
US09823412B2

The invention discloses an edge type backlight module. The edge type backlight module includes: a back frame having at least one sidewall and at least one bottom plate; a light guide plate disposed on the bottom plate and having a light incident side surface, wherein the light incident side surface is opposite to the sidewall; and a plurality of first backlight sources and a plurality of second backlight sources, wherein the first backlight sources are disposed on the sidewall, the second backlight sources are disposed on the bottom plate and against the sidewall, the first backlight sources and the second backlight sources are alternately disposed, the first backlight sources include a plurality of first LED lamps, and the second backlight sources include a plurality of second LED lamps. The invention also discloses a liquid crystal display device having the edge type backlight module. The COF of the invention is disposed on a portion of the second backlight sources with a lower temperature, so that the COF is in a lower temperature condition, thereby improving its reliability.
US09823411B2

This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for providing illumination. In one aspect, an etendue preserving optical coupling system configured to: receive incident light through an input aperture; and emit the incident light through an output aperture having an area smaller than an area of the input aperture is provided. The light output from the optical coupling system is coupled into a light receiving system including material having substantially the same refractive index as the refractive index of the material of the optical coupling system. The light receiving system includes a light guide configured to internally propagate the redirected light and to release light to illuminate the ambient environment.
US09823408B2

An optical waveguide includes a body of optically transmissive material having a width substantially greater than an overall thickness thereof. The body of material has a first side, a second side opposite the first side, and a plurality of interior bores extending between the first and second sides each adapted to receive a light emitting diode. Extraction features are disposed on the second side and the extraction features direct light out of at least the first side and at least one extraction feature forms a taper disposed at an outer portion of the body.
US09823407B2

Disclosed is a lighting strip (100) comprising an optical waveguide (120) extending in a length direction of said strip and having a tapered portion tapering from a thin edge (124) to a thick edge (122) in a width direction of said strip; at least one solid state lighting element (110) incorporated in the optical waveguide and arranged to emit light into the optical waveguide in said length direction; and a light scattering pattern (130) on the thick edge of the tapered portion for redirecting the emitted light to the thin edge of the tapered portion. A lighting system, panel support element (210) and modular panel system (200) including such a lighting strip (100) are also disclosed.
US09823406B2

A light guide includes: a first major surface; a second major surface opposite the first major surface; an array of extraction elements, each element disposed between an upper and lower edge of the first major surface, each upper and lower edge defining a plane therebetween, each element including: a first face adjoining the upper edge, the first face projecting inwardly relative to the plane at a first angle; a second face adjoining the first face, the second face projecting inwardly at a second angle relative to the plane, the second angle greater than the first angle; a third face adjoining the lower edge and the second face, the third face projecting inwardly relative to the plane at a third angle, the third angle greater than the first angle; wherein the first face, second face and third face define an indentation projecting inwardly from the plane defined by the first major surface.
US09823403B2

A light guiding body includes, an introducing portion including a plane of incidence and a plane of reflection opposite to the plane of incidence, a diffusion portion including a first plane provided on a side of the plane of reflection and a second plane provided on the side of the plane of incidence and opposite to the first plane, a first point positioned on a border between the plane of reflection and the first plane, and a second point on the plane of incidence, wherein when a center of curvature of the first plane at the first point is a third point, an index of refraction of the light guiding body is n, the curvature of the first plane at the first point is K, and a distance between the second point and the third point is D, Formula (4) is satisfied.
US09823396B2

A broadband partial reflector includes a multilayer polymeric optical film having a total number of optical repeating units that monotonically increases in thickness value from a first side to a second side of the multilayer polymeric optical film. A baseline optical repeating unit thickness profile is defined by a first plurality of optical repeating units and having a first average slope, and a first apodized thickness profile of the multilayer polymeric optical film is defined by a second plurality of optical repeating units having a second average slope being at least 5 times greater than the first average slope. The second plurality of optical repeating units define the first side of the multilayer polymeric optical film and join the first plurality of optical repeating units. The second plurality of optical repeating units are in a range from 3-15% of the total number of optical repeating units.
US09823395B2

A multilayer optical film including a stack of microlayers arranged into optical repeat units. At a design angle of incidence, such as normal incidence, the stack provides a 1st order reflection band, a 2nd order reflection band, and optionally a 3rd order reflection band. The 2nd order reflection band substantially overlaps the 1st and/or 3rd order reflection bands to form a single wide reflection band. The wide reflection band may cover at least a portion of visible and infrared wavelengths. The multilayer optical film may include an additional optical layer which maybe be an anti-glare layer and/or may be an absorbing layer. The multilayer optical film is suitable for use as a window film.
US09823391B2

A non-photosensitive resin composition including: a self-cross-linkable copolymer having structural units of Formulae (1) and (2): wherein each R0 is independently a hydrogen atom or methyl group; X is an —O— group or an —NH— group; R1 is a single bond or a C1-6 alkylene group; R2 is a C1-6 alkyl group; a is an integer of 1 to 5, b is an integer of 0 to 4, and when a and b satisfy 1≦a+b≦5, and b is 2, 3, or 4, such R2 optionally differ from each other; R3 is a divalent organic group of Formula (I), Formula (II), or Formula (III), and R4 is an organic group having an epoxy group: wherein c is an integer of 0 to 3, d is an integer of 1 to 3, and each e is independently an integer of 2 to 6; and a solvent.
US09823390B2

An optical sheet includes: a transparent substrate sheet; and a sticking preventive portion provided on the back face of the transparent substrate sheet. The sticking preventive portion includes a plurality of printed dots. The average diameter of the printed dots is preferably no less than 1 μm and no greater than 200 μm. The ratio of the average height to the average diameter of the printed dots is preferably no less than 1/100 and no greater than 1. The printed dot preferably has a hemisphere-like shape having a height less than a diameter. The arrangement density of the printed dots on the back face of the substrate sheet is preferably no less than 10 dots/mm2 and no greater than 2,500 dots/mm2. A principal component of the printed dots is preferably is preferably an acrylic resin, a urethane resin or an acrylic urethane resin.
US09823383B2

The present specification describes a scanning/inspection system configured as a dual-view system using dual-energy sensitive stacked detectors that are partially populated with multi-energy discriminating detectors for overall enhanced energy resolution and therefore improved discrimination of materials through better estimation of material physical properties such as density and effective atomic number.
US09823382B2

A vehicle mounted mobile container or vehicle inspection system, including: a radiation source, a movable vehicle for carrying the inspection system, and a detector arm rack which has a horizontal arm and a vertical arm, a first end of the horizontal arm is connected to the vehicle and a second end thereof is connected to an end of the vertical arm. The horizontal arm and the vertical arm are connected by a pivotal connecting device such that the vertical arm may pivot in a vertical plane, and the horizontal arm and the vertical arm may be retracted in a same horizontal plane. The novel arm rack construction may reduce the space occupied by it on top of the scanning vehicle after the arm rack is stowed so as to reduce the eight of the scanning vehicle under running condition.
US09823372B2

A seismic measurement system and a method of obtaining seismic measurements are described. The seismic measurement system includes a cable and a plurality of sensors disposed at a first interval along the cable. The plurality of sensors receives reflections resulting from a seismic source and each of the plurality of sensors receives the reflection corresponding with a particular subsurface location. The system also includes a controller to turn on a first set of the plurality of sensors and turn off a second set of the plurality of sensors based on an area of interest.
US09823366B2

Among other things, one or more systems and/or techniques for calibrating a direct conversion detector array are provided. An electrical charge is generated on an interface of a photoconductor (e.g., amorphous selenium) of the detector array when there is a change in voltage that is applied to the photoconductor. Such a change in voltage may occur because the voltage that is supplied to the photoconductor by a power supply is changed. The changed voltage causes an electrical charge to be produced, or causes a change in the net charge density at an interface of the photoconductor, that is substantially similar to the electrical charge that may be produced when radiation impinges the detector array. In this way, calibrations of the detector array (e.g., the generation of a uniformity map, defect table, etc.) may be performed without the emission of radiation and onsite or outside of a factory setting.
US09823361B2

A radiation imaging control apparatus, which is communicable with a radiation imaging apparatus including a radiation sensor and capable of acquiring an X-ray moving image, includes a first communication unit configured to communicate with the radiation imaging apparatus via Ethernet communication, a second communication unit configured to communicate with the radiation imaging apparatus via at least a pair of bidirectional serial optical communication lines, a first control unit configured to cause the first communication unit to transmit a first signal for setting at least one parameter to the radiation imaging apparatus, a second control unit configured to cause the second communication unit to output data of the X-ray moving image received from the radiation imaging apparatus to an image processing unit, and transmit a second signal for some settings to the radiation imaging apparatus.
US09823357B2

A wireless receiver being capable of determining its velocity with respect to a number of wireless transmitters is provided. The wireless receiver includes a communication interface for receiving a number of carrier signals originating from the number of wireless transmitters, and a processor being configured to determine a number of carrier phases of the carrier signals at two different time instants, to determine a number of carrier phase differences from the determined number of carrier phases for each carrier signal between the two different time instants, to determine a location matrix indicating a geometric relationship between a location of the wireless receiver and a number of locations of the number of transmitters, and to determine the velocity of the wireless receiver upon the basis of the number of carrier phase differences and the location matrix.
US09823342B2

A system for monitoring at least one tag device has at least one mobile cellular telephone. The mobile cellular telephone is capable of communicating on a WiFi network, wherein the at least one tag device transmits wireless data messages in a non-associating mode.
US09823333B2

A broadcast from a beacon associated with a mobile device is detected, at a proximate device. The broadcast includes an identifier associated with the mobile device. The identifier is sent to a service provider system to receive a confirmation that the mobile device associated with the identifier is lost. Upon receiving the confirmation, using the proximate device, a first location of the proximate device is determined at a first time, and a first signal strength of the broadcast is measured at the first time and at the first location. A location of the beacon is computed using the first signal strength and the first location from the proximate device, and by further using a second signal strength measurement at a second location and a third signal strength at a third location.
US09823332B2

A mobile device includes a chemical sensor to detect chemicals in the environment in which the mobile device is present. The detected chemicals are analyzed and used to generate a chemical characteristic of the environment. The chemical characteristic of the environment is used to determine location related data for the mobile device. For example, an implemented within or remote chemical characteristic database that stores chemical characteristics associated with location related data may be searched based on the chemical characteristic of the environment to determine the location of the mobile device. The location related data may be a location of the mobile device or assistance data that may be used to assist in generating a more accurate position fix, e.g., using a satellite positioning system. The location related data may simply whether the mobile device is inside or outside or the floor of a multi-floor building.
US09823319B2

The present disclosure relates to a radio frequency resonator and a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus comprising the same. A radio frequency resonator for a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus in accordance with the present disclosure comprises: a microstrip substrate; a conductive pattern portion for resonance that is formed on one surface of the microstrip substrate and increases an intensity of a magnetic field which is generated by resonating an RF signal; and a ground conductive board that is formed on the other surface of the microstrip substrate. According to the present disclosure, there is provided a radio frequency resonator for a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus capable of generating an intense magnetic field.
US09823305B1

A method for generating a post-silicon validation test for a system on chip (SOC), may include obtaining a selection of action scenarios from a set of scenarios originally constructed for generating simulation tests; combining the selected scenarios into a combined scenario in which the selected scenarios are to be executed in parallel; and generating a post-silicon test code corresponding to the combined scenario.
US09823304B2

An electronic device having a functional portion and a test portion. The test portion includes a boundary scan register formed by a plurality of test cells arranged in the body according to a register sequence, where first test cells are configured to form a serial-to-parallel converter and second test cells are configured to form a parallel-to-serial converter. The test cells are each coupled to a respective data access pin of the device and to a respective input/output point of the functional part and have a first test input and a test output. The boundary scan register defines two test half-paths formed, respectively, by the first test cells and by the second test cells. The first test cells are directly coupled according to a first sub-sequence, and the second test cells are directly coupled according to a second sub-sequence.
US09823303B1

Methods for selecting integrated circuit dies based on pre-determined criteria are disclosed. A disclosed method includes binning tools that characterizes multiple integrated circuit dies based on performance attributes. Each integrated circuit die is labeled with an identifier that represents bin location of the integrated circuit die within a die storage structure. A user can search for integrated circuit dies that matches certain performance grading by providing a performance description to an input interface on testing equipment. A tester is then configured to perform a screening to identify the physical locations of integrated circuit dies that match the retrieved identifiers from the die storage structure.
US09823296B2

A built-in self test system comprises an integrated circuit device comprising a plurality of functional units coupled to built-in self test circuitry; a low power control unit operable to switch the integrated circuit device into a low power mode and to generate a BIST wake-up signal during or before entering the low power mode; and a built-in self test control unit coupled to the built-in self test circuitry and the low power control unit and arranged to initiate a built-in self test when receiving the BIST wake-up signal.
US09823294B1

A negative voltage testing including a monitoring and triggering circuit coupled to a supply voltage rail of a device under test (DUT) and a switching circuit coupled to the monitoring and triggering circuit. The monitoring and triggering circuit is configured to cause the switching circuit to provide a first negative voltage to the supply voltage rail when a supply voltage on the supply voltage rail decays below a predetermined level during a first test of the DUT.
US09823292B2

An information output apparatus includes: a first switching element joined through a solder part, and forming one arm of a power conversion apparatus; a second switching element connected in series with the first switching element, and forming the other arm of the power conversion apparatus; a smoothing capacitor; a measuring unit configured to measure a temperature of the first switching element to output a measured value; an applying unit configured to apply two or more continuous pulses in a state where a potential difference across the smoothing capacitor is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, the pulses causing the first switching element and the second switching element to simultaneously turn on; an adjusting unit configured to adjust pulse widths of the pulses; and an output unit configured to output information indicating a deterioration of the solder part based on a manner of a change in measured values.
US09823288B2

The invention concerns a method for monitoring a cable strand containing multiple electrical lines, such that the cable strand is designed to conduct electrical energy generated by a generator in a wind turbine involving the steps: measuring the temperature of at least two of the electrical lines, comparing the temperatures of said lines, and determining whether the two temperatures deviate from one another by more than a predefined threshold.
US09823281B2

A method for determining electric voltage u(t) and/or electric current i(t) of an RF signal in the time domain in a calibration plane, wherein by at least one directional coupler having two outputs and one signal input a first component of a first RF signal that runs from the signal input in the direction of the calibration plane, and a second component of a second RF signal that runs from the calibration plane in the direction of the signal input is decoupled. For a two-port error of the directional coupler, the error terms e00, e01, e10 and e11, are determined as a function of a frequency f and the signal values v1(t) and v2(t) are transformed into the frequency domain as wave quantities V1(f) and V2(f), and absolute wave quantities a1 and b1 in the frequency domain in the calibration plane are calculated from the wave quantities V1(f) and V2(f) by the error terms e00, e01, e10 and e11.
US09823276B2

Some embodiments are directed to a process device comprising a process variable sensor configured to generate an output signal indicative of a sensed process variable; loop current output circuitry configured to control a loop current on a two wire process control loop to a value based on the output signal; loop current measurement circuitry coupled to the process control loop and configured to generate a measured loop current value based on the loop current; and loop current verification circuitry configured to approximate the loop current value based on the output signal and properties of a low pass filter, and generate a diagnostic signal based on a comparison of the approximated loop current value and the measured loop current value.
US09823274B2

A low-cost and high-precision current sensing device and methods for use and manufacturing. In one embodiment, the current sensing apparatus comprises a Rogowski-type coil which is manufactured in segments so as to facilitate the manufacturing process. In an exemplary embodiment, the current sensing apparatus segments comprise a number of bobbin elements that are wound and subsequently formed into complex geometric shapes such as torus-like shapes. In an alternative embodiment, bonded windings are utilized which allow the segments to be formed without a bobbin or former. In yet another alternative embodiment, the aforementioned current sensing devices are stacked in groups of two or more. Methods of manufacturing and using the aforementioned current sensing apparatus are also disclosed.
US09823270B2

The present invention is related to a membrane electrochemical signal detection system, which comprises a detection platform and a probe, wherein the detection platform comprises a substrate having a cavity; a hydrogel layer disposed in the cavity of the substrate; and a carrier film disposed above the substrate and the hydrogel layer with at least one through hole corresponding to the cavity of the substrate as a sample slot. The surface of the probe is covered by an insulating layer and a metal for detection is exposed at a tip portion of the probe.
US09823265B2

A method and geophysical acceleration sensor (100) for measuring seismic data and also for protecting the sensor from shock. The sensor includes a housing (102); a flexible beam (104) having a first end fixedly attached to the housing; a piezoelectric layer (108) attached to the flexible beam; a seismic mass (112) attached to the flexible beam; and a first movement limiter (130) connected to the housing and configured to limit a movement of the flexible beam. A distance between a tip of the first movement limiter and the flexible beam is adjustable.
US09823255B2

The present invention relates to methods and other technologies that may be used to determine whether compositions (e.g., pharmaceutical compositions) comprising interleukin-10 molecules (e.g., pegylated interleukin-10) meet particular product-related specifications prior to being administered to a subject for the treatment and/or prevention of the diseases, disorders and conditions, and/or the symptoms thereof, described herein.
US09823252B2

A single disposable cartridge for performing a process on a particle, such as particle sorting, encapsulates all fluid contact surfaces in the cartridge for use with microfluidic particle processing technology. The cartridge interfaces with an operating system for effecting particle processing. The encapsulation of the fluid contact surfaces insures, improves or promotes operator isolation and/or product isolation. The cartridge may employ any suitable technique for processing particles.
US09823251B2

The present invention is related to the anti-Uroplakin II antibodies, kits, cocktails, and use of anti-Uroplakin II antibodies for detection of cancer.
US09823250B2

A protein composition including TorsinA or TorsinA mutant, LULL1, and a nanobody obtained by immunization using TorsinA and LULL1 is used to grow complex crystals, and three dimensional structures are determined using x-ray data of the crystals. A screening platform is built based on the determined three dimensional structures for designing a drug lead to cure dystonia.
US09823249B2

A method of detecting a pathogen in a sample. The pathogen from the sample is captured with at least one recognition element. The sample is introduced to a paper-based microfluidic device having spaced electrodes disposed thereon. An impedance magnitude of the sample is measured across the spaced electrodes to detect a presence of the pathogen in the sample. A related paper-based microfluidic device and system are also disclosed.
US09823248B2

The invention relates to the field of medical diagnostics. In particular, it relates method and kits for identification and classification of IgE-related diseases, e.g. Type I hypersensitivity, as well as for monitoring of treatment efficacy, for instance anti-IgE therapy. Provided is a multi-color flow cytometric method for analyzing memory B cell and plasma cell subsets in a biological sample, comprising staining the sample with a panel of fluorochrome-conjugated antibodies comprising antibodies against IgM, IgA, IgG, IgD and IgE; an antibody against a B cell marker and an antibody against the CD38 antigen; subjecting the sample to flow cytometry and gating for lymphocytes based on forward scatter and side scatter pattern; gating the lymphocytes for expression of the B cell specific marker and CD38 to discriminate between CD38dim memory B cells and CD38hi plasma cells; and quantitating the IgE+ cells within the memory B cell population and/or the plasma cell population by the negative selection of cells expressing IgM, IgA, IgG and/or IgD and the positive selection of IgE expressing cells.
US09823240B2

Compositions, methods, and devices for the detection of multiple analytes with a single signal are provided.
US09823237B2

Systems, apparatus and methods determine the presence of a volatile substance in expired breath. Alcohol concentrations can be determined from expired breath through the use of electromagnetic detection. The systems, apparatus and methods allow measurements of volatile substances to be done accurately and quickly over a wide range of temperatures, and are easily incorporated into vehicles.
US09823236B2

The present invention relates to a method for testing oral malodor, in particular oral malodor from coffee. Described herein are methods for testing the efficacy of an oral care composition to reduce oral malodor, the method comprising the steps of: a) cleaning at least a part of the oral cavity with an oral care composition; b) testing a sample of exhaled breath from the cleaned oral cavity to provide a test result representing a amount of at least one oral malodor component detected in the exhaled breath; c) exposing the oral cavity to an oral malodor material including or capable of forming the at least one oral malodor component; and d) testing a sample of exhaled breath from the oral cavity to provide a test result representing an amount of the at least one oral malodor component detected in the exhaled breath.
US09823230B2

In a gas sensor, not only a tube 70 covers lead wires 48, but also the tube 70 covers an outer peripheral surface of an end portion of an outer cylinder 46 including an open end 46a. A portion of the outer peripheral surface of the outer cylinder 46 covered with the tube 70 is gripped by a clamp 80. Thus, the clamp 80 integrally grips the tube 70 and the outer cylinder 46. Moreover, the tube 70 protrudes from the clamp 80 to a side of the outer cylinder 46 opposite from the open end 46a (protrusion amount L>0). Further, the open end 46a of the outer cylinder 46 forms a large-diameter portion whose outer diameter is larger than an inner diameter D1 of the clamp 80.
US09823228B2

A technician is forced to determine the measurement time to be used in a selected ion monitoring (SIM) measurement while observing mass spectral data. Thus, mass spectral data and one or a plurality of mass chromatogram data items is generated on the basis of the detection results of an ion detection unit, and, for each corresponding ion component, the measurement time to be used in SIM is determined on the basis of the elution time range represented by each peak waveform of the one or plurality of mass chromatogram data items that have been generated.
US09823221B2

A method of manufacturing a device with a planar electrode structure, the method comprising: (a) forming a microfluidic channel on a substrate; (b) applying a primer layer to at least part of the microfluidic channel, (c) applying a conductive liquid to the microfluidic channel, the conductive liquid comprising electrically conductive particles dispersed in a carrier medium, the carrier medium including a solvent; (d) allowing the conductive liquid to flow throughout the microfluidic channel by capillary action to form the planar electrode structure; and (e) evaporating the solvent from the carrier medium, is described. Devices obtainable using the method and their applications are also described.
US09823216B2

An NO2 sensor comprises a sensing electrode material that includes a compound consisting essentially of one or more elements selected from the group consisting of Mn, Co, and Fe; an element selected from the group consisting of Si and Ti; and oxygen. In an alternate embodiment, the sensing electrode material includes a compound consisting essentially of one or more elements selected from the group consisting of Mn, Co, and Fe; an element selected from the group consisting of Si and Ti; an element selected from the group consisting of Mg, Al, Li, Na, and K; and oxygen. Sensors made with these sensing electrode materials demonstrate good NO2 sensitivity and reduced sensitivity to cross-interference from NO and NH3.
US09823214B2

The present invention includes a body case having a biological sample sensor mounting portion on one end side, a temperature sensor (A) provided on the one end side inside the body case, a measurement portion connected to the biological sample sensor mounting portion, and a control portion connected to the measurement portion. A temperature sensor (B) is provided on one other end side inside the body case, and when measurement is performed by the measurement portion, temperature change amounts in the two end portions are compared using the temperature sensors (A) and (B). Furthermore, a measurement value obtained by the measurement portion is corrected using temperature information from either one of the temperature sensors (A) or (B) that is provided in the end portion on the side where the temperature change is smaller.
US09823213B2

An electrochemical test strip, measurement system and method for determining sample content in the reactive region of the electrochemical test strip are presented. The electrochemical test strip comprises an insulator substrate which includes an electrode system disposed thereon. The electrode system includes at least one pair of electrodes. A lower plate which includes a reactive region and a sampling cell is disposed on the insulator substrate. An upper plate is disposed on the lower plate, wherein the at least one pair of electrodes is designed as an electrical loop adjacent to the sampling port.
US09823212B2

The present invention relates a setting method for a conductive object of electrochemical test strip. In the embodiment, this manufacturing process is not complex, convenient, and has well precision, such that the cost of manufacturing an electrochemical test strip is reduced effectively, and the disadvantage of past manufacturing process is improved. The present invention is highly applied and convenient, so that wide application can be expected in the future.
US09823206B2

An apparatus for measuring an overall heat transfer coefficient may include an external chamber provided using a heat insulation material and including an internal space, an internal chamber disposed in the external chamber and having an opening upper portion, a heat source supply to supply heat to an internal portion of the internal chamber, a cutoff portion disposed in the upper portion of the internal chamber to seal the internal chamber and prevent an outflow of heat emitted from the heat source supply, and a temperature measurement portion disposed in an internal portion and an external portion of the internal chamber to measure an internal temperature and an external temperature of the internal chamber, in which the cutoff portion may realize covering conditions indoors through a combination of a covering material and a thermal screen, and adjust the external temperature of the internal chamber.
US09823204B2

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), characterized by chronic airflow limitation, is a serious and growing public health concern. The major environmental risk factor for COPD is cigarette smoking, but the biological mechanisms underlying COPD are not well understood. Herein, proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H-NMR) spectroscopy is used in methods to identify metabolites and biomarkers associated with lung function in COPD.
US09823195B2

An instrument is provided that can monitor nucleic acid sequence amplification reactions, for example, PCR amplification of DNA and DNA fragments. The instrument includes a multi-notch filter disposed along one or both of an excitation beam path and an emission beam path. Methods are also provided for monitoring nucleic acid sequence amplifications using an instrument that includes a multi-notch filter disposed along a beam path.
US09823193B2

A sensory material with high sensitivity, selectivity, and photostability has been developed for vapor probing of organic amines. The sensory material is a perylene-3,4,9,10-tetracarboxyl compound having amine binding groups and the following formula where A and A′ are independently chosen from N—R1, N—R2, and O such that both A and A′ are not O, and R1 through R10 are amine binding moieties, solubility enhancing groups, or hydrogen such that at least one of R1 through R10 is an amine binding moiety. This perylene compound can be formed into well-defined nanofibers. Upon deposition onto a substrate, the entangled nanofibers form a meshlike, highly porous film, which enables expedient diffusion of gaseous analyte molecules within the film matrix, leading to a milliseconds response for vapor sensing.
US09823192B1

A surface plasmon resonance biosensor comprises: a prism, an incident light incident to a side of the prism and reflected at the side of the prism, the incident light comprising a first incident light having a first incident angle and a second incident light having a second incident angle, and a detector comprising pixels for detecting the incident light reflected at the side of the prism, where positions of pixels of the detector correspond to incident angles of the incident light, and where positions of pixels of the detector are calibrated by at least the first incident light having the first incident angle and the second incident light having the second incident angle.
US09823178B2

A flow cytometer comprises a flow cell configured to induce a flow of a sample containing object particles, a light source, an irradiating optical system configured to irradiate light from the light source on the flow of particles in the flow cell, a detecting part configured to detect light given off from the flow of particles which are irradiated by light. The irradiating optical system comprises a collective lens having an optical axis symmetric aspherical surface on one surface, and a cylindrical surface on the other surface.
US09823177B2

A permeation standard is provided. The permeation standard may include a substrate that is impermeable to an analyte, an orifice disposed in the substrate, and a permeable material filling the orifice. The orifice and the permeable material are configured to provide a predetermined transmission rate of the analyte through the permeation standard. Also provided herein are methods for forming the permeation standard.
US09823172B2

The present invention provides an apparatus for retaining solid state reagents and/or for processing sample for a diagnostic test, where the apparatus avoids liquid “hang-up” that would otherwise result in loss of sample or fluid volume during sample transfer. The invention further provides diagnostic methods that employ the apparatus, so as to provide sensitive and accurate analyte detection.
US09823171B2

A method and an apparatus for taking slurry samples from a continuous gravity process flow (PF). The sampling is carried out in two stages by first and second sampling units (1, 2). The primary sample flow (PSF) and the secondary sample flow (SSF) are arranged as pressureless open-channel type flows, so that the flow rate of the secondary sample flow (SSF) to be led for analysis is approximately proportional to an instantaneous flow rate of the process flow (PF). In the apparatus, the first sampling unit (1) and the second sampling unit (2) comprise venting means (23, 24) adjacent the upper ends (25, 26) of their respective first and second side walls (7, 8; 13; 14) to allow equalizing of the atmospheric pressure prevailing inside and outside the first and second sampling units above free liquid levels (27, 28) of the primary and secondary slurry flows (PSF, SSF) along the entire lengths of the sampling units to form pressure—less open-channel type flow paths for the primary and secondary sample flows (PSF, SSF).
US09823165B2

A method for measuring the backlash of a gear train includes the steps of providing a gear train with an input end and an output end, spinning the input end of the gear train while loading the output end of the gear train with torque, and executing at least one round of measurement. The round of measurement includes the steps of measuring the rotational speed and/or angular position of the input end of the gear train and providing a first signal, measuring the rotational speed and/or angular position of the output end of the gear train and providing a second signal, and comparing the first and second signals with each other.
US09823164B2

A device under test, such as a point machine, which is screwed to two longitudinal supports, which can be individually moved horizontally and vertically is provided. Thus, a highly flexible solution is created, because even devices under test having unknown or asymmetric dimensions can be fittingly accommodated and positioned. Linear drives enable highly accurate positioning of the supports, in particular even if the supports are have high inherent weight or are already loaded with the device under test. According to one embodiment, the mechanical system is designed to grasp and/or to lift a mounting cart by means of the supports, on which mounting cart the device under test is fastened by screwing. This provides the advantage that the device under test can be tested while mounted directly to the mounting cart without separate transferring and screwing of the device under test being required.
US09823162B2

A lens focusing device includes a lens holding module for clamping at least one test lens to be tested, a replaceable chart display module, and a focal length shortening module. The replaceable chart display module includes a frame structure, a first chart display element detachably disposed on the frame structure, and a plurality of second chart display elements detachably disposed on the frame structure, and each second chart display element is inclined at a predetermined angle relative to the first chart display element. The focal length shortening module includes a first focal length shortening structure and a plurality of second focal length shortening structures. The first focal length shortening structure is disposed between the at least one test lens and the first chart display element, and each second focal length shortening structure is disposed between the at least one test lens and the corresponding second chart display element.
US09823160B2

An apparatus (100) for testing suction cups (138) mounted on a track (162) is disclosed. The apparatus (100) comprises a base (102) comprising a first surface (104) and a second surface (106) opposite the first surface (104). The apparatus further comprises ports (108) penetrating the base (102) from the first surface (104) to the second surface (106) and vacuum sensors (112) pneumatically coupled to the ports (108). The ports (108) in the base (102) are arranged in a geometric pattern (110).
US09823150B2

A micro-machined optical pressure sensor, comprising: a diaphragm configured to deform when a force is applied thereto; and a sensing micro-ring spaced apart from the diaphragm by a gap, the gap being variable depending on the force applied on the diaphragm, wherein the sensing micro-ring is configured to produce a resonance wavelength shift when the gap is varied, the resonance wavelength shift indicative of the force applied to the diaphragm.
US09823149B2

A slew rate detection circuit connected to a sensor detects when an analog electrical signal from the sensor indicates a slew rate that exceeds a threshold value, and generates an interrupt electrical signal when the slew rate is detected as exceeding the threshold value. A control circuit determines a measurement value of the physical property in response to receiving the interrupt signal. The control circuit is connected to an A/D converter, which converts the analog electrical signal into a digital electrical signal, and performs a plurality of sensing system operations including determining the measurement value of the physical property as a function of the digital electrical signal.
US09823148B2

A force-measuring device is provided for integrating measurement of at least three radial forces acting centrally, in particular for radial presses or collets. The force-measuring device comprises a stretching-element assembly, which is concentric to a measurement axis and which comprises at least one stretching element. The force-measuring device also has at least three pressure elements spaced from each other in a circumferential direction, wherein two spreading elements are connected to the at least one stretching element at ends of the stretching element, the pressure elements are supported, by means of pressure inclines, on corresponding sliding inclines of the spreading elements, a transmitting element is fastened to a first of the two spreading elements, and a measuring sensor acts between the second of the two spreading elements and the transmitting element.
US09823143B2

A method includes designing a part. The part includes at least one internal structure. The internal structure is designed to provide strain mitigation, energy dissipation, or impact resistance for the part during an emergency condition. The part is built by a layer-by-layer additive manufacturing process. While building the part, the internal structure is connected to the part.
US09823142B2

A force sensor for measuring axially occurring forces in manually operated or pneumatic presses has a central axis and an outer diameter and includes a bolt and a nut that preload between them a piezoelectric force washer with a plug connection. The washer has an inner end face defining a first bore having a first diameter with an internal thread. The bolt defines a throughbore with an internal diameter, a head portion and a hollow shaft defining a frontal external thread extending through the force washer and engaging the nut's internal thread. The nut or the head portion defines a second bore with a second diameter measuring smaller than the shafts internal diameter but at least one quarter of the outer diameter and at least as long as its diameter. The inner wall of the second bore defines a center mount for a sliding fit.
US09823134B1

A decoupling radiant and convective heat sensing device, and a decoupling radiant and convective heat sensing device with a means for performing calculations and then determining a heat flux and an ambient temperature using formulas or reference tables, and also with a means for alerting a person of hazardous fire conditions based on a calculated heat flux and ambient temperature.
US09823133B2

Embodiments disclosed herein generally relate to a temperature sensor disposed in an apparatus. In many semiconductor, liquid crystal display, solar panel or organic light emitting display fabrication processes, RF power is utilized to either ignite a plasma within the processing chamber or to provide supplemental energy to the process. Temperature control during many processes may be beneficial in order to produce a consistent product. Temperature sensors or thermocouples are sometimes utilized to measure the temperature of a substrate within a processing chamber. The RF power may have a negative impact on the temperature sensor. By coating the temperature sensor with a nanoparticle based metal coating, such as a silver coating, the negative impacts of the RF power on the temperature sensor may be reduced without contaminating the process, and an accurate temperature measurement may be obtained.
US09823126B2

Apparatus and method for obtaining a plurality of spectral images of a source object in a snapshot using comprising two-dimensional compressed sensing data cube reconstruction (2D CS-SCR) applied to a dispersed-diffused snapshot image. In some embodiments, the snapshot image is obtained through a RIP diffuser. In some embodiments, a randomizer is used to further randomized the dispersed-diffused snapshot image. The 2D CS-SCR includes applying a 2D framelet transform separately to arrays representing different wavebands of spectral cube data derived from the snapshot image. The application of the 2D framelet transform separately to the arrays representing the different wavebands includes application of direct and inverse 2D framelet transforms to the arrays. In some embodiments, the direct and inverse framelet transforms are included in a split Bregman iteration.
US09823119B2

A system and a method for analyzing a light beam guided by a beam guiding optical unit. The system has a graduated neutral density filter arrangement (120, 520), which is arranged in a far field plane of the beam guiding optical unit and has at least one graduated neutral density filter (121, 521, 522, 523) having a spatially varying transmission, and a light intensity sensor arrangement having at least one light intensity sensor (140, 540), which is arranged in a near field plane of the beam guiding optical unit and is configured to measure (141, 541, 542, 543), for each graduated neutral density filter (121, 521, 522, 523) of the graduated neutral density filter arrangement (120, 520), a light intensity transmitted by each graduated neutral density filter.
US09823115B2

A packaged optical device includes a light source device emitting light to an object surface, a sensor chip receiving reflective light reflected from the object surface, and a non-lens transparency layer located in front of the sensor chip. The light and the reflective light have a first main optic axis and a second main optic axis, respectively, and the first main optic axis and the second main optic axis are configured to form the specular reflection configuration, thereby enhancing images received by the sensor chip. The non-lens transparency layer has a zone passed through by the second main optic axis, and transmittance of the zone is lower than that of other zones of the non-lens transparency layer, thereby preventing the sensor chip from being saturated.
US09823114B2

Embodiments of the present invention address aliasing problems by providing a plurality of discrete acoustic sensors along a cable whereby acoustic signals may be measured in situations where the fiber optic cable has not been secured to a structure or area by a series of clamps, as described in the prior art. Acoustic sampling points are achieved by selectively enhancing the acoustic coupling between the outer layer and the at least one optical fiber arrangement, such that acoustic energy may be transmitted selectively from the outer layer to the at least one optical fiber arrangement. The resulting regions of acoustic coupling along the cable allow the optical fiber to detect acoustic signals. Regions between the outer layer and the at least one optical fiber arrangement that contain material which is acoustically insulating further this enhancement since acoustic waves are unable to travel through such mediums, or at least travel through such mediums at a reduced rate.
US09823113B2

Disclosed is detecting changes in pressure in a medium, with an optical fiber having a core diameter at an immersion surface contact of the fiber of less than 10 μm; a layer of material deposited on said end of the fiber, the material being of a thickness of from about 2 nm to about 10 nm. Also disclosed is detecting pressure waves in a medium comprising: contacting the medium with a fiber optic, the fiber integrated with a light source and a detector, the fiber optic having a diameter of less than 10 μm at an immersion surface contact of the fiber; providing a thin layer of material on the immersion surface contact, wherein said thin layer of material is of a thickness in a range of from about 2 nm to about 10 nm; and detecting Fresnel back reflections from the immersion end of the fiber.
US09823111B2

A predetermined relationship among various loading states, stability factor (Kh) of a vehicle and lateral acceleration (Gy) of the vehicle is stored in a storage device (30A) as a reference relationship (i.e. a map). Information regarding a lateral acceleration (Gy) of the vehicle is acquired using a lateral acceleration sensor (40). An estimated value of the stability factor (Kh) of the vehicle is calculated on the basis of vehicle travelling data when turning. A loading state of the vehicle is estimated on the basis of the area in which the estimated value of the stability factor and the lateral acceleration of the vehicle which is at the same point in time as the vehicle travelling data which were provided for the calculation of the estimated value belong in the reference relationship.
US09823094B2

The rotation detection device includes: an encoder having to-be-detected patterns cyclically arranged in the circumferential direction; and a sensor configured to detect the to-be-detected patterns to generate pulses. The device further includes a reference pattern storage unit, a phase difference detection unit, and an error correction unit. The reference pattern storage unit measures pitch errors in the to-be-detected patterns prior to operation and stores the pitch errors as a reference pattern Pref. The phase difference detection unit determines a pitch error pattern Pm corresponding to one rotation of the to-be-detected patterns from rotation signals representing a plurality of rotations detected during operation, and performs comparison with a reference pattern Pref to determine a relative phase difference φ. Based on the phase difference φ obtained by the phase difference detection unit, the error correction unit corrects errors included in the rotation signals detected by the sensor.
US09823091B2

An encoder system includes a signal processing circuit including: (1) a first position data detection circuit that detects first position data representing positional displacement in rotation of an input shaft through first predetermined signal processing based on a first detection signal input from a first absolute position encoder; (2) a second position data detection circuit that detects second position data representing positional displacement in rotation of an output shaft through second predetermined signal processing based on a second detection signal input from a second absolute position encoder; (3) a position data combination circuit that combines the first and second position data to generate combined position data representing the number of rotations of the input shaft and the positional displacement within one rotation of the input shaft; and (4) a position data comparing and collating circuit that compares and collates the first and second position data.
US09823090B2

A magnetic field sensor operates as a motion detector for sensing a movement of a ferromagnetic target object having features. The magnetic field sensor has a plurality of magnetoresistance elements to generate, in a first channel, a feature signal indicative of a proximity of a feature of a ferromagnetic target object and, in a second channel, an edge signal indicative of a proximity of an edge of a feature of a ferromagnetic target object.
US09823089B1

This disclosure describes systems, methods, and apparatus for automating the verification of aerial vehicle sensors as part of a pre-flight, flight departure, in-transit flight, and/or delivery destination calibration verification process. At different stages, aerial vehicle sensors may obtain sensor measurements about objects within an environment, the obtained measurements may be processed to determine information about the object, as presented in the measurements, and the processed information may be compared with the actual information about the object to determine a variation or difference between the information. If the variation is within a tolerance range, the sensor may be auto adjusted and operation of the aerial vehicle may continue. If the variation exceeds a correction range, flight of the aerial vehicle may be aborted and the aerial vehicle routed for a full sensor calibration.
US09823076B2

An interferometric system with multi-axis optical fiber and a method for processing an interferometric signal in such a system, the multi-axis interferometric system includes a light source (1); a plurality of N optical-fiber coils (11, 12), a first optical separation element (3) capable of splitting the source beam (100) into a first split beam (140) and a second split beam (240); shared phase-modulation element (4); a photodetector (2) and a signal-processing system (800). The N optical-fiber coils (11, 12) are connected in parallel, the coils having respective transit times T1, T2, . . . TN that all differ from one another, and the signal-processing system (800) is capable of processing the interferometric signal (720) detected by the shared photodetector (2) as a function of the respective transit times in the various coils.
US09823074B2

A drive-mode oscillator module for use within a micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) device is described. The drive-mode oscillator module is arranged to receive a proof-mass measurement signal from a proof-mass of the MEMS device and to output a proof-mass actuation signal to the proof-mass of the MEMS device. The drive-mode oscillator module comprises a first, higher gain accuracy drive-mode component for generating an actuation signal to be output by the drive-mode oscillator module during an active mode of the MEMS device, and a second, lower power consumption drive-mode component for generating an actuation signal to be output by the drive-mode oscillator module during a standby mode of the MEMS device.
US09823068B2

A method for determining an environmental pressure change affecting a pressure sensor within a portable device to determine an elevation of the portable device is disclosed. The method involves estimating a location of the mobile device, estimating an atmospheric pressure associated with the mobile device at a server based on data indicative of atmospheric pressure received from the mobile device, and generating the elevation of the mobile device based on the atmospheric pressure associated with the mobile device and reference data indicative of an absolute elevation reference. The absolute elevation determined may be based on the estimated location of the mobile device and elevation data obtained from a reference map.
US09823059B2

A dimensioning system including a computing device running an alignment software program is disclosed. The alignment software uses range information from a range sensor in order to generate alignment messages. The alignment messages may help a user define a frame of reference and align the dimensioning system's range sensor for improved dimensioning performance.
US09823058B2

A device for position determination includes a light source and a planar measurement reflector movable along a measurement direction oriented perpendicular to the measurement reflector. A detector device is disposed such that a beam emitted by the light source strikes the detector device after impinging on the measurement reflector so that, in an event of a movement of the measurement reflector along the measurement direction, a signal results which is dependent on a position of the measurement reflector and from which a reference signal is generatable at a defined reference position. A deflection unit is disposed so as to deflect the beam such that the beam strikes the measurement reflector twice and therebetween passes through the deflection unit. The deflection unit is arranged so that a deviation in beam direction, resulting after the first reflection from a tilt of the measurement reflector, is compensated after the second reflection.
US09823053B1

A ramjet projectile comprising: an outer assembly that is tubular and comprises first, second and third portions; solid ramjet fuel attached to and disposed inside the first portion of the outer assembly; an inner assembly disposed inside the outer assembly and comprising a first portion threadably coupled to the second portion of the outer assembly and a second portion surrounded by the third portion of the outer assembly to form an annular air passageway having an air inlet. The first portion of the inner assembly comprising a plurality of openings spatially distributed about a circumference. The inner assembly is rotatable relative to the outer assembly between first and second locations displaced by a distance from each other during travel along the gun barrel. The openings are not in flow communication with the annular air passageway when the inner assembly is at the first location and are in flow communication with the annular air passageway when the inner assembly is at the second location. Preferably the solid ramjet fuel comprises boron and a binder.
US09823052B2

A cartridge (1) is provided which includes an elongate tube (3) having a central body (5) that is closed at each end (11, 13) and containing a gas producing substance (30) therein. The tube (3) is made from a plastics material that is capable of outward deformation and a band (15) of an elastically deformable material is provided about the tube (3) adjacent each closed end. The tube (3) is configured such that internal pressure in the tube (3) caused by initiation of the gas producing substance (30) results in outward deformation of the body (5) and each band (15) and subsequent rupture of the body (5) prior to the closed ends being ruptured or opened.
US09823043B2

A method and system for an inductively powering rail on a firearm to power accessories such as: telescopic sights, tactical sights, laser sighting modules, and night vision scopes. This is achieved by having primary and secondary electromagnets (U-Cores) on both the inductively powering rail and the accessory. Once the electromagnets are in contact, the accessory is able to obtain power through induction via the inductively powering rail. Accessories may be attached to various fixture points on the inductively powering rail and are detected by the firearm when attached and detached. When attached, power and data communications may flow between the accessory and a master CPU located on the firearm. Accessories that are attached to the inductively powering rail and have rechargeable power systems may be recharged via the inductive power rail. Further, accessories that have power that is not needed may be transferred to other accessories.
US09823040B1

A gun barrel unit for a toy gun includes: an inner barrel and an outer barrel, the inner barrel is axially inserted in the outer barrel, at least one rotary member is provided between the inner and outer barrels to allow for rotation of the inner barrel with respect to the outer barrel, and at least one eccentric weight is fixed in the inner barrel. The inner barrel is pivotable and the inner barrel is provided with the eccentric weight, so that even when the gun is held in an inclined position, the inner barrel still can return to a non-inclined manner to ensure the ballistic trajectory stability when firing. Besides, an engaging assembly is provided at the rear end of the inner barrel, so that the inner barrel can still be fixed to the outer barrel in a fixed manner to facilitate ballistic trajectory adjustment.
US09823039B2

Among other things, methods and apparatus regarding collection, dissemination and display of information concerning paintball loaders and markers are disclosed. A loader includes a heads-up display, electronic devices for gathering, storing and disseminating information, and an antenna for sending and receiving data. Wireless voice communications among paintball players is possible via associated headsets. There is also disclosed paintball equipment and methods for controlling both the firing and loading mechanism of paintball equipment. Current systems or mechanisms have individual and discrete electronic control systems for firing operations, e.g. located in the paintball gun itself, and loading operations, e.g. located inside the paintball loader. The present disclosure unifies the electronic control of said firing and loader operations into a single electronic circuit board located on either the paintball gun or paintball loader.
US09823037B1

A simulated ammunition belt is captured in and released from a feedway of an imitation machine gun by selectively extending and retracting a retaining projection into the space between adjacent simulated rounds of the ammunition belt. The retaining projection is operably connected to a cover of the gun housing and is concealed within the housing when the cover is closed.
US09823028B2

A water cooling device with detachably assembled modularized units includes at least one modularized pump unit and at least one modularized heat exchange unit. Different number of the modularized heat exchange unit can be detachably assembled to the modularized pump unit according to the number of heat sources to be cooled.
US09823026B2

An arrangement for storing thermal energy, including a shaft (1) and at least one tunnel (2), the shaft (1) and the tunnel (2) being in fluid communication with each other. The tunnel (2) includes at least a first (2a), a second (2b), and a third (2c) tunnel section. The second tunnel section (2b) is arranged between and connected to the first (2a) and third (2c) tunnel sections. The second tunnel section (2b) is sealed off at an end (4) connected to the third tunnel section (2c), and the third tunnel section is further connected the shaft (1). The shaft (1) and first (2a) and third (2c) tunnel sections hold fluid for thermal storage. The second tunnel section (2b) is an expansion space should a volume of the fluid expand beyond a volume of the shaft (1) and the first (2a) and third (2c) tunnel sections.
US09823022B2

An air-cooled heat exchanger (ACHE) for cooling process fluids used in an industrial process. In one embodiment, the ACHE is configured as a forced-draft ACHE. A support structure supports the forced draft ACHE above grade. A tube bundle is supported by the structure and is configured to receive process fluids used in an industrial process. A plenum is connected to the support structure, positioned beneath the tube bundle and configured to direct air-flow through the tube bundle. A fan is supported by the support structure and positioned beneath the plenum. Rotation of the fan produces an air-flow that is directed through the tube bundle by the plenum. A fan drive system is supported by the support structure, positioned beneath the fan and comprises a permanent magnet motor comprising a motor casing, a stator and a rotatable shaft, the rotatable shaft being connected to the fan.
US09823014B2

The disclosure relates to a method and apparatus for cooling, preferably liquefying a boil off gas (BOG) stream from a liquefied cargo in a floating transportation vessel, said liquefied cargo having a boiling point of greater than −110° C. at 1 atmosphere and comprising a plurality of components, said method comprising at least the steps of: compressing a boil off gas stream (01) from said liquefied cargo in two or more stages of compression comprising at least a first stage (65) and a final stage (75) to provide a compressed BOG discharge stream (06), wherein said first stage (65) of compression has a first stage discharge pressure and said final stage (75) of compression has a final stage suction pressure and one or more intermediate, optionally cooled, compressed BOG streams (02, 03, 04) are provided between consecutive stages of compression; cooling the compressed BOG discharge stream (06) to provide a cooled vent stream (51) and a cooled compressed BOG stream (08); expanding, optionally after further cooling, a portion of the cooled compressed BOG stream (08) to a pressure between that of the first stage discharge pressure and the final stage suction pressure to provide an expanded cooled BOG stream (33); heat exchanging the expanded cooled BOG stream (33) against the cooled vent stream (51) to provide a further cooled vent stream (53).
US09823009B2

Methods and systems for de-icing an exterior heat exchanger of a vehicle's heat pump are presented. In one example, a positive temperature coefficient (PTC) heater provides heat to refrigerant that de-ices the exterior heat exchanger. In some examples, an additional PTC heater provides heat to engine coolant to warm a vehicle's passenger cabin when the vehicle's exterior heat exchanger is being de-iced.
US09823001B2

An air conditioning service system includes an accumulator defining an accumulator chamber, a pressure transducer operably connected to the accumulator chamber, a drain valve operably connected to the accumulator chamber, and a controller operably connected to the pressure transducer and the drain valve. The controller includes a processor configured to execute program instructions stored in a memory to determine a volume of liquid drained from the accumulator by: determining a volumetric flow rate of liquid through the drain valve by controlling the drain valve with the controller to an open position for a predetermined period of time; detecting an increased rate of pressure reduction while the drain valve is open; and determining an amount of liquid drained through the drain valve based upon the volumetric flow rate and a total time elapsed between opening the drain valve and the increased rate of pressure reduction.
US09822998B2

A centrifugal compressor includes a casing, an inlet guide vane, an impeller, a motor, a diffuser and a cooling medium delivery structure. The motor includes a rotor mounted on the shaft and a stator disposed radially outwardly of the rotor to form a gap between the rotor and the stator. The cooling medium delivery structure includes inlet and outlet conduits located to supply and discharge a cooling medium to and from the motor. The shaft has an external shape different than an internal shape of the rotor to form at least one axial passageway between the shaft and the rotor. The cooling medium is supplied through the gap and the at least one axial passageway to cool the rotor.
US09822995B2

A refrigeration cycle apparatus including a heat source side heat exchanger including a first heat exchanger and a second heat exchanger connected in parallel; an air-sending device that supplies air, which is an object to be heat exchanged in the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger, in a variable manner; solenoid valves that each opens and closes a refrigerant passage of the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger; a third refrigerant circuit that is parallelly connected to the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger; and a flow control valve that controls the flow rate of the refrigerant flowing in the third refrigerant circuit. The refrigeration cycle apparatus can improve continuity of control of a heat exchange capacity of a heat source side heat exchanger.
US09822983B2

A household cooking appliance include a housing having an oven chamber accessible through an opening, the opening having a seal surrounding a perimeter of the opening; and a door covering the opening and moveable about a hinge between an open position and a closed position. The door includes a full glass inner panel that abuts the seal when the door is in a closed position. The full glass inner panel includes a surface having a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is adjacent to a first area within the perimeter of the seal surrounding the opening and directly exposed to heating of the oven chamber, and the second portion is adjacent to a second area outside of the perimeter of the seal and not being exposed to heating of the oven chamber. The full glass inner panel extends substantially from edge-to-edge of the door.
US09822982B2

A modular cooking apparatus is provided. A base unit is configured to direct heat to a recess, the recess having a ledge therein configured to receive a stockpot. A griddle has a top griddle cooking surface, and a downward extending wall configured to engage the recess of the base unit. An oven has a substantially open bottom, and is configured to engage the top griddle cooking surface of the griddle, where the griddle cooking surface acts as the heat source for the oven. The base unit individually defines a stockpot cooker configuration, a combination of the griddle mounted on the base unit defines a griddle configuration, and a combination of the griddle mounted on the base unit and the oven mounted on the griddle defines an oven configuration.
US09822978B2

An apparatus and method are provided for improved gas pilot burners, which are capable of simultaneous flame ignition and flame detection. More particularly, the invention provides for an apparatus and method capable of simultaneous high-energy ignition and flame ionization detection in a high-energy igniter that utilizes a spark rod located in a fuel channel.
US09822972B2

A cremation system has an exhaust gas/warm water heat exchanger which exchanges the heat of exhaust gas from a re-combustion furnace with the heat of a medium, and a buffer tank and flow rate regulating valves for suppressing temperature changes of the medium. A medium turbine is driven by an evaporator which generates working medium steam by heating and evaporating a low-boiling working medium with the heat of the medium, and power is generated by a power generator. A buffer tank is further provided to suppress temperature changes of the medium flowing from the evaporator into the exhaust gas/warm water heat exchanger. A power control device supplies the generated power to devices constituting the cremation system, while covering any shortfall in power required by the devices with power from an external power source.
US09822969B2

According to various embodiments, a system includes a gasification fuel injector. The gasification fuel injector includes a tip portion, an annular coolant chamber disposed in the tip portion, a recessed surface for cooling control and a first structural support extending through the annular coolant chamber. The first structural support divides the annular coolant chamber into a first passage and a second passage.
US09822968B2

A burner comprises a nozzle main body (7) which is installed along a central axis of a throat (4) provided on a furnace wall (3) and comprises an inner nozzle (11) in which an auxiliary combustion air (24) flows and an outer nozzle (9) which is provided on an outer side and concentrically with the inner nozzle and in which a pulverized coal mixed flow (18) obtained by mixing a carrying medium with a pulverized coal flow, a wind box (5) for accommodating the nozzle main body, a secondary air regulator (8) accommodated in the wind box and provided at a tip portion of the nozzle main body, an auxiliary combustion air intake pipe (23) for introducing a combustion air as an auxiliary combustion air (22) into the inner nozzle from the wind box, a pulverized coal flow supply pipe (16) for introducing a pulverized coal mixed flow into the outer nozzle, and an oxygen-containing gas supply pipe (17) for supplying an oxygen-containing gas (19) to the pulverized coal mixed flow and raising the oxygen concentration in the pulverized coal mixed flow.
US09822966B2

A quench system includes a housing having a longitudinal axis, a gas path for a gas within the housing, a steam input and output, and a dip tube within the housing. The dip tube includes tubing arranged to form a wall. A steam path, separate from the gas path, is disposed within the tubing in a thickness of the wall. The dip tube is configured to allow passage of the gas along the gas path. The steam input is fluidically connected to the steam output by the tubing. The quench system is configured to cool the gas along the gas path and heat steam along the steam path within the tubing of the dip tube.
US09822964B2

A lighting apparatus for use in a tool carrier includes a conduit made of a translucent material. The conduit defines a conduit path sized to extend along a perimeter of a tool carrier floor. Light sources are disposed in the conduit and are electrically connected to a power source retained by the tool carrier. The lighting apparatus provides light to the inside of the tool carrier.
US09822961B2

An LED optical light engine spotlight which can accommodate a variable number of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) is disclosed. An optical projection lens mounted in front of the LEDs merges the separate LED beams into a single beam, similar to the single beam provided by a halogen light and reflector. A heat sink provides convection cooling up to approximately 100° F. An optional fan provides additional heat dissipation for more extreme conditions. The depicted device can include a vertical tilt of over 200°. Optimally, the depicted device is designed to have a full vertical tilt range between zenith (0 degrees) to horizontal (90 degrees) to full depression (135 degrees). An optional accessory lens provides additional capabilities, including flood lenses, colored lenses and rock guards, for example. The depicted device can be hard wired or wireless. The depicted device can be adapted to many base units and/or pan and tilt platforms.
US09822958B2

A table lamp including a base, a lamp handle, a lamp holder provided with a light source and an adjustment component. The base can be placed on a placement surface, and a bottom surface of the base is a curved surface. The adjustment component can adjust the center of gravity of the table lamp by varying the center of gravity thereof, to thereby change a contact position of the bottom surface of the base and the placement surface, and thus change the illumination angle of the lamp holder. Since this technical solution adjusts the illumination angle of the lamp holder by adjusting the center of gravity of the table lamp instead of rotating the lamp holder, it solves the problem of breakage of the connection part of the lamp handle and the lamp holder caused by rotation of the lamp holder.
US09822947B2

A lens member in front of a light source can include: an incident portion dividing the entering light rays into first light rays obliquely upward and forward and second light rays obliquely upward and rearward; a first reflecting surface reflecting the first light rays; a second reflecting surface reflecting the second light rays; a third reflecting surface reflecting the second light rays reflected by the second reflecting surface; a fourth reflecting surface reflecting at least part of the first light rays reflected by the first reflecting surface and the second light rays reflected by the third reflecting surface; and a light exiting surface having a convex lens surface having a rear-side focal point. The fourth reflecting surface extends rearward from the rear-side focal point. A predetermined light distribution pattern is formed by superposing first and second partial light distribution patterns upon each other as a synthetic light distribution pattern.
US09822946B2

One of a radiator plate (21) and a globe cover (13) is provided, on a part which makes contact with the other one, with a plurality of cutout sections (41), and the other one is provided, at positions corresponding to the respective cutout sections (41), with a plurality of projections (31). By engaging the cutout sections (41) and the projections (31), the globe cover (13) is attached to the radiator plate (21). This makes it possible to prevent, for a long term, the globe cover (13) which encloses a light source so as to cover the light source from being detached.
US09822930B2

There is provided a protection structure for a gas cylinder assembly comprising a gas cylinder body and a valve. The gas cylinder body includes a base and a neck to which a proximal end of the valve is connectable in use. The protection structure comprises first and second structural sections, the first section being connectable to the valve such that the second section is spaced from the valve by the first section. Further, in use, the second section is arranged to transfer impact forces to the first section, and the second section is arranged to deform with respect to the second section in response to said impact forces to reduce the peak impact force on the valve.
US09822928B2

Pressure vessels formed from fiber composites are described. The fiber composites include fibers impregnated with a resin system containing surface-modified nanoparticles dispersed in a curable matrix resin.
US09822927B2

Mechanized area controller systems and methods for coordinating the movement of workers and vehicles to improve safety are disclosed. Some embodiments of the methods include generating a magnetic field defining a first zone and detecting a response signal from a first device. Other method embodiments also include detecting a response signal from a second device and generating a danger signal when the first and second devices are both within the first zone. Some system embodiments include a magnetic field generator for defining a first zone and a first device configured to detect the first zone magnetic field and generate a first device response signal. Other system embodiments also include a second device configured to detect the first zone magnetic field and generate a second device response signal and a first controller configured to generate a danger signal when the first and second devices are both within the first zone.
US09822925B2

An arrangement for fastening a first element, such as a television, and a second element, such as a decorative element to a wall, includes a base structure, which includes four connectable members configured for forming a braced base structure, when base structure is fastened to the wall with fastening elements from at least four fastening points. Further, the arrangement includes at least one first fastening member mounting the first element to the base structure and at least one second fastening member, which first and second fastening members are configured for fastening to the first and the second elements, respectively, and moving elements for moving the second fastening member between a first position and a second position, which moving elements are configured for connecting to the second fastening member in order to mount the second element to the base structure optionally via base members.
US09822909B2

The invention concerns a ring (4) for fastening a pipe (1) to a tubular body (2). According to the invention, the ring comprises two rigid sectors (5) that are coupled to each other by at least one elastically deformable annular portion (12), the two sectors and the portion being a single part, each sector (5) having an inner face (6), protruding from which at least one anchoring stud (7) extends radially, intended to be received in a housing correspondingly provided in a wall of the pipe, each anchoring stud (7) comprising two grooves (9) extending circumferentially to either side of said anchoring stud. The invention also concerns connection means comprising such a ring.
US09822906B2

A method is provided for installing a pipeline on the seabed from a marine pipelaying vessel, including initiation, pipelaying, and abandonment of the pipeline. An embodiment of the abandonment of the pipeline includes halting pipelaying and engaging a hang-off clamp with the pipeline at a position below one or more tensioners, transferring the weight onto the hang-off clamp and holding the seagoing pipeline in the firing line, severing the pipeline, connecting the initiation cable to the lower end of the pipeline held by the one or more tensioners, transferring pipeline tension onto the initiation cable, releasing the one or more tensioners, so that a section of the pipeline is held in the firing line between the pipeline diverter and the initiation cable, vacating the firing line by at least displacing both the pipeline diverter and the initiation cable sheave and thereby displacing said section of the pipeline from the firing line, arranging the A&R cable in the firing line, connecting the A&R cable to the upper end of the seagoing pipeline held in the firing line, releasing the hang-off clamp, and operating the A&R winch and thereby lowering the pipeline onto the seabed.
US09822904B2

The invention relates to a valve having a balancing function for a fluid distribution system. A valve closing member is movable between a closed position and a fully opened position. An actuation device is provided for changing the position of the valve closing member. A control unit is provided and comprises an electronic memory adapted to receive and store an opening limitation value, said opening limitation value being representative of a selected intermediate position between said closed position and said fully opened position of the valve closing member, wherein the control unit controls the actuation device to limit the movement of the valve closing member to positions from said closed position to said selected intermediate position. The invention also relates to a valve system and to a method of operating a valve.
US09822896B2

A rigid piston assembly for use in a conventional flush valve includes a rigid piston and a solenoid configured to fixedly engage within the valve body. A flush valve for a plumbing fixture as well as a method of retrofitting a piston valve into a diaphragm flush valve body which includes a rigid piston and solenoid configuration.
US09822890B2

A major challenge for the general use of “lab-on-a-chip” (LOAC) systems and point-of-care (POC) devices has been the generally complex and need for sophisticated peripheral equipment, such that it is more difficult than anticipated to implement low cost, robust and portable LOAC/POC solutions. It would be beneficial for chemical, medical, healthcare, and environmental applications to provide designs for inexpensive LOAC/POC solutions compatible with miniaturization and mass production, and are potentially portable, using compact possibly hand-held instruments, using reusable or disposable detectors. Embodiments of the invention address improved circuit elements for self-powered self-regulating microfluidic circuits including programmable retention valves, programmable trigger valves, enhanced capillary pumps, and flow resonators. Additionally embodiments of the invention allow for the flow direction within a microfluidic circuit to be reversed as well as for retention of reagents prior to sale or deployment of the microfluidic circuit for eased user use.
US09822883B2

A load ring for a seal assembly includes an inner axial surface, an outer axial surface, a first frustoconical surface, a second frustoconical surface, and a rib. The inner and outer axial surfaces are cylindrical and extend along a longitudinal axis. The outer axial surface is in outward radial relationship to the inner axial surface along a radial plane which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The first and second frustoconical surfaces are annular and extend radially between the inner axial surface and the outer axial surface. The second frustoconical surface is in spaced relationship with respect to the first frustoconical surface along the longitudinal axis. The rib projects radially inwardly from the inner axial surface.
US09822874B2

A gear shifting device, by which an axial shift movement of a shift element into a shift position is triggered through interaction of a shift pin with an associated groove-like shift gate that changes in an axial direction. The shift element features the associated shift gate, while the respective shift pin is arranged in a radially displaceable manner on a transmission component adjacent to the shift element.
US09822873B2

A position sensor system is useful for monitoring positions of shifters in transmissions and other applications. The position sensing system has an array of magneto resistive sensors and a controller configured to determine a position of a magnet along a path by triangulation. Some embodiments are relatively insensitive to fluctuations in a distance between the sensors and the path. Also described is an actuating assembly comprising a movable cylinder and a fixed rod. The actuating assembly may be applied for moving synchronizers or the like in power transmissions.
US09822866B2

A transmission of an internal combustion engine in which the shaft length of a main shaft can be shortened to eliminate a supporting wall around a reduction gear while a thrust load is received. Around a main shaft of a transmission of an internal combustion engine, a primary bearing is fastened to an inside of a primary driven gear, and is disposed between the primary driven gear and the main shaft. A collar member is disposed between the primary bearing and a main bearing. A step portion, in contact with the main bearing, is formed on the main shaft on an opposite side of the main bearing from the collar member. A cylindrical portion, an inner race of the primary bearing, the collar member, and an inner race of the main bearing are fastened to the side of the step portion.
US09822865B2

An improved wheel hub may include a hub body, a freewheel unit, a connecting sleeve and an external freewheel. The connecting sleeve connects to the ratchet sleeve of the hub body in order to provide more space for the external freewheel. With the design of the connecting sleeve and the external freewheel unit, the hub body loaded with more smaller freewheels provides more pedaling speeds for a bicycle travelling downhill. When cycling downhill by using the smaller diameters of the sprockets, the smaller sprockets of the external freewheel can help a cyclist to maintain an optimum pedaling speed in a slopy terrain, and the speed of the bicycle can be easily controlled.
US09822863B2

A differential case includes: two supported parts so supported that a differential case is rotatable around a central axis of the differential chamber; and a flange provided between the supported parts and projecting in an outer diameter direction, and welded with a ring gear. The flange includes a bearing surface and a rounded base disposed on one side of the differential case in an axial direction. The bearing surface is in contact with a surface, of the ring gear, disposed on opposite side of a tooth surface of the ring gear, and the rounded base is coupled in a continuous fashion to the bearing surface. A rounded part that disperses stress, generated at the rounded base by gear reaction force derived from the ring gear, is provided in a region between the flange and one of the supported parts disposed on the one side.
US09822860B2

A drive-train for a vehicle with at least one electric drive, which can be coupled via a driveshaft (2) to at least a first transmission ratio stage (i1) and a second transmission ratio stage (i2). At least one shifting mechanism is provided for engaging the transmission ratio stages (i1, i2). To carry out powershifts, the shifting mechanism includes at least one interlocking shifting element (5) and at least one frictional shifting element (6, 6A). Each of the transmission ratio stages (i1, i2) can be engaged by the interlocking shifting element (5) and at least one of the transmission ratio stages (i2) can be engaged both by the interlocking shifting element (5) and by the frictional shifting element (6). Methods for carrying out a powershift, between a frictional shifting element (6, 6A) and an interlocking shifting element (5) in the drive-train, are also disclosed.
US09822857B2

A planetary gear set of an automatic transmission for a vehicle may include input and output shafts for receiving and outputting torques, first to fourth planetary gear sets respectively forming first to third, fourth to sixth, seventh to ninth, and tenth to twelfth rotational elements, and six control elements each of which selectively interconnects a corresponding pair among the input and output shafts, the rotational elements, and a transmission housing, where the input and output shafts are fixedly connected to the first and eleventh rotational elements respectively, respective pairs of the first and sixth rotational elements, the second and ninth rotational elements, the third and tenth rotational elements, the fifth and eleventh rotational elements are fixedly interconnected, and the seventh rotational element is selectively connected to the transmission housing.
US09822852B2

Nine or more forward speeds and at least one reverse speed are achieved by a planetary gear train of an automatic transmission for a vehicle including an input shaft, an output shaft, four planetary gear sets respectively having three rotation elements, and six control elements for selectively interconnecting the rotation elements and a transmission housing.
US09822850B2

A planetary gear train of an automatic transmission for a vehicle may include: an input shaft receiving torque of an engine; an output shaft outputting changed torque; a first planetary gear set including first, second, and third rotation elements; a second planetary gear set including fourth, fifth, and sixth rotation elements; a third planetary gear set including seventh, eighth, and ninth rotation elements; a fourth planetary gear set including tenth, eleventh, and twelfth rotation elements. The planetary gear train improves power delivery performance and fuel economy by achieving at least ten forward speed stages and one reverse speed stage, and widens gear ratio span and secures linearity of step ratios.
US09822848B2

A planetary gear train of an automatic transmission may include: an input shaft; an output shaft; first to fourth planetary gear sets; and six control elements being disposed at a portion where one of the rotating element is selectively connected to another rotating element, or the rotating element is selectively connected to the transmission housing, wherein the input shaft is continuously connected to the second rotating element, the output shaft is continuously connected to the twelfth rotating element, the first rotating element is continuously connected to the seventh rotating element, the fourth rotating element is directly connected to the transmission housing, the fifth rotating element is continuously connected to the eleventh rotating element, and the ninth rotating element is continuously connected to the tenth rotating element.
US09822837B2

A shock absorber assembly includes a pressure tube having an upper end and a lower end and defining an interior, a rod guide disposed adjacent the upper end, a first compression valve assembly adjacent the lower end, a rod operatively coupled to the pressure tube having a first end and a second end, an extender coupled to the second end of the rod, a piston assembly coupled to the extender between the rod guide and the first compression valve assembly with the piston assembly disposed within the interior and slideably coupled to the pressure tube, with the piston assembly dividing the interior into an upper and a lower working chamber, a second compression valve assembly coupled to the extender between the piston assembly and the first compression valve assembly, and a cup disposed within the lower working chamber and defining a bore shaped to receive the second compression valve assembly.
US09822836B2

An agricultural implement includes a first central implement section. At least one second implement section is positioned on each of two sides of the first implement section. Adjacent implement sections are each displaceable relative to one another about a pivot axis in order to displace the implement between a transport position and a working position. Each implement section comprises mowing mechanisms, conveying mechanisms or both. A hat-like conveying element made from an elastically deformable material is positioned on at least one of the mowing mechanisms, on at least one of the conveying mechanisms or both.
US09822828B2

An improved expanding friction disk for use in a clutch of a power transmission system. The improved expanding friction disk accommodates multiple clutch pack configurations including clutch packs utilizing novel improved friction disks, is compatible with wear liners and operates with reduced friction including a reduced difference between the static and dynamic coefficients of friction in the ramp mechanism.
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