US09907224B2
A system to meter multiple agricultural products according to an independently prescribed rate for each in a variable-ratio blend of the agricultural products from a single opener in a plurality of such systems and openers across an applicator such as a drill. Bulk storage compartments associated with the applicator deliver multiple agricultural products to metering assemblies mounted in clusters or pods across the applicator. The agricultural products are fed from the metering assemblies, via a flow re-director, into a manifold, and then into a corresponding single opener having conduits to transport the agricultural product into the soil. Controllers independently regulate metering by the metering assemblies. The flow re-director and manifold provide blending of combinations of the agricultural products for each opener according to a field prescription.
US09913420B2
A method for extracting electronic components comprising the steps of heating an electronic device having one or more electronic components by delivering heat energy to the electronic device directly to a first side surface or a second side surface of the electronic device and disturbing the electronic device to separate the one or more electronic components from the electronic device.
US09913414B2
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus of protecting magnetically sensitive devices with a shield, including: a non-superconducting metal or lower transition temperature (Tc) material compared to a higher transition temperature material, disposed in a magnetic field; means for creating a spatially varying order parameter's |Ψ(r,T)|2 in a non-superconducting metal or a lower transition temperature material; wherein a spatially varying order parameter is created by a proximity effect, such that the non-superconducting metal or the lower transition temperature material becomes superconductive as a temperature is lowered, creating a flux-free Meissner state at a center thereof, in order to sweep magnetic flux lines to the periphery.
US09913411B2
A system for cooling electronics includes at least two modular thermal energy storage cards stacked in one of a horizontal or a vertical stack, where the stack provides cooling to a portion to electronics. The cards include: a thermally conductive enclosure bounding an interior cavity, a cell wall structure that includes cells disposed within the interior cavity and in thermal communication with the thermally conductive enclosure, a phase change material having a melting point where the phase change material disposed within the cells and in thermal communication with cell walls of the cells, and a thermally conductive interface disposed between the thermally conductive enclosure and a portion of the electronics that includes a heat generating surface. The thermally conductive interface extends from the interior cavity a distance beyond the interior cavity of the enclosure and is in contact with the heat generating surface.
US09913404B2
A cooling apparatus has: an opening formed in a cooling plate for cooling an electronic component; and an electronic component accommodating section formed in the opening. A cooling pipeline is disposed in a manner to surround an outer side surface section of the electronic component accommodating section, whereby the electronic component and the cooling pipeline are arranged at substantially the same height as a top of the cooling plate to realize a low profile. In addition, the electronic component accommodating section, which is joined to the cooling plate, is configured that a side surface section thereof is in contact with a side surface section of the electronic component via a potting material. In this way, an area that contributes to heat radiation is increased.
US09913394B2
The invention relates to an assembly for securing at least one expansion card (comprising a half-open chassis for receiving a first circuit board of a server module having at least one first plug connector, a carrier component for receiving at least one expansion card and at least one second circuit board secured to the carrier component. The carrier component comprises at least one securing point for rotatably and releasably receiving the carrier component on the half-open chassis and at least one first bearing surface for supporting the carrier component on a second bearing surface of the half-open chassis, arranged in the region of opposite ends of the carrier component. Here, a first mating plug connector of the second circuit board is arranged such that the second circuit board is electrically connected to the first circuit board by receiving and pivoting the carrier component around the securing point.
US09913391B2
Disclosed is an electronic component case which includes a case body in which a rotationally engaging boss and a rotation prevention protrusion are disposed; and a bracket having a bracket body and an engaging portion formed at an end portion of the bracket body, wherein the engaging portion includes a rotationally engaging hole aligned with the rotationally engaging boss and a rotation prevention portion formed to be spaced apart from the rotationally engaging hole to form a contacting surface that is caught by the rotation prevention protrusion, and provides an advantageous effect of preventing the bracket from rotating in a process of tightening a screw to the bracket.
US09913384B2
A component mounting system and apparatus are provided that include a component mounting apparatus with a substrate holding device, a component supplying device, a head support portion, a mounting head and a forcing means. The mounting head is detachably attached to the head support portion. The mounting head of the system has a recording medium in which information relating to the mounting head is recorded. The system has an external storage portion that stores a plurality of batches of information relating to a plurality of mounting heads. The system further includes a recognizing portion that obtains and recognizes information from the external storage corresponding to the mounting head that is attached to the support portion.
US09913383B2
A printed circuit board includes: an insulating layer; a plating seed layer disposed on the insulating layer; a circuit pattern layer disposed on the plating seed layer and formed of copper (Cu); and a surface treatment layer disposed on the circuit pattern layer and formed of gold (Au), wherein a width of a bottom surface of the surface treatment layer is narrower than a width of a top surface of the plating seed layer, wherein the bottom surface of the surface treatment layer includes: a first portion contacted with the circuit pattern layer; and a second portion non contacted with the circuit pattern layer, and wherein a width of a top surface of the circuit pattern layer is narrower than a width of a bottom surface of the circuit pattern layer.
US09913370B2
Tamper-proof electronic packages and fabrication methods are provided which include a glass enclosure enclosing, at least in part, at least one electronic component within a secure volume, and a tamper-respondent detector. The glass enclosure includes stressed glass with a compressively-stressed surface layer, and the tamper-respondent detector monitors, at least in part, the stressed glass to facilitate defining the secure volume. The stressed glass fragments with an attempted intrusion event through the stressed glass, and the tamper-respondent detector detects the fragmenting of the stressed glass. In certain embodiments, the stressed glass may be a machined glass enclosure that has undergone ion-exchange processing, and the compressively-stressed surface layer of the stressed glass may be compressively-stressed to ensure that the stressed glass fragments into glass particles of fragmentation size less than 1000 μm with the intrusion event.
US09913368B2
Articles and related methods, the article having an enclosed area at least partially surrounded by a visible light-transmissive protective film comprising a first visible light-transmissive flexible film, a second visible light-transmissive flexible film, and a visible light-transmissive patterned conductive layer interposed between the first visible light-transmissive flexible film and the second visible light-transmissive flexible film, the visible light-transmissive conductive layer comprising a dispersion of metal nanowires within a polymeric matrix having an average pore size among metal nanowires that is impenetrable by electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength greater than 1 mm.
US09913355B2
In one embodiment, a sequencing system includes a plurality of integrated circuits connected in a daisy chain arrangement, where each integrated circuit has an LED load connection. The system includes a diagnostic circuit which signals to the control unit that an open circuit condition has been detected, thereby turning off all LED loads.
US09913351B2
The present invention relates to a lighting control system (1) comprising a first sub-system (10) having a first control unit (12), a gateway module (14) in communication (24) with the first control unit, and at least one first lighting unit (16) associated with the first control unit, and a second sub-system (40) having a second control unit (42) and at least one second lighting unit (46) associated with the second control unit. The first control unit comprises a first communication module (121) for wireless communication (26) in a first personal area network with the at least one associated first lighting unit (16), and a second communication module (122) for wireless communication (30) in a second personal area network with the second control unit (42).
US09913350B2
The invention relates to an interface device for supplying power to a variable number of loads, which are configured to be coupled to the interface device by means of a supply line and which are configured to communicate with the interface device, to a system comprising such interface device and one or more loads, to a corresponding method for supplying power and to a corresponding software product. A particular feature of the present invention is that the interface device functions as an intermediate between an USB power source and the loads connected to the interface device by supplying power while being flexible to both sides, i.e. to the supplying side as well as to the load side, in allowing for a flexible number of loads to be coupled to the interface device (i.e. to be supplied by the interface device with power) and in also providing a negotiation with the power supply depending on the necessary power.
US09913328B2
Lighting circuits and luminaires and methods are disclosed which are operable with a phase-cut dimmer, A circuit can include a rectifier having a low side output and a high side output, a switched mode converter including a switch and an inductor, having a high side input connected to a bus rail, and having a configuration to draw current across a complete mains cycle a controller for the switched mode converter, a filter circuit connected between the rectifier high side output and the bus rail and including a capacitor connected between the high side output of the mains rectifier and ground, and a resistance connected between the low side output of the rectifier and ground. The value of the resistance may be such the RC time constant of the resistor and filter circuit is greater than the time required for any ringing in the circuit to fall to no more than 20 mA.
US09913324B2
A resin composition for sealing an organic electroluminescent element, containing: at least one epoxy compound; at least one polyester resin; and at least one Lewis acid compound or at least one compound which generates a Lewis acid, in which the content of the epoxy compound is from 10 to 200 parts by mass with respect to 100 parts by mass of the polyester resin.
US09913307B2
A method and apparatus for establishing a direct link between wireless stations (STAs) in a wireless network, as performed by an access point (AP). The AP monitors communications routed through the AP between a first STA and a second STA in the wireless network, and determines a quality of the communications routed through the AP. The AP selectively establishes a direct link between the first STA and the second STA based at least in part on the quality of the communications routed through the AP.
US09913299B2
Methods and apparatuses for transmitting and receiving a broadcast signal are disclosed. The broadcast signal transmission method includes encoding broadcast data and fast information for rapid scanning and acquisition of a broadcast service, generating a broadcast signal comprising the encoded broadcast data and fast information, and transmitting the generated broadcast signal.
US09913293B2
The present disclosure provides a method (700) and a network node (800) for coordination of channel resources between a first transmission and a second transmission sharing a common channel. The method (700) includes: detecting (S710) a first traffic status of the first transmission and a second traffic status of the second transmission during a time period; and applying (S720) one of a first frame configuration and a second frame configuration to a frame based on a probability value dependent on the first traffic status and the second traffic status. When the first frame configuration is applied to the frame, the first transmission uses the channel within the duration of the frame regardless of whether the second transmission is using the channel. When the second frame configuration is applied to the frame, the first transmission is disabled or shares the channel with the second transmission in a contention-based manner within the duration of the frame.
US09913291B2
Provided are a channel detection method, terminal and system, the method comprising: when an access point allows a station associated therewith to use a dynamic channel detection threshold, the associated station collects detection information (101); according to the detection information, the associated station determines whether to use the dynamic channel detection threshold to conduct channel detection (102).
US09913287B2
Provided is a technique related to a terminal apparatus, a base station apparatus, a communication system, a control method, and an integrated circuit, which efficiently controls a state of a cell for a plurality of cells. In the terminal apparatus using a plurality of cells, configuration information which disables change in a state of a cell is received from the base station apparatus, and control is performed based on the received configuration information so that a state of a part of cells among the plurality of cells is not changed.
US09913284B2
Method and user equipment for requesting scheduling resources from a serving radio network node, the method comprises obtaining traffic characteristics associated with radio communication between the radio network node and the UE. The method further comprises predicting, based at least on the obtained traffic characteristics, data to arrive in a transmission buffer; and transmitting a scheduling request to the network node before said data arrives in said transmission buffer.
US09913279B2
A method for establishing a radio connection between a network apparatus and a terminal apparatus, a network apparatus and a terminal apparatus are described. The method for establishing a radio connection, which is applied to a network apparatus, may include receiving a connection request for requesting a radio resource from a terminal apparatus, acquiring power supplying state information related to the terminal apparatus; setting a connection configuration instruction of the radio resource for connecting with the terminal apparatus based on the power supplying state information; and controlling a radio connection with the terminal apparatus based on the connection configuration instruction, the radio connection being used for data transmission between the network apparatus and the terminal apparatus. Accordingly, standby time of the terminal apparatus is prolonged while a network connection of the terminal apparatus can be maintained.
US09913272B2
One embodiment of the present invention provides a method for enabling a terminal to receive control information in a wireless communication system, comprising the steps of: determining resource units for Enhanced Physical Downlink Control Channel (EPDCCH) of a plurality of resource units, with respect to each of one or more resource sets; and blind-decoding the resource units for the EPDCCH with respect to each of the one or more resource sets, wherein each of the one or more resource sets is set for one of localized EPDCCH transmission or distributed EPCCH transmission.
US09913267B2
In legacy systems such as 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) releases 8 to 10, the control channel is transmitted using the first few Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) symbols in a subframe. The limited control channel capacity will impact the system performance in future releases as more and more User Equipments (UEs) will be scheduled in a subframe with technologies such as MulitUser-Multiple Input Multiple Output (MU-MIMO) and Coordinated Multipoint (CoMP) transmission being enhanced or introduced. A new Enhanced Control CHannel (E-CCH) is necessary to be designed, which will use the resource in the Physical Downlink Shared CHannel (PDSCH) in the legacy systems. The E-CCH will support UE-specific DeModulation Reference Signal (DMRS) based transmission and receiving. However, the configuration of DMRS for E-CCH is necessary to be known to UE in prior. This invention discloses multiple methods in which DMRS is configured for E-CCHs and respective eNB and UE behaviors.
US09913266B2
Methods and apparatus are disclosed for scheduling a narrowband uplink transmission from a wireless station to a wireless access point in response to a station-specific wideband downlink transmission from the access point to the station. A station-specific downlink frame includes a station identifier associated with the station, and further includes resource allocation information associated with an uplink transmission channel over which the station is to transmit an uplink frame. The station-specific downlink frame is transmitted from the access point to the station over a downlink transmission channel having an associated downlink bandwidth. Based on the resource allocation information, the access point receives the uplink frame from the station over the uplink transmission channel. The uplink transmission channel has an associated uplink bandwidth that is narrower than the downlink bandwidth of the downlink transmission channel. In some disclosed examples, the uplink transmission channel is a sub-channel of the downlink transmission channel.
US09913251B2
A peer node coupled to a plurality of other peer nodes in an overlay network may process a broadcast message from an upstream peer node containing a plurality of packets by identifying packet missing from the message, identifying an upstream node to which the peer node has an existing inbound connection and which has the missing packet, and obtaining the missing packet from the upstream node. A message from an upstream node may be processed by buffering a subset of the packets of the message in a buffer for a finite period of time before and after the peer node consumes the packets and by identifying one or more of the buffered packets to one or more finger nodes.
US09913246B1
Systems, methods, and computer program products to perform an operation comprising receiving, by a mobile device, an indication to output a notification, determining an orientation of the mobile device, determining a location of a wearable device relative to the mobile device, and selecting, based on the determined orientation of the mobile device and the location of the wearable device relative to the mobile device, at least one of the mobile device and the wearable device to output the notification.
US09913240B2
Methods, systems, and node-enabled autonomous transport vehicles are described for automating a logistics transaction using a plurality of nodes and a server in a wireless node network. A first node is associated with a shipping courier and downloads shipment information from the server. The shipment information identifies a package for the logistics transaction, a transaction location, and an identification of a second node associated with the package. The first node provides the shipment information to a third node, which is part of an autonomous vehicle. The third node causes the autonomous vehicle to move from a first location to the transaction location, and conducts the logistics transaction related to the package if the third node on the autonomous vehicle completes a node association with the second node associated with the package.
US09913238B2
In one embodiment, a mobile station (1) is capable of performing location registration procedures with first and second mobile management units (31 and 32) that respectively correspond to first and second RANs (Radio Access Networks). Further, the mobile station (1) supports ISR (Idle mode Signalling reduction) for reducing location registration procedures caused by reselection between the first RAN (21) and the second RAN (22). Furthermore, the mobile station (1) is configured to deactivate ISR in the mobile station (1) when voice service configuration information stored in the mobile station (1) is updated when the ISR is activated.
US09913229B2
Range tuning for open access small cells may be achieved, for example, by determining a likelihood of handoff for a mobile device around a small cell coverage area, and adjusting a range of the small cell coverage area by controlling a transmit power level of the small cell based on the likelihood of handoff.
US09913213B2
The present invention proposes methods, devices and computer program products in relation to enhancements for providing for RAN based LGW selection. Two basic options for the RAN based improved solution are presented for scenarios in which HeNB sends a list of the available LGW addresses/identities and the APNs supported by the different LGWs. According to option 1, if more than one LGW can support a given APN, then the H(e)NB only sends the address of the preferred LGW (e.g., based on local network topology) for the given APN. According to option 2, the HeNB sends priority value (s) with the addresses of the LGWs (for the LGWs only (irrespective of supported APNs) or for (only) the APNs supported by each LGW. Then, the MME/SGSN may consider this priority value (s) at the LGW selection.
US09913210B2
A method and apparatus for automatically generating/changing Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) access information are provided. The apparatus includes an access information management database for storing pre-registered WLAN access information of a plurality of WLAN Access Points (APs). The apparatus also includes an access information collector for collecting information for WLAN APs being accessible at a current position of the apparatus, and an access information analyzer for analyzing the collected information, and creating a list of the accessible WLAN APs. The apparatus further includes a comparator for comparing the list with the WLAN access information to determine if the WLAN APs match. The apparatus additionally includes an access information automatic changer for automatically changing current WLAN access information according to matched APs. The apparatus includes an access information generator for automatically generating new WLAN access information when no WLAN access information is matched with the APs.
US09913197B2
Provided are a beacon device and a control method for seamless service. The beacon device includes a plurality of Bluetooth communication modules. The beacon device activates one of the plurality of Bluetooth communication modules to broadcast a beacon signal. While the activated Bluetooth communication module is connected to any terminal device, the beacon device activates another one of the plurality of Bluetooth communication modules to broadcast the beacon signal, enabling the seamless service.
US09913179B2
The embodiments herein provide a method and system to trigger UE handover in a radio communication network including a serving base station and a plurality of candidate base stations. The serving base station shares uplink transmission information associated with the UE with the candidate base stations. A candidate base station detects the presence of the UE located in radio coverage of the candidate base station by obtaining information from the uplink transmission of the UE. Further, the candidate base station computes a second parameter and sends to the serving base station. The serving base station determines to trigger handover procedure when the second parameter meets handover criteria. Further, the serving base station sends handover command to the UE after determining that the second parameter meets handover criteria.
US09913178B2
A method for performing a channel switch by user equipment of a first communication system in a network converging a plurality of communication systems, may comprise receiving, a channel switch command message including a switch time and a new channel number, from a base station of the first communication system; transmitting a channel switch response message indicating acceptance of a channel switch when the new channel number is supported by the user equipment, to the base station of the first communication system in a response to the channel switch command message; receiving a channel switch notification message, which notifies of a channel switch, from a base station of the second communication system; and receiving data from the base station of the second communication system via a channel corresponding to the new channel number based on the switch time and the new channel number according to the channel switch notification message.
US09913173B2
This disclosure provides systems, methods, and apparatus for handover of communications between a plurality of radio user equipment and an egressing mobile base station to an ingressing mobile base station. The user equipment are terrestrially located within a geographical service zone (GSZ) having an ingress zone and an egress zone. When an egressing mobile base station enters an egress zone, it initiates a handover to a management node associated with the GSZ. The management node communicates with the ingressing mobile base station, which has entered the ingress zone, to accept the handover of the connections from the egressing base station. The handover is carried out without any disruption of user equipment communications. The management node can also communicate with a flight control node to control one or more flight parameters of the ingressing or egressing base station to facilitate smooth handover.
US09913170B2
In an embodiment, a method of managing resources in a cell cluster of a wireless network is disclosed. The cell cluster comprises a plurality of cells, each cell having an inner region and an outer region. The method comprises: setting, for each cell, a power ratio, the power ratio being the ratio of the power level to be used for transmission of signals to wireless devices located in the inner region of that cell to the power level to be used for transmission of signals to wireless devices located in the outer region of that cell; allocating network resources from a plurality of network resources to wireless devices located in the outer regions; for each cell, allocating network resources to wireless devices located in the inner region of that cell from network resources of the plurality of network resources that are not allocated to wireless devices located in the outer region of that cell; receiving, for each cell, indications of a first data throughput rate for transmission of data to the wireless devices located in the outer regions; comparing, for each cell, the first data throughput rate with a threshold data rate; and decreasing the power ratio for cells in which the first data throughput rate is less than the threshold data rate.
US09913164B2
Methods, systems, and computer readable media for dynamically configuring customer premises equipment (CPE) in a converged network are disclosed. According to one aspect, the subject matter described herein comprises a method performed at a mobility offload gateway that includes receiving cell site change notification message from a mobile network, determining, based on the change notification message, whether user equipment (UE) can be offloaded to a Wi-Fi network, and in response to determining that the UE can be offloaded, dynamically configuring consumer premises equipment (CPE) associated with the identified Wi-Fi network to support a predetermined quality of service (QoS) for the UE.
US09913159B2
A dual-mode device may compute an expected time instance of arrival of a first beacon based on prior received beacons. If the first beacon is received at an actual time instance which is in variance with the expected time instance, the device re-computes a sequence of future time instances of arrival of respective future beacons and schedules a sequence of station windows, with each station window to cover the corresponding future time instance of the sequence of future time instances and to have a desired first period. The dual-mode device operates in station mode in the sequence of station windows and in the AP mode in a sequence of AP windows, wherein each station window of the sequence of station windows is operated alternately with each AP window of the sequence of AP windows in a TDM manner, with each AP window having a desired second period.
US09913157B1
Aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to wireless communications. In some aspects, a device may receive information identifying a plurality of measurements of a communication metric related to a network at a plurality of time intervals. The device may determine a plurality of colors corresponding to a plurality of values of the communication metric. The plurality of values may correspond to the plurality of measurements of the communication metric at the plurality of time intervals. The device may combine the plurality of colors to generate a composite color for the communication metric.
US09913156B2
A wireless communication system, an apparatus in the wireless communication system and a method. The apparatus at a user equipment side in the wireless communication system includes: a wireless link problem detector, detecting a first wireless link between a first node and a user equipment to determine whether a wireless link problem occurs; a timer configuration unit, which starts a first timer when detecting that the wireless link problem occurs on the first wireless link, wherein the user equipment considers that a wireless link failure event occurring on the first wireless link is detected when the first timer expires; and a wireless link information reporting unit, which reports content including wireless link information of the first wireless link to a second node through a second wireless link between the user equipment and the second node when detecting that the wireless link problem occurs on the first wireless link.
US09913155B2
A method and apparatus for transmitting information in a wireless communication system is provided. A user equipment (UE) determines whether a failure of traffic steering, between a 3rd generation partnership project (3GPP) network and a wireless local area network (WLAN), has occurred. If it is determined that the failure of traffic steering has occurred, the UE logs information on the failure of traffic steering, and transmits the information on the failure of traffic steering to the 3GPP network when the connection with the 3GPP network is established.
US09913145B2
Methods and systems are provided for optimizing communication networks, such as cellular communication networks. A super-cell may be configured a communication network, with the super-cell comprising a central cell and at least a part of one cell adjacent to the central cell, with antennas of the super-cell comprising one or more antennas of the adjacent cell, and where the configuring of the super-cell comprises arranging the one or more antennas of the adjacent cell to be directed towards the central cell. The configuring of the super-cell may comprise configuring antennas of the super-cell such that signals from the antennas use at least one same channel resource. The super-cell may be configured to communicate with at least one communication device located within the super-cell without use of any antenna of the central cell of the super-cell.
US09913143B1
A provisioning device may be shipped to a client and used to automatically provision an IoT device to join a local network to communicate with a remote service provider. In response to a trigger input, the provisioning device creates a wireless hotspot that is recognizable by an IoT device as a provisioning hotspot. The provisioning device receives a signal from the IoT device indicating that the IoT device is available to be provisioned. The provisioning device obtains provisioning data and transmits the provisioning data to the IoT device. The IoT device uses the provisioning data to connect to a local wireless network and to establish a connection to the remote service provider. The IoT device may then use one or more IoT services of the service provider.
US09913137B2
A method for user equipment (UE) identification in a wireless network comprising selecting, at the UE, a sequence from a stored pool of possible sequences based on a stored secret value; and transmitting the selected sequence to the wireless network.
US09913120B2
In one embodiment, a computing system receives an indication of current mobile device usage by a user. The user is also associated with one or more past user states that are accessible to the computing system. The computing system selects a future user state of the user based on a calculated probability of a possible future user state. The possible future user state is calculated based on the current mobile-device usage and the past user states. For each past user states, a weight based on a time delay factor is used. Based on the selected future user state, the operation of a mobile device of the user is adapted at the future time corresponding to the future user state.
US09913117B2
A method and an apparatus are provided for exchanging information is an electronic device. Object data is received at an input unit. Object information associated with the object data is received at a communication unit via contact between a first medium and a second medium. The first medium directly contacts the electronic device. The object data is associated with the object information.
US09913115B1
To enable multiple message originators to share an SMS shortcode, originator identifying codes can be added to outbound SMS messages that prompt recipients to respond with response messages that include the originator identifying codes. The originator identifying codes can be added by a service provider that administers the SMS shortcode. When a response message is received on the SMS shortcode number, the service provider processes the response message content to extract the originator identifying code. The code and, optionally, a recipient ID can be used as a lookup to determine the intended originator that the response message is for. The response message can then be associated by the service provider with the correct originator for subsequent processing.
US09913111B2
Devices, methods, and computer-readable media are disclosed for processing a communication. For example, a method may include a processor of a first mobile device receiving a communication for the first mobile device from a third-party device, the communication including a textual content, modifying the communication based upon a pairing profile associated with a second mobile device to create a modified communication, and forwarding the modified communication to the second mobile device via a wireless connection in accordance with the pairing profile. The method may further include the processor receiving a content responding to the communication from the second mobile device and transmitting a response message including the content to the third-party device.
US09913106B2
The present invention provides a method of transmitting broadcast signals. The method includes, generating plural input streams, wherein each of the plural input streams include plural input packets; link layer processing the input packets in the plural input streams to generate link layer packets; physical layer processing the link layer packets in physical layer, to generate the broadcast signals; and transmitting the generated broadcast signals.
US09913102B2
Embodiments herein use a real-time system to conduct a line of sight (LOS) survey between radio sites. The system includes a drone controlled by a UAV LOS System (ULS) server to gather information regarding the LOS path between the radio sites. In one embodiment, the ULS server instructs the UAV to travel a LOS path between a first location and a second location, and determine a Fresnel radius at one or more defined locations along the LOS path between the first location and the second location. The ULS server determines a Fresnel zone between the first location and second location based in part on the determined Fresnel radius for each of the defined locations along the LOS path. The ULS server evaluates the Fresnel zone to determine if the LOS path can support a LOS wireless communication link.
US09913096B1
A smart communication system, for adaptive antenna beam-forming for a link of a data transmission device to at least a user device, is introduced. The system comprises a plurality of positioning devices, a data transmission device, and a cloud server. The positioning devices send a plurality of positioning signals to the at least a user device to effectuate positioning. The data transmission device is for use with adaptive antenna beam-forming to provide wireless communication. The user device communicates with the cloud server through the base station unit. The cloud server receives positioning information of the at least a user device, generates a control signal for beam-forming in accordance with the positioning information, and sends the control signal to the data transmission device. The data transmission device controls the beam-forming of the data transmission device in accordance with the control signal.
US09913094B2
Distributed antenna systems provide location information for client devices communicating with remote antenna units. The location information can be used to determine the location of the client devices relative to the remote antenna unit(s) with which the client devices are communicating. A location processing unit (LPU) includes a control system configured to receive uplink radio frequency (RF) signals communicated by client devices and determines the signal strengths of the uplink RF signals. The control system also determines which antenna unit is receiving uplink RF signals from the device having the greatest signal strength.
US09913084B2
A speech communication device includes microphones configured with: microphones M1 and M2 disposed at positions which are axisymmetric with a centerline in a width direction of a housing as a symmetric axis; and a microphone M3 disposed at a position which is on the centerline and closer to a speaker than the microphones M1 and M2 are. The speech communication device is further equipped with: a sound processor which includes: a beam former which is connected to the microphones M1 and M2 and forms a bidirectionality in which directionality is strong in two directions each perpendicular to the centerline and is weak in two directions each along the centerline; and an echo cancel unit which is connected to the beam former and the microphone M3 and removes a sound signal having been output from the microphone M3 from a sound signal having been output from the beam former.
US09913075B2
Techniques are disclosed for controlling, in a network device, multiple radio circuits operating in a same or similar frequency band and in close physical proximity. In some embodiments, the radio circuits operate on the same network protocol. The network device can include a coexistence controller coupled to the network circuits. According to some embodiments, the network circuits are each assigned a priority, and the coexistence controller can control operations between the network circuits by selectively adjusting one or more transmission operating parameters of a respective network circuit based on a plurality of operating criteria, which include each network circuit's priority. Among other benefits, the embodiments disclosed herein can increase wireless network bandwidth and reduce mobile device power consumption by providing coordination among the radio circuits so that the transmitting and receiving operations are performed in a way that they do not interfere with their respective antennas.
US09913073B2
A service control method for a machine type communications (MTC) device and a related apparatus, where the method includes receiving, by an access-network network element, a paging request message from a core-network network element, wherein the paging request message carries device type indication information of a paged user equipment (UE), determining a device type of the UE according to the device type indication information of the UE, and paging the UE using a dedicated paging resource allocated to an MTC device when the UE is the MTC device.
US09913065B2
An audio system includes a plurality of speakers and an audio signal processor. The audio signal processor receives an audio signal and source position data associated with the audio signal; and applies a set of speaker driver signals to the plurality of speakers. The set of speaker driver signals causes the plurality of speakers to generate acoustic output that simulates output of the audio signal by an audio source at a location corresponding to the source position data in each of a plurality of discrete acoustic areas.
US09913063B2
Higher Order Ambisonics represents three-dimensional sound independent of a specific loudspeaker set-up. However, transmission of an HOA representation results in a very high bit rate. Therefore compression with a fixed number of channels is used, in which directional and ambient signal components are processed differently. The ambient HOA component is represented by a minimum number of HOA coefficient sequences. The remaining channels contain either directional signals or additional coefficient sequences of the ambient HOA component, depending on what will result in optimum perceptual quality. This processing can change on a frame-by-frame basis.
US09913060B2
A right expected value generator generates an expected value of a right channel spectrum from the right channel spectrum. Further, a left expected value generator generates an expected value of a left channel spectrum from the left channel spectrum. Further, a right channel spectrum corrector so corrects a right channel spectrum outputted from a second synthesizer that the right channel spectrum does not exceed the expected value of the right channel spectrum. Moreover, a left channel spectrum corrector so corrects a left channel spectrum outputted from the second synthesizer that the left channel spectrum does not exceed the expected value of the left channel spectrum.
US09913058B1
According to one implementation, a sonic field sound system includes a computing platform having a hardware processor and a memory storing a sound modulation software code. The sound system further includes an acoustic object coupled to an input of the computing platform via a capacitance sensing unit. The acoustic object has one or more input interface(s) coupled to an output of the computing platform, and also has a resonant cavity having at least one outlet. The hardware processor is configured to execute the sound modulation software code to generate a waveform for driving the one or more input interface(s) of the acoustic object via the output of the computing platform to produce a sound.
US09913051B2
An input signal is provided with a low microphone noise in a hearing apparatus. The microphone noise in the input signal of the hearing apparatus is reduced, by the input signal being filtered by a Wiener filter, if a noise power determined at the input signal is smaller than a predetermined limit value. The Wiener filter is however deactivated, if the noise power is greater than the limit value or equal to the limit value.
US09913049B2
An exemplary method of compensating for a circuit offset error to a measure of a battery voltage of a rechargeable battery of an electronic device is described wherein the battery powers an electronic circuitry of the device and the electronic circuitry introduces the circuit offset error to the measure of the battery voltage. A corresponding electronic device is also described.
US09913043B2
A loudspeaker vibration system includes a diaphragm body part and a voice coil engaged at a lower side of the diaphragm body part. The diaphragm body part includes a rigid dome part, a silicon rubber membrane, and a plastic support engaged to an edge of the silicon rubber membrane. The dome part is engaged at a middle position of the silicon rubber membrane. A convex or concave bent ring part is provided at a location at an outer side of the dome part on the silicon rubber membrane. A spacing between the edge at an outer side of the dome part and an edge of the bent ring part closer to the dome part is in a range of 0.02 mm and 0.2 mm, and colloid is disposed in a gap between the dome part and the bent ring part. The loudspeaker vibration system according to the present disclosure may improve product sensitivity, reduce distortion and enhance acoustic performance of the product.
US09913040B2
A capacitive silicon microphone comprises: a first dielectric layer sets on a substrate with a back cavity, a lower polar plate which is located over the back cavity, a first elastic member of which an inner edge is connected with the edge of the lower polar plate and an outer edge is located on the upper surface of the first dielectric layer, a second dielectric layer which is located on the outer edge of the first elastic member and right above the first dielectric layer, an upper polar plate which has a plurality of release holes and is formed above the lower polar plate with an air gap in between, a second elastic member of which an inner edge is connected with the edge of the upper polar plate and an outer edge is located on the upper surface of the second dielectric layer.
US09913035B2
A speaker system may include a dome-shaped shell defining an internal cavity, a receiver configured to receive audio signals from a wireless-enabled device and positioned in the internal cavity, and a plurality of speakers positioned at least partially within the internal cavity and in audio communication with the receiver, wherein the wireless receiver and speakers are configured to project audio outward of the dome-shaped shell. At least some of the plurality of speakers are facing outward of the dome-shaped shell. Some of the plurality of speakers could also be downward facing. The shell can take the form of a sports helmet.
US09913034B2
A method for determining a connection order of nodes on a powered audio bus by having the nodes draw power from the powered audio bus, measure the power consumed downstream, determine who is the last node on the bus, and transmit an identifier of the last node to the bus driver.
US09913022B2
Method of improving voice quality using a wireless headset with untethered earbuds starts by receiving first acoustic signal from first microphone included in first untethered earbud and receiving second acoustic signal from second microphone included in second untethered earbud. First inertial sensor output is received from first inertial sensor included in first earbud and second inertial sensor output is received from second inertial sensor included in second earbud. First earbud processes first noise/wind level captured by first microphone, first acoustic signal and first inertial sensor output and second earbud processes second noise/wind level captured by second microphone, second acoustic signal, and second inertial sensor output. First and second noise/wind levels and first and second inertial sensor outputs are communicated between the earbuds. First earbud transmits first acoustic signal and first inertial sensor output when first noise and wind level is lower than second noise/wind level. Other embodiments are described.
US09913012B2
An acoustic device includes an acoustic assembly that defines a first acoustic volume. The acoustic assembly includes at least one passive radiator in acoustic communication with the first acoustic volume. A first electro-acoustic driver is configured to acoustically energize the first acoustic volume so as to drive the piston in oscillatory motion. The acoustic device also includes a housing within which the acoustic assembly is disposed. The housing has a curved inner surface. The passive radiator has a curvature which conforms to the curvature of the curved inner surface of the housing so as to reduce unused space between the at least one passive radiator and the curved inner surface of the housing.
US09913006B1
Data acquisition and automatic diagnosis is performed at test points by respective wireless monitoring units (WMU). Each WMU tests a first indicator periodically at a first rate to determine whether to test a full set of indicators. Evolution of the first indicator determines the pass/fail result of a reduced assessment of the corresponding test point. The pass/fail result is automatically sent off-site to a central database. When a fail occurs, a full assessment is performed, which includes monitoring the full set of indicators. Automatic diagnosis is performed based on the full set of indicators. The reduced assessment does not include automatic diagnosis of a test point, but is used to decide whether to perform the full assessment and automatic diagnosis. Results of the automatic diagnosis are sent to the central database. Raw data is not sent automatically.
US09913004B2
The present disclosure relates to a self-powered utility delivery system that includes a regulator that decreases a pressure of the utility flowing through the self-powered utility delivery system while producing electrical energy as a result of pressure regulation. Additionally, the self-powered utility delivery system includes an electronic utility meter that monitors a quantity (e.g., volume) of utility that flows through the self-powered utility delivery system and toward a consumer.
US09913003B2
The programmable monitoring system comprises one or more motion sensors, one or more temperature sensors, one or more door sensors and one or more pill box sensors. Each sensor is tagged with a unique code readable by a smart phone camera and software program which allows alarms on the smart phone to be set. The alarms are individually set for any or all of the sensors based on habits of the person being monitored.
US09912999B2
Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a device that includes a processor and a memory that stores executable instructions. The instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations including detecting an indication that a first device that has established wireless communications with a second device by way a personal area network. The first device is authenticated based on the indication and according to a predetermined association between the first device and the second device. Information is provided to the second device to facilitate management of operations of the second device by the first device. Other embodiments are disclosed.
US09912996B2
Provided is a method and system for providing cloud based user interface (UIs) that may store video content and a UI resource in a storage separate from a server, and may control the video content and the UI resource to be synthesized at a subscriber terminal device, thereby significantly decreasing load of a UIs providing server. The method and system for providing cloud based UIs may provide consistent UIs to various set-top boxes and media devices and may easily perform a change and a test of UIs.
US09912989B2
Methods, systems, and media for detecting a presentation of media content on a display device are provided. In accordance with some implementations, methods for detecting a presentation of media content on a display device are provided, the methods comprising: detecting, using a light sensor, light levels in the light sensor's surroundings; generating a signal representing the light levels; detecting, using a hardware processor, at least one variation in light levels indicative of a presentation of a video scene based on the signal; detecting at least one variation in light levels indicative of a scene change subsequent to the video scene based on the signal; and determining that media content is being presented on a display device in response to detecting the variation in light levels indicative of the presentation of the video scene and the variation in light levels indicative of the scene change.
US09912988B2
Methods, systems, and computer readable media may be operable to facilitate anticipatory conditioning of multimedia content for delivery to one or more devices. A multimedia device may track and record correlations between each of a plurality of devices, wherein the correlations are based on the order in which one or more devices request synchronization of a piece of content following a request by a first device for synchronization of the same piece of content. The multimedia device may update device correlations with each subsequent content synchronization request. When the multimedia device receives a synchronization request for a piece of content, the multimedia device may identify a device correlated with the requesting device and may initiate a conditioning of the piece of content for delivery to the correlated device without first receiving a request for synchronization of the piece of content from the correlated device.
US09912982B2
Provided is a reception apparatus including a reception unit that receives broadcast content transmitted by a broadcast waves of digital broadcasting, a first obtaining unit that obtains transmission data other than data-broadcast content, the transmission data being transmitted in a data carousel transmission scheme by the broadcast wave, and a control unit that controls a predetermined operation based on the obtained transmission data.
US09912978B2
Systems, methods, and computer-readable media for transitioning media playback between multiple electronic devices are provided. A first electronic subsystem may be configured to playback first media with a first playback value of a first playback characteristic, determine a first relationship value of a first relationship characteristic between the first electronic subsystem and the second electronic subsystem, and transmit a first control instruction that is based on the determined first relationship value and the first playback value. The second electronic subsystem may be configured to receive the transmitted first control instruction and playback second media with a second playback value of the first playback characteristic, where the second playback value may be based on the received first control instruction. This may enable a consistent experience for a user proximate to the first subsystem as the playback of media is transitioned from the first subsystem to the second subsystem.
US09912969B1
A live streaming video sharing system. Implementations may include a video camera, portable computing device, video streaming server, database, application server, web server, and a portable computing device associated with a user operatively coupled together. The video camera sends a live stream of video data wirelessly to the portable computing device. The computing device associated with a user receives a live stream of video data from the web server, processes the live stream of video data, and generates a computer interface. The computer interface may include a public computer interface including a public channel and an invisible computer interface including an invisible shares channel associated with the user including an icon corresponding with one or more invisible shares, each invisible share corresponding with a live stream of video data and each invisible share not retrievable using a search form in the computer interface, the application server, and the database.
US09912963B2
In a picture coding device for coding picture signals including a brightness signal and a color-difference signal in a block unit using intra-prediction and coding information regarding an intra-prediction mode, when aspect ratios of pixels of the brightness signal and the color-difference signal are different from each other, a bitstream generator converts a mode number of a first intra-color-difference prediction mode used when the aspect ratios are equal to each other into a scaled mode number and derives a second intra-color-difference prediction mode used when the aspect ratios are different from each other.
US09912962B2
An image coding method includes: deriving a candidate for a motion vector predictor from a co-located motion vector; adding the candidate to a list; selecting the motion vector predictor from the list; and coding a current block and coding a current motion vector, wherein the deriving includes: deriving the candidate by a first derivation scheme in the case of determining that each of a current reference picture and a co-located reference picture is a long-term reference picture; and deriving the candidate by a second derivation scheme in the case of determining that each of the current reference picture and the co-located reference picture is a short-term reference picture.
US09912961B2
The image coding method includes: determining a context for a current block to be processed, from among a plurality of contexts; and performing arithmetic coding on the control parameter for the current block to generate a bitstream corresponding to the current block, wherein in the determining: the context is determined under a condition that control parameters of neighboring blocks of the current block are used, when the signal type is a first type, the neighboring blocks being a left block and an upper block of the current block; and the context is determined under a condition that the control parameter of the upper block is not used, when the signal type is a second type, and the second type is one of “mvd_l0” and “mvd_l1”.
US09912958B2
Techniques related to adaptive precision and filtering motion compensation for video coding may include, for example, determining, via a motion compensated filtering predictor module, a motion compensation prediction precision associated with at least a portion of a current picture being decoded, where the motion compensation prediction precision comprises at least one of a quarter pel precision or an eighth pel precision. Predicted pixel data of a predicted partition associated with a prediction partition of the current picture may be generated, via the motion compensated filtering predictor module, by filtering a portion of a decoded reference picture based at least in part on the motion compensation prediction precision. Prediction partitioning indicators associated with the prediction partition and a motion vector indicating a positional difference between the prediction partition and an associated partition of the decoded reference picture may be coded, via an entropy encoder, into a bitstream.
US09912957B1
One embodiment provides for a general-purpose graphics processor comprising a multisample antialiasing compression module to examine a number of colors to be stored for a set of sample locations of a pixel and allocate one or more planes to store color data for the set of sample locations of the pixel and a lossless compression module to apply lossless compression on the one or more planes and update a compression status in a compression control surface for each of the one or more planes.
US09912955B2
A video decoding method, includes: reconstructing a syntax corresponding to at least one of a first block, a second block and a third block, wherein the first block is generated by dividing a frame for decoding, the second block corresponds to a unit of a prediction and is generated by dividing the first block, and the third block corresponds to a unit of transformation and is generated by dividing the first block in a tree structure; and reconstructing a prediction block corresponding to at least one of the first block, the second block and the third block, wherein the second block includes a batch mode flag for indicating whether a batch mode is used.
US09912947B2
A system and method for quality restoration filtering is described that can be used either in conjunction with video coding, or standalone for postprocessing. It uses wiener filtering approach in conjunction with an efficient codebook representation.
US09912941B2
A method of operation of a video coding system includes: receiving a video bitstream; extracting a video syntax from the video bitstream; extracting a temporal layer from the video bitstream based on the video syntax; and forming a video stream based on the temporal layer for displaying on a device.
US09912926B2
A biochemistry measurement method includes obtaining a first pixel array and a second pixel array with a photosensitive array, transforming the first pixel array and the second pixel array into a first color space coordinate matrix and a second color space coordinate matrix, extracting the first color space coordinate matrix and the second color space coordinate matrix to from a third color space coordinate matrix and a fourth color space coordinate matrix, and obtaining a color space vector matrix according to the third color space coordinate matrix and the fourth color space coordinate matrix.
US09912924B2
An image processing method, including: receiving image content and metadata of the image content, the metadata content comprising flag information indicating whether to perform image processing on the image content and image processing information; determining whether to perform the image processing for each frame based on the flag information; performing, in response to determining to perform the image processing for an image frame, the image processing based on the image processing information on the image frame; and outputting the image processed image frame on which the image processing is performed.
US09912923B2
An optical micro-projection system comprising the following components: at least one laser light source (200, 400, 402, 600); at least one movable mirror (102, 103, 203) for deviating light from said light source to allow generation of images on a projection surface (104, 301, 303, 306, 603); a self mixing module for measurement of the distance (604) between the projection source and a projection surface, said self mixing module comprising: —at least one photodiode (401, 601) for monitoring the light emission power of the laser light source; —an optical power variation counter for counting optical power variations (605); successive displacements of said mirror allowing the self mixing module providing successive projection distance measurements of a plurality of points of said projection surface. A projection method for optical micro-projection system and a distance measurement method are also provided.
US09912918B2
Estimating casing wear. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are methods including: capturing an image comprising cuttings and casing wear particles on a shale shaker in a drilling operation, the capturing by at least one camera associated with the shale shaker; identifying casing wear particles shown in the image, the identifying by a computer system; and estimating a volume of casing wear based on the identifying.
US09912913B2
A method of one aspect may include receiving an encapsulated image acquisition device having an internal memory. The internal memory may store images acquired by the encapsulated image acquisition device. The images may be transferred from the internal memory to an external memory that is external to the encapsulated image acquisition device. An image analysis station may be selected from among a plurality of image analysis stations to analyze the images. The images may be analyzed with the selected image analysis station. Other methods, systems, and kits are also disclosed.
US09912911B2
A multi-function cable, and more particularly, a multi-function cable having components permitting its interchangeable use with a variety of modules, the modules including endoscopes, cameras input units and display units. The multi-function cable is capable of receiving inputs from multiple different types of modules having diverse data and signal formats and may generate diverse output signals compatible with differing modules. The multi-function cable is used in a medical operating room.
US09912909B2
A method of combining data streams from fixed audio-visual sensors with data streams from personal mobile devices including, forming a communication link with at least one of one or more personal mobile devices; receiving at least one of an audio data stream and/or a video data stream from the at least one of the one or more personal mobile devices; determining the quality of the at least one of the audio data stream and/or the video data stream, wherein the audio data stream and/or the video data stream having a quality above a threshold quality is retained; and combining the retained audio data stream and/or the video data stream with the data streams from the fixed audio-visual sensors.
US09912890B2
Provided is a solid-state imaging device including: an effective pixel region of a substrate, effective pixels being arranged in the effective pixel region; an interconnection region around the effective pixel region, electrodes or interconnects being provided in the interconnection region; a peripheral region outside the interconnection region; and a film formed on the substrate. A cross-sectional height of the film in the effective pixel region is smaller than a cross-sectional height of the film in the interconnection region, and a cross-sectional height of the film in the peripheral region and a cross-sectional height of the film in at least a portion of a middle region between the effective pixel region and the interconnection region, the portion being closer to the interconnection region, are between the cross-sectional height of the film in the effective pixel region and the cross-sectional height of the film in the interconnection region.
US09912888B2
A pixel power noise cancelling apparatus may include: a ramp signal generator suitable for generating a ramp signal according to control of a controller; a pixel power noise copy unit suitable for copying a pixel power noise of a pixel column of a pixel array to superimpose on the ramp signal fed from the ramp signal generator to the pixel column and output a ramp signal with added pixel power noise; and a comparator suitable for comparing a pixel signal output by the pixel column with the ramp signal with added pixel power noise from the pixel power noise copy unit.
US09912875B2
An imaging device of the present invention, using image data that has been continuously read out at specified time intervals from an image sensor, generates dark image combination image data resulting from dark image combination using darker pixel data of each pixel of image data is generated, and bright image combination image data resulting from bright image combination using brighter pixel data of each pixel of image data, and difference output image data is generated from the bright image combination image data and the dark image combination image data. With the generated dark image combination image data as background image data and the difference output image data as light trace output image data, respective brightness is adjusted, and by subjecting each of the image data after adjustment to addition combination, it is possible to respectively independently adjust background brightness and light trace brightness.
US09912874B2
Visual effects for element of interest can be displayed within a live camera view in real time or substantially using a processing pipeline that does not immediately display an acquired image until it has been updated with the effects. In various embodiments, software-based approaches, such as fast convolution algorithms, and/or hardware-based approaches, such as using a graphics processing unit (GPU), can be used reduce the time between acquiring an image and displaying the image with various visual effects. These visual effects can include automatically highlighting elements, augmenting the color, style, and/or size of elements, casting a shadow on elements, erasing elements, substituting elements, or shaking and jumbling elements, among other effects.
US09912866B2
An image pickup apparatus includes a pixel array including a plurality of pixels arranged in a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns, and a plurality of column signal processing circuits provided respectively for the columns of the pixel array, each being configured to receive output signals from the pixels and an analog signal varying with time. The plurality of column signal processing circuits include a first column signal processing circuit and a second column signal processing circuit configured such that each of the first column signal processing circuit and the second column signal processing circuit is configured to be independently switched between a driving state and a power saving state. A signal line for supplying the analog signal to the first column signal processing circuit and a signal line for supplying the analog signal to the second column signal processing circuit are electrically isolated from each other.
US09912864B2
In various embodiments a camera with multiple optical chains, e.g., camera modules, is controlled to operate in one of a variety of supported modes of operation. The modes include a non-motion mode, a motion mode, a normal burst mode and/or a reduced data burst mode. Motion mode is well suited for capturing an image including motion, e.g., moving object(s) with some modules being used to capture scene areas using a shorter exposure time than other modules and the captured images then being combined taking into consideration locations of motion. A reduced data burst mode is supported in some embodiments in which camera modules with different focal lengths capture images at different rates. While the camera modules of different focal length operate at different image capture rates in the reduced data burst mode, images are combined to support a desired composite image output rate, e.g., a desired frame rate.
US09912863B2
The present invention provides a guide spectacle, belonging to the field of intelligent control technology, which is capable of solving the problem of inconvenience during going out of the blind. The guide spectacle provided by the present invention include a spectacle frame with a signal collecting unit, a central processing unit and a functional unit provided thereon. The signal collecting unit is used for collecting image information and voice information and sending the collected information to the central processing unit. The central processing unit processes the received information. The functional unit carries out corresponding functional operations according to a processing result of the central processing unit. The guide spectacle provided by the present invention greatly alleviates the problem of inconvenience for the blind during going out.
US09912861B1
Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are disclosed for determining a depth or reflectance of objects. Example methods may include illuminating a scene within a field of view of a device at a first illuminance value, detecting a reflected illuminance value, and determining a first reflectance value for a first object in the scene. Example methods may include identifying the first object, determining an orientation of the first object, and determining an estimated distance between the device and the first object based at least in part on the first illuminance value, the reflected illuminance value, and the first reflectance value.
US09912856B2
An image pickup apparatus according to the present invention includes image pickup means; holding means for holding a coordinate system used to represent an image capturing direction of the image pickup means or a region in an image capturing range of the image pickup means; reception means for receiving a first command for rotating a captured image obtained by the image pickup means or a captured image cut out from the region in the image capturing range by a certain angle, a second command for rotating the coordinate system held in the holding means about the origin by the certain angle, and specification information for specifying the image capturing direction in the coordinate system; and change control means for executing control to change the image capturing direction of the image pickup means to the image capturing direction specified by the specification information.
US09912855B2
An image capturing apparatus includes: an encoding unit configured to perform encoding processing on an image output from an image capturing unit for obtaining an image; a communication unit configured to receive designation of a resolution of the encoding unit from an information processing apparatus; an obtaining unit configured to obtain a resolution which is associated with the resolution set for the image capturing unit, and is settable for the encoding unit; a determination unit configured to determine whether the designated resolution is the resolution obtained by the obtaining unit and settable for the encoding unit; and a transmission unit configured to transmit an error response to the information processing apparatus, if the determination unit determines that the designated resolution is not the resolution obtained by the obtaining unit and settable for the encoding unit.
US09912849B2
Present embodiments provide for a mobile device and an optical imaging lens thereof. The optical imaging lens may comprise an aperture stop and five lens elements positioned sequentially from an object side to an image side. By controlling the convex or concave shape of the surfaces of the lens elements and designing parameters satisfying at least one inequality, the optical imaging lens may exhibit better optical characteristics and the total length of the optical imaging lens may be shortened.
US09912846B2
According to an aspect, there is provided an apparatus comprising at least one processor and at least one memory connected to the at least one processor. The at least one memory stores program instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to determine based on at least one indicator that a camera connected to the apparatus is in a dark environment, initiate a calibration sequence of the camera in response to determining based on the at least one indicator that the camera connected to the apparatus is in a dark environment, capture, during the calibration sequence, multiple images with the camera with different sets of shooting parameters, cause analysis of the captured images to obtain camera calibration data, and store the camera calibration data in a memory of the apparatus.
US09912839B2
The method comprises segmenting lines into regions of saturated pixels, and, for each of these saturated regions, selecting at least one color channel that is not saturated, then, for each pixel of said region, adding to the color information provided by the saturated color channel for said pixel a difference between the color information provided by the selected non-saturated color channel for said pixel and a baseline color value computed for the region of this pixel.
US09912837B2
An information processing terminal transmits, to an authentication server, information obtained by imaging a code pattern of multifunction device information, and authentication information inputted by a user. The authentication server performs user authentication based on the received authentication information and specifies a multifunction device based on the received information of the code pattern. If the user has been authenticated, the authentication server transmits print data corresponding to the user to the multifunction device and prescribes the execution of print processing to the multifunction device. The multifunction device executes print process based on the obtained print data.
US09912836B2
An image processing system includes: an image recording unit configured to record an output image corresponding to an input image on a recording medium; an image compression unit configured to compress the input image for transmission; and a determining unit configured to determine whether the input image is a color image or a monochrome image according to a first determination rule if the output image is to be recorded on the recording medium, and determine whether the input image is the color image or the monochrome image according to a second determination rule different from the first determination rule if the input image is to be compressed for transmission.
US09912832B2
An image forming apparatus includes a setting unit, an image reading unit, an image forming unit, and a setting changing unit. The setting unit sets copying conditions. The image reading unit reads images from sheets to generate image data and writes the image data into a memory unit. The image forming unit forms images on sheets based on the image data written into the memory unit. The setting changing unit changes the setting of the copying conditions when a new copying condition is set during the image forming of the image data written into the memory unit.
US09912830B2
A data processing apparatus determines whether or not administrator authority of a user is set, and whether access is made locally or from the network. When the access is made locally, even if the user has the administrator authority, folders of all users are not displayed. The folders of all users are displayed only when the user having the administrator authority accesses from the network.
US09912824B2
In response to user selection of a workflow from among workflow menu options presented on a graphic user interface of a multifunction device, methods and systems automatically and dynamically create device-specific user interface screens that are used in execution of the selected workflow. The device-specific user interface screens comply with unique formatting requirements of the graphic user interface of the multifunction device upon which they are displayed. The device-specific user interface screens provide data input instructions on the graphic user interface, to which the user responds, allowing these methods and systems to receive workflow data into the graphic user interface. These methods and systems transmit the workflow data from the multifunction device to a computerized device over a computerized network. Thus, these methods execute the workflow (through the computerized device and/or the multifunction device) using the workflow data.
US09912820B2
A policy determination function (PDF) makes policy and charging control decisions based on radio spectrum blocks. More particularly, the PDF: receives radio spectrum block data via an interface; and determines, using the radio spectrum block data, a first radio spectrum block for use during a session for a subscriber, wherein the first radio spectrum block is one of a plurality of radio spectrum blocks, and wherein the subscriber has a unique set of policy and charging control (PCC) rules corresponding to each of the radio spectrum blocks in the plurality. The PDF further selects and provides to a policy enforcement function the set of PCC rules for the subscriber corresponding to the first radio spectrum block, for applying to communications with the subscriber during the session.
US09912813B2
A system and method for monitoring and visualizing contact center performance via a graphical user interface. A processor identifies a plurality of contact center metrics, identifies predicted values for the plurality of contact center metrics, and displays a reference geometric object having a plurality of vertices representing the predicted values for the plurality of contact center metrics. The processor also determines actual values for the plurality of contact center metrics and overlays over the display of the reference geometric object, a display of a current geometric object. The current geometric object has a plurality of vertices representing the actual values for the plurality of contact center metrics. Deviation of the current geometric object from the reference geometric object is an indication of deviation of one or more actual values from the predicted values.
US09912806B1
A computer-implemented system and method for determining call status is provided. A call from a caller to a recipient is identified and an identity of the caller is determined. A determination is made as to whether a security certificate of the caller is available. A status of the call is determined based on one of a presence and an absence of the security certificate. The identity of the caller is provided to the recipient. A type of notification for the call status is determined based on a type of the call status and the notification is delivered with the caller identity.
US09912804B2
The present disclosure relates to a pre-5th-Generation (5G) or 5G communication system for supporting higher data rates Beyond 4th-Generation (4G) communication system such as Long Term Evolution (LTE). An apparatus of a Base Station (BS) in a wireless communication system is provided. The apparatus includes a wireless communication unit that is configured to receive an interference signal which cannot be controlled during a first period, and all interference signals during a second period with respect to a plurality of channels and a controller configured to determine a size of an interference signal which can be controlled, using a difference between a measurement of all the interference signals during the second period and a measurement of the interference signal which cannot be controlled, and select one of the plurality of channels according to the determined size of the interference signal which can be controlled.
US09912802B2
Embodiments of the present disclosure include methods, systems, and vehicles for disabling a function of one or more mobile devices within a passenger cabin of a vehicle. A method of disabling a function of one or more mobile devices within a passenger cabin of a vehicle according to the present disclosure includes determining a number of occupants within the passenger cabin based on one or more occupant sensor output signals output by one or more occupant sensors. A disable message is sent to disable a function of the one or more mobile devices in the passenger cabin when the number of occupants present in the passenger cabin is determined to be one. A disable message is sent to disable a function of only the one or more mobile devices associated with a driver of the vehicle when the number of occupants present in the passenger cabin is determined to be greater than one.
US09912798B2
An apparatus includes a first transceiver of a wearable device. The first transceiver is configured to communicate using a first communication network having a first communication range. The apparatus further includes a second transceiver of the wearable device. The second transceiver is configured to communicate using a second communication network having a second communication range that is less than the first communication range. The apparatus also includes a receptacle of the wearable device. The receptacle is configured to receive an audio device that is configured to communicate with the second transceiver using the second communication network.
US09912795B2
The lock screen wallpaper of a mobile device is temporarily changed so that when a user activates the display without unlocking the phone, he/she can review information that is rendered as the lock screen wallpaper.
US09912794B2
A vehicle mobile terminal manipulation system that manipulates a mobile terminal brought in a vehicle includes: a mobile terminal; a manipulation device to which a user inputs manipulation; and a notification portion that notifies the mobile terminal of manipulation information indicative of manipulation which has been input to the manipulation device. The mobile terminal includes a terminal-side display portion and a terminal-side manipulation portion. The mobile terminal has a user interface displayed on the terminal-side display portion at a time when independently operating according to manipulation conducted on the terminal-side manipulation portion. The mobile terminal causes the terminal-side display portion to display a user interface different from a case where the mobile terminal independently operates, when operating according to manipulation conducted on the manipulation device different in manipulation mode from the terminal-side manipulation portion of the mobile terminal.
US09912790B2
Disclosed herein is a sterilization apparatus for a portable terminal, including a casing configured to receive the portable terminal and a UV LED provided in the casing. The sterilization apparatus can be always carried along with a portable terminal because the sterilization apparatus is constructed using a casing or a cover attached to the portable terminal. Accordingly, the portable terminal can be easily sterilized while in motion without being limited to the place.
US09912789B2
An electronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a translucent panel and a casing to which the translucent panel is attached. The translucent panel includes a curved portion curved toward the casing. The casing includes an attaching surface facing an end surface of the translucent panel, the end surface facing the casing. A distance between an end of the end surface of the translucent panel and a portion of the attaching surface of the casing facing the end of the end surface is longer than a distance between a middle portion of the end surface of the translucent panel and a portion of the attaching surface of the casing facing the middle portion.
US09912786B2
A demodulation section demodulates a received signal. A decoding section decodes an output from the demodulation section. A buffer temporarily stores a portion of the received signal. A header analyzing section gives the buffer timing at which demodulation and decoding of a payload of the received signal are initiated, on the basis of a result of combination of a plurality of header sequences included in a header of the received signal and results of processing of the demodulation section and the decoding section. An improved SNR is achieved by means of combination of the plurality of header sequences, so that an iterative decoding count used for decoding the header become smaller.
US09912779B2
A selection device is selected from a first group in a first cluster. The node devices of the first group can communicate with a node device in a second cluster adjacent to the first cluster. The selection device performs transmission and reception of a report frame that reports an identifier of a node device included in the first group. The selection device selects from the first group a first relay device that relays a relay frame used for a communication between a node device in the first cluster and a node device in the second cluster. The first relay device determines anode device adjacent to the first relay device to be a second relay device that relays the relay frame to a node device in the second cluster.
US09912768B1
Techniques to measure consumption of content pages comprising a plurality of distinct content assets are disclosed. In various embodiments, content consumption signal data gathered by a plurality of clients, the content consumption signal data reflecting for at least a subset of content pages user engagement by content asset comprising the content page, is received. The received content consumption signal data and content attribute data associated with each respective content page are used to compute for each content page a content consumption metric reflecting an amount of content determined to have been consumed.
US09912766B2
Described herein are systems and methods for matching clicks of links on a webpage with page views by a user. The method may comprise identifying a link on a webpage requested by a client device, generating a link identifier for the link and attaching the link identifier to the link. Upon receiving a request for data associated with the link, the link identifier is stored in a log file.
US09912756B2
A system comprising a computer-readable storage medium storing at least one program and a computer-implemented method for automatically saving and presenting a state of a communication session are presented. The communication session may be established between a client device of a user and an application server of a content publisher. In some embodiments, the method may include determining that the communication session includes a typical process flow of the user. Session data representative of a state of the communication session may then be selected and stored in response to performance of a particular operation that is at least similar to an operation included in the sequence of operations of the typical process flow of the user. The method may further include generating and presenting an interface that includes an element that allows a user to return to the saved state of the communication session.
US09912750B2
A method and apparatus for high-speed data path selection for network transfer using IP addresses is disclosed. The method may include configuring an IP address for a non-RDMA data transfer or an RDMA high speed data transfer. An application executing in an emulated environment may transfer data using the same function calls for both non-RDMA data transfer or an RDMA high speed data transfer. This reduces changes to the application to allow RDMA transfers. A non-emulated interface determines whether the IP address is flagged as an RDMA address. If so, the data is transferred via an RDMA data path. If the IP address is not flagged as an RDMA address, the data is transferred via a non-RDMA data path through a traditional network stack.
US09912738B2
A mechanism for preventing overload in enterprise application integration (EAI) services. A method includes determining, by a processing device executing enterprise application integration (EAI) system, a first location in a chain of services in the EAI. The method also includes providing, by the processing device, access for insertion of an overload prevention service beginning (OPSB) at the first location in the chain of services in the EAI. The OPSB includes a service in the chain of services and counts number of messages processed in the EAI service. The method also includes determining, by the processing device, a second location in the chain of services in the EAI. The second location occurs after the first location in the chain of services in the EAI. The method further providing, by the processing device, access for the insertion of an overload prevention service end (OPSE) at the second location in the chain of services in the EAI. The OPSB is in communication with the OPSE and the OPSE comprises a service in the chain of services and is in communication with the OPSB.
US09912736B2
A data processing system determines whether a natural language query or a result has a temporal characteristic. In response, at least one of user profile information or user activity history information for a user is analyzed to identify user characteristics indicative of a timeframe for scheduling a reminder notification of the result. A timeframe for scheduling the reminder notification is calculated based on results of analyzing the user profile information or user activity history information. A reminder notification is scheduled to be output at a scheduled reminder notification time based on the calculated timeframe. At a later time, in response to the later time being equal to or later than the scheduled reminder notification time, the reminder notification is output to a client device associated with the user, wherein the reminder notification specifies the result generated for the natural language query.
US09912734B2
Systems, methods, and computer-readable storage media for managing pooled collections of content items, such as photos, in a content management system. An example system can first receive, from a first user device, images uploaded to a first account at a synchronized online content management system, and cluster at least some of the images as a collection. The system can receive, from the first user, a request to share the collection with a second user having a second account at the content management system, and generate, in response to the request, a pooled collection at the content management system from the collection. The system can transmit an invitation to the second user to join the pooled collection, and, upon acceptance, link the pooled collection to the second user account so that the first user and the second user have access to images in the persistent pooled collection and have permission to contribute content to the pooled collection.
US09912733B2
Disclosed is a system and method to maintain the health of a control system. A recording of running status of process control system software is performed. Then a health assessment of a process control system is carried out using the recorded running status. Using this information, at least one health maintenance recommendation is generated. The recommendations are then implemented to maintain the health of a process control system.
US09912717B2
A video server is configured to convert frame data of a spherical image to frame data of a equirectangular image such that a first area corresponding to a field of view received from a client device is a middle area of the equirectangular image. The video server is further configured to scale the first area at a first resolution, scale a second area of the equirectangular image adjacent to the first area at a second resolution smaller than the first resolution, scale a third area of the equirectangular image that is adjacent to the first area and is not adjacent to the second area, at a third resolution smaller than the first resolution, and rearrange the scaled first area, second area and third area such that the scaled second area and the scaled third area are adjacent to each other, to generate reformatted equirectangular image frame data to be encoded.
US09912709B2
A user of a communication network may have specific requirements for its critical data streams. The user may require dedicated channel capacity for its critical application. A dedicated channel may be separate from a common channel carrying non-critical data of the user. The user may create policies for assigning channel capacities to its critical data streams based on various criteria. The user may also create policies on sharing the dedicated channel capacity among its different critical data streams.
US09912704B2
In one embodiment, a method includes receiving a first request from a first device to access a first resource of the system and determining whether to grant access to the first resource based on a first access control list stored in the system, the first access control list associated with the first device, the first device having a first relevance value, and based on the determination, granting the access to the first resource; and receiving a second request from a second device to access a second resource of the system and forwarding the second request to an access manager service coupled to the system to determine whether to grant access to the second resource based on a second access control list stored in the access manager service associated with the second device, the second device having a second relevance value, receive an access grant from the access manager service and based thereon, granting the access to the second resource.
US09912703B1
A method and system for improving usage of a security compliance framework is provided. The method includes authenticating a user for: access to the security compliance frame work, access to an authoritative source component of the compliance framework, and access to a data store component of the compliance framework. A functionality status of the security compliance framework and a request associated with contents of the data store are presented to a user via a dashboard interface. In response, the request is triggered and associated results are generated.
US09912699B1
A network device may receive a packet flow, and may identify an application associated with the packet flow. The network device may determine that packets associated with the application are not to be encrypted using a security protocol. The network device may store a rule that indicates that the packets are not to be encrypted using the security protocol based on determining that the packets are not to be encrypted using the security protocol. The rule may include network layer information or transport layer information associated with the packet flow, and may exclude application layer information associated with the packet flow. The network device may transmit, based on the rule, the packets without using the security protocol to encrypt the packets.
US09912694B2
Dashboards for displaying threat insight information are provided herein, as well as systems and methods for generating the same. According to some embodiments, methods for providing a threat dashboard may include locating metrics regarding a malicious attack against a targeted resource, where the metrics indicate instances where users were exposed to the malicious attack or instances where a cloud-based threat detection system prevented the user from being exposed to the malicious attack. The method may also include rendering a threat dashboard for a web browser application of a client device, where the threat dashboard includes the located metrics.
US09912679B1
A system, method, and computer program product are provided for providing security in a Network Function Virtualization based (NFV-based) communication network. In operation, a security attack is identified. Additionally, a first hardware unit attacked by the security attack is identified. Further, a hardware unit in which to initiate a security defense software program is identified. Moreover, the security defense software program is initiated in the identified hardware unit.
US09912676B1
An application delivers educational, entertainment or work-related content including videos and documents to any computing device of a user via an account, each account being uniquely identified. Upon each login, the application checks whether the user is already logged in on another computing device and issues a warning or logs out the new device. The application also checks all user accounts periodically to determine whether one account is logged into more than one computing device. Each video or document is associated with a course and has a corresponding course code. An institution database lists courses that a student is currently enrolled in. Another database records videos watched or documents viewed via a student account. Each student account is allowed a maximum number of courses or is limited by the courses in which they are actually enrolled. The application checks whether the videos watched correspond to more than the courses allowed and if so, then access by the student account is blocked.
US09912675B2
A method, system and apparatus are provided for geo-verification for access to data stored in a memory of a server having a processor and a network interface connected to the memory. The method includes: storing, in the memory, access control data including an approved geographic area; receiving at the processor, from a client computing device via the network interface, a request for access to the data, the request containing a client location of the client computing device, the client location including global positioning system (GPS) coordinates; comparing, at the processor, the client location to the approved geographic area; when the client location is within the approved geographic area, permitting access to the data for the client computing device via the network interface; and when the client location is not within the approved geographic area, denying the request.
US09912667B2
Methods, systems, and computer readable media may be operable to facilitate the management of connections between one or more client devices and an access point over one or more service sets. An access point may maintain a list of client devices that have successfully associated with a private service set broadcast from the access point, and when a client device from the list attempts to connect to a public service set broadcast from the access point, the access point may deny the client device's attempt to connect to the public service set. Attempts by the client device to join the public service set may be denied for a predetermined number of attempts or a predetermined period of time. Denying an attempt to connect to a public service set may provide a client device with more opportunities to connect to a private service set broadcast from a corresponding access point.
US09912666B2
A method and system for controlling access to computer resources of a computer data center. A received request to manage an initial service request targets one computer resource and in response: (i) the initial service request is mapped to standard operating procedures pertaining to the one computer resource; (ii) it is determined, based on the standard operating procedures, that additional service requests are to be spawned to service the initial service request and in response, additional service requests are spawned; (iii) the initial service request and the spawned additional service requests are correlated to the one computer resource; and (iv) for each service request (SR) of the initial service request and the spawned additional service requests, the user is granted the requested access of the one computer resource to enable the user to execute the SR, based on selection criteria for selecting a user to execute the SR.
US09912661B2
A method of identifying proximate client devices (1, 2) comprises the steps of: providing a sensory identifier, the first device (1) detecting the sensory identifier and sending a first request message (RQ1) comprising a first representation of the sensory identifier to a matching unit which is preferably part of a correlation server (5), the second device (2) detecting the sensory identifier and sending a second request message (RQ2) comprising a second representation of the sensory identifier to the matching unit, and the matching unit comparing the first representation and the second representation and sending an acknowledgement message (AC1, AC2) to each of the first device (1) and the second device (2) if a match is made. Each request message (RQ1, RQ2) contains a pointer to at least one property of the respective device (1, 2). In addition, the matching unit applies matching rules relating to the properties to limit the number of possible matches.
US09912659B1
A computer-based locking system using changing passcodes includes an application server and an application in electronic communication with the application server. The application runs on a computing device. The application may request an input passcode from the application server based on a lock ID. The application server retrieves an algorithm from a database using the lock ID and generates the input passcode using the algorithm with a time as the input. A lock includes a passcode interface and a locking mechanism with the passcode interface being capable of capturing the input passcode. The lock executes the algorithm locally to generate a local passcode based on current time. The lock releases the locking mechanism in response to the input passcode matching the local passcode.
US09912649B1
An authentication relay and a NAT module of a telecommunication system facilitate communication between authentication clients and an authentication server. The authentication relay identifies authentication messages from the authentication clients intended for the authentication server. The authentication relay repackages the identified authentication message to add additional information. The NAT module translates the private IP address and UDP port number of the authentication client included in the original authentication message into a public IP address and unique UDP port number included with the repackaged authentication message sent to the authentication server. The same public IP address is used for authentication messages from a plurality of authentication clients thereby reducing the number of IP addresses required by the system. When a reply message is received from the authentication server, the NAT module uses the unique port number in the reply message to readdress the reply message for the authentication client.
US09912646B2
A method of automatic security parameter renewal includes determining if a security parameter satisfies a renewal condition, and automatically updating the security parameter when the renewal condition is satisfied. The automatically updating the security parameter includes modifying a certificate in dependent components of an application of the security parameter, by a central certification server, upon receipt of a new certificate.
US09912630B2
A method and system for processing Domain name Services (DNS) request in a gateway. The gateway receives a DNS request from a host from its local area network. The gateway then selects DNS server(s) and transmits a new DNS request to at least one DNS server(s). DNS server(s) may or may not be accessible through a first tunnel. The contents of the new DNS request are the same as the content of the received DNS request. Further, when the gateway receives a DNS response corresponding to the DNS request, it determines a decision whether to transfer data to the host whose IP address is specified in the DNS response through a second tunnel. The decision may be based on a geographical location of an IP address.
US09912625B2
A system according to certain aspects improves the process of sending emails containing attachments. The system can detect a request to send an email containing attachments to one or more recipients, create a copy of the attachments on a network storage device, replace the attachments contained in the email with links to the copies of the attachments, and send the email containing the links to the one or more recipients.
US09912622B2
An electronic messaging system is provided to generate and send electronic messages that contain adaptive content to customize the electronic messages for each recipient. The system operates to receive an adaptive content asset and a content rule, select a set of adaptive content elements from the adaptive content asset based upon the content rule, and send a content locator to an author computing device to permit the author computing device to include the content locator in the electronic message and send the electronic message to a recipient computing device.
US09912620B2
A method for an instant messaging application is disclosed comprising receiving source data sent from a third party server, wherein a tag of the instant messaging application is embedded in the source data; and implementing a function of the instant messaging application, on a third party interface displayed based on the source data, based on a script or a Software Development Kit of the instant messaging application and the tag of the instant messaging application. Also disclosed is relevant system and devices.
US09912613B2
According to one exemplary embodiment, a method for orchestrating a flow of a packet through a software-defined network (SDN) switch is provided. The method may include determining at least one available service associated with the SDN switch. The method may also include receiving the packet at an input port associated with the SDN switch, wherein the packet has a destination value and a packet type. The method may then include generating a flow entry based on the at least one available service and the packet type, wherein the flow entry has a plurality of entry characteristics and an action. The method may further include selecting the flow entry based on matching the plurality of entry characteristics to the destination value and the packet type. The method may also include performing the action associated with the selected flow entry.
US09912610B2
A synchronous packet-processing pipeline whose data paths are populated with data-plane stateful processing units (DSPUs) is provided. A DSPU is a programmable processor whose operations are synchronous with the dataflow of the packet-processing pipeline. A DSPU performs every computation with fixed latency. Each DSPU is capable of maintaining a set of states and perform its computations based on its maintained set of states. The programming of a DSPU determines how and when the DSPU updates one of its maintained states. Such programming may configure the DSPU to update the state based on its received packet data, or to change the state regardless of the received packet data.
US09912606B2
An apparatus and method of communication in a network includes a hub having a burst time plan generating section to generate a burst time plan including time slot allocation information that allocated transmission time slots in a subsequent frame to remote terminals. The allocation information identifies at least one time slot in the subsequent frame as a dummy time slot assigned to at least one remote terminal already acquired in the network. The hub also includes a transmitter to transmit the burst time plan including the allocation information. A corresponding remote terminal and computer readable media are also discussed.
US09912603B2
A communication system, cache, computer readable medium and method for exchanging delay-tolerant data content or in-advance data content between a user terminal and a communication network with which the user terminal communicates. The method includes storing the delay-tolerant data content or in-advance data content into a network cache of the communication network; gathering at the network cache network information related to a status of the communication network; receiving user terminal information at the network cache from a user cache located at the user terminal; and transferring the delay-tolerant data content or in-advance data content from the network cache to the user cache based on the network information and the user terminal information.
US09912597B2
Provided is a method for controlling traffic of a Radio Access Network (RAN) in a wireless communication system. The method includes acquiring at least one of subscription class information of a User Equipment (UE) user and type information of an application or content; determining whether a congestion situation has occurred in the RAN; and controlling traffic for the UE based on the acquired information, if the congestion situation has occurred in the RAN.
US09912583B2
An example involves determining a first cost associated with assigning routing information for a subset of virtual private networks (VPNs) to a first subset of linecards of a router by determining a cost as a sum of: a first product of (1) a first number of routes associated with a first VPN of the first subset of the VPNs and (2) a number of the linecards included in the first subset of the linecards; and a second product of (1) a second number of routes associated with a second VPN of the first subset of the VPNs and (2) the number of the linecards included in the first subset of the linecards. The first subset of the linecards is configured with routing information for the first subset of the VPNs when the first subset of the VPNs is assigned to the first subset of the linecards based on the cost.
US09912582B2
Systems and methods for ensuring multi-tenant isolation in a data center are provided. A switch, or virtualized switch, can be used to de-multiplex incoming traffic between a number of data centers tenants and to direct traffic to the appropriate virtual slice for an identified tenant. The switch can store tenant identifying information received from a master controller and packet forwarding rules received from at least one tenant controller. The packet handling rules are associated with a specific tenant and can be used to forward traffic to its destination.
US09912580B2
Various embodiments of the invention provide systems, devices, and methods of configuring and controlling the operation of fallback links within a network. In certain embodiments, this is accomplished by selecting an operationally active port and internally configuring it to be part of an uplink LAG to achieve minimal L2 connectivity. Compared with existing designs, the presented invention has reduced delay time, minimal impact on network traffic, increased fallback bandwidth, faster convergence, and prevents link flaps of downstream server ports. In line with the IOA's plug- and play philosophy, no administrator intervention or reprogramming of VLANs is required in selecting fallback links.
US09912577B2
In one embodiment, a controller device in a computer network domain learns border gateway protocol (BGP) egress peering segments from one or more border routers of the domain, and determines a selected flow to segment route via a particular egress peering segment, the selected flow from a given routing device within the domain to a given destination of a remote domain. As such, the controller device may then instruct the given routing device to segment route the selected flow via the particular egress peering segment. In another embodiment, an egress border router shares its BGP egress peering segments, and receives a flow to segment route. The egress border router may determine, from a segment route contained within the flow, to which particular egress peering segment of the border router to segment route the flow, and forwards the flow out of the domain via the particular egress peering segment.
US09912574B1
In one embodiment, an apparatus can include a switch fabric. The apparatus can also include a first edge device operatively coupled to an edge of the switch fabric and having a plurality of ports. The apparatus can also include a second edge device operatively coupled to the edge of the switch fabric and having a plurality of ports, the switch fabric defining a plurality of single-hop paths between the first edge device and the second edge device. The first edge device configured to send to a peripheral processing device operatively coupled to the first edge device a representation of a mapping of a portion of the plurality of ports of the first edge device and a portion of the plurality of ports of the second edge device to a plurality of ports included in a non-edge device represented within a virtual multi-hop network topology.
US09912567B2
A method of handling a near field communications (NFC) device includes setting a low power polling number, wherein the low power polling number is non-fixed; detecting whether any NFC device is nearby; performing low power polls until either at least one NFC device is detected or the number of low power polls reaches the low power polling number; performing a full power polling; and adjusting the low power polling number after the full power polling.
US09912555B2
Expertise, for performing classification of a type of network traffic, can be encapsulated in a module. A set of modules, as currently available to a traffic controller, can be referred to as a collection. An improved process, for updating a collection of modules, is presented. A traffic controller can have two or more locations, each storing a module collection. While an old collection remains active, a new collection can be loaded. Once the new collection is loaded, transitioning can be undertaken, on a session-by-session basis that keeps a traffic controller active, from the old collection to the new collection.
US09912544B2
A system and method for electing a master switch includes a management port for coupling a first switch to a management system, a plurality of stacking ports for coupling the first switch to other switches in a stacked switch, and a control unit. The control unit detects one or more first connectivity settings of the management port, exchanges the first connectivity settings with the other switches using at least one of the stacking ports, exchanges second connectivity settings for the other switches using the stacking ports, and elects a master switch for the stacked switch based on the first and second connectivity settings. In some embodiments, the control unit further receives a first management configuration from the management system, exchanges the first management configuration with the other switches, exchanges second management configurations of the other switches, and further elects the master switch based on the first and second management configurations.
US09912538B2
Methods and systems for synchronization of configuration files of a plurality of blades in a virtual application distribution chassis are disclosed. In an exemplary method, a master blade processes a configuration command, updates a first configuration file with the configuration command and generates an updated tag, and sends a configuration message to at least one slave blade of the virtual application distribution chassis informing of the updated configuration file. The configuration message is received by a given slave blade of the one or more slave blades and compared with a second configuration file stored at the given slave blade; and in response to determining that the updated tag in the configuration message is more recent than the tag in the second configuration file stored at the given slave blade, the slave blade sends a request for the updated configuration file to the master blade.
US09912536B2
Techniques for facilitating port mirroring in virtual networks are provided. In one embodiment, a computer system can receive, from a user, port mirroring configuration information for enabling port mirroring within a virtual network, the port mirroring configuration information including an identity of a port to be mirrored and an address of a traffic receiver intended to receive traffic mirrored from the port. The computer system can further power-on a virtual machine (VM) within the virtual network in response to receiving the port mirroring configuration information, where the VM executes an instance of a virtual bridge. The computer system can then transmit one or more configuration commands to the virtual bridge, where the one or more configuration commands cause the virtual bridge to perform port mirroring in accordance with the port mirroring configuration information received from the user.
US09912534B2
A computer system includes a server computer including a processor, a main memory and a system management chip, a management station that manages server profiles and selects a server profile from server profiles and associates it with the server computer, and at least one data network via which the server computer and the management station are coupled to interchange data, wherein the system management chip of the server computer is set so that, when the system management chip activates, it sends an inquiry regarding a server profile associated by the management station to the management station, so that, if a management connection can be set to the management station, it configures a component of the server computer by using a network identifier transmitted by the management station, and to otherwise prevent starting of the server computer with a network identifier transmitted by the management station previously.
US09912532B2
Methods, computer systems, and computer program products for configuring ports of interconnected communications equipment include, defining configuration parameters for at least one port of a plurality of ports of a plurality of interconnected communications devices; defining a group of the at least one port of the plurality of ports of the plurality of interconnected communications devices into a configuration group; and creating an explicit link mirroring the defined configuration parameters of the at least one port of the plurality of ports of the plurality of interconnected communications devices to the defined configuration group of at least one port of the plurality of ports of the plurality of interconnected communications devices, such that changes made to the defined configuration parameters are replicated and synced to the defined configuration group.
US09912524B2
Systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable storage media for creating dynamic session maps. The method is discussed in terms of a system implementing the method. The system generates a dynamic session map token for a packet in a communication session, wherein the dynamic session map token instructs a node to send a copy of the packet to a specified destination. The dynamic session map token includes a unique dynamic session map identifier, a port number, and an IP address associated with the specified destination. Next, the system adds the dynamic session map token to the packet to yield a tracing packet. The dynamic session map token can be incorporated into the header portion of the packet, for example. Finally, the system transmits the tracing packet to the node. In one embodiment, the system also sends the copy of the packet to the specified destination.
US09912523B2
The formulation of meta-correlation method as a graph based problem is disclosed. The meta-correlation method utilizes one or more correlation techniques, and also captures latent factors critical for the business utility in hand is described. The method also leverages a small example set to bootstrap for the target utility case. The proposed method can easily work for attribute groups of any size, not just attribute groups consisting of pairs of attributes.
US09912522B2
The present technology correlates tasks between multiple threads of an application. A payload consisting of a task object may be identified as part of a method. Identification of the task object may be performed using instrumentation or some other method. Once the task object is identified, the payload may be instrumented to track the task object or payload and correlate the task object with other executing threads. Instrumenting the payload may include determining the constructor of the task object and instrumenting the task object constructors to determine what creates the task object. Once the source of a task object or payload is determined, the current thread having the task object as a parameter and another thread which creates the task may be tied together as part of a business transaction.
US09912512B2
Systems and methods which provide training sequence or preamble-based synchronization with respect to non-coherent modulated signals and/or differentially coherent modulated signals are described. Embodiments provide for time synchronization using a technique for mitigating the effect of carrier frequency offset (CFO) with respect to the received signal. Embodiments of the present invention provide for frequency synchronization using a technique for estimating CFO using a constant bias induced with respect to the received signal by CFO. Additionally or alternatively, embodiments of the present invention provide for frequency synchronization using a technique for estimating CFO using phase rotation caused by CFO. The time synchronization and frequency synchronization of embodiments may be performed independently, without requiring the results of one synchronization operation for performing the other synchronization operation.
US09912507B2
A system and method for orthogonal time frequency space communication and waveform generation. The method includes receiving a plurality of information symbols and encoding an N×M array containing the plurality of information symbols into a two-dimensional array of modulation symbols by spreading each of the plurality of information symbols with respect to both time and frequency. The two-dimensional array of modulation symbols is then transmitted using M mutually orthogonal waveforms included within M frequency sub-bands.
US09912493B2
Provided is a method for converting an optical signal into a home network signal to transmit it in a home network signal relay device. The method includes: receiving an optical signal via an optical cable and converting the received optical signal to an Ethernet signal; classifying and storing the converted Ethernet signal according to a type of data; converting a frame of the stored Ethernet signal to a frame of a home network signal; and distributing the converted home network signal to one or more relay terminals or user terminals via transmission lines.
US09912491B2
A system and method for displaying document content using Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) is provided. A media server provides meta information corresponding to the document content to a control point if a user request for displaying the document content is received, the control point provides the meta information of the document content to a media renderer that can display the requested document content together with an operation performance command for displaying the requested document content, and the media renderer receives the document content from the media server and renders the document content in accordance with the operation performance command to display the document content on a screen.
US09912489B2
Apparatuses, computer readable media, and methods for sending and receiving multi-user request-to-send frames in a high-efficiency wireless local-area network (HEW) are disclosed. HEW frames are sent with frame types and subtypes the same as legacy frames with a length field greater than a legacy length to indicate the frame is a HEW frame. An apparatus of a high-efficiency (HE) wireless local-area network device is disclosed. The apparatus including transceiver circuitry and processing circuitry configured to receive a frame comprising a legacy frame type, a legacy frame sub-type, and a length in a legacy signal field (L-SIG), and determine the frame is an HE frame if the length is greater than a threshold length, wherein the threshold length is greater than a second length of a legacy frame of the legacy frame type and legacy frame sub-type.
US09912484B2
An extension is provided to the SEND protocol without requiring a CGA or third party trust anchor. A shared key is provided to both a sender and receiver of a neighbor discovery (ND) message. A digital signature option is contained in the ND message. A digital signature field is determined by the algorithm field in the option. When the ND message is received, the receiver may verify the digital signature field using the pre-shared key according to the algorithm field. If the ND message passes verification, the receiver may process the message.
US09912481B2
An apparatus and method are described for executing hash functions on a processor. For example, one embodiment of a processor comprises: a register set including a first storage location and a second storage location in which state variables for a hash function are to be stored; an execution unit to execute the hash function and to initially designate the first storage location as storing a first set of state values used for computing rounds of the hash function, and to initially designate a second storage location as storing a second set of state values also used for computing the rounds of the hash function; and the execution unit to execute a plurality of rounds of the hash function using the first and second sets of state data, wherein executing includes swapping the designations of the first storage location and second storage location such that the first storage location is designated to store the first set of state values for a first set of rounds and the second set of state values for a second set of rounds, and wherein the second storage location is designated to store the second set of state values for the first set of rounds and the first set of state values for the second set of rounds.
US09912475B2
A method is provided for producing cryptographic keys, while a vehicle is in operation, for use in secure vehicle communications. The method may include obtaining unique entropy data from an entropy source based on dynamically changing, transient variables related to the operation of the vehicle, optionally in a driving mode. The method may include seeding a random number generator with the unique entropy data to generate at least one random number. A plurality of cryptographic keys are generated based on the at least one random number. A secure communication exchange may be established using the plurality of cryptographic keys. A non-transitory computer-readable medium is also provided having instructions embodied thereon that, when executed by a processor, perform the above operations as an algorithm in a vehicle.
US09912474B2
Methods and apparatus related to performance of telemetry, data gathering, and failure isolation using non-volatile memory are described. In one embodiment, a Non-Volatile Memory (NVM) controller logic stores data in a portion of an NVM device. The portion of the NVM device is determined based at least in part on a type or an identity of a sender of the data. Also, the data is encrypted in accordance with a public key provided by the sender. Other embodiments are also disclosed and claimed.
US09912473B2
Shared file systems and methods ensuring high availability of cryptographic keys. The keys are encrypted with at least one shareable master key to generate corresponding encrypted cryptographic keys, which are stored in a key database in the shared file system. A master key manager with access to the key database is elected from among master key manager candidates and is assigned a common virtual address. All master key manager candidates have the shareable master key such that during a failover event the availability of the encrypted cryptographic keys is not interrupted as a new master key manager takes over the common virtual address from the previous master key manager. Additionally, a message authentication code (MAC) is deployed for testing the integrity of keys during their retrieval.
US09912461B2
A method for transmitting uplink control information by a user equipment (UE) configured with a plurality of cells including a primary cell and a secondary cell in a wireless communication system, the method includes identifying Hybrid Automatic Repeat reQuest-Acknowledgement (HARQ-ACK)(0), HARQ-ACK(1), HARQ-ACK(2) and HARQ-ACK(3); and transmitting bits b(0)b(1) using a Physical Uplink Control Channel (PUCCH) resource based on the HARQ-ACK(0), the HARQ-ACK(1), the HARQ-ACK(2) and the HARQ-ACK(3), where the HARQ-ACK(0) and the HARQ-ACK(1) indicate ACK/NACK/DTX responses to data blocks related to the primary cell, the HARQ-ACK(2) and the HARQ-ACK(3) indicate ACK/NACK/DTX responses to data blocks related to the secondary cell, and n(1)PUCCH,0 indicates a PUCCH resource linked to a PDCCH (Physical Downlink Control Channel) on the primary cell.
US09912444B2
A method of channel coding for transmitting data in a wireless access system includes: calculating a number C of code blocks by an equation of C=┌B/(Z−L)┐, wherein B denotes a size of an input bit sequence, wherein Z denotes a maximum size of the code blocks, and wherein L denotes a size of a cyclic redundancy check (CRC) which is to be attached to each of the code blocks; calculating a size B′ of a modified input bit sequence by an equation of B′=B+C*L; generating the code blocks based on the number C of the code blocks and the size B′ of the modified input bit sequence; and channel-coding the code blocks.
US09912435B2
Methods and systems may estimate nonlinear penalties for optical paths using spectral inversion in optical transport networks. Certain values of nonlinear transfer functions for nonlinear penalty estimation may be pre-calculated for optical paths between given nodes. When an optical path computation for using spectral inversion between a given source node and a given destination node is desired, the pre-calculated values may be concatenated for improved computational efficiency.
US09912434B2
Embodiments of the present disclosure disclose a service transmission method and a device and a system for implementing the method. The method includes: recognizing a type of a received client service, encapsulating an OTN service, and generating an OTN signal frame or a lower order ODU; querying a tag forwarding base to acquire forwarding information of the OTN signal frame or the lower order ODU; acquiring tag information, and inserting the tag information into an overhead of the OTN signal frame or the lower order ODU; and forwarding the OTN signal frame according to the forwarding information. Therefore, in the embodiments of the present disclosure, the forwarding and the transmission of the service may be performed in an OTN plane only, thereby reducing hardware modules of an MPLS plane.
US09912433B2
A system that incorporates aspects of the subject disclosure may perform operations including, for example, obtaining performance parameters in a communications network, identifying a degradation in performance of one or more nodes of the communications network according the monitored performance parameters, and initiating corrective action to mitigate the degradation in performance of the one or more nodes of the communications network. Other embodiments are disclosed.
US09912430B2
A method for transmitting a CSI feedback report to a serving cell comprises for time division duplex, configuring at least one periodic CSI process with a CSI reference source defined by a single downlink subframe n−nCQI_ref, wherein nCQI_ref is a smallest value greater than or equal to a positive integer nCQI_ref_min, such that it corresponds to a valid downlink subframe, wherein nCQI_ref_min varies based on a number of at least one periodic CSI process. A method for CSI feedback reporting to a base station comprises configuring not to accommodate, by a user equipment, the one or more aperiodic CSI requests arrived from a serving cell except a CSI request of CSI processes with lower indexes for each serving cell, wherein a number of the one or more CSI processes with a lower index (es) is determined based on a number of pending CSI reports.
US09912426B1
A network device receives a packet that conforms to a protocol that i) defines a time stamp field, ii) does not define a dedicated field for time correction information, and iii) defines a plurality of general purpose extension fields. The packet includes a time stamp generated by a source node in the time stamp field. The network device determines that the packet conforms to the protocol. The network device adds to the packet a new general purpose extension field. The new general purpose extension field specifies time correction information indicating a residence time of the packet in the network device, where the time correction information is for correcting the time specified by the time stamp.
US09912425B2
Radio frequency (RF) communication circuitry comprises an RF transceiver and conflict detection circuitry. The RF transceiver includes a first communication path configured to down-convert received RF signals using a first local oscillator (LO) receive frequency; and a second communication path configured to down-convert received RF signals using a second LO receive frequency and to operate simultaneously with the first communication path. The conflict detection circuitry is configured to determine path crosstalk using the first and second LO receive frequencies and using a first LO transmit frequency used by the first RF transceiver or a second RF transceiver to up-convert electrical signals for RF transmission, and initiate a change of the first LO receive frequency by a first frequency shift value and a change of the second LO receive frequency by a second frequency shift value in response to the path crosstalk.
US09912421B2
The distribution of content over a peer to peer (P2P) network can be improved by utilizing at least one broadcast of the content in order to quickly seed the P2P network. When content is first to be distributed across the network, a broadcast can be scheduled that each peer device with broadcast receiving capability and within range of the broadcast is able to receive. As soon as a peer device receives at least a portion of the broadcast content, that peer can begin redistributing the content across the P2P network. Any errors or missing portions of the received broadcast content can be corrected by requesting a copy of the missing or incorrect portion from another peer on the P2P network.
US09912420B1
Various technologies for isolating a signal of interest from signals received contemporaneously by an antenna are described herein. A time period for which a signal of interest is present in a second signal can be identified based upon ratios of values of the second signal to the mean value of the second signal. When the ratio of the value of the second signal at a particular time to the mean of the second signal exceeds a threshold value, the signal of interest is considered to be present in the second signal.
US09912419B1
Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, receiving, by a first antenna system of a distributed antenna system, a first wireless signal from a second antenna system of the distributed antenna system, the second antenna system included in a first series of antenna systems of the distributed antenna system, detecting an operational fault in the second antenna system, and redirecting, by the first antenna system, a first wireless transmission to a third antenna system of the distributed antenna system, the third antenna system included in a second series of antenna systems of the distributed antenna system, the first series of antenna systems providing first communication services, the second series of antenna systems providing second communication services, and the second communication services utilized at least in part as backup communication services when a communication fault is detected in the first series of antenna systems. Other embodiments are disclosed.
US09912413B1
An optical phase modulator includes an input source that is configured to receive a light source. There is an output operative to provide a phase modulated output signal based on the received light source. There is a first optical coupler configured to split the light source into a first optical path of a Mach Zehnder Interferometer (MZI) and a second optical path of the MZI. A static phase shifter is configured to provide a static phase shift to the first optical path. There is a phase modulator in the second optical path. There is a second optical coupler configured to combine the first optical path and the second optical path. The first and second optical couplers are tuned such that the phase modulated optical signal at the output provides a substantially constant amplitude that is independent of a change in loss introduced by the phase modulator.
US09912409B2
An injection locked transmitter for an optical communication network includes a master seed laser source input substantially confined to a single longitudinal mode, an input data stream, and a laser injected modulator including at least one slave laser having a resonator frequency that is injection locked to a frequency of the single longitudinal mode of the master seed laser source. The laser injected modulator is configured to receive the master seed laser source input and the input data stream, and output a laser modulated data stream.
US09912407B2
An optical relay device is provided which is capable of outputting control signal light without equipping a light source for the control signal light and capable of flexibly managing and changing a wavelength of the control signal light in accordance with a state of a network. The optical relay device includes an optical receiving unit that receives a wavelength multiplexed optical signal, a control unit that specifies a first wavelength and outputting notification information, and a processing unit that selects an optical signal having the first wavelength from the received wavelength multiplexed optical signal, applying intensity-modulation in accordance with the notification information to the selected optical signal, adding the intensity-modulated optical signal back to the wavelength multiplexed optical signal, and outputting the wavelength multiplexed optical signal.
US09912404B2
A method to measure and report electromagnetic radiation power includes receiving electromagnetic radiation and generating an electrical signal in response to the received electromagnetic radiation. The electrical signal may have a magnitude based on the power of the electromagnetic radiation. The method also includes applying a logarithmic gain to the electrical signal to generate a logarithmically amplified electrical signal. The method also includes sampling the logarithmically amplified electrical signal to generate a digital sample of the logarithmically amplified electrical signal.
US09912403B2
Apparatus for transceiving signals in accordance with a frame structure supportive of a plurality of carriers in a wireless communication system and method thereof are disclosed. The method includes transceiving the signal using at least one carrier in accordance with the frame structure supportive of the carriers. The frame structure includes the carriers. First carrier among the carriers includes a downlink static assignment region assigned statically for a user equipment to receive the signal from a base station, a downlink dynamic assigned region assigned in a manner of being flexibly changed and an uplink transmitting region for the user equipment to transmit an uplink signal. Second carrier among the carriers includes an uplink transmitting region for the user equipment to transmit the uplink signal. The first or second carrier includes an uplink static assignment region assigned statically for an uplink transmission of the user equipment.
US09912401B2
A satellite communications system comprising a Hub station and a plurality of terminals, the system is configured to utilize a FWD link and a RTN link in accordance with adaptation techniques for relevant transmission properties (e.g. modulation, coding, transmission power, etc.) and to use adaptive margins to ensure proper reception of transmitted information under various link conditions. Methods are presented for determining said adaptive margins in real time or substantially in real time, and for setting relevant transmission properties in accordance with the determined margins. Adaptive margins may be determined either directly or following the determining of a link state for each of the FWD link and the RTN link.
US09912397B2
Provided is control information related to polarizations of antennas for MISO communication. The control signal generator generates polarization information indicating whether antennas used for transmission by MISO have only a first polarization or have a second polarization as well as the first polarization. With this structure, the present invention allows for the use of combinations of SISO, MISO and MIMO, taking the polarization of antennas. Furthermore, the present invention enables the receiver to reduce the power consumption.
US09912392B2
The present invention relates to a wireless communication system. A method for a terminal for transmitting channel state information (CSI) in a wireless communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises the steps of: in a reporting mode for a four-antenna port, joint-encoding a rank indicator (RI) and a first precoding matrix indicator (PMI) into a single encoding value; and transmitting channel state information comprising the encoding value, wherein if RI is 1, then a codebook index may have the same value as the encoding value, and if RI is 2, then the codebook index may be less than the encoding value by 8.
US09912389B2
According to the teachings herein, a wireless device enhances uplink channel estimation at a node in a supporting wireless communication network by beamforming its uplink reference signal transmission towards the node, and correspondingly compensates for the effect of that beamforming when receiving a downlink transmission that was adapted in dependence on the uplink channel transmission. Such processing provides significant advantages in Multiple-Input-Multiple-Output, MIMO, systems that use a potentially large number of antennas for downlink MIMO transmissions and assume reciprocity between the uplink and downlink channels. In particular, uplink beamforming increases the received signal quality of the uplink reference signal used for estimating the uplink channel, while “automatic” compensation by the wireless device of the corresponding downlink transmission obviates the need for the network to know which precoder was used for uplink beamforming, or even that uplink beamforming is in use.
US09912373B1
Techniques to detect echoes using audio fingerprinting are described. In one embodiment, an apparatus may comprise a streaming component operative to establish a audio connection between the first client device and a second client device; and receive a far-end audio stream at the first client device from the second client device via the audio connection; an audio capture component operative capture a near-end audio stream at the first client device; and an echo processing component operative to compare the near-end audio stream and the far-end audio stream to determine whether a far-end audio segment is present in the near-end audio stream; and use an echo-cancellation module at the first client device where the far-end audio segment is present in the near-end audio stream. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US09912367B2
The present disclosure provides electronic devices and methods for using the electronic device. The electronic device includes: a transparent case and a transparent liquid battery. The transparent case is sealed to form a holding cavity in which the transparent liquid battery, a display screen component, a mainboard component, an accessory component and a power control component are disposed. The mainboard component is connected to the display screen component made from transparent material. The mainboard component is connected to the accessory component. The mainboard component is connected to the power control component. The electronic device is made from transparent material so that the electronic device is featured by transparency, without additionally equipping the rear cover of the electronic device with a transparent protective casing.
US09912361B2
The present invention reduces the degradation in performance of one or more radio signals that are co-transmitted with a first radio signal from the same transmitting antenna in the same frequency channel and received by the same antenna due to multipath or other shared interference, where the one or more radio signals can be separated from the first radio signal. All received signals are coupled to the same adaptive array or adaptive filter to reduce multipath or other shared interference of the first radio signal, which reduces multipath and other shared interference in the other radio signals before they are separated and processed by their respective receivers, or the individual radio signals are separated before the first signal enters the adaptive array and coupled to a slave weighting network slaved to the weights of the adaptive array of the first signal to reduce interference in all the signals.
US09912359B2
The present disclosure relates to an antenna driver circuit for an antenna associated with a motor vehicle. The antenna driver circuit may include at least one pair of output paths to at least one antenna for forming at least one oscillatory circuit composed of in each case an antenna and at least one capacitor, and a plurality of switches in the form of MOSFETs controlled by control signals in one respective oscillatory circuit with an antenna. In the respective oscillatory circuit, at least two controllable switches may be arranged in an anti-serial fashion with respect to one another in that their drain connections are connected together, and/or source connections of controllable switches are connected to one another via an antenna.
US09912358B2
A method of reducing the noise from a transmitter at an associated receiver is disclosed. Noise contributions in active channels are identified and used to update a shared noise cancellation filter. Excluding signals from inactive channels speeds up the filter convergence to a near optimal solution. Sharing a filter across multiple channels reduces component count and power consumption.
US09912355B2
In one embodiment, a distributed concatenated error correction logic is disposed on separate integrated circuit dies to facilitate efficiency. In one embodiment, an inner error correction code logic of the distributed concatenated error correction logic is disposed on an integrated circuit die of a memory circuit and an outer error correction code logic of the distributed concatenated error correction logic is disposed on an integrated circuit die of a memory controller. In one aspect, it is believed that such an arrangement may be employed to increase the usefulness of memory controllers for later generation memory circuits. Other aspects are described herein.
US09912353B1
Systems and methods are provided for generating a soft information metric corresponding to a bit stored in a memory. The systems and methods include comparing a symbol value associated with the stored bit to a plurality of decision thresholds to obtain a plurality of binary values. One of the plurality of binary values is selected to obtain a reference value. Further, a frequency metric is computed, which corresponds to the number of times each of the plurality of binary values equals a predefined value. The soft information metric is then determined based on the frequency metric and the reference value.
US09912336B2
A three-dimensional semiconductor device, comprising: a first module layer having a plurality of circuit blocks; and a second module layer positioned substantially above the first module layer, including a plurality of configuration circuits; and a third module layer positioned substantially above the second module layer, including a plurality of circuit blocks; wherein, the configuration circuits in the second module control a portion of the circuit blocks in the first and third module layers.
US09912326B2
A method for maintaining good cancelation in a passive feed-forward cancelation circuit is disclosed. The feed-forward cancelation circuit may include at least one path which may comprise a phase-shifter and a variable attenuator. This method uses the complex value of the reflection coefficient at the point where the communication device is connected to a transmission medium, such as an antenna, to determine the values for the phase shifter(s) and the variable attenuator(s).
US09912315B2
A composite electronic component includes a composite body including a common mode filter and a resistor that are coupled to each other, the common mode filter including a common mode choke coil; and a plurality of input terminals disposed on a first side surface of the composite body, a plurality of output terminals, and a ground terminal.
US09912314B2
A method of wafer scale packaging acoustic resonator devices and an apparatus therefor. The method including providing a partially completed semiconductor substrate comprising a plurality of single crystal acoustic resonator devices provided on a silicon and carbide bearing material, each having a first electrode member, a second electrode member, and an overlying passivation material. At least one of the devices to be configured with an external connection, a repassivation material overlying the passivation material, an under metal material overlying the repassivation material. Copper pillar interconnect structures are then configured overlying the electrode members, and solder bump structures are form overlying the copper pillar interconnect structures.
US09912312B2
A controller of a boost converter may be configured to dynamically adjust conditions within the boost converter by monitoring conditions in the boost converter. For example, the controller may determine an current inductance value for an inductor of the boost converter by monitoring a current through the inductor. When the inductance value of the inductor is known, a slope compensation value may be used in determining a transition time between charging the inductor of the boost converter and discharging the inductor.
US09912306B1
Provided is a power supply circuit for a wireless mobile device having a plurality of power amplification components. The power supply circuit includes: a first DC-DC converter, for providing at least one constant output voltage (which is provided to the power amplification components) and/or at least one DC intermediate voltage; a second DC-DC converter, for providing a DC component of at least one time-varying output voltage; and at least one linear amplifier. When the at least one linear amplifier receives the at least one DC intermediate voltage from the first DC-DC converter, the at least one linear amplifier provides at least one AC component of the at least one time-varying output voltage. The DC component and the at least one AC component of the at least one time-varying output voltage are combined into the at least one time-varying output voltage and provided to the power amplification components.
US09912301B2
Amplifiers can be used for a variety of electronic-based applications. Therefore, amplifier performance is of importance. A low noise amplifier can be interfaced after an antenna or a band-select filter as a first active stage, in a receiver since its bandwidth characteristics can be closely related to a system data rate. A bandwidth enhancement technique can be leverage for low noise amplifiers by embedding a transformer between a gate and a drain terminal of a common gate transistor in a cascode topology. The embedded transformer can introduce an additional high-frequency conjugate zero pair, which can push the gain rolling-off start-up point to a higher frequency, peak the higher frequency gain, and broaden the low noise amplifier gain bandwidth.
US09912300B2
Provided is a bias control circuit that includes: a reference voltage circuit that generates a reference voltage; a resistor; a temperature dependent current generating circuit that generates a temperature dependent current, which changes depending on temperature, on the basis of the reference voltage and that supplies the temperature dependent current to one end of the resistor; a reference voltage buffer circuit that applies the reference voltage to the other end of the resistor; a constant current generating circuit that generates a constant current, which is for driving the reference voltage buffer circuit, on the basis of the reference voltage and that supplies the constant current to the other end of the resistor; and a bias generating circuit that generates a bias voltage or a bias current for a power amplification circuit on the basis of the voltage at the one end of the resistor.
US09912297B2
Envelope tracking power converter circuitry is configured to receive a supply voltage and simultaneously provide two envelope tracking power supply signals, an envelope tracking power supply signal and an average power tracking power supply signal, or a single envelope tracking power supply signal with improved efficiency. When providing a single envelope tracking power supply signal, an envelope tracking power supply signal is provided to a parallel amplifier in the envelope tracking power converter circuitry to provide multiple levels of envelope tracking which improves efficiency.
US09912294B2
An amplifier includes an amplifier input and an amplifier output. A compensation network is coupled to the amplifier output. The compensation network includes at least one RC network tuned to a frequency in which the amplifier operates. The compensation network provides at least one zero to compensate for at least one pole introduced by a load coupled to the amplifier output.
US09912291B2
Embodiments of methods and systems for identifying or determining spatially resolved properties in indirect bandgap semiconductor devices such as solar cells are described. In one embodiment, spatially resolved properties of an indirect bandgap semiconductor device are determined by externally exciting the indirect bandgap semiconductor device to cause the indirect bandgap semiconductor device to emit luminescence (110), capturing images of luminescence emitted from the indirect bandgap semiconductor device in response to the external excitation (120), and determining spatially resolved properties of the indirect bandgap semiconductor device based on a comparison of relative intensities of regions in one or more of the luminescence images (130).
US09912290B2
A method of high reverse current burn-in of solar cells and a solar cell with a burned-in bypass diode are described herein. In one embodiment, high reverse current burn-in of a solar cell with a tunnel oxide layer induces low breakdown voltage in the solar cell. Soaking a solar cell at high current can also reduce the difference in voltage of defective and non-defective areas of the cell.
US09912282B2
A motor control device includes: a substrate on a heat sink; switching elements providing a power converter; a drive circuit IC having a pre-driver; a control circuit IC having a current control unit; first and second temperature detectors; and a temperature estimation unit of evaluation places. When the current control unit is halted after operation and is restarted after halt, the temperature estimation unit: stores estimated temperature and the first and second detected temperature at the halt; calculates, as an estimated gain, a ratio of a temperature difference at the halt to a temperature difference at restart; and estimates temperature at the restart based on a temperature difference obtained by multiplying a temperature difference between the first detected temperature and the estimated temperature at the halt by the estimated gain, and increased temperature.
US09912281B2
A motor driving apparatus includes a motor driving unit for converting DC voltage on a DC link into AC voltage when a switching device is turned on/off and outputting the AC voltage to an AC motor side, a gate driving circuit for turning on/off the switching device, a gate driving command generation unit for outputting either one of an ON command and an OFF command to the gate driving circuit, and an overcurrent detection unit for detecting an overcurrent with respect to a DC link current or an alternating current on the AC motor side, wherein, when the overcurrent detection unit detects the overcurrent, the gate driving command generation unit alternately outputs the ON command and the OFF command while gradually increasing a ratio of the OFF command to the ON command and ultimately outputs only the OFF command.
US09912273B2
A method for controlling an asynchronous electrical motor, implemented in a processing unit associated with a power converter connected to the electrical motor, the method including an identification phase, which includes generating a speed trajectory in input of a control law of the motor in order to make the speed reference take several determined successive values, for each value taken by the speed reference, determining the voltage at the terminals of the electrical motor, for each value taken by the speed reference, determining and storing the flux value for which the voltage at the terminals of the electrical motor is equal to a determined threshold value.
US09912272B2
According to one embodiment, there is provided a control device of a secondary excitation device which supplies a rotary machine with a voltage or current of a variable frequency. The control device includes a harmonic frequency calculation unit which calculates a frequency of a specific harmonic generated on a primary side of the rotary machine by using a slip frequency or rotation speed of the rotary machine and a carrier frequency of the secondary excitation device, and a carrier frequency correction unit which corrects the carrier frequency of the secondary excitation device such that the frequency of the specific harmonic calculated by the harmonic frequency calculation unit falls within a given band.
US09912268B2
In accordance with an embodiment, a sensor-less detection circuit is provided that includes a first voltage adjustment circuit coupled for receiving an induced voltage and a second voltage adjustment circuit coupled for receiving a common voltage. A differential amplifier has an inverting input terminal coupled to the first voltage adjustment circuit and a noninverting input terminal coupled to the second voltage adjustment circuit. In accordance with another embodiment, a method for detecting a motor rotor position is provided that includes receiving a first back electromotive force that is at a first voltage level and shifting the first back electromotive force from the first voltage level to a second voltage level. The first back electromotive force is filtered to generate a first filtered voltage; and a first motor rotor position signal is generated in response to comparing the first filtered voltage with a reference voltage.
US09912267B1
A circuit comprises a position sensing circuit to sense first and second position states of a rotating object, a first counter storing a first counter value, and a second counter storing a second counter value. The first counter value is incremented when the position states are the same, the second counter value is incremented when the position states indicate that the rotating object has rotated in a direction, and a fault is indicated when either counter value is equal to or greater than their respective limits. A method comprises sensing two position states of a rotating object, incrementing a first counter value when the position states are the same, incrementing a second counter value when the rotating object is determined, using the position states, to have rotated in a direction, and indicating a fault when either counter value is equal to or greater than their respective limits.
US09912259B2
A thyristor starting device includes: a converter which converts AC power supplied from an AC power source into DC power; a DC reactor which smooths a DC current; an inverter which converts the DC power provided from the converter into AC power, and supplies the AC power to a synchronous machine; a gate pulse generation circuit which generates a gate pulse to be provided to thyristors of the converter and the inverter; a control unit which sets a phase control angle of the gate pulse to be provided to the thyristors of the converter, by controlling a current of the converter such that the DC current flowing into the DC reactor matches a current command value; and an abnormality detection unit which compares a detection value of the DC current with the current command value, and determines an abnormality in the gate pulse based on a comparison result.
US09912258B2
An electrostatic chuck assembly, including an electrostatic chuck on which a substrate is loaded; a channel that provides a flow passage for coolant in the electrostatic chuck, the channel having a first opening at a first end corresponding to a center of the substrate and a second opening at a second end corresponding to an edge of the substrate; and a valve box to control a flow direction of the coolant in the channel, the valve box including a first supply valve to control an introduction of the coolant into the first opening; a first return valve to control a drainage of the coolant from the second opening; a second supply valve to control an introduction of the coolant into the second opening; and a second return valve to control a drainage of the coolant from the first opening.
US09912255B2
An electrostatic actuator includes: a fixed driving electrode that is disposed on a silicon substrate; a movable driving electrode that is disposed so as to face the fixed driving electrode and approaches the fixed driving electrode with an electrostatic force generated between the movable driving electrode and the fixed driving electrode; and a pair of spacers that comes in contact with the movable driving electrode in an approaching state in which the fixed driving electrode and the movable driving electrode approach each other and forms a prescribed air gap between the fixed driving electrode and the movable driving electrode, wherein each of the spacers has a spacer electrode portion that comes in contact with the movable driving electrode via an insulator and has the same potential as one of the electrodes at least in the approaching state.
US09912252B2
Provided is a pre-charge circuit and a photovoltaic inverter. The pre-charge circuit includes an alternating current power source, a half-bridge rectifier, an auxiliary charging capacitor, a current limiting device and a controllable switch. The pre-charge circuit is connected to a target charging capacitor to form a voltage doubling rectifier circuit. A direct current side of the half-bridge rectifier is connected in parallel to the target charging capacitor, and an alternating current side of the half-bridge rectifier is connected to one end of the alternating current power source. One end of the auxiliary charging capacitor is connected to any one end of the target charging capacitor, and the other end of the auxiliary charging capacitor is connected to the other end of the alternating current power source.
US09912242B2
A method for regulating an output of a power converter includes receiving a signal at a single terminal of an integrated circuit controller. The signal at the single terminal represents a line input voltage of the power converter during at least a portion of an on time of a power switch. The signal at the single terminal represents an output voltage of the power converter during at least a portion of an off time of the power switch. The power switch is switched in response to the signal to regulate the output of the power converter.
US09912235B2
A boost converter includes an input, an output, a startup circuit, a first switch, a comparator circuit, a switching circuit, a control circuit, a converter circuit, and a switch control circuit. The startup circuit boosts an input voltage up to a first output voltage. The comparator circuit outputs a first signal corresponding to the difference between the output voltage and a first reference voltage. The switching circuit outputs a second voltage based on the first signal. The control circuit outputs a second signal corresponding to the difference between the output voltage and a second reference voltage. The converter circuit boosts the input voltage based on the second signal, and outputs the output voltage. The switch control circuit generates a third signal based on the second signal, and outputs the third signal to the first switch.
US09912234B2
Systems and methods for mitigation of resistor nonlinearity errors in a power converter are provided. In at least one embodiment, the power converter comprises at least one power switch coupled to an input voltage, a pulse width modulation (PWM) circuit for generating control pulses for the at least one power switch, at least one output inductor coupled to a respective one of the at least one power switches, a current sensor coupled in parallel with the at least one output inductor, and at least one circuit element. The current sensor comprises at least one capacitor, at least one resistor for each of the at least one output inductors, and is coupled to the PWM circuit at a current bleed node. The at least one circuit element is coupled to the current bleed node and bleeds a bleed current from the current bleed node when a power switch is turned on.
US09912232B2
A combination of inductor current thresholds and circuitry for controlling the inductor based on the thresholds may be implemented in a power converter. One or more of the inductor current thresholds may be variable. An inductor current threshold may be varied as part of a search algorithm for identifying a value resulting in full scale operation of the inductor without exceeding a safe limit. After each cycle of the power converter, circuitry may determine which current thresholds have been exceeded and which have not been exceeded and then generate indication signals for each of the thresholds. Control logic may receive the indication signals and adjust one of the inductor current thresholds used to determine timing for disconnecting and reconnecting current through the inductor of the power converter.
US09912230B2
A static Voltage Ampere Voltage Reactive (VAR) comparator including: a plurality of capacitors being in a Y-connected structure and supplying three-phase alternating current power according to a switching operation; a plurality of bidirectional thyristors connected to the plurality of capacitors in serial to open and close the plurality of capacitors; and a controller, in response to power applied to the static VAR compensator, periodically applying a firing pulse signal to the plurality of bidirectional thyristors reaching to a voltage phase on which a transient current is minimized, wherein, at a point in time when first applying the firing pulse signal to one bidirectional thyristor, the controller applies simultaneously applies the firing pulse signal to the one bidirectional thyristor and other remaining bidirectional thyristors allowing a current to flow on three phases.
US09912225B2
Circuits and methods for driving a load are disclosed. An exemplary driving circuit may include first and second switching devices electrically connected with each other in parallel. The driving circuit may also include a current sensing circuit configured to generate a current sensing signal indicating a value of a current flowing through the first switching device. The current sensing signal may include an offset caused by parasitic inductance imbalance in electrical connections connecting the first and second switching devices. The driving circuit may further include a driver circuit configured to control switching operations of the first and second switching devices. The driver circuit may include an overcurrent protection circuit electrically connected to the current sensing circuit. In addition, the driving circuit may include a current sensing signal correction circuit configured to reduce the offset in the current sensing signal received by the overcurrent protection circuit during a switching transient period.
US09912215B2
A motor control device according to this invention includes a correction unit which calculates a correction coefficient for correcting the temperature of windings, based on the result of a comparison between a winding estimated temperature rise profile representing the temperature of the windings estimated by a winding temperature estimation unit and a winding actual temperature rise profile representing the temperature of the windings measured by a temperature sensor, when a motor as attached to a machine is rotated at a predetermined rotational speed, to match the winding estimated temperature rise profile with the winding actual temperature rise profile, and corrects a temperature rise estimation arithmetic expression using the correction coefficient.
US09912214B2
A machine includes a rotor and a stator that is situated adjacent the rotor. The stator includes a plurality of wire-wound phases. The phases include at least first and second wire-wound phases that differ in temperature-responsive electrical resistance. A controller is in electrical communication with the stator. The controller is configured to identify an over-temperature condition of the stator based upon the differing temperature-responsive electrical resistance and modify the operation of the stator in response to the over-temperature condition.
US09912209B2
Three controls, three variable gear assemblies, a hatch, and a variable torque and power generator (VT&PG), may be used independently and together to provide constant frequency and voltage output power and to increase the amount of output power generated with the same input water flow or wind speed. A three variable spur/helical gear assembly of sun and planetary gear sets is a mechanical three variable control and referred to herein as a Transgear™ gear assembly, simply Transgear. A hatch wraps around a waterwheel and may control the amount of water inlet to the system by opening and closing and may be controlled by Transgears and a VT&PG. Two Transgears may comprise a constant speed motor control and produce required frequency and voltage and be reduced in part count and complexity. The VT&PG of a marine hydrokinetic or wind power generator may be used as a low torque generator and a high power-rated generator in these applications and may generate more electric power than a conventional fixed power generator (the rotor axially aligned to overlap the stator in a conventional manner) over a wider input range.
US09912200B2
A processing apparatus includes a detector, a control section, and the processing section. The detector is configured to detect a position of a device which is a target of a process. The control section is configured to determine a priority of the device based on determining, using the position of the device, whether or not the device is moved according to a predetermined movement pattern. The processing section is configured to perform the process on the device based on the priority of the device.
US09912198B2
A wireless power transmission device for wirelessly transmitting power to a wireless power reception device, according to one embodiment of the present invention, comprises: a first transmission coil for transmitting power to the wireless power reception device through a magnetic field; and a second transmission coil for transmitting power to the wireless power reception device through a magnetic field and arranged on the inner side of the first transmission coil, wherein the wireless power transmission device transmits power to the wireless power reception device through one coil between the first transmission coil and the second transmission coil on the basis of a coupling state between the wireless power transmission device and the wireless power reception device.
US09912190B2
An energy supply method and device for a monitoring wireless sensor node of a roller. A node energy supply device (2) is arranged on a roller web (1). The node energy supply device (2) comprises a generator (2-1), a disc rail (2-3), an input shaft (2-4), a swing link (2-5), a swing wheel (2-8) and an energy collection module (2-10). The generator (2-1) is driven to rotate using the rotation motion of the roller, the mechanical energy is converted into electric energy by the generator (2-1), and power is supplied to a monitoring wireless sensor node by the energy collection module (2-10). After rectification, filtering and voltage stabilization are conducted on the electric energy generated by cutting a magnetic induction line when the generator (2-1) operates, the energy collection module (2-10) uses the electric energy for charging an internal battery of the monitoring wireless sensor node. When the roller operates, the swing wheel (2-8) will keep vertically downward because of the gravity action thereof, thereby rotating relative to the input shaft (2-4) of the generator (2-1) to drive the generator (2-1) to operate. The present invention has the advantages of simple structure without manual operations, and energy saving and environmental protection.
US09912185B2
A method for managing the lifetime of a battery is disclosed herein. An ambient temperature is measured near a battery. The ambient temperature rises above a first threshold and, in response to detecting that the ambient temperature has risen above the first threshold, the battery is discharged. A battery system and a device operable with a battery are also disclosed.
US09912183B2
A jump starter unit for starting large vehicles and other equipment using jumper cable at lengths up to fifty (50) feet. The jump starter includes a high output (200-300 amp) alternator and a large (2000 Farad) capacitor. The alternator is also used to maintain the capacitor's charge when the boost charge is not needed. The alternator and capacitor are integrated into an electrical system that includes an electronic control and a plurality of relays that provide the various charging and boost functions of the unit. In certain embodiments, the jump starter unit may take the form of a portable or mobile self contained apparatus having its own combustion to drive the high output alternator. In other embodiments, the jump starter unit may be integrated into a service vehicle, such as a tow truck or utility vehicle, and utilize the vehicle's engine to drive the jump starter's high output alternator.
US09912181B2
A system to recharge a battery including a first current-voltage source to generate a first signal, a second current-voltage source to generate a second signal, a first inductor-capacitor circuit to generate the first DC current-voltage signal using the first signal, a second inductor-capacitor circuit to generate the second DC current-voltage signal using the second signal, wherein the first and second inductor-capacitor circuits are spaced apart by a predetermined distance. The system also includes a temperature sensor adapted to generate temperature data during the charging operation, and control circuitry configured to: (i) determine whether the first temperature data is out-of-specification, and (ii) generate one or more control signals to adjust the first and second DC current-voltage signals, in response to the first temperature data being out-of-specification.
US09912180B2
A charge device for controlling an abnormal charge request is provided. The charge device includes a controller that interrupts a charge path, when power is applied and that determines whether a charge request is an abnormal charge request through a detour charge path and that controls to maintain interruption of the charge path, if the charge request is an abnormal charge request. The controller may be further configured to interrupt the detour charge path, in response to determining that the charge request is a normal charge request; connect the charge path; and supply a charge current to the charge path.
US09912179B2
A charging station with a suction base may comprise a suction cup apparatus and a base portion, and the suction cup apparatus has a shell which further comprises a U-shaped slot formed at a lateral portion thereof. The U-shaped slot comprises two side walls, an inner wall and a bottom wall to receive the base portion through an engaging portion of the base portion. The base portion further has a placing portion which comprises a first blocking portion and a second blocking portion to provide a firm placing space for a 3C product both when charging and not charging.
US09912178B2
Rechargeable battery systems and rechargeable battery system operational methods are described. According to one aspect, a rechargeable battery system includes a plurality of rechargeable battery modules coupled between a plurality of terminals, wherein the rechargeable battery modules individually comprise a plurality of rechargeable battery cells and charge balancing circuitry configured to implement, for individual ones of the rechargeable battery modules, first charge balancing operations with respect to the rechargeable battery cells of individual ones of the rechargeable battery modules, and to implement second charge balancing operations with respect to the rechargeable battery modules.
US09912175B2
A universal battery harvester which harvests energy from a plurality of different batteries and stores the harvested energy in an onboard storage battery under control of a microprocessor.
US09912172B2
An apparatus for wirelessly transferring power comprises a first coil having a first winding path and a second winding path. The apparatus comprises a holder configured to hold the first coil and the second coil in a predetermined winding pattern. Each of the first and second winding paths comprise a plurality of successive winding groups. In each of the plurality of successive winding groups, at least a portion of each winding of consecutive windings is disposed on top of an immediately previous winding on the holder for a predetermined number of windings. Each of the successive winding groups of the first winding path is disposed along an outer perimeter of an immediately previous winding group and each of the successive winding groups of the second winding path is disposed along an inner perimeter of an immediately previous winding group.
US09912170B2
A wireless power feed system with high transfer efficiency of electric power is disclosed. The wireless power feed system includes a power feeding device and a power receiving device, wherein the power feeding device includes a first electromagnetic coupling coil that is connected to an AC power source via a directional coupler; a first resonant coil; a switch connected to the opposite ends of the first resonant coil; a control circuit which conducts switching on/off of the switch based on a parameter of an amplitude of a reflective wave detected by the directional coupler; and an analog-digital converter provided between the first electromagnetic coupling coil and the control circuit; and the power receiving device includes a second resonant coil; and a second electromagnetic coupling coil, and wherein the first electromagnetic coupling coil is provided between the first resonant coil and the second resonant coil.
US09912164B2
One embodiment provides an apparatus. The apparatus includes a plurality of storage elements coupled in series. The storage elements are to capture and store energy received from a plurality of sources. The apparatus further includes a balancer coupled to the plurality of storage elements. The balancer is to balance energy drawn from each storage element.
US09912163B2
The present invention relates to a circuit arrangement for mitigating power quality issues. It offers protection to sensitive devices against, for example, voltage sags and swells. The system introduces, for loads connected to an AC power source (e.g. a TV in a home connected to the power grid) a DC power source coupled to a controllable inverter and a controllable switching mechanism. By switching to a series configuration, the DC power source (e.g. a photovoltaic power source) can either draw or supply power in order to mitigate a power quality issue. In normal operation, by switching to a parallel configuration the DC power source can feed the load.
US09912161B2
A photovoltaic power plant includes solar cells and inverters that convert direct current generated by the solar cells to alternating current. The reactive powers generated by the inverters are based on a reactive power generated by a virtual inverter. The virtual inverter has an equivalent impedance representing the impedances of the inverters in the photovoltaic power plant. The reactive power setpoints of the inverters may be received from a local interpreter. The local interpreter may generate the reactive power setpoints from a global reactive power setpoint generated by a grid controller.
US09912153B2
A method for controlling the ratio between injected and extracted electric energy in an electric energy supply grid with a number of grid participants, which are selected from a group including producers, consumers, and storage devices, with at least two of the group being included. A grid state variable is used as a control variable, the value of said variable depending on the ratio between inserted and extracted electric energy and being ascertainable from the grid by the grid participants. The invention is characterized in that a number of grid participants ascertain the grid state variable from the grid and use said variable at least indirectly to control the grid in a decentralized manner based on a respective specific grid participant behavior.
US09912149B2
Lighting and surge protection circuitry for protection of a differential pair includes a diode bridge circuit having a first pair and a second pair of connections to the diode bridge circuit, with the first pair of connections configured to be coupled to a pair of differential inputs of a functional circuit and a first diode coupled between the second pair of connections; and second and third diodes coupled between the first pair of connections and ground. The lighting and surge protection circuitry also includes a diode pair coupled between an output of the functional circuit being protected and power and ground terminals and a small resistance in series with the output of the functional circuit.
US09912148B2
A current limiter system includes a superconducting fault current limiter (SCFCL) operative to conduct load current during a normal operation state in which the SCFCL is in a superconducting state. The current limiter system also includes a shunt reactor connected in an electrically parallel fashion to the SCFCL and configured to conduct less current than the SCFL in the normal operation state, and a protection switch connected in electrical series with the SCFCL and shunt reactor and configured to disconnect the SCFCL for a predetermined time from a load current path during a fault condition after fault current exceeds a threshold current value.
US09912146B1
A method and a device for suppressing a common-mode voltage of an inverter AC cable relative to ground are provided. A control unit generates a control signal according to a voltage of the AC side of the inverter. A switch unit connects or disconnects the discharge unit with ground or reference ground in response to the control signal. A discharge unit discharges the common-mode voltage of the inverter AC cable relative to ground when the switch unit is turned on. Therefore, during maintenance of the inverter when the AC switch is turned off, the common-mode voltage of the AC cable relative to ground can be discharged without using the isolated sampling solution in the conventional technology which has a high implementation cost and has a high requirement on the insulation class of the components, thereby avoiding the risk of electric shock to the maintenance technician.
US09912141B2
A fault current limiter arrangement for a low, medium and high voltage electricity grid, including a fault current limiter unit which is arranged in line with a circuit breaker unit including a fixed electrical contact which is connected to a lower electrical terminal and a movable electrical contact which is connected to an upper electrical terminal, in order to interrupt the current flow after the fault current limiter unit has limited the current flow in a detected fault event. The fault current limiter unit includes a movable electrical sliding contact part which is electrically arranged between the upper electrical terminal of the circuit breaker unit and the movable electrical contact of the circuit breaker unit, and which is movable between a short circuit position adjacent to the upper electrical terminal and a remote position far from the upper electrical terminal for providing a maximum electrical resistance for the current flow.
US09912140B2
A power cable termination device for a high voltage direct current gas-insulated switchgear including: an outer housing made of an electrically conducting material, connectable to the switchgear; a terminal portion of a power cable, the power cable including an electrical conductor, a circumferential electrically insulating layer, and a circumferential conductive shield which is stripped off along a first part of the power cable; an electric field grading system including a resistive field grading material layer arranged circumferentially around the power cable to axially cover the edge of the conductive shield where the conductive shield is terminated, the resistive field grading material layer being in electrical contact therewith, and a connection device connectable to the gas-insulated switchgear and arranged to provide mechanical support and electrical contact with the gas-insulated switchgear.
US09912133B1
In-wall mountable housings include a back, top, bottom and laterally opposing first and second sidewalls that form an interior compartment. The sidewalls, top and bottom terminate at a front of the housing. The housing also includes first and second tabs attached to each of the first and second sidewalls. The first and the second tabs have one side that is integrally attached to the first or second sidewalls and three sides that are detached or detachable therefrom so that the first and second tabs can pivot outward to be perpendicular to the sidewalls. When not used, the tabs are flush with the sidewalls or angle inward into the housing. The first tab pivots outward to be spaced apart a first defined distance from the front of the housing and the second tab pivots outward to be spaced apart a second defined distance from the front of the housing.
US09912132B2
A shielded conduction path that makes it possible to reduce the diameter of a portion where a braided wire is fixed to a pipe. The shielded conduction path includes a pipe that has a shielding function, reduced diameter portions that are formed in the outer circumference of the pipe, braided wires that have a shielding function and are arranged such that the base end portions thereof envelop the outer circumference of the reduced diameter portions, crimp rings that are arranged so as to envelop the outer circumference of the base end portions of the braided wires and fix the braided wires to the reduced diameter portions, and a conduction path main body that is inserted into the pipe and into the braided wires.
US09912128B2
The present disclosure relates to a circuit breaker positioning system and method including a circuit breaker casing and circuit breaker cell for connecting and disconnecting a circuit breaker to an external electrical circuit. The circuit breaker positioning system includes a motion system for receiving a rotational force from an external source and translating the rotational force into a displacement of the casing relative to the cell.
US09912126B2
An insulator is rendered less breakable. A spark plug insulator is a tube-shaped spark plug insulator having a through hole extending in a direction of an axial line. The spark plug insulator contains alumina as a main component and mullite at at least part of the insulator. Mullite is contained in only an inner circumferential surface of the tube-shaped spark plug insulator and in at least part of the inner circumferential surface of the spark plug insulator in an area extending toward a distal end from a portion having a largest outer diameter.
US09912125B2
A spark plug includes an insulator, a center electrode, a metallic shell, and a ground electrode. The insulator contains not less than 90.0 mass % and not greater than 98.1 mass % of Al2O3 with respect to a total mass of elements, as reduced to oxides, contained in the insulator, and has a porosity not greater than 5%. Assuming that a porosity of the insulator after a heat treatment is B, a difference (B−A) of the porosities before and after the heat treatment is not greater than 3.5%. In the heat treatment, the insulator is placed in a furnace, and a temperature in the furnace is increased from a room temperature to 1400° C. at a temperature increase rate of 7° C./min and is held at 1400° C. for 30 minutes, and thereafter, the temperature is decreased from 1400° C. to 400° C. at a temperature decrease rate of 10° C. or less per 5 minutes and is decreased to the room temperature.
US09912118B2
Semiconductor laser with mirror facet protection against degradation including a modified segment near the exit window that has a double waveguide with a reduced confinement factor compared with the confinement factor of the double waveguide of the main laser segment, such that the radiation at the exit facet in the modified double waveguide is pushed away from the active region, less radiation is absorbed at the facet and less heat is produced by nonradiative recombination at the exit facet, while the field distribution of the two double waveguides have a good overlap and low transfer losses due to the use of waveguide type structures with an active waveguide and a passive trapping waveguide.
US09912116B2
A burst optical signal transmission device which includes a light source for generating and outputting burst signal light, a light source driving circuit for outputting, to the light source, a driving signal for switching between an output time and a stop time of the burst signal light, based on a burst control signal, and a pre-emphasis circuit for outputting a pre-emphasis control signal for superimposing an additional signal for charging a capacitor included in the light source, onto the driving signal, at a timing in the vicinity of the beginning of the burst control signal.
US09912110B2
A coaxial cable connector for coupling a coaxial cable to an electronic component includes a body, a post in the body, and a coupling nut mounted for movement on the post. A continuity member is disposed radially between the post and the coupling nut, and an electrical continuity is established and maintained among the coupling nut, the continuity member, and the post. The electrical continuity is maintained in a radial direction only, regardless of the tightness of the coupling nut on the post, and regardless of compression of the continuity member beyond a pre-loaded compression.
US09912103B2
An information handling system includes a processor and receptacle module. The processor to receive a request to safely remove a hardware component coupled to the information handling system, to execute a safely remove process, and to send a latch release signal in response to the process being completed. The receptacle module including a receptacle, a latch, and a component. The latch is biased in a first position with a hook of the latch being located within a notch of the receptacle. The latch to rotate from the first position to a second position in response to a plug being inserted into the receptacle, and to snap back to the first position in response to the plug being fully inserted into the receptacle. The component to continually exert a first force on the latch to move the latch to the second position while the latch release signal is received.
US09912091B1
A terminal module A includes a plurality of terminal fittings (30) each including a horizontal plate-like connecting portion (31) and a wire connecting portion (35) extending rearward from the plate-like connecting portion (31), a locking wall (38) rising from a front end edge of the plate-like connecting portion (31) and including a locking hole (42), and an insulating case (10) including accommodating portions (11) configured to individually accommodate the plurality of terminal fittings (30). Each accommodating portion (11) includes a receiving portion (23) configured such that a wire connecting portion (35) is to be placed thereon, a front panel (13) facing the locking wall (38), a locking projection (16) formed on the front panel (13) so that a locking hole (42) is to be locked thereto, and a support (22) facing the plate-like connecting portion (31) from behind.
US09912079B2
A distributed broadband, omni-dual-band monopole antenna system for use in a Wi-Fi access point. The distributed omni-dual-band antenna system may include an antenna array that includes 4, 6, or 8 monopole antennas arranged in a circular array fashion along the perimeter of the access point. Each monopole antenna may be associated with a single Wi-Fi radio of the access point, and each of the antennas for the different radios are interleaved in order to provide omni-coverage with minimal distortion; that is, each antenna of the access point is alternated with antennas for different radios. A broadband printed omni-dual-band monopole antenna comprising three horizontal radiating elements arranged in an S-shape and a single vertical radiating element connected to the bottom-most horizontal radiating element is also disclosed.
US09912075B1
The invention relates to a method for automatically adjusting a plurality of tunable passive antennas and a multiple-input-port and multiple-output-port tuning unit. The invention also relates to an apparatus for radio communication using this method. An apparatus for radio communication of the invention comprises: 4 tunable passive antennas; a multiple-input-port and multiple-output-port tuning unit having 4 input ports and 4 output ports; 4 sensing units; 4 feeders; a transmission and signal processing unit, which applies 4 excitations to the input ports, one and only one of the excitations being applied to each of the input ports, and which delivers one or more antenna adjustment instructions and one or more tuning unit adjustment instructions; and a control unit, which delivers one or more antenna control signals to the tunable passive antennas, and which delivers one or more tuning control signals to the multiple-input-port and multiple-output-port tuning unit.
US09912072B1
A radio frequency (RF) module may comprise: (a) a substrate including a plurality of integral waveguides formed therein, each of the plurality of waveguides orthogonally-oriented with respect to the one or more adjacent waveguides; and (b) a plurality of antenna radiator elements attached to the dielectric substrate and oriented such that a pair of antenna radiator elements is electrically coupled to each waveguide. Each of the integral waveguides is electrically coupled to electrical circuitry of the RF module.
US09912068B2
According to one embodiment, an antenna apparatus includes a waveguide is formed one or more first array elements and one or more second array element, each of the one or more first array elements being formed at a position where a coupling power ratio is no less than a threshold and including a first slot and at least one reflection suppressing element which suppresses a reflection from the first slot, each of the one or more second array elements being formed at a position where the coupling power ratio is less than the threshold and including a second slot and a third slot, the coupling power ratio indicating a ratio of an electric power supplied to each of the first and second array element to an electric power of electromagnetic wave radiated from the each of the first and second array element.
US09912064B2
A segmented radio antenna that uses electrically conductive quick connect/disconnect devices between segments to accomplish a conversion from efficiency on one band to efficiency on another band AND/OR to convert quickly and easy between center-fed and end-fed (or a variety of feed-point configurations).The innovative use of flexible wire segments and connectors reduces the overall weight and cost of the antenna when compared to the use of traps or telescoping antennas.
US09912062B1
Electronic devices may include substrates with integrated circuit traces. For example, a component of an electronic device may include a substrate with one or more circuit traces formed on the substrate. A support structure may be embedded in the substrate at a location proximate to at least a part of a circuit trace of the one or more circuit traces. A connector may be affixed to at least the support structure and at least a portion of the part of the circuit trace. This disclosure also describes techniques for assembling substrates with circuit traces and embedded support structures.
US09912054B2
An antenna array, in particular a traveling-wave antenna array, has an adjustable radiation pattern, having an antenna element that has a first feed terminal at one end of the antenna element and a second feed terminal at another end of the antenna element; a signal generation unit that is configured for generating a feed signal and for providing a feed signal at the first feed terminal of the antenna element and at the second feed terminal of the antenna elements; at least one signal conditioning unit that is electrically configured between the signal generation unit and one of the feed terminals and that is configured for matching the amplitude and/or the phase of the corresponding feed signal to a specified radiation pattern. Also described is a corresponding method.
US09912053B2
Multi-directional antenna apparatuses, which may include phased array antennas and/or arrays of multiple antennas, and methods for operating these directional antennas. In particular, described herein are apparatuses configured to operate as an access point (AP) for communicating with one or more station devices by assigning a particular directional beam to each access point, and communicating with each station device using the assigned directional beam at least part of the time. Methods and apparatuses configured to optimize the assignment of one or more directional beam and for communicating between different station devices using assigned directional beams are described. Also described are methods of connecting a radio device to an antenna by connecting a USB connector on the radio device to a USB connector on an antenna and identifying the antenna based on a voltage of the ground pin on the antenna's USB connector.
US09912041B1
Antenna carriers with magneto-dielectric material and beam-shaping elements for enhanced performance and radiation safety of electronic devices are described. One electronic device includes a housing, an antenna element disposed on an antenna carrier, and a printed circuit board (PCB) disposed within the housing, the printed circuit board including radio frequency (RF) circuitry. The antenna carrier can be made up of a plastic cap, a ground plane, and a magneto-dielectric substrate with both dielectric and magnetic properties. The plastic cap is disposed at a first side of the housing and the magneto-dielectric substrate is disposed on a top surface of the plastic cap. The antenna element is disposed on a bottom surface of the magneto-dielectric substrate and electrically coupled to the RF circuitry. The antenna element radiates electromagnetic energy in a resonant mode and the magnetic property of the magneto-dielectric material increase efficiency, frequency bandwidth, or both.
US09912035B2
A retaining and anchoring device forming a retaining and anchoring section on a metal plate on a reflector includes a recess provided in the metal plate. The recess has on an upper face of the metal plate a peripheral edge or edge sections spaced apart from one another. An undercut or several undercut sections are formed below the peripheral edge or the edge sections. The recess is free of bores or passages. A locking device prevents unintentional removal of a snap-on mechanism from the recess beyond an edge section or plural edge sections which cover the undercut section(s).
US09912029B2
A waveguide assembly for propagating electromagnetic signals includes first and second dielectric waveguides and a shield. Each of the first and second dielectric waveguides includes a cladding formed of a first dielectric material. The cladding defines a core region therethrough that is filled with a second dielectric material different than the first dielectric material. The shield is disposed between the first dielectric waveguide and the second dielectric waveguide. The shield is electrically conductive. The shield does not surround an entire perimeter of either of the first dielectric waveguide or the second dielectric waveguide.
US09912023B1
A battery pack for an electric vehicle is disclosed. The battery pack includes an upper tray, a first busbar attached to the upper tray, a lower tray, and a second busbar attached to the lower tray. The battery pack also includes a plurality of battery cells arranged in the upper and lower trays, and a cooling duct mechanically connecting the lower tray to the upper tray.
US09912022B2
The invention is directed to systems and methods for the recycling of lithium ion batteries or the like. The system methods include comminution and destruction of used batteries, controlling the explosive reaction of the battery components during processing, and processing the materials into a suitable form for sampling and recycling.
US09912017B1
An intelligent battery optimization management and equalization system that also monitors all cells within a battery. The system will ensure all cells are charged to maximum capacity, discharges the full capacity of each cell, perform equalization of charges between all the cells, manages and monitors each cell within a battery pack.
US09912015B2
A power system that authenticates multiple battery packs to allow for power transfer between the battery packs and an external load system may include a plurality of modular battery packs, each of which may include a first housing, a plurality of battery cells enclosed in the first housing, a first interface for authentication communication, and a second interface that transmits power from the plurality of battery cells. The power system may also include a second housing configured to removably receive the plurality of modular battery packs, and a processing system that is configured to exchange authentication information with the plurality of modular battery packs through the respective first interfaces, wherein the respective second interfaces are only enabled to transmit power when the authentication information is validated.
US09912010B2
An electrolytic solution for a lithium battery includes a lithium salt, an organic solvent; a disultone-based compound represented by Formula 1, and a non-polar unsaturated group-containing cyclic carbonate-based compound: wherein, in Formula 1, A1 to A4 are each independently a substituted or unsubstituted C1-C5 alkylene group, a carbonyl group, or a sulfinyl; n1 to n4 are each independently an integer 1 to 3, and when n1 to n4 are each independently two or greater, a respective plurality of any of A1s to A4s are identical to or different from each other. When the lithium battery includes the electrolyte solution, room-temperature and high-temperature lifespan characteristics of the lithium battery may improve.
US09912009B2
In various embodiments an improved binder composition, electrolyte composition and a separator film composition using discrete carbon nanotubes. Their methods of production and utility for energy storage and collection devices, like batteries, capacitors and photovoltaics, is described. The binder, electrolyte, or separator composition can further comprise polymers. The discrete carbon nanotubes further comprise at least a portion of the tubes being open ended and/or functionalized. The utility of the binder, electrolyte or separator film composition includes improved capacity, power or durability in energy storage and collection devices. The utility of the electrolyte and or separator film compositions includes improved ion transport in energy storage and collection devices.
US09912005B2
A method of manufacturing a curved secondary battery, the method including preparing a flat secondary battery such that the flat secondary battery includes an electrode assembly and a pouch accommodating the electrode assembly; primary shaping the secondary battery such that the primary shaping includes disposing the flat secondary battery in a first jig, and pressing the flat secondary battery to form a primarily-shaped secondary battery such that the primarily-shaped secondary battery has a first curvature radius; secondary shaping the secondary battery such that the secondary shaping includes disposing the primarily-shaped secondary battery in a second jig, and pressing the primarily-shaped secondary battery to form a secondarily-shaped secondary battery having a second curvature radius; and maintaining the secondarily-shaped secondary battery after forming thereof in the second jig for a predetermined time period.
US09912003B2
A fuel cell stack includes: a cell stack structure formed by stacking a plurality of cells; a pair of current collectors; a pair of end members; and a fastener band wrapped around a cell stack formed by stacking the cell stack structure, the pair of current collectors, and the pair of end members. Each of the pair of end members includes a plurality of plate members. The plate members have a same arched shape in which a height from a surface to contacting a corresponding one of the pair of current collectors gradually increases toward a center portion from both ends, and are disposed in parallel while being apart from each other in a width direction of the fastener band. Adjacent plate members are coupled to each other through a bendable coupling member at part of facing surfaces.
US09911995B2
A fuel cell voltage monitor (12a, 12b, 40, 140, 440) detects and may respond to, a problematic operating condition at or near a fuel cell (10) or within a subset (n) of fuel cells, as in a fuel cell stack assembly (110). Two or more co-planar, spaced voltage leads or contacts in a fuel cell plane, as at a separator plate, detect the presence of a voltage difference within the plate/plane as an indication of an operating problem at or near the fuel cell. Placement of such arrangements of at least two spaced voltage leads at various subset intervals (n), of fuel cells in a stack assembly allow monitoring for such problems throughout the stack assembly, either by analysis of voltage difference between co-planar leads at respective individual fuel cells or by comparison of voltage differences between aligned pairs of voltage leads at opposite ends of a subset.
US09911994B2
A fuel supply system for a fuel cell is described. One embodiment of the fuel supply system includes a fuel supply vessel; a fuel spending line in fluid communication with the fuel supply vessel and the fuel cell; a piezoelectric injector in fluid communication with the fuel spending line; and a pressure sensor connected to the fuel spending line and positioned between the fuel supply vessel and the fuel cell. A method for controlling the pressure to a fuel cell is also described.
US09911990B2
A fuel cell stack includes a stack including a plurality of unit cells, which is stacked on one another in a predetermined direction, first and second end plates disposed on opposing ends of the stack, and a supply line disposed on a first surface of the first end plate to supply fuel or air to the plurality of unit cells, where an insertion hole is defined in a second surface of the first end plate to be adjacent to the supply line, and the second surface of the first end plate is substantially perpendicular to the first surface of the first end plate.
US09911976B2
The present invention relates to a negative electrode active material for a secondary battery, a conductive composition for a secondary battery, a negative electrode material including the same, a negative electrode structure and secondary battery including the same, and a method for manufacturing the same. The present invention includes: a silicon particle; and an amorphous surface layer formed on the surface of the silicon particle. According to the present invention, the negative electrode structure is formed of a composite of a silicon particle and carbon or lithium ion, the oxygen contents of the solid electrolyte and silicon particles are low, and thus aggregation of silicon particles is inhibited. Therefore, in the event of using the negative electrode structure in a negative electrode, a power storage device such as a lithium secondary battery may have high energy density, high output density, and a longer charging/discharging life cycle.
US09911970B2
An improved method of making a cathode for use in a lithium ion battery is comprised of mixing a lithium metal oxide and lithium metal phosphate in a solvent, where both of these are comprised of primary particles that have been agglomerated into secondary particles of particular size and mixing is insufficient to break up the particles of the lithium metal phosphate, coating the mixture of step (A) on to a metal foil and removing the solvent to form the cathode. The lithium metal oxide is also desirably not broken either. The cathode may be one that has lithium metal oxide and a particular lithium metal phosphate wherein the majority of the metal is Mn.
US09911966B2
A battery cell having a first switching member switchable between a first position and a second position, wherein in the first position of the first switching member, a first electrode of the battery stack is being connected to a first terminal of the battery cell. In the second position of the first switching member the first electrode is being separated from the first terminal. The battery cell may further comprise a control unit in order to control a switching of the first switching member. Optionally there may be a second switching member providing a bypass between the second electrode and the first terminal, once the first terminal is being separated from the first electrode in response to a critical state of the battery cell.
US09911959B2
A multilayer porous membrane comprising a porous membrane containing a polyolefin resin as a main component; and a porous layer containing an inorganic filler and a resin binder and laminated on at least one surface of the porous membrane; wherein the porous membrane has an average pore size d=0.035 to 0.060 μm, a tortuosity τa=1.1 to 1.7, and the number B of pores=100 to 500 pores/μm2, which are calculated by a gas-liquid method, and the porous membrane has a membrane thickness L=5 to 22 μm.
US09911955B2
A method for producing a porous polyimide film comprises: forming a first un-burned composite film wherein the first film is formed on a substrate using a first varnish that contains (A1) a polyamide acid or a polyimide and (B1) fine particles at a volume ratio (A1):(B1) of from 19:81 to 45:65; forming a second un-burned composite film wherein the second film is formed on the first film using a second varnish that contains (A2) a polyamide acid or a polyimide and (B2) fine particles at a volume ratio (A2):(B2) of from 20:80 to 50:50 and has a lower fine particle content ratio than the first varnish; burning wherein an un-burned composite film composed of the first film and the second film is burned, thereby obtaining a polyimide-fine particle composite film; and a fine particle removal step wherein the fine particles are removed from the polyimide-fine particle composite film.
US09911951B2
A battery module includes a housing including a first interior surface, a second interior surface opposite the first interior surface, and a compressed cell assembly disposed within an interior space of the housing between the first and second interior surfaces. The compressed cell assembly includes a plurality of prismatic battery cells arranged in a cell stack that includes a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a retaining wall disposed between the first end of the cell stack and the first interior surface of the housing. The retaining wall includes a first surface in contact with the first end of the cell stack and a second surface opposite the first surface that contacts the first interior surface of the housing. The first and second interior surfaces are configured to maintain the compressed cell assembly in a compressed state having a compression force above a predetermined threshold.
US09911939B2
An organic light emitting display (OLED) device can include a substrate on which first to third light emitting portions are defined, first electrodes respectively positioned on the first to third light emitting portions, a first stack formed on the first electrodes and including first, second and third light emitting layers corresponding to the first, second and third light emitting portions, respectively, an N-type charge generation layer (CGL) positioned on the first stack, a transition metal oxide layer positioned on the N-type CGL, a second stack positioned on the transition metal oxide layer and including fourth, fifth and sixth light emitting layers corresponding to the first, second and third light emitting portions, respectively, and a second electrode positioned on the second stack.
US09911936B2
A light-emitting element having high emission efficiency which includes a fluorescent material as a light-emitting substance is provided. A light-emitting element includes a pair of electrodes and an EL layer between the pair of electrodes. The EL layer includes a light-emitting layer. The light-emitting layer includes a host material and a guest material. The host material has a difference of more than 0 eV and less than or equal to 0.2 eV between a singlet excitation energy level and a triplet excitation energy level. The guest material is capable of emitting fluorescence. The triplet excitation energy level of the host material is higher than a triplet excitation energy level of the guest material.
US09911930B2
A compound including a ligand having the formula: is disclosed. In these formulas, each R1, R2, and R3 is independently selected from hydrogen, alkyl, and aryl; at least one of R1 and R2 is a branched alkyl containing at least 4 carbon atoms, where the branching occurs at a position further than the benzylic position; where R1 and R3 are mono-, di-, tri-, tetra-, or no substitutions; and R2 is mono-, di-, or no substitutions. Heteroleptic iridium complexes including such compounds, and devices including such compounds are also disclosed.
US09911928B2
A new class of blue emissive complexes are described. The compounds comprise pyridyl benzimidazole ligands with twisted aryl groups for improved color.
US09911922B2
The present invention discloses an organic compound is represented by the following formula(1), the organic EL device employing the organic compound as fluorescent emitting guest shown deep blue color(CIEy=0.09˜0.12)and display good performance. wherein A, m and R1 to R3 are the same definition as described in the present invention.
US09911920B2
A compound is represented by Chemical Formula 1: X1-T-X2 wherein T is a substituted or unsubstituted fused thiophene moiety, and each of X1 and X2 are independently an organic group including an alkenylene group and an electron withdrawing group.
US09911916B2
In order to form a phase change thin film being flat in a nanometer level and having a good coverage, which is essential for realizing a three-dimensional ultra-high integrated phase change memory, an equipment for vapor phase growth of a phase change thin film is provided which form a phase change thin film at low temperature while the film is being kept in a completely amorphous state. A structure is provided in which an ammonia cracker is connected to a reactor of the equipment for vapor phase growth for a nitrogen radical obtained by decomposing ammonia gas. Consequently, low temperature decomposition of metal organic precursor and film formation on a substrate surface are realized. With the use of this equipment, it is possible to realize a completely amorphous film which has a flat surface at a low temperature of 135° C. using an amine complex as a Ge precursor.
US09911909B2
A method for fabricating a thermoelectric material comprising providing an initial feedstock of silicon metal particulates, providing an extracting liquid to extract oxidants from the silicon metal particulates, combining the silicon metal particulates and the extracting liquid into a mixture and milling said mixture, withdrawing at least a portion of the milled mixture, within the withdrawn portion of the milled mixture, separating milled silicon metal particulates from the extracting liquid, and mixing the milled silicon metal particulates with a dopant to form a thermoelectric material.
US09911905B2
A method of producing an optoelectronic component includes providing a substrate with an optoelectronic semiconductor chip arranged on a surface of the substrate; providing a mask having a lower layer and an upper layer, wherein the lower layer has a lower opening and the upper layer has an upper opening, which openings jointly form a continuous mask opening, and the lower opening has a larger area than the upper opening; arranging the mask above the surface of the substrate such that the lower layer faces the surface of the substrate and the mask opening is arranged above the optoelectronic semiconductor chip; spraying a layer onto the optoelectronic semiconductor chip through the mask opening; and removing the mask.
US09911902B2
A semiconductor light-emitting device includes a first conductivity-type semiconductor including a first electrode on a first main surface, a second conductivity-type semiconductor, and an active layer between a second main surface of the first conductivity-type semiconductor and a first main surface of the second conductivity-type semiconductor. Protrusions are disposed in at least part of a region of a second main surface of the second conductivity-type semiconductor facing the first electrode. A second electrode is disposed in at least part of a region of the second main surface of the second conductivity-type semiconductor except the region having the protrusions. The protrusions containing a dielectric material protrude from the second main surface of the second conductivity-type semiconductor in a direction away from the active layer and are separated by intervals longer than the wavelength of light emitted from the active layer in the medium of the protrusions.
US09911900B2
A profiled surface for improving the propagation of radiation through an interface is provided. The profiled surface includes a set of large roughness components providing a first variation of the profiled surface having a characteristic scale approximately an order of magnitude larger than a target wavelength of the radiation. The set of large roughness components can include a series of truncated shapes. The profiled surface also includes a set of small roughness components superimposed on the set of large roughness components and providing a second variation of the profiled surface having a characteristic scale on the order of the target wavelength of the radiation.
US09911881B2
A thin-film optoelectronic module device (100) and design method comprising at least three monolithically-interconnected cells (104, 106, 108) where at least one monolithically-interconnecting line (250) depicts a spatial periodic or quasi-periodic wave and wherein the optoelectronic surface of said thin-film optoelectronic module device (100) presents at least one set of at least three zones (210, 220, 230) having curves of substantially parallel monolithic interconnect lines. Border zones (210, 230) have a lower front-contact sheet resistance than that of internal zone (220). Said curves of substantially parallel interconnecting lines may comprise peaks of triangular or rounded shape, additional spatial periods that are smaller than a baseline period, and mappings from one curve to the adjacent curve such as in the case of non-rectangular module devices (100). The device (100) and design method are advantageous to reduce costs and materials to manufacture thin-film optoelectronic module devices (100) while increasing production yield, reliability, aesthetic appearance, and range of applications.
US09911876B2
Disclosed is a solar cell module that comprises a solar cell including a first electrode and a second electrode on one main surface thereof, a wiring member electrically connected to the solar cell, and a resin adhesive layer bonding the solar cell and the wiring member to each other. Each of the first and second electrodes includes finger parts extending in one direction. The wiring member includes an insulating substrate, and a wiring disposed on the insulating substrate, and electrically connected to the finger parts of the first or second electrode. The resin adhesive layer includes an adhesive layer body made of a resin, and a conductive member disposed in the adhesive layer. A portion of the conductive member digs into at least one of the finger parts and the wiring.
US09911874B2
A solar cell can include a substrate and a semiconductor region disposed in or above the substrate. The solar cell can also include a contact finger coupled to the semiconductor region via a plurality of weld regions with at least one of the weld regions being a partial weld.
US09911871B1
A photovoltaic module includes colorized reflective photovoltaic cells that act as pixels. The colorized reflective photovoltaic cells are arranged so that reflections from the photovoltaic cells or pixels visually combine into an image on the photovoltaic module. The colorized photovoltaic cell or pixel is composed of a set of 100 to 256 base color sub-pixel reflective segments or sub-pixels. The color of each pixel is determined by the combination of base color sub-pixels forming the pixel. As a result, each pixel can have a wide variety of colors using a set of base colors, which are created, from sub-pixel reflective segments having standard film thicknesses.
US09911867B2
Integrated circuits, nonvolatile memory (NVM) structures, and methods for fabricating integrated circuits with NVM structures are provided. An exemplary integrated circuit includes a substrate and a dual-bit NVM structure overlying the substrate. The dual-bit NVM structure includes primary, first adjacent and second adjacent fin structures laterally extending in parallel over the substrate. The primary fin structure includes source, channel and drain regions. Each adjacent fin structure includes a program/erase gate. The dual-bit NVM structure further includes a first floating gate located between the channel region of the primary fin structure and the first adjacent fin structure and a second floating gate located between the channel region of the primary fin structure and the second adjacent fin structure. Also, the dual-bit NVM structure includes a control gate adjacent the primary fin structure.
US09911849B2
A first aspect of the invention provides for a transistor. The transistor may include a gate stack on a substrate; a channel under the gate stack within the substrate; a doped source and a doped drain on opposing sides of the channel, the doped source and the doped drain each including a dopant, wherein the dopant and the channel together have a first coefficient of diffusion and the doped source and the doped drain each have a second coefficient of diffusion; and a doped extension layer substantially separating each of the doped source and the doped drain from the channel, the doped extension layer having a third coefficient of diffusion, wherein the third coefficient of diffusion is greater than the first coefficient of diffusion.
US09911848B2
A vertical transistor includes a source-channel-drain structure, a gate and a gate dielectric layer. The source-channel-drain structure includes a source, a drain over the source and a channel between the source and the drain. The gate surrounds a portion of the channel. The gate is configured to provide compressive strain substantially along an extending direction of the channel when the vertical transistor is an n-channel vertical transistor, or the gate is configured to provide tensile strain substantially along the extending direction of the channel when the vertical transistor is a p-channel vertical transistor. In some embodiments, the vertical transistor further includes an ILD configured to provide tensile strain substantially along an extending direction of the channel when the vertical transistor is an n-channel vertical transistor, or configured to provide compressive strain substantially along an extending direction of the channel when the vertical transistor is a p-channel vertical transistor.
US09911843B2
A parasitic capacitance and a leak current in a nitride semiconductor device are reduced. For example, a 100 nm-thick buffer layer made of AlN, a 2 μm-thick undoped GaN layer, and 20 nm-thick undoped AlGaN having an Al composition ratio of 20% are epitaxially grown in this order on, for example, a substrate made of silicon, and a source electrode and a drain electrode are formed so as to be in ohmic contact with the undoped AlGaN layer. Further, in the undoped GaN layer and the undoped AlGaN layer immediately below a gate wire, a high resistance region, the resistance of which is increased by for example, ion implantation with Ar or the like, is formed, and a boundary between the high resistance region and an element region is positioned immediately below the gate wire.
US09911838B2
An IGBT die structure includes an auxiliary P well region. A terminal, that is not connected to any other IGBT terminal, is coupled to the auxiliary P well region. To accelerate IGBT turn on, a current is injected into the terminal during the turn on time. The injected current causes charge carriers to be injected into the N drift layer of the IGBT, thereby reducing turn on time. To accelerate IGBT turn off, charge carriers are removed from the N drift layer by drawing current out of the terminal. To reduce VCE(SAT), current can also be injected into the terminal during IGBT on time. An IGBT assembly involves the IGBT die structure and an associated current injection/extraction circuit. As appropriate, the circuit injects or extracts current from the terminal depending on whether the IGBT is in a turn on time or is in a turn off time.
US09911827B2
A process for manufacturing a Schottky barrier field-effect transistor is provided. The process includes: providing a structure including a control gate and a semiconductive layer positioned under the gate and having protrusions that protrude laterally with respect to the gate; anisotropically etching at least one of the protrusions by using the control gate as a mask, so as to form a recess in this protrusion, this recess defining a lateral face of the semiconductive layer; depositing a layer of insulator on the lateral face of the semiconductive layer; and depositing a metal in the recess on the layer of insulator so as to form a contact of metal/insulator/semiconductor type between the deposit of metal and the lateral face of the semiconductive layer.
US09911825B2
Semiconductor devices and methods for forming the devices with spacer chamfering. One method includes, for instance: obtaining a wafer with at least one source, at least one drain, and at least one fin; forming at least one sacrificial gate with at least one barrier layer; forming a first set of spacers adjacent to the at least one sacrificial gate; forming at least one second set of spacers adjacent to the first set of spacers; and etching to remove a portion of the first set of spacers above the at least one barrier layer to form a widened opening. An intermediate semiconductor device is also disclosed.
US09911813B2
A semiconductor device includes a first region having a first semiconductor material and a second region having a second semiconductor material. The second region is formed over the first region. The semiconductor device also includes a current blocking structure formed in the first region between first and second terminals of the semiconductor device. The current blocking structure is configured to reduce current flow in the first region between the first and second terminals.
US09911802B2
A method for manufacturing a display device, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept, includes forming a semiconductor of a transistor on a substrate, forming a gate insulating layer on the semiconductor, forming a control electrode and a first pad on the gate insulating layer, forming an interlayer insulating layer on the control electrode and the first pad, forming a first photosensitive film on the interlayer insulating, forming a plurality of first contact holes and a second contact hole by etching the interlayer insulating layer using the first photosensitive film patterns as a mask, removing a first portion of the interlayer insulating layer, forming a metal layer on the interlayer insulating layer, forming a second photosensitive film pattern on the metal layer, forming an input electrode and an output electrode, and removing the second photosensitive film pattern and a second portion of the interlayer insulating layer.
US09911796B2
A display device, which includes a plurality of unit pixels, includes a plurality of first electrodes respectively corresponding to the plurality of unit pixels, an insulating layer which includes a plurality of through holes, a light emitting element layer, and a second electrode. Each of the plurality of through holes have inner surfaces including a forwardly tapered surface, which is inclined in a direction of enlarging the apertures toward a light emitting direction, and a reversely tapered surface, which is inclined in a direction of reducing the apertures toward the light emitting direction. The forwardly tapered surface is formed between the unit pixels arranged side by side in the first direction. The reversely tapered surface is formed between the unit pixels arranged side by side in the second direction.
US09911787B2
A semiconductor device includes an active region defining an isolation region. First and second cell interconnection structures are on the active region and the isolation region, and have line shapes that are parallel to each other. An isolation pattern is on the active region and the isolation region. The isolation pattern is between the first and second cell interconnection structures. Contact structures are between the first and second cell interconnection structures. The contact structures are at both sides of the isolation pattern and overlap the active region. Insulating patterns are between the first and second cell interconnection structures. The insulating patterns are at both sides of the isolation pattern and overlap the isolation region. Common source regions are under the first and second cell interconnection structures. The common source regions are in the active region. An isolating gate pattern that has a line shape is under the isolation pattern.
US09911781B2
Photosensitive devices and associated methods are provided. In one aspect, for example, a photosensitive imager device can include a semiconductor substrate having multiple doped regions forming at least one junction, a textured region coupled to the semiconductor substrate and positioned to interact with electromagnetic radiation, and an electrical transfer element coupled to the semiconductor substrate and operable to transfer an electrical signal from the at least one junction. In one aspect, the textured region is operable to facilitate generation of an electrical signal from the detection of infrared electromagnetic radiation. In another aspect, interacting with electromagnetic radiation further includes increasing the semiconductor substrate's effective absorption wavelength as compared to a semiconductor substrate lacking a textured region.
US09911777B2
An image sensor includes a semiconductor substrate, a first pair of photoelectric conversion regions in a first pixel region of the substrate and a first isolation structure between the photoelectric conversion regions of the first pair of photoelectric conversion regions. The sensor further includes a second pair of photoelectric conversion regions in a second pixel region of the substrate adjacent the first pixel region and a second isolation structure between the photoelectric conversion regions of the second pair of photoelectric conversion regions and having different optical properties than the first isolation structure. First and second different color filters (e.g., green and red) may be disposed on respective ones of the first and second pixel regions.
US09911775B2
An image sensor includes a substrate including a pixel array region and a logic region where a surface of the pixel array region is higher than a surface of the logic region, and a light shielding pattern formed over the substrate of the logic region and having a surface on substantially the same plane as a surface of the substrate.
US09911765B2
A thin film transistor (TFT) located on a thin film transistor substrate includes a first insulating film formed so as to cover a gate electrode, a channel layer that is formed at a position on the first insulating film overlapping the gate electrode and formed of an oxide semiconductor, a second insulating film formed on the channel layer, and a third insulating film formed so as to cover the second insulating film. A source electrode and a drain electrode are formed on the third insulating film. Each of the source electrode and the drain electrode is connected to the channel layer through the corresponding one of contact holes penetrating the second insulating film and the third insulating film.
US09911762B2
A display device is provided, which includes a substrate structure containing a substrate with a pixel region, and the pixel region includes an aperture region. A metal oxide semiconductor transistor is disposed over the substrate and includes a metal oxide semiconductor layer with a first channel region, a first gate electrode corresponding to the first channel region, and a silicon oxide insulating layer on the metal oxide semiconductor layer. The silicon oxide insulating layer includes an opening corresponding to the aperture region. A polysilicon transistor is disposed over the substrate. The display device also includes an opposite substrate structure, and a display medium between the substrate structure and the opposite substrate structure.
US09911760B2
A thin film transistor substrate including a second electrode connected to a first electrode within a shared contact hole; and a fourth electrode connected to a third electrode within the shared contact hole, wherein the shared contact hole penetrates through a plurality of stacked insulating layers, and wherein an insulating layer below at least one of a connection portion in which the first electrode and the second electrode are connected and a connection portion in which the third electrode and the fourth electrode are connected has an undercut structure within the shared contact hole.
US09911758B2
A display substrate, a display device and a method to identify a display device are provided. The display substrate comprises a display region and a periphery region. The periphery region comprises a plurality of first bonding pads electrically connected to metal wires disposed at the display region and a plurality of second bonding pads including at least two identification bonding pads. The at least two identification bonding pads are electrically connected to voltage-level signal lines respectively, and are labeled with identify information according to voltage-level signals provide by the voltage-level signal lines.
US09911752B2
According to one embodiment, a semiconductor memory device includes a semiconductor substrate, a stacked body provided on the semiconductor substrate and including a plurality of electrode films being disposed to be separated from each other along a vertical direction, a first semiconductor member provided inside the stacked body and contacting the semiconductor substrate, a second semiconductor member provided on the first semiconductor member inside the stacked body, contacting the first semiconductor member and extending in the vertical direction, and an insulating film provided between the second semiconductor member and the electrode films. A configuration of a contact surface between the first semiconductor member and the second semiconductor member is convex downward.
US09911751B2
A manufacturing method for a semiconductor device includes forming a first stacked structure, forming a first hole penetrating the first stacked structure, forming a reflective metal pattern in the first hole, filling an etch stop layer in the first hole and over the reflective metal pattern, forming a second stacked structure over the first stacked structure, and forming a second hole penetrating the second stacked structure to expose the etch stop layer.
US09911745B2
A vertically integrated circuit device can include a substrate having a first region reserved for first functional circuits of the vertically integrated circuit device, where the first functional circuits has a substantially constant top surface level across the first region and having a second region reserved for second functional circuits of the vertically integrated circuit device and spaced apart from the first region. The second functional circuits can have a varied top surface level across the second region. A doped oxidation suppressing material can be included in the substrate and can extend from the first region to the second region at an interface of the substrate with the first functional circuits and the second functional circuits, respectively.
US09911744B2
An SRAM cell structure. In one embodiment, a bit cell first level contacts formed at a first and a second CVdd node, a first and a second CVss node, at a bit line node, at a bit line bar node, at a data node and at a data bar node; and second level contacts formed on each of the first level contacts at the first and second CVdd nodes, the first and second CVss nodes, the bit line node and the bit line bar node; wherein the first level contacts formed at the data node and the data bar node do not have a second level contact formed thereon. In another embodiment, a word line is formed and bit lines and a CVdd and a CVss line are formed overlying the SRAM cell and coupled to the corresponding ones of the nodes. Methods are disclosed for forming the cell structure.
US09911742B2
A method for forming a semiconductor structure includes sequentially providing a semiconductor substrate having NFET regions and NFET regions; forming an insulation layer on the semiconductor substrate; forming a sacrificial layer on the insulation layer; forming first trenches in the PFET regions, and second trenches in the NFET regions; forming a third trench on the bottom of each of the first trenches and the second trenches; forming a first buffer layer in each of the first trenches and the second trenches by filling the third trenches; forming a first semiconductor layer on each of the first buffer layers in the first trenches and the second teaches; removing the first semiconductor layers in the second trenches; forming a second buffer layer with a top surface lower than the insolation layer in each of second trenches; and forming a second semiconductor layer on each of the second buffer layers.
US09911741B2
Silicon fins are formed in a bulk silicon substrate and thereafter trench isolation regions are formed between each silicon fin. The silicon fins in nFET and pFET device regions are then recessed. A relaxed silicon germanium alloy fin portion is formed on a topmost surface of each recessed silicon fin portion or on exposed surface of the substrate. A compressively strained silicon germanium alloy fin portion is formed on each relaxed silicon germanium alloy fin portion within the pFET device region, and a strained silicon-containing fin portion is formed on each relaxed silicon germanium alloy fin portion within the nFET device region. Sidewall surfaces of each compressively strained silicon-containing germanium alloy fin portion and each tensile strained silicon-containing fin portion are then exposed. A functional gate structure is provided on the exposed sidewall surfaces of each compressively strained silicon-containing germanium alloy fin portion and each tensile strained silicon-containing fin portion.
US09911735B2
A FinFET device and method for fabricating a FinFET device is disclosed. An exemplary device includes a fin structure formed over a semiconductor substrate. The fin structure includes a source region and a drain region that include a first material layer disposed over the semiconductor substrate, a second material layer disposed over the first material layer, and a third material layer disposed over the second material layer. The first, second, and third material layers are different from each other. The fin structure also has a channel defined between the source and drain regions. The channel includes the first material layer disposed over the semiconductor substrate and the second semiconductor material layer disposed over the first material layer.
US09911734B2
A semiconductor structure with a MISFET and a HEMT region includes a first III-V compound layer. A second III-V compound layer is disposed on the first III-V compound layer and is different from the first III-V compound layer in composition. A third III-V compound layer is disposed on the second III-V compound layer is different from the second III-V compound layer in composition. A source feature and a drain feature are disposed in each of the MISFET and HEMT regions on the third III-V compound layer. A gate electrode is disposed over the second III-V compound layer between the source feature and the drain feature. A gate dielectric layer is disposed under the gate electrode in the MISFET region but above the top surface of the third III-V compound layer.
US09911733B2
A semiconductor device, including a semiconductor substrate, a plurality of trenches formed on a front surface of the semiconductor substrate, a plurality of gate electrodes formed in the trenches, a base region and an anode region formed between adjacent trenches respectively in first and second element regions of the semiconductor substrate, a plurality of emitter regions and contact regions selectively formed in the base region, an interlayer insulating film covering the gate electrodes, first and second contact holes penetrating the interlayer insulating film, a plurality of contact plugs embedded in the first contact holes, a first electrode contacting the contact plugs and contacting the anode region via the second contact hole, a collector region and a cathode region formed on a back surface of the semiconductor substrate respectively in the first and second element regions, and a second electrode contacting the collector region and the cathode region.
US09911731B2
A power circuit is described that includes a semiconductor body having a common substrate and a Gallium Nitride (GaN) based substrate. The GaN based substrate includes one or more GaN devices adjacent to a front side of the common substrate. The common substrate is electrically coupled to a node of the power circuit. The node of the power circuit is at a particular potential that is equal to, or more negative than, a potential at one or more load terminals of the one or more GaN devices.
US09911727B2
A memory circuit includes a first memory cell and a second memory adjacent to the first memory cell. The first memory cell includes a first word line strapping line segment electrically coupled with a pass device of the first memory cell; and a second word line strapping line segment. The second memory cell includes a first word line strapping line segment; and a second word line strapping line segment electrically coupled with a pass device of the second memory cell. The first word line strapping line segment of the first memory cell and the first word line strapping line segment of the second memory cell are connected with each other at a first interconnection layer. The second word line strapping line segment of the first memory cell and the second word line strapping line segment of the second memory cell are connected with each other at the first interconnection layer.
US09911726B2
In one embodiment, the disclosure relates to a system of stacked and connected layers of circuits that includes at least one pair of adjacent layers having very few physical (electrical) connections. The system includes multiple logical connections. The logical interconnections may be made with light transmission. A majority of physical connections may provide power. The physical interconnections may be sparse, periodic and regular. The exemplary system may include physical space (or gap) between the a pair of adjacent layers having few physical connections. The space may be generally set by the sizes of the connections. A constant flow of coolant (gaseous or liquid) may be maintained between the adjacent pair of layers in the space.
US09911718B2
Methods and apparatuses relate generally to a packaged microelectronic device for a package-on-package device (“PoP”) with enhanced tolerance for warping. In one such packaged microelectronic device, at least one redistribution layer includes first interconnect pads on a lower surface and second interconnect pads on an upper surface of the at least one redistribution layer. Interconnect structures are on and extend away from corresponding upper surfaces of the second interconnect pads. A microelectronic device is coupled to an upper surface of the at least one redistribution layer. A dielectric layer surrounds at least portions of shafts of the interconnect structures. The interconnect structures have upper ends thereof protruding above an upper surface of the dielectric layer a distance to increase a warpage limit for a combination of at least the packaged microelectronic device and one other packaged microelectronic device directly coupled to protrusions of the interconnect structures.
US09911714B2
A lead frame includes adjacent die pads which lie adjacent to each other; grounding leads extended from the adjacent die pads; a connecting bar by which the grounding leads extended from the adjacent die pads are interconnected. The grounding leads and the connecting bar are formed to be thinner at one surface than a maximum thickness of leads of the lead frame, the grounding leads extended from the adjacent die pads are aligned on a common axis while providing the connecting bar between the grounding leads, and a support projection is provided at the one surface on the connecting bar in the common axis.
US09911709B1
A semiconductor device includes a first semiconductor die, a second semiconductor die and a plurality of supporting structures. The first semiconductor die includes a plurality of first bumps disposed adjacent to a first active surface thereof. The second semiconductor die includes a plurality of second bumps disposed adjacent to a second active surface thereof. The second bumps are bonded to the first bumps. The supporting structures are disposed between the first active surface of the first semiconductor die and the second active surface of the second semiconductor die. The supporting structures are electrically isolated and are disposed adjacent to a peripheral region of the second active surface of the second semiconductor die.
US09911707B2
An integrated circuit structure includes a substrate, and a first metal layer over the substrate. The integrated circuit structure further includes a second insulating layer over the first metal layer, the second insulating layer having a damascene opening and two via openings. The damascene opening has a first depth. The two via openings have a second depth greater than the first depth. The integrated circuit structure further includes a stress buffer having a flat upper surface extending from a first side of the stress buffer to a second side of the stress buffer, the first side and second side being parallel, the stress buffer having a thickness between the upper surface of the stress buffer and the first metal layer, the thickness being less than the second depth and greater than the first depth. The integrated circuit structure further includes a second metal layer over the stress buffer.
US09911698B1
A semiconductor device is provided which comprises a metal interconnect structure having a metal alloy capping layer formed within a surface region of the metal interconnect structure, as well as methods for fabricating the semiconductor device. For example, a method comprises forming a metal interconnect structure in a dielectric layer, and applying a surface treatment to a surface of the metal interconnect structure to form a point defect layer in the surface of the metal interconnect structure. A metallic capping layer is then formed on the point defect layer of the metal interconnect structure, and a thermal anneal process is performed to convert the point defect layer into a metal alloy capping layer by infusion of metal atoms of the metallic capping layer into the point defect layer. The resulting metal alloy capping layer comprises an alloy of metallic materials of the metal capping layer and the metal interconnect structure.
US09911692B2
Conductive structures include a plurality of conductive steps and a contact extending at least partially therethrough in communication with at least one of the plurality of conductive steps and insulated from at least another one of the conductive steps. Devices may include such conductive structures. Systems may include a semiconductor device and a stair step conductive structure having a plurality of contacts extending through a step of the stair step conductive structure. Methods of forming conductive structures include forming contacts in contact holes formed through at least one conductive step of a conductive structure. Methods of forming electrical connections in stair step conductive structures include forming contacts in contact holes formed through each step of the stair step conductive structure.
US09911687B2
A device comprises a package component comprising a plurality of bumps formed on a first side of the package component, a semiconductor die mounted on the first side of the package component, a dielectric material formed over the first side of the package component, wherein four corners of the top surface of the package component are free from the dielectric material and a top package bonded on the first side of the package component, wherein the semiconductor die is located between the top package and the package component.
US09911683B2
The film for back surface of flip-chip semiconductor according to the present invention is a film for back surface of flip-chip semiconductor to be formed on a back surface of a semiconductor element having been flip-chip connected onto an adherend, wherein a tensile storage elastic modulus at 23° C. after thermal curing is 10 GPa or more and not more than 50 GPa. According to the film for back surface of flip-chip semiconductor of the present invention, since it is formed on the back surface of a semiconductor element having been flip-chip connected onto an adherend, it fulfills a function to protect the semiconductor element. In addition, since the film for back surface of flip-chip semiconductor according to the present invention has a tensile storage elastic modulus at 23° C. after thermal curing of 10 GPa or more, a warp of the semiconductor element generated at the time of flip-chip connection of a semiconductor element onto an adherend can be effectively suppressed or prevented.
US09911676B2
Improved methods and systems for passivating a surface of a high-mobility semiconductor and structures and devices formed using the methods are disclosed. The method includes providing a high-mobility semiconductor surface to a chamber of a reactor and exposing the high-mobility semiconductor surface to a gas-phase chalcogen precursor to passivate the high-mobility semiconductor surface.
US09911674B2
Apparatus, and methods of manufacture thereof, in which a molding compound is formed between spaced apart microelectronic devices. The molding compound comprises micro-filler elements. No boundary of any of the micro-filler elements is substantially parallel to a substantially planar surface of the molding compound, or to a substantially planar surface of any of the microelectronic devices.
US09911672B1
A semiconductor device including an integrated circuit, a plurality of conductive pillars, and a protection layer is provided. The integrated circuit includes a semiconductor substrate and an interconnection structure covering the semiconductor substrate, wherein the interconnection structure includes a plurality of patterned conductive layers and a plurality of inter-dielectric layers stacked alternately, the topmost patterned conductive layer of the patterned conductive layers is covered by the topmost inter-dielectric layer of the inter-dielectric layers, and the topmost patterned conductive layer is exposed by a plurality of openings of the topmost inter-dielectric layer. The conductive pillars are disposed on the topmost patterned conductive layer exposed by the openings, and the conductive pillars are electrically connected to the topmost patterned conductive layer through the openings. The protection layer covers the integrated circuit and the conductive pillars. A method for fabricating the semiconductor device and a method for fabricating integrated fan-out packages including the semiconductor device are also provided.
US09911670B1
An integrated circuit, in the form of a wafer, die, or chip, includes multiple standard cell-compatible fill cells, configured to enable non-contact electrical measurements. Such fill cells include mesh pads that contain at least three conductive stripes disposed between adjacent gate stripes. Such fill cells further include geometry to enable non-contact evaluation of via opens and/or resistances.
US09911655B2
A method of dicing a wafer may include forming a plurality of active regions in a wafer, each active region including at least one electronic component, the active regions extending from a first surface of the wafer into the wafer by a height and being separated by separation regions, forming at least one trench in the wafer by plasma etching in at least one separation region from the first surface of the wafer. The at least one trench is extending into the wafer farther than the plurality of active regions. The method may further include processing a remaining portion of the wafer in the separation region to separate the wafer into individual chips.
US09911653B2
Semiconductor device interconnect structures having low capacitance and associated systems and methods are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method of manufacturing an interconnect structure includes forming an opening in a surface of a semiconductor device and forming an interconnect structure at least within the opening. Forming the interconnect structure includes depositing a first insulator material on both the surface and a sidewall of the opening, selectively removing a first portion of the first insulator material on the surface over a second portion of the first insulator material on the sidewall, depositing a second insulator material on the second portion, and depositing a conductive material on the second insulator material. The method further includes selecting the thickness of the first and second insulators materials based on a threshold level of capacitance between the sidewall and the conductive material.
US09911649B1
Wafers, chips, or dies that contain fill cells with structures configured to obtain in-line data via non-contact electrical measurements (“NCEM”). Such NCEM-enabled fill cells may target/expose a variety of open-circuit, short-circuit, leakage, or excessive resistance failure modes, and may include NCEM pads that comprise a mesh of GATECNT and AACNT stripes. Such wafers, chips, or dies may include Designs of Experiments (“DOEs”), comprised of multiple NCEM-enabled fill cells, in at least two variants, all targeted to the same failure mode(s).
US09911648B2
A method for forming at least one Ag or Ag based alloy feature in an integrated circuit, including providing a blanket layer of Ag or Ag based alloy in a multi-layer structure on a substrate. The method further includes providing a hard mask layer over the blanket layer of Ag or Ag based alloy. The method further includes performing an etch of the blanket layer of Ag or Ag based alloy, wherein a portion of the blanket layer of Ag or Ag based alloy that remains after the etch forms one or more conductive lines. The method further includes forming a liner that surrounds the one or more conductive lines. The method further includes depositing a dielectric layer on the multi-layer structure.
US09911647B2
A method for forming conductive lines on a wafer comprises forming a first hardmask, a planarizing layer, a second hardmask, a layer of sacrificial mandrel material on the second hardmask, and patterning a mask on the layer of sacrificial material. A first sacrificial mandrel and a second sacrificial mandrel and a gap are formed. A layer of spacer material is deposited in the gap. Portions of the first sacrificial mandrel and the second sacrificial mandrel are removed, and exposed portions of the second hardmask, the planarizing layer and the first hardmask are removed to expose portions of the insulator layer. The second hardmask, the spacers, and the planarizing layer are removed. Exposed portions of the insulator layer are removed to form a trench in the insulator layer, and the trench is filled with a conductive material.
US09911646B2
Embodiments of the present disclosure are a method of forming a semiconductor device and methods of patterning a semiconductor device. An embodiment is a method of forming a semiconductor device, the method including forming a first hard mask layer over a semiconductor device layer, forming a set of mandrels over the first hard mask layer, and forming a first spacer layer over the set of mandrels and the first hard mask layer. The method further includes forming a second spacer layer over the first spacer layer, patterning the first spacer layer and the second spacer layer to form a mask pattern, and patterning the first hard mask layer using the mask pattern as a mask.
US09911639B2
A composite substrate 10 is formed by bonding together a piezoelectric substrate 12 and a support substrate 14 that has a lower thermal expansion coefficient than the piezoelectric substrate. The support substrate 14 is formed by directly bonding together a first substrate 14a and a second substrate 14b at a strength that allows separation with a blade, the first and second substrates being formed of the same material, and a surface of the first substrate 14a is bonded to the piezoelectric substrate 12, the surface being opposite to another surface of the first substrate 14a bonded to the second substrate 14b.
US09911620B2
Methods of selectively etching silicon nitride on a semiconductor substrate by providing silicon to the plasma to achieve high etch selectivity of silicon nitride to silicon-containing materials are provided. Methods involve providing silicon from a solid or fluidic silicon source or both. A solid silicon source may be upstream of a substrate, such as at or near a showerhead of a process chamber, or in a remote plasma generator. A silicon gas source may be flowed to the plasma during etch.
US09911613B2
A method of fabricating a memory device is described. Generally, the method includes forming a channel from a semiconducting material overlying a surface of a substrate, and forming dielectric stack on the channel. A first cap layer is formed over the dielectric stack, and a second cap layer including a nitride formed over the first cap layer. The first and second cap layers and the dielectric stack are then patterned to form a gate stack of a device. The second cap layer is removed and an oxidation process performed to form a blocking oxide over the dielectric stack, wherein the oxidation process consumes the first cap layer. Other embodiments are also described.
US09911604B1
Disclosed are methods of using a lithography-lithography-etch (LLE) technique to form a sidewall spacer pattern for patterning a target layer. In the methods, a photoresist layer is patterned by performing multiple lithographic processes with different photomasks, including a first photomask with a first pattern of parallel bars separated by spaces and a second photomask with a second pattern of opening(s) oriented in an essentially perpendicular direction as compared to the bar(s). The photoresist layer is then developed, creating a third pattern. The third pattern is transferred into a mandrel layer below to form mandrels of different lengths. Then, sidewall spacers are formed on the mandrels and the mandrels are selectively removed to form the sidewall spacer pattern. This sidewall spacer pattern is subsequently used in a sidewall image transfer (SIT) process to pattern a target layer below.
US09911600B2
A method for fabricating a III-nitride semiconductor body that includes high temperature and low temperature growth steps.
US09911599B2
A device includes a substrate, a buffer layer, a nanowire, a gate structure, and a remnant of a sacrificial layer. The buffer layer is above the substrate. The nanowire is above the buffer layer and includes a pair of source/drain regions and a channel region between the source/drain regions. The gate structure surrounds the channel region. The remnant of the sacrificial layer is between the buffer layer and the nanowire and includes a group III-V semiconductor material.
US09911598B2
The present disclosure relates to semiconductor structures and, more particularly, to a symmetric tunnel field effect transistor and methods of manufacture. The structure includes a gate structure including a source region and a drain region both of which comprise a doped VO2 region.
US09911597B2
A method including forming an oxygen gettering layer on one side of an insulating layer of a deep trench capacitor between the insulating layer and a substrate, the oxygen gettering layer including an aluminum containing compound, and depositing an inner electrode on top of the insulating layer, the inner electrode including a metal.
US09911590B2
Method of deposition on a substrate of a dielectric film by introducing into a reaction chamber a vapor of a precursor selected from the group consisting of Zr(MeCp)(NMe2)3, Zr(EtCp)(NMe2)3, ZrCp(NMe2)3, Zr(MeCp)(NEtMe)3, Zr(EtCp)(NEtMe)3, ZrCp(NEtMe)3, Zr(MeCp)(NEt2)3, Zr(EtCp)(NEt2)3, ZrCp(NEt2)3, Zr(iPr2Cp)(NMe2)3, Zr(tBu2Cp)(NMe2)3, Hf(MeCp)(NMe2)3, Hf(EtCp)(NMe2)3, HfCp(NMe2)3, Hf(MeCp)(NEtMe)3, Hf(EtCp)(NEtMe)3, HfCp(NEtMe)3, Hf(MeCp)(NEt2)3, Hf(EtCp)(NEt2)3, HfCp(NEt2)3, Hf(iPr2Cp)(NMe2)3, Hf(tBu2Cp)(NMe2)3, and mixtures thereof; and depositing the dielectric film on the substrate.
US09911589B2
A processor controlled induction RF fluorescent lamp, where the control processor runs a load control algorithm at least for switching the electrical load for connection to an external dimming device, the lamp comprising a vitreous envelope filled with an ionizable gas mixture; a power coupler comprising at least one winding of an electrical conductor; and an electronic ballast providing appropriate voltage and current to the power coupler.
US09911585B1
A mass spectrometry method comprises: acquiring a series of survey mass spectra of first-generation ions generated from a sample; acquiring a series of fragment-ion mass spectra, each being a record of a respective set of fragment-ion species generated by fragmentation of a respective subset of the first-generation ions within a respective mass-to-charge isolation range; adjusting mass spectrometer operational parameters used to acquire a later one of the survey mass spectra based on results of an earlier one of the survey mass spectra; dividing the acquired series of fragment-ion mass spectra into a first group wherein an appearance of a fragment-ion species correlates with the appearance of a first-generation ion species observed in a survey mass spectrum and a second group wherein no obvious correlation is observed between fragment-ion species and first-generation ion species; and mathematically processing the spectra of the first and second groups by different mathematical procedures.
US09911583B1
An apparatus has a primary cathode configured for free space interaction with a substrate operative as an anode. A first annular cathode faces a second annular cathode. The primary cathode, the first annular cathode, the second annular cathode are axially aligned. The outer diameters of the first annular cathode and the second annular cathode correspond to the outer diameter of the primary cathode. The primary cathode provisions deposited material on the substrate with controllable plasma density to levels above 1×1018 m−3, with ignition capability above 0.05 Pa.
US09911579B2
Embodiments of showerheads having a detachable gas distribution plate are provided herein. In some embodiments, a showerhead for use in a semiconductor processing chamber may include a base having a first side and a second side opposing the first side; a gas distribution plate disposed proximate the second side of the base, wherein the gas distribution plate is formed from a material having an electrical resistivity between about 60 ohm-cm to 90 ohm-cm; a clamp disposed about a peripheral edge of the gas distribution plate to removably couple the gas distribution plate to the base; and a thermal gasket disposed in a gap between the base and gas distribution plate.
US09911568B2
A metal jet x-ray tube is proposed, that is affected less than conventional tubes by the problem of the power density at the point of incidence of the electron beam on the anode component. To this end, the metal jet x-ray tube provides a metal jet as an anode component that is so thin that this metal jet only partly decelerates an electron beam incident thereon. Moreover, the metal jet of the anode component is at least embedded or dissolved in a single second material that passes electrons relatively well and is heat absorbing.
US09911562B2
An actuator for a mechanical switch, a mechanical switch, a circuit breaker and a high voltage power transmission system including such an actuator are disclosed. The actuator includes at least one armature and a first primary coil with turns wound around a central coil axis, where the armature is movable along the central coil axis and there is a magnetic flux concentrator provided at least around the first primary coil.
US09911547B2
An electric storage device having a multilayer body in which a separator layer is provided between a positive or negative first electrode and a second electrode of the opposite polarity to the first electrode, an electrolyte, and a package that holds the multilayer body and the electrolyte, and includes at least two first-polarity compound sheets, each configured by integrating a first-polarity collector electrode, a first-polarity active material layer provided on one main surface of the first-polarity collector electrode, and a separator layer that covers at least part of the one main surface. Another main surface of the first-polarity collector electrode in one of the at least two first-polarity compound sheets and another main surface of the first-polarity collector electrode in another of the first-polarity compound sheets are opposed to each other and joined via a joining layer. The joining layer contains a high-polymer having imide coupling in its main chain.
US09911546B2
A current collector which is suitable for discharging and charging at a large current density is provided. The present invention provides a current collector including a conductive substrate and a conductive resin layer provided on one side or both sides of the conductive substrate. The conductive resin layer contains a soluble nitrocellulose-based resin and a conductive material.
US09911533B2
A capacitor is provided with a case having a receptacle with an expandable section that allows the receptacle to extend axially when internal pressure builds within the case as a result of a fault. Terminals are mounted on the cover and electrically connected to the electrodes of a capacitor element through an interrupter plate, via leads. The plate is attached to the section of the case that extends under pressure, whereby the plate is drawn away from the cover, thereby breaking the electrical connections to the terminal. The plate may also work in conjunction with a cover that expands outward in response to internal pressure, to provide a second pressure interrupter mechanism.
US09911531B2
A common mode filter includes a substrate; an insulating layer disposed on the substrate and including coil patterns, the insulating layer having a cavity disposed in a central portion therein; and a magnetic particle-resin composite layer including a core part filling the cavity and a cover part covering the insulating layer. The core part contains fine magnetic particles having an average particle diameter of 30 μm or less, and the cover part contains the fine magnetic particles having the average particle diameter of 30 μm or less and coarse magnetic particles having an average particle diameter greater than that of the fine magnetic particles.
US09911530B2
A coil component includes: a coil part including a first coil layer and a second coil layer disposed above the first coil layer, wherein the first coil layer includes a first insulating layer having a first opening pattern and a first conductive layer disposed in the first opening pattern, and the second coil layer includes a second insulating layer having a second opening pattern, a seed layer covering inner side surfaces and a lower surface of the second opening pattern, and a second conductive layer disposed in the second opening pattern.
US09911519B2
Provided are a paste for contacts and a solar cell using the same. The paste for contacts includes Al powder, glass frit, inorganic binder, and P-type oxidation containing I group elements.
US09911516B2
A cooling system for spent nuclear fuel may include a device configured to generate electricity using energy emitted from the spent nuclear fuel. The cooling system may be configured to use the electricity when cooling the spent nuclear fuel. A cask for storage, transport, or storage and transport of spent nuclear fuel may include the cooling system and a container configured to hold the spent nuclear fuel. A method for cooling spent nuclear fuel may include generating electricity using energy emitted from the spent nuclear fuel, and using the electricity in a cooling system for the spent nuclear fuel when cooling the spent nuclear fuel.
US09911508B2
A processor includes a cache memory having a plurality of entries. Each of the entries holds data of a cache line, a state of the cache line and a tag of the cache line. The cache memory includes an engine comprising one or more finite state machines. The processor also includes an interface to a bus over which the processor writes back modified cache lines from the cache memory to the system memory in response to encountering an architectural writeback and invalidate instruction. The processor also invalidates the state of the entries of the cache memory in response to encountering the architectural writeback and invalidate instruction. In response to being instructed to perform a cache diagnostic operation, for each entry of the entries, the engine writes the state and the tag of the entry on the bus and does not invalidate the state of the entry.
US09911507B2
A semiconductor device includes a memory region suitable for providing a plurality of read data in parallel at every read operation cycle, an output path suitable for outputting the plurality of read data at a set time in response to an internal clock and one or more internal control signals at the every read operation cycle, and an output path control unit suitable for generating the internal control signal in response to a read command and generating the internal clock in response to a system clock, wherein a shifting time of a first edge of the internal clock is adjusted by a set level at the every read operation cycle during a test mode.
US09911504B2
A data storage cell for storing data is disclosed. In one aspect, the data storage cell comprises a first nano electromechanical switch comprising a first moveable beam fixed to a first anchor, a first control gate and a second control gate, a first output node against which the first moveable beam can be positioned. The data storage cell also comprises a second nano electromechanical switch comprising a second moveable beam fixed to a second anchor, a third control gate and a fourth control gate. The second moveable beam can be positioned against the first output node. Further, the first nano electromechanical switch and the second nano electromechanical switch are configured for selecting a first or a second state of the data storage cell and are configured for having their moveable beam complementary positioned to the first output node. A memory arrangement of such data storage cells is also disclosed, as well as methods for writing data to the data storage cells and for reading data from the data storage cells.
US09911502B2
According to one embodiment, a data storage device includes a controller driven by a first power supply voltage, a nonvolatile memory controlled by the controller and driven by a second power supply voltage, and a switch element determining whether the second power supply voltage is applied to the nonvolatile memory. The controller is configured to turn off the switch element in a first mode and turn on the switch element in a second mode.
US09911495B2
A technique including using an array of memory cells for data storage. A given cell of the memory cells includes a capacitive storage element and a resistive storage element that is coupled in series with the capacitive storage element. The technique includes accessing the given memory cell to write a value to the given memory cell or read a value stored in the memory cell. The accessing includes applying a time varying voltage to the memory cell.
US09911492B2
Structures and methods for a multi-bit phase change memory are disclosed herein. A method includes establishing a write-reference voltage that incrementally ramps over a write period. The increments of the write-reference voltage correspond to discrete resistance states of a storage cell of the multi-bit phase change memory.
US09911489B2
Memory cells, memory systems and methods are described. In one embodiment, a memory cell includes electrodes and a memory element, and a first electrically conductive structure is formed within dielectric material providing the memory element in a low resistance state as a result of a first voltage of a first polarity being applied across the electrodes. Additionally, the first electrically conductive structure is removed from the dielectric material providing the memory element in a high resistance state as a result of a second voltage of a second polarity, which is opposite to the first polarity, being applied across the electrodes. A permanent and irreversible electrically conductive structure is formed within the dielectric material providing the memory element in the low resistance state as a result of a third voltage of the second polarity and having an increased potential compared with the second voltage being applied across the electrodes.
US09911486B2
A static random access memory (SRAM) chip includes a first and second conductor, a set of SRAM cells and a set of first and second tracking cells. The first conductor extends in a first direction, is coupled to a first supply voltage, and on a first metal layer. The second conductor extends in a second direction, is coupled to a second supply voltage, and on a second metal layer. A first cell of the set of first tracking cells includes a first tracking bit line conductor, first and second CMOS, and a first and second pass gate device. A first cell of the set of second tracking cells includes a third pass gate device, a third PU device, and a third PD device having a source configured to be electrically floating. A gate of the first PD device or the first PU device is electrically coupled to the first conductor.
US09911484B2
Various embodiments comprise methods and apparatuses for selecting a randomly-chosen seed row from among a stream of available data in a memory system. A refresh operation is then performed on at least one selected row of memory in the memory system based on the randomly-chosen seed row. Additional apparatuses and methods are described.
US09911478B1
In some aspects, a calibration method includes performing a write/read test for each one of multiple combinations of write/read delay settings, wherein each one of the multiple combinations of write/read delay settings includes one of a plurality of write delay settings of a first delay device and one of a plurality of read delay settings of a second delay device. The method also includes obtaining test results for the write/read tests, determining a pass region based on the test results, determining a center of the pass region, and selecting one of the multiple combinations of write/read settings based on the center of the pass region.
US09911477B1
Integrated circuits that include memory interface and controller circuitry for communicating with external memory are provided. The memory interface and controller circuitry may include a user logic interface, a memory controller, and a physical layer input-output interface. The user logic interface may be operated in a first clock domain. The memory controller may be operated in a second clock domain. The physical layer interface may be operated in a third clock domain that is an integer multiple of the second clock domain. The user logic interface may include only user-dependent blocks. The physical layer interface may include memory protocol agnostic blocks and/or memory protocol specific blocks. The memory controller may include both memory protocol agnostic blocks and memory protocol dependent blocks. The memory controller may include one or more color pipelines for scheduling memory requests in a parallel arbitration scheme.
US09911475B1
A semiconductor device includes an information signal conversion circuit suitable for generating a flag signal from an external control signal in response to an information signal, and an implicit precharge signal generation circuit suitable for generating an implicit precharge signal for performing a precharge operation between successive active operations, in response to the flag signal.
US09911473B1
In some embodiments, a memory device includes a memory bank, a global data line, a first tri-state unit, a latch, a second tri-state unit and a pre-charge unit. The first tri-state unit is configured between the memory bank and the global data line. The latch is configured to provide a state signal based on a data signal from the memory bank. The second tri-state unit is configured between the global data line and the latch. The pre-charge unit pre-charges the global data line to a first intermediate level or a second intermediate level depending on the state signal during the global data line is caused to be electrically isolated from the memory bank by the first tri-state unit and electrically isolated from the latch by the second tri-state unit.
US09911463B2
According to one embodiment, a controller-implemented method collecting data relating to operation of a tape drive, storing the collected data in wrap sections of a tape map, where the wrap sections of the tape map correlate to physical lengths of tape. The method also includes and storing a subset of the collected data in a slice region upon at least one of experiencing a first trigger condition and reaching a predefined location on a tape. Other systems, methods, and computer program products are described in additional embodiments.
US09911456B2
A cup portion of a base member includes a cylindrical portion and a bottom plate portion. The cylindrical portion is arranged to be coaxial or substantially coaxial with a central axis extending in a vertical direction. The bottom plate portion is defined integrally with the cylindrical portion, and is arranged to close a lower portion of the cylindrical portion. A bearing mechanism is arranged inside of the cup portion. An outer circumferential surface of the bearing mechanism and an inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion have an adhesive layer arranged therebetween. In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, a communicating hole passing through the cylindrical portion in a direction that crosses an axial direction is defined in the vicinity of a junction of the cylindrical portion and the bottom plate portion. In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the base member includes a communicating hole passing through the bottom plate portion in the axial direction.
US09911449B2
The first, third, fourth, and seventh photosensors are disposed on one side with respect to the centerline, and the second, fifth, sixth, and eighth photosensors are disposed on another side with respect to the centerline. The first and seventh photosensors are positioned between the third and fourth photosensors in the direction parallel to the centerline. The second and eighth photosensors are positioned between the fifth and sixth photosensors in the direction parallel to the centerline. The first photosensor receives overlapped light of the 0th-order light with the +1st-order diffracted light, the second photosensor receives overlapped light of the 0th-order light with the −1st-order diffracted light, each of the third to sixth photosensors receives the 0th-order light, and does not receive the +1st-order diffracted light and the −1st-order diffracted light, and each of the seventh and eighth photosensors receives at least the 0th-order light.
US09911448B2
A perpendicular magnetic recording medium according to an embodiment includes a substrate and perpendicular magnetic recording layer. The perpendicular magnetic recording layer includes a recording portion and non-recording portion. The recording portion has patterns regularly arranged in the longitudinal direction, and includes magnetic layers containing Fe or Co and Pt as main components, and at least one additive component selected from Ti, Si, Al, and W. The non-recording portion includes oxide layers formed by oxidizing the side surfaces of the magnetic layers, and nonmagnetic layers formed between the oxide layers.
US09911444B1
According to one embodiment, a head for a disk drive includes a slider including an air-bearing surface having a pair of side edges, a pair of side surfaces, a leading-side end surface and a trailing-side end surface, and a head section provided in the slider. The slider includes a leading step in a leading-side end portion of the air-bearing surface, a deep trench provided downstream side of the leading step, and a trailing step in a trailing side end portion of the air-bearing surface and including the head section built therein, and side trenches having a depth of 100 to 300 nm formed respectively along the pair side edges of the air-bearing surface.
US09911443B2
A method according to one embodiment includes gathering information about how an array of writers write and/or are expected to write to a magnetic medium during shingled recording, and computing, using the gathered information, data describing a lateral writing position to use during writing such that shingled track edges are aligned according to a format. A method according to another embodiment includes obtaining a lateral offset from a nominal writing position, and applying the lateral offset for repositioning a writing position of an array of writers relative to a nominal writing position during writing in a first direction. A product according to one embodiment includes a magnetic recording medium; and data indicative of whether a lateral writing position offset was used while writing.
US09911441B1
A solid-immersion mirror has two reflective portions surrounding a focal region. A thermal sensor that senses temperature as a function of resistance is proximate at least one of the two reflective portions of the solid-immersion mirror. A near-field transducer is located proximate the focal region of the solid-immersion mirror. The near-field transducer directs optical energy to a magnetic recording medium.
US09911440B2
An apparatus according to one embodiment includes a magnetic head having multiple magnetic transducers, the transducers including read sensors. The read sensors are of at least two differing types selected from a group consisting of tunneling magnetoresistance (TMR), giant magnetoresistance (GMR), anisotropic magnetoresistance (AMR), and inductive sensors.
US09911438B2
According to one embodiment, a magnetic recording and reproducing device includes a magnetic recording medium, and a magnetic head including a first reproducing unit. The first reproducing unit includes a first magnetic field generator separated from the magnetic recording medium in a first direction, and a first stacked body. At least a portion of the first stacked body is provided between the magnetic recording medium and the first magnetic field generator in the first direction. The first stacked body includes a first magnetic layer, a second magnetic layer separated from the first magnetic layer in a second direction crossing the first direction, and a first intermediate layer provided between the first magnetic layer and the second magnetic layer. The first stacked body performs an operation of generating a first alternating magnetic field. The first magnetic field generator generates a first magnetic field.
US09911427B2
In an encoding method that is expected to produce a smaller code amount out of a periodicity-based encoding method and a non-periodicity-based encoding method, the amount of code or an estimated value of the amount of code of an integer value sequence which is derived from an audio signal is obtained while adjusting gain. In the other encoding method, an integer value sequence obtained in this process is substituted to obtain the amount of code or an estimated value of the amount of code of the integer value sequence. The obtained code amounts or estimated values are compared to choose one of the encoding methods and the integer value sequence is encoded using the chosen encoding method to obtain and output an integer signal code.
US09911416B2
A method for controlling an electronic device in response to speech spoken by a user is disclosed. The method may include receiving an input sound by a sound sensor. The method may also detect the speech spoken by the user in the input sound, determine first characteristics of a first frequency range and second characteristics of a second frequency range of the speech in response to detecting the speech in the input sound, and determine whether a direction of departure of the speech spoken by the user is toward the electronic device based on the first and second characteristics.
US09911409B2
A speech recognition apparatus includes a processor configured to recognize a user's speech using any one or combination of two or more of an acoustic model, a pronunciation dictionary including primitive words, and a language model including primitive words; and correct word spacing in a result of speech recognition based on a word-spacing model.
US09911398B1
A video display hub is mounted in a common household area such as a kitchen or family room. The display hub is configured to display various types of information for users in the area, such as weather, traffic updates, schedules, notes, messages, lists, news, etc. When the user is at a distance from the display hub, information is presented at a relatively low density, with a low level of granularity and detail in conjunction with large fonts, graphics, and icons. When the user is close to the display hub, information is presented at a relatively high density, with a high level of granularity and detail in conjunction with small fonts, graphics, and icons.
US09911393B2
The present invention provides a device and a method for compensating a voltage of a primary color subpixel, and a display device. The voltage compensation device includes: a grayscale determination module for determining whether a display grayscale value corresponding to a data voltage of the primary color subpixel is larger than a preset grayscale value; a first compensation module for performing voltage compensation on the primary color subpixel according to primary color mura information acquired in advance in a primary color test picture, when the display grayscale value is determined to be larger than the preset grayscale value; and a second compensation module for performing voltage compensation on the primary color subpixel according to gray mura information acquired in advance in a gray test picture, when the display grayscale value is determined to be equal to or smaller than the preset grayscale value.
US09911384B2
A scan driver of an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display device includes a plurality of sequentially-connected stages each connected to a plurality of pixels through a plurality of first-scan lines and a plurality of second-scan lines. Each stage of the sequentially-connected stages includes a common driver and a sub-driver unit. The common driver is configured to concurrently provide a common first-scan signal to the first-scan lines of the stage in response to at least a first initialization signal and a second initialization signal. The sub-driver unit is configured to serially provide second-scan signals to the second-scan lines of the stage in response to a plurality of output enable signals, the first-scan signal, and one of the first initialization signal and the second initialization signal. An order of the serial providing of the second-scan signals to the second-scan lines is dynamically configurable based on the output enable signals.
US09911379B2
An organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display is disclosed. In one aspect, the OLED display includes a substrate and an active pattern formed over the substrate and including first to fourth regions, the first and fourth regions connected to each other. The display also includes a gate insulation layer formed over the active pattern, and a first gate electrode formed over the gate insulation layer. The first gate electrode, the first region and the second region define a first transistor. The display also includes a second gate electrode formed over the gate insulation layer, and the second gate electrode, the third region and the fourth region define a second transistor. The display also includes a first insulating interlayer formed over the first and second gate electrodes and a conductive pattern formed over the first insulating interlayer. An OLED is configured to receive a driving current from the first transistor.
US09911371B2
A display panel driver includes an image data generator, a brightness correction circuit performing a correction calculation on image data, a drive section driving the display panel in response to corrected image data; and a display timing generator outputting a timing control signal. The correction calculation by the brightness correction circuit is adjustable. When the display panel driver is placed into a test mode, the display timing generator is configured to output an internally-generated timing control signal and the image data generator outputs internally-generated evaluation image data. The evaluation image data are generated so that the evaluation images are switched from one to another in response to the internally-generated timing control signal.
US09911364B2
A resettable injection training device having a an outer shell including a proximal end and a distal end, the outer shell defining a chamber there within, an actuation member near a proximal end, and a plunger slidable within the chamber is provided. The device further including a safety shield having an extended locked position, an extended unlocked position and a retracted position, a locking sleeve configured to interact with the safety shield, and a reset shuttle disposed within the safety shield at a distal end of the device, wherein the reset shuttle is slidable relative to the safety shield, such that movement of the reset shuttle toward the proximal end of the device unlocks the safety shield.
US09911361B2
An apparatus is provided for audibly reading text retrieved from a captured image. In one implementation, the apparatus comprises an image sensor configured to capture image data from an environment of a user, and at least one processor. The processor is configured to determine an existence of a pointing trigger in the image data, the trigger being associated with a user's desire to hear text read aloud, and wherein the trigger identifies an intermediate portion of the text a distance from a level break in the text. The processor is further configured to perform a layout analysis on the text to identify a level break associated with the trigger; and cause the text to be read aloud from the level break associated with the trigger.
US09911359B2
Arc welding simulations that provide simulation of virtual destructive and non-destructive testing and inspection of virtual weldments for training purposes. The virtual testing simulations may be performed on virtual weldments created using a virtual reality welding simulator system (e.g., a virtual reality arc welding (VRAW) system). The virtual inspection simulations may be performed on “pre-canned” (i.e. pre-defined) virtual weldments or using virtual weldments created using a virtual reality welding simulator system. In general, virtual testing may be performed using a virtual reality welding simulator system (e.g., a virtual reality arc welding (VRAW) system), and virtual inspection may be performed using a standalone virtual weldment inspection (VWI) system or using a virtual reality welding simulator system (e.g., a virtual reality arc welding (VRAW) system). In accordance with certain enhanced embodiments of the present invention, virtual testing may also be performed on a standalone VWI system.
US09911354B2
A hands-free music notation display system for playing digital sheet music. The system includes a tablet that displays digital sheet music and houses the system's operating components therein. The housing within the tablet includes a communication link connecting the tablet to one or more foot controls. The foot controls provide the ability for a user to display the next or previous page on the tablet with his or her foot, thereby permitting the user to remain hands-free to play an instrument. The tablet includes a plurality of buttons that permit a user to load and play sheet music thereon.
US09911345B2
Provided is a navigation system that processes a route plan and data from the surrounding environment to identify a potential threat of undesirable contact anywhere along the route plan. The provided navigation system generates an informative, anticipative display of the vehicle's surrounding environment. When a potential threat is identified, the provided navigation system provides a visual threat alert that enables rerouting the vehicle, thereby averting the potential threat.
US09911339B2
Systems and methods for enhancing aircraft performance are provided. In one example, a method can include accessing an initial model that defines operating cost of an aircraft at a series of model operating states. The method also can include identifying one or more sample operating states for analyzing aircraft cost during flight. The method also can include receiving one or more real-time flight performance parameters indicative of aircraft operating cost while the aircraft is operating at the identified sample operating states. The method also can include generating an updated model that defines operating cost of the aircraft using the initial model as well as data defined by the real-time flight performance parameters. The method also can include determining an enhanced operating state based at least in part on the updated model and outputting the enhanced operating state for control of the aircraft.
US09911331B2
An apparatus for determining a degree of shade for a parking position for a vehicle having a sensor device which determines an outside temperature and an interior temperature for the vehicle. The apparatus also includes an evaluation device which takes the outside temperature and the interior temperature as a basis for determining whether the vehicle is in a shaded or sunny parking position and a transmission device which sends information about the degree of shade for the parking position of the vehicle to a processing device.
US09911326B2
An approach is provided for processing and/or facilitating a processing of probe trace data to determine one or more mode indicators, wherein the one or more mode indicators include, at least in part, one or more attributes of the probe trace data. The approach involves causing, at least in part, a modeling of one or more statistical patterns of at least one pedestrian mode of transport, at least one non-pedestrian mode of transport, or a combination thereof based, at least in part, on determining one or more probabilities that one or more mode indicators are associated with the at least one pedestrian mode of transport, the at least one non-pedestrian mode of transport, or a combination thereof. The approach also involves causing, at least in part, a classification of other probe trace data as being associated with the at least one pedestrian mode of transport or the at least one non-pedestrian mode of transport based, at least in part, on the one or more mode indicators that are associated with the other probe trace data and the one or more statistical patterns.
US09911325B2
Upon receiving a keystroke indicator signal from a remote control device, a key code generator device identifies a codeset usable to communicate with a selected consumer device. The keystroke indicator signal contains an indication of a pressed key, which corresponds to a function of the selected consumer device. Using the identified codeset and the key indication, the key code generator device generates a key code and modulates that key code onto a radio frequency carrier signal, thereby generating a first key code signal. The remote control device receives the first key code signal from the key code generator device and modulates the key code onto an infrared frequency carrier signal, thereby generating a second key code signal. The remote control device relays the key code to the selected consumer device in the second key code signal. The key code causes the selected consumer device to perform the desired function.
US09911323B2
Toolstring topology mapping systems having a downhole toolstring including a master node controller and a plurality of nodes and related methods. The methods involve querying each of the plurality of nodes in the downhole toolstring for actual topology information, receiving actual topology information from each of the plurality of nodes in the downhole toolstring in response to querying, and generating a topology map of the downhole toolstring based on the actual topology information from each of the plurality of nodes in the downhole toolstring. The methods can also involve comparing the topology map with the input topology information to identify topology mismatch and then take remedial actions if needed.
US09911320B2
A remote control system includes a control unit configured to send a control signal to a machine to be controlled from a position remote from the machine. A sensor system is operatively linked with the control unit, and is configured for registering a presence of an operator in a predetermined proximity to a predetermined location. Operation of the machine to be controlled is responsive to the sensor system.
US09911319B2
Systems and techniques are provided for automatic security system mode selection. A set of signals may be received from sensors distributed in an environment with a security system. The security system may be in a first mode. An occupancy model may be received. An occupancy estimate may be generated for the environment based on the set of signals from the sensors and the occupancy model. Mode rules may be received. The mode rules associate occupancy estimates with modes of the security system. A second mode for the security system may be determined based on the occupancy estimate and mode rules. The second mode may be different from the first mode. The mode of the security system may be automatically changed from the first mode to the second mode.
US09911317B2
A system and methods for determining maintenance needs of an alarm system are provided. The system may include a central monitoring station configured to receive operational measurements and apply maintenance rules to the operational measurements and a maintenance history for the alarm system to determine maintenance needs of the alarm system. Additionally, the central monitoring station may be configured to receive points, which may be modules or devices, and status updates and apply installation rules to the points and status updates to determine the maintenance needs for one or more of the points.
US09911308B2
In some embodiments, a method includes producing, from an adapter, a first wireless signal characterized by a first communication mode with a computing device when a portion of at least one of a medicament delivery device or a simulated medicament delivery is disposed within the adapter. An indication is received when the portion of the medicament delivery device or the simulated medicament delivery device is removed from the adapter. A second wireless signal characterized by a second communication mode with the computing device is produced in response to the indication. The second communication mode is different from the first communication mode. The second communication mode can be, for example, a hold mode, a sniff mode or a park mode.
US09911306B2
Systems and methods for providing a smart hydration container or bottle which accurately tracks a user's liquid intake. The smart hydration container utilizes a new capacitive sensing technology which does not require a complicated design for capacitive conductive surfaces and provides accurate capacitive measurements which map to volume measurements. Through the use of calibrated data, the smart hydration container accurately measures capacitance “as a whole” of the entire container's contents even when the container is not resting upright. In some implementations, the smart hydration container utilizes a combination of capacitive sensing, motion sensing, position sensing, and/or temperature sensing to provide an accurate measure of liquid volume in the container. The capacitive sensor may be electrically shielded by a passive conductive sensor shield, a grounded conductive sensor shield, or an active conductive sensor shield.
US09911303B2
A system to evaluate airborne hazards having at least one sensor module which detects atmospheric conditions and generates output signals representative of those atmospheric conditions. A model module receives the output from the sensor and generates a model output signal representative of a calculated wind flow and plume footprint, when applicable, over an area of interest. A display module receives the model output signal and visually displays the calculated wind flow and its effect on a plume if present in near real-time. The final system output is provided to authorized end users in near real-time.
US09911302B2
A stairway safety system and method including movement sensors and/or force sensors, a safety button, a central processing unit, a user notify device configured to generate audio or visual indications prompting the stairway user to engage the safety button, and a communication device configured to send a message requesting help. The central processing unit is configured to measure the length of time between detecting signals from the sensors and also to instruct the first user notify device to generate audio or visual indications when the measured time between detecting the signals is shorter or longer than a stairway user's actual or estimated typical travel time through the stairway. The central processing unit is configured to measure time and to instruct the communication device to send the message requesting help if a safety signal is not detected within a safety time period which indicates a request for help may be needed.
US09911301B1
The lost child notification system is a transponder based alarm system that monitors the position of a tracked person relative to an appropriate authority who should be in the vicinity of the person. The lost child notification system comprises a supervisory bracelet and a tracking bracelet. The supervisory bracelet is a finding that is worn or carried by the appropriate authority. The tracking bracelet is worn or carried by the tracked person. The supervisory bracelet sends out a first electromagnetic signal that stimulates the tracking bracelet to respond to the supervisory bracelet with a second electromagnetic signal. If the supervisory bracelet does not detect the second electromagnetic signal, the supervisory bracelet generates an alarm. The tracking bracelet further detects whether the security of the tracking bracelet has been compromised. If the tracking bracelet has been compromised, the tracking bracelet generates the second electromagnetic signal.
US09911299B2
A system and method are described. The system utilizes data entry devices commonly found in some workplaces, such as warehouses, to generate an emergency signal. The emergency signal is used to generate an emergency response. In one embodiment, an emergency sign with a printed emergency symbol may be scanned using a network-connected barcode scanner to generate the emergency signal. In another embodiment, a user may utter an emergency speech input into a network-connected speech recognition device to generate the emergency signal. The system and method may expand and improve safety in a workplace by offering a more convenient way to summon help.
US09911293B2
This invention relates to an apparatus and retrofit method for integrating a safe into a security system, said apparatus comprising a wireless transmitter that transmits the condition of the safe to the receiver of a security system. The apparatus comprises at least one battery-operated transmitter in wireless communication with at least one receiver through an antenna concealed on the exterior surface of the safe and sensors connected to the transmitter. The design of the safe body and the integration with a wireless interface allows for flexibility and portability of the safe while maintaining strong security.
US09911292B1
This disclosure relates to haptic actuators, and suitably haptic actuators based on repulsion and attraction between a coil and a magnet. Such haptic actuators are useful in structural materials, such as elements of wearables or accessories.
US09911284B2
A system and method are provided for play of a lottery second-chance game wherein players visit one or more physical locations to satisfy requirements for entry into the second chance game. The players are provided with the identity and location of the communication-enabled locations, and such locations are configured with a transmitter device that broadcasts an ID signal that is unique to the respective communication-enabled location. In one embodiment, the players are provided an application for download to a mobile smart device, the application enabling recognition and receipt by the device of the unique ID signals emitted by the transmitter devices. A game server is in secure communication with one or both of the player's mobile smart device or a functional component within the communication-enabled location, the game server identifying the player and the particular communication-enabled location upon receipt of a transmission that includes at least part of the unique ID signal. Receipt of the transmission by the server functions to verify that the player is within the communication-enabled location, and the server automatically credits to the player satisfaction of a requirement for entry into the second chance game.
US09911281B2
A game system including a plurality of symbols, a rotor and an award amount. The plurality of symbols include at least one secondary award group of the symbols. A wager is placeable on the secondary award group. The rotor displays the symbols and a plurality of ball landings adjacent to the symbols. A plurality of the symbols are indicatable after multiple spins of the rotor. The game system is operable to provide a secondary award based on the indication of one or more symbols within the secondary award group.
US09911279B2
A system and method are provided for play of a game of chance wherein players visit one or more physical locations to increase a likelihood of success or enhanced winnings in the game. A plurality of physical locations are designated as authorized communication-enabled locations and are configured with a transmitter device that broadcasts a unique ID signal or a receiver that receives the unique ID signal. The identity and address of the locations are published to the players. The players are provided with any one or more of: one of the unique transmitter devices; an application for download to a mobile smart device that enables receipt and recognition by the device of the unique ID signals; or a downloaded application to cause the mobile smart device to transmit a respective unique ID signal for receipt by the receiver in the communication-enabled locations. A game server is in secure communication with one or all of: the player's mobile smart device, the transmitter device at the communication-enabled location, or the receiver at the communication-enabled location. The server identifies the player and the particular location upon receipt of a transmission of the unique ID signal, and generates a personalized message to the player with instructions as to how the player can increase their likelihood of success in the game of chance by taking certain actions at the location.
US09911277B2
Systems, apparatuses, and methods are presented for operating a generalized progressive gaming system which offers a common progressive jackpot for a various games with different sets of winning hands and different denominations. The generalized progressive system represents a jackpot in terms of probability and adds a normalizing random event to a player's bet and the hand player receives. In order to win a jackpot the player must receive a qualified hand and a combined probability of these two events, namely a hand and a normalizing random event, must be smaller than a required value. Any qualified hand can win the jackpot. Handling of various denominations is proposed. Generalized progressive system apparatus is also provided that includes a display, a user interface, a processor and a server.
US09911276B2
A universal jackpot controller permits jackpots to be implemented at unlimited combinations of gaming machines and systems, including different types of gaming devices and systems of different operators and including land-based and online systems.
US09911275B2
An electronic gaming machine is disclosed. The electronic gaming machine includes an interactive controller constructed to: determine that a user has used a power-up in a skill-based game; provide to the user an advantage in the skill-based game; communicate to an application controller, application telemetry data of the user's use of the power-up; receive from the application controller, a wager outcome; and present to the user the wager outcome. The electronic gaming machine further includes the application controller operatively connecting the interactive controller and a wager controller. The application controller is constructed to: receive the application telemetry data; determine that the user has used the power-up; generate a wager request on the determination that the user has used the power-up; communicate to the wager controller, the wager request; receive from the wager controller, a wager outcome; and communicate the wager outcome to the interactive controller for display to the user.
US09911273B2
The disclosed embodiments disclose techniques for facilitating access to a target device. During operation, a target device presents a unique code to a user device that is located in proximity to the target device. The user device presents this unique code to a management server that is associated with the target device to gain access to the target device, with the management server linking the two devices. The target device receives notification that the user device has been linked and displays a set of received user account information on a display. Subsequently, the target device receives notification from the management server that the linked user device has applied a credit to the target device, and initiates an operation that is associated with consuming the credit.
US09911259B1
A system includes a remote controller, such as a fob, and a base station at a target device, such as a vehicle. The remote controller and the base station are configured to communicate authorization communications and time-of-flight (ToF) communications between one another over a common communications channel. The base station is further configured to confirm from the authorization communications whether the remote controller is authorized for controlling a function of the target device and to confirm from the ToF communications whether the remote controller is within a predetermined range of the target device. The base station is further configured to prevent the function from being controlled by the control unit when the control unit is not within the predetermined range of the target device.
US09911242B2
A method for adjusting pixel colors between image frames includes scanning, at a processor, a first image frame of a sequence of image frames. The method also includes determining a grayscale threshold based on characteristics of the first image frame to identify gray pixel candidates in the first image frame. The method further includes adjusting a pixel value of each pixel in the first image frame based on a chromatic adaptation transform estimation. The chromatic adaptation transform estimation is based on the gray pixel candidates. The grayscale threshold may be computed for each image frame in the sequence of image frames.
US09911235B2
A method for spatial interaction in Augmented Reality (AR) includes displaying an AR scene that includes an image of a real-world scene, a virtual target object, and a virtual cursor. A position of the virtual cursor is provided according to a first coordinate system within the AR scene. A user device tracks a pose of the user device relative to a user hand according to a second coordinate system. The second coordinate system is mapped to the first coordinate system to control movements of the virtual cursor. In a first mapping mode, virtual cursor movement is controlled to change a distance between the virtual cursor and the virtual target object. In a second mapping mode, virtual cursor movement is controlled to manipulate the virtual target object. User input is detected to control which of the first mapping mode or the second mapping mode is used.
US09911226B2
A method for cleaning or processing a room uses an autonomously mobile device. In order the relieve the user of the task of finding the exact subarea to which the device must travel, or avoid, on a map of the room, the user in order to select a subarea takes a photograph of the subarea and transmits it to a processing unit. In this way a method is provided that is less time-consuming and more convenient for the user.
US09911222B2
A method for augmenting a threaded conversation between a first device and a second device. The method includes: receiving a selection of a selectable animation, via a selection of a selectable animation representation, at the first device, wherein the selectable animation is configured for augmenting the threaded conversation; and incorporating the selection of the selectable animation into the threaded conversation such that the selectable animation appears in a conversation view of the first device and the second device.
US09911220B2
The present disclosure is directed to integrating external 3D models into a character creation system. In general, a character creation system imports an external 3D model by determining correspondence values for each vertex within the 3D model. Once imported, a user can customize the 3D character by adding texture to the character, adjusting character features, swapping out one or more character features, adding clothes and accessories to the character, automatically rigging the character, and/or animating the character.
US09911199B2
The present invention relates to a method for determining data referred to as target change data which can be used for performing radiotherapy treatment, the target change data describing information on the change of position of a target included in a body of a patient, the method being performed by a computer and comprising the following steps: acquiring determination rule data describing a rule for mapping an indicator change set to the target change data, the indicator change set being a set which comprises more than one element, the elements of the indicator change set respectively representing information on respective changes of positions of indicators, at least two of the indicators respectively indicating a change of position of different body structures referred to as indicator structures, acquiring set data describing an acquired indicator change set; and determining the target change data based on the determination rule data and the set data by applying the rule for mapping to the acquired indicator change set.
US09911195B2
The method comprises the steps of, successively for each image following a preceding image based on a map of motion vectors that corresponds to the motion from said preceding image toward said following image, building a pixel mask for said following image, applying said pixel mask to the corresponding following image in order to obtain a corresponding masked image that samples the pixels of said following image. The application of this method to color clustering allows the iterative update of the colors clusters with limited computer resources.
US09911181B2
Method comprising, for each pixel, obtaining a pixel expansion exponent value (E′(p)) by low pass filtering luminance values of colors of pixels in its spatial neighborhood, obtaining a pixel luminance-enhancement value (Yenhance(p)) by extraction of high frequencies of luminance values of colors of pixels in its spatial neighborhood, and then inverse tone mapping the luminance (Y(p)) according to the equation Yexp(p)=Y(p)E′(p)×[Yenhance(p)]c.
US09911177B2
An image processing pipeline may apply chroma suppression to image data at a scaler implemented in the image processing pipeline. Image data collected for an image may be received at a scaler that is encoded in a color space that includes a luminance component and chrominance components. When resampling the image data to generate a different size of the image, the scaler may attenuate the chrominance components of the image data according to the luminance component of the image data. The scaler may also perform dot error correction and convert the image data from one subsampling scheme to another.
US09911176B2
A system is disclosed for improving the flexibility and performance of video walls including a method for using a primary GPU for initial rendering to a GPU frame buffer, copying of this frame buffer to system memory for processing into multiple sub-frames then outputting the sub-frames via multiple secondary graphics controllers. This system enables the video wall server to leverage performance advantages afforded by GPU acceleration and maintaining performance while providing full flexibility of the CPU and system memory to apply the required transformations to the sub-images as well as flexibility in the selection of secondary graphics controllers (including network graphics approaches where the graphics controller is connected over a network) for outputting the multiple sub-images to a plurality of displays. This has applications generally in the field of real-time multiple display graphics processing as well as specific applications in the field of video walls and network video walls. A method and computer readable medium are also disclosed that operate in accordance with the system.
US09911174B2
An image processing pipeline may process image data at multiple rates. A stream of raw pixel data collected from an image sensor for an image frame may be processed through one or more pipeline stages of an image signal processor. The stream of raw pixel data may then be converted into a full-color domain and scaled to a data size that is less than an initial data size for the image frame. The converted pixel data may be processed through one or more other pipelines stages and output for storage, further processing, or display. In some embodiments, a back-end interface may be implemented as part of the image signal processor via which image data collected from sources other than the image sensor may be received and processed through various pipeline stages at the image signal processor.
US09911168B2
Physical location information for a specified user is corrected according to vehicle location and trajectory analysis. Vehicles, such as delivery vehicles, produce physical location information for the vehicle during delivery events to the specified user and a surrounding physical area. The physical location information for the vehicle is accessed to correct erroneous physical location information for the specified user.
US09911164B1
This invention is a system and method for managing restaurant customer data elements.
US09911154B2
A smart payment device is issued to a user; the device is capable of both offline and online transactions and has a total available balance split. The split is between an available offline balance and an available online balance. It is determined whether the user has entered a primarily offline environment or will imminently enter a primarily offline environment. If this is so, the total available balance split is redistributed to favor offline transactions.
US09911152B2
Systems and methods are provided for providing a platform to provide virtual storefronts to consumers. Environmental elements are associated with specific consumer services on computer server. A user in the environment takes audio or visual recordings of an environmental element and uploads the recordings to the server. The server determines the appropriate consumer service associated with the recorded environmental element and provides the user with a reference to the service. Accordingly, any space, such as a bus stop, subway or train terminal, movie theater, or airport, may be turned into a virtual store.
US09911146B2
A system and method for securely authenticating a user for the purpose of accessing information, such as private financial or personal information, in an online environment are disclosed. In addition, a system and method for allowing consumers to make secure payments from an electronic wallet with biometric authentication are disclosed.
US09911144B1
A method of presenting information to a party through a messaging application is described. Responsive to receipt of a communication from a party (e.g., the first user), a reply is sent. The communication and the reply is presented in an interface to the sender. The messaging system determines matching content that is relevant to one or both of the communication and the reply and determines a quality of the match. Determining the quality of the match may include determining a score for an advertisement based on the advertisement's responsiveness to content identified in the reply message that was sent. Based on a determination that the quality is above a threshold, the matching content is presented along with the communication and the reply.
US09911141B2
One or more text blocks, one or more images, and one or more contextual advertisements related to the text blocks are input into a mixed-content page layout model. One or more pages are generated by the mixed-content page layout model such that the text blocks, the images, and the contextual advertisements are displayed on the pages. For each contextual advertisement, a dynamic weight to a particular text block is determined. The mixed-content page layout model uses the dynamic weight for a contextual advertisement in determining where the advertisement is displayed within the pages in relation to the particular text block.
US09911134B2
A method of communicating messages between a sender and a recipient using a communications protocol over a data network, which includes: (a) receiving communication preferences specified by the recipient that includes constraints required to be met for delivery of a message, (ii) publishing the profile with visible preferences from the communication preferences of the recipient when the sender selects the recipient to send the message, (iii) processing a request received from the sender to send the message to the recipient, (iv) generating a customized message form based on the communication preferences of the recipient to enable the sender to compose the message, (v) providing an indication to the sender if any of the constraints are not met, and (vi) delivering the message to the recipient when the constraints specified by the recipient and any constraints applied by a messaging system are met by the message.
US09911129B2
Demographic assessment of information is facilitated using targeted location oversampling. In one example, a device determines mobile devices communicatively coupled to a base station device associated with a first defined region, wherein the first defined region is relative to a defined location of interest. The device can transmit a set of instructions to the mobile devices that instruct the mobile devices to power on respective location information components configured to transmit location information. The respective location information can be configured to transmit respective global positioning system information for the mobile devices. The device can also determine which ones of the mobile devices are within a second defined region based on respective location information received from the mobile devices.
US09911121B2
A method and apparatus for conducting a secure transaction involving generation of a dynamic authentication code on a mobile device, based on secret data which does not identify an account. The authentication code and financial account identifying information are transmitted to a validating entity, which shares information about the secret data, to authorize the transaction.
US09911113B2
An electronic money server groups a parent who owns a parent mobile phone and children who own child mobile phones to be registered as a family, and credit information of the parent is also registered. When the child accesses the electronic money server by using the child mobile phone and specifies a money amount to request family charge, the electronic money server requests the parent mobile phone for permission of the family charge. When the parent grants the family charge, the electronic money server allows the parent mobile phone to decrease a value by the money amount specified by the child and to make the family settlement, and allows the child mobile phone to increase the value by this money amount and to effect the family charge. Further, the child mobile phone can accept issue of credit from a credit server on credit of the parent, thereby effecting the family charge.
US09911093B2
Mechanisms are provided for dynamically determining one or more automation levels for tasks of a workflow. The mechanisms receive a workflow from a source component and receiving context and state information for an environment in which the workflow is to be performed. One or more tasks and associated task attributes are identified in the workflow and applying one or more automation rules to the context and state information and the task attributes to generate one or more automation level settings from the one or more tasks. The one or more tasks are performed in the environment in accordance with the one or more automation level settings. The automation level settings specify a degree of automation to be used when performing the one or more tasks.
US09911091B2
A method of managing a supply chain comprises providing at a customer interface module a plurality of order fulfillment options to a customer, and receiving from the customer a selection of a particular order fulfillment option. The method also includes receiving a first order from the customer, and receiving a first inventory status from a first distribution center. A first distribution center sends a first product to the customer in response to determining that the particular order fulfillment option comprises a fill-partial order fulfillment option, and a duration between the time that the first product is directed to be sent and the time when the first product is actually sent is determined. An alert is generated if the duration is greater than a predetermined duration.
US09911085B2
Methods and systems are provided for helping a customer select seats when purchasing tickets, such as from an online ticket seller. A venue map can be provided to help the customer select the seat. The venue map can show the different seating areas and their relationship to an attraction area, such as a stage, game court or field. The venue map can also show features of the venue. For example, the venue map can show wheel chair accesses, restaurants, drink stands, playgrounds, stores, parking lots, restrooms, and the like. Ticket prices for each seating area can be provided, either on the map or elsewhere. Thus, a customer can use the map to determine which seats the customer desires for a particular event.
US09911084B2
An aspect of the disclosure includes a method, a system and a computer program product for scheduling a pickup of a passenger with an autonomous vehicle at a facility with a plurality of egress locations. The method includes receiving a pickup request for a passenger from a facility having a plurality of egress locations. A first pickup time is determined for each of the plurality of egress locations. A first egress location is selected from the plurality of egress locations based at least in part on the first pickup time at the first egress location, a position of the passenger and a queue time. A first signal is transmitted that includes a proposed pickup time and location to the passenger. An autonomous vehicle is moved from a first location to the first egress location. The passenger is picked up at the first egress location.
US09911075B1
A RFID transponder includes an active load modulation unit and an energy harvesting unit coupled to the active load modulation unit. The active load modulation unit performs active load modulation on transmitted signals. The energy harvesting unit harvests RF energy from the ambient environment, converts the RF energy to DC energy, stores the DC energy, and supplies the DC energy to the active load modulation unit.
US09911073B1
Systems and methods for using facial patterns for information access via optical barcodes are provided. In example embodiments, a computer accesses an image, the image including a geometric shape. The computer determines, using a facial recognition module, that the accessed image includes a face inside the geometric shape. The computer determines, using the face inside the geometric shape, an orientation of the geometric shape. The computer decodes, based on the determined orientation of the geometric shape, data encoded within the geometric shape. The computer accesses, via a network, a resource that corresponds to the decoded data. The computer presents, at a display device, a graphical output corresponding to the accessed resource.
US09911070B2
An information processing apparatus prints, when a first product is read by a reading apparatus, a first work instruction sheet including information about all products to be delivered to a first destination of the read first product, prints, if all products to be delivered to the first destination are read by the reading apparatus, a first shipping label for delivery to the first destination, determines, if a second product to be delivered to a second destination different from the first destination is read by the reading apparatus, whether any other product is to be delivered to the second destination, and prints, if it is determined that there no other product is to be delivered to the second destination, a second shipping label for delivery to the second destination.
US09911065B2
The PLACEMETER PLATFORM APPARATUSES, METHODS AND SYSTEMS (“PM-PLATFORM”) transform sensor data and/or feedback via PM-PLATFORM components into notifications, updates, coupons, promotions, transactions and/or activities notifications, updates, coupons, promotions, transactions and/or activities. In one implementation, the PM-PLATFORM comprises a sensor, a memory, and a processor disposed in communication with the sensor and memory, the memory storing processor-issuable instructions to receive raw environment data at a sensor for at least two discrete points in time, analyze the received raw environment data locally to determine an at least one occupancy metric, store the occupancy metric, receive further raw environment data for a further point in time, process the further raw environment data to determine a further occupancy metric, compare the further occupancy metric to at least one previous occupancy metric, and issue a notification based on the comparison.
US09911054B2
The present specification discloses a foldable display device displaying stored images by a folding or unfolding action of a foldable housing and a method of controlling therefor. The foldable display device according to the present specification includes a display unit including a first display area spatially or visually separated by the folding or unfolding action of the foldable housing. When the first display area changes a state from a state of facing a second direction (e.g., user direction) to a state of facing a first direction (e.g., third party direction), stored images are displayed on the first display area. By doing so, a third party can easily check the stored images displayed on the first display area.
US09911053B2
Provided is a technology which enables early removal from a tracking target of an object unnecessary to be tracked and which, together therewith, when the tracking target is temporarily in a state of being not detected, enables continuous tracking of the relevant tracking target without removing it from the tracking target.A detection unit 2 detects, as a tracking candidate, an object included in an image by using image processing. A corresponding degree calculation unit 3 calculates a corresponding degree which is index representing a probability that the detected tracking candidate corresponds to the tracking target registered as an object to be tracked. When having determined that it is unnecessary to track the tracking target based on an evaluation value calculated by using the corresponding degree, a decision unit 4 deletes the registration of the object to be tracked with respect to the relevant tracking target.
US09911041B2
A monitoring device monitors facility elements in a building. Self-localization of the monitoring device is estimated by collating measured three-dimensional shapes with a map for localization including the shapes and positions of structural objects inside a building excluding the shapes and positions of facility elements. The monitoring device extracts the shape and position of a facility element candidate from the measured three-dimensional shapes; and calculates a similarity between the shape and position of each of the facility elements in the periphery of the self-localization extracted from the facility element collation map. The monitoring device identifies which of the facility elements in the periphery of the self-localization extracted from the facility element collation map is the facility element candidate extracted from the measured three-dimensional shape on the basis of the calculated similarity.
US09911033B1
A method comprising: training a price tag detector, comprising a gross feature detector and a classifier, to automatically detect a price tag in an image, by: a) training the gross feature detector using supervised learning with labeled images, and b) training the classifier using a two-phase hybrid learning process comprising: c) applying an initial supervised learning using the labeled images, yielding a semi-trained version of the classifier, and d) applying a subsequent unsupervised learning using unlabeled images, yielding a fully trained version of the classifier, wherein applying the unsupervised learning comprises: for each unlabeled image: i) detecting multiple price tag hypotheses using the gross feature detector, ii) classifying each price tag hypothesis using the semi-trained classifier, ii) rating each classification based contextual data extracted from the unlabeled image, iv) retraining the semi-trained classifier with the rated classifications, and repeating steps ii) through iv) until the reclassification converges.
US09911023B2
An indicia reader that utilizes its image sensor for more than one function is disclosed. The image sensor's functionality is derived by designating areas on the image sensor according to function and then filtering the light focused onto each area according to the area's particular function. The data (i.e., pixel information) from each area may then be processed accordingly to facilitate a variety of functions such as image capture and object detection.
US09911020B1
Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a device, including a radio frequency interface configured to receive, from a radio frequency identification device, a first wireless signal of a first carrier frequency that indicates a personal identifier. A transceiver can be configured to generate a transmission signal of second carrier frequency that indicates the personal identifier and location information associated with the device and to transmit electromagnetic waves in response to the transmission signal at a first physical interface of a transmission medium that propagate without requiring an electrical return path. The electromagnetic waves are guided by the transmission medium and are received by a receiving device at a second physical interface of the transmission medium, and the transmission signal can be extracted from the electromagnetic waves by the receiving device. Other embodiments are disclosed.
US09911018B1
A Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag integrated circuit (IC) stores a subportion of a digital signature and a subportion indicator that may be used to authenticate the IC, a tag including the IC, and/or an item associated with the tag. The subportion of the digital signature is generated, at least in part, by applying a cryptographic function to an identifier associated with the IC, the tag, and/or the item.
US09911014B2
There is disclosed a method of transferring data using a tag, said tag comprising an RF interface unit, a host interface unit and a memory, the method comprising: the RF interface unit connects the tag to an RF device; the host interface unit connects the tag to a host device; the tag enters into a pass-through mode; in said pass-through mode, the tag transfers data, either in a first configured transfer direction, from the RF device to the host device, or, in a second configured transfer direction, from the host device to the RF device; in said pass-through mode, the tag buffers said data in the memory. Furthermore, a corresponding computer program product and a corresponding tag are disclosed.
US09911009B2
A device and method for providing the security of data by using multiple modes in the device are provided. The device includes a storage unit that includes a normal mode data area and a security mode data area which is isolated from the normal mode data area and access to which is allowed only in a security mode; and a controller that processes data in the normal mode data area during a normal mode, and processes data in the security mode data area during the security mode.
US09911002B2
Provided is a user device including: a storage configured to store data; and a controller configured to recognize a person included in an image captured by the user device or received by the user device from an external source, and change a part of the image corresponding to the recognized person to be unrecognizable in response to a degree of closeness between the recognized person and a user of the user device being lower than a predetermined level based on the data stored in the storage.
US09911001B2
A method of automatically modifying a computer data query is disclosed herein. The modification of the computer data query can be performed to restrict access to data. The computer data query can be modified by receiving the computer data query, identifying tables in the query and retrieving providers associated with the tables identified in the query. These providers can be linked to one or several predicates. These predicates can be retrieved and used to modify the query. The modified query can then be used to retrieve data from one or several tables identified within the query.
US09910996B2
Mass storage devices and methods for securely storing data are disclosed. The mass storage device includes a communication interface for communicating with a connected host computer, a mass-memory storage component for storing data, a secure key storage component adapted to securely store at least one master secret, and an encryption-decryption component different from the secure key storage component and connected to the secure key storage component and the mass-memory storage component. The encryption-decryption component may be adapted to encrypt data received from the host computer using an encryption algorithm and at least one encryption key and to write the encrypted data into the mass-memory storage component. The encryption-decryption component may also be adapted to decrypt encrypted data stored in the mass-memory storage component for returning the data to the host computer in response to a read data command from the host computer using a decryption algorithm and at least one decryption key the security of which is protected using a master secret securely stored in the secure key storage component.
US09910991B2
An apparatus is provided for protecting a basic input/output system (BIOS) in a computing system. The apparatus includes a BIOS read only memory (ROM), an event detector, and a tamper detector. The BIOS ROM has BIOS contents that are stored as plaintext, and an encrypted message digest, where the encrypted message digest comprises an encrypted version of a first message digest that corresponds to the BIOS contents, and where and the encrypted version is generated via a symmetric key algorithm and a key. The event detector is configured to generate a BIOS check interrupt that interrupts normal operation of the computing system upon the occurrence of an event, where the event includes one or more occurrences of an operating system call. The tamper detector is operatively coupled to the BIOS ROM and is configured to access the BIOS contents and the encrypted message digest upon assertion of the BIOS check interrupt, and is configured to direct a microprocessor to generate a second message digest corresponding to the BIOS contents and a decrypted message digest corresponding to the encrypted message digest using the symmetric key algorithm and the key, and is configured to compare the second message digest with the decrypted message digest, and configured to preclude the operation of the microprocessor if the second message digest and the decrypted message digest are not equal. The microprocessor includes a dedicated crypto/hash unit disposed within execution logic, where the crypto/hash unit generates the second message digest and the decrypted message digest, and where the key is exclusively accessed by the crypto/hash unit. The microprocessor further has a random number generator disposed within the execution logic, where the random number generator generates a random number at completion of a current BIOS check, which is employed by the event detector to randomly set a number of occurrences of the event that are to occur before a following BIOS check.
US09910982B2
Large-scale, time-sensitive secure distributed control systems and methods are disclosed. According to an aspect, a method includes detecting an anomaly at a module among a plurality of modules in a network. The method also includes adjusting a reputation level of the module associated with the detected anomaly. Further, the method includes controlling interaction of the module associated with the detected anomaly within the network based on the adjusted reputation level.
US09910981B2
A malware analysis system for automating cause and effect analysis of malware infections is provided. The malware analysis system monitors and records computer system activities. Upon being informed of a suspected malware infection, the malware analysis system creates a time-bounded snapshot of the monitored activities that were conducted within a time frame prior to the notification of the suspected malware infection. The malware analysis system may also create a time-bounded snapshot of the monitored activities that are conducted within a time frame subsequent to the notification of the suspected malware infection. The malware analysis system provides the created snapshot or snapshots for further analysis.
US09910972B2
Methods and systems may provide for selecting a hypervisor protocol from a plurality of hypervisor protocols based on a communication associated with a remote agent. The selected hypervisor protocol may be used to conduct a trust analysis of one or more digitally signed values in the communication, wherein a cloud attestation request may be processed based on the trust analysis. Processing the cloud attestation request may involve generating a trustworthiness verification output, a geo-location verification output, etc., for a cloud computing node corresponding to the remote agent.
US09910969B2
A system, method, and device includes a platform data storage that stores a wrap that secures an executable controller and executable sensors. The wrap is verified, optionally through a downloaded authentication driver. After verifying the wrap, the wrap is opened and a sister of the executable controller is installed into the platform memory to cooperate with the executable controller. Additionally or alternatively, the authentication driver may cooperate with the executable controller. The executable controller allows the platform processor to access data secured in a vault and/or verify the platform to create a connection to an application server.
US09910961B2
Systems and methods are provided to facilitate consultations between a referral source (e.g., labs, pathologists and patients) and a consultant (e.g., pathologist, radiologist, or other digital image analyst). Links between the various referral sources and consultants are established through a scanning center via a data communication network such as the Internet. The referral source sends a slide to the scanning center where the corresponding digital slide is posted for review and analysis by the consultant. Upon completion of the analysis and report, a digital slide conference is conducted through the scanning center that provides a venue for direct communication regarding the consultation. The scanning center may also facilitate payment from the referral source to the consultant.
US09910960B2
Methods and systems are presented for indicating the proximity of a process requirement metric to a corresponding system process requirement in a physiological monitor. Metrics are determined based on a received physiological signal, such as a PPG signal. At least one of the metrics is compared to a corresponding system process requirement, such as a threshold, which can be used to trigger a system process, such as an alarm, a recalibration, or a measurement. The proximity of the metric to the corresponding system process requirement is calculated and indicated. Indicating the proximity to a system process requirement may provide valuable information to clinicians and allow them to manually trigger system processes, such as measurements or recalibrations, when a metric is close to a system process requirement for a significant period of time.
US09910944B2
Embodiments relate to the emulation of circuits, and representation of unknown states of signals. A disclosed system (and method and computer program product) includes an emulation environment to convert a digital signal of a DUT in a form capable of representing an unknown state. In addition, the disclosed system converts digital logic circuits such as Boolean logic, flip flops, latches, and memory circuits to be operable with signals having unknown states. Thus, an unknown state of a signal is indicated and propagated through digital logic circuits represented in a disclosed semantic to enable prompt detection of improper operation of the DUT, for example, due to power shut down or inadequate initialization.
US09910943B2
This application discloses a computing system to implement a design verification tool and simulate a circuit design with a test bench. The computing system can correlate transactions captured during simulation of a circuit design to distributed states for multiple components in the circuit design. The computing system can identify at least a portion of the distributed states for the multiple components correspond to system level coverage events. The computing system can generate a graphical presentation to illustrate the portion of the distributed states for the multiple components in the circuit design that correspond to system level coverage events.
US09910940B2
A method of modeling a segment of a pipeline transporting a product comprising defining within the segment a plurality of discrete cells, each disposed between knots, preparing a system of equations relating the conservations of mass, momentum and energy for each cell along with equations for the liquid phase flow area of cells with tight, slack and minimum area flow modes, providing data relating to the product and the location and elevation of the cells, sensing a plurality of conditions within known cells, solving the system of equations, initiating a re-stepping process by re-assessing the flow modes of each cell and re-setting flow modes for cells with unstable flow modes, and resolving the system of equations using stable flow modes. An embodiment of the method includes excepting one or more cells from the re-stepping portion where a recurrent pattern of flow mode change is detected.
US09910938B2
A method can include providing data for at least one shale gas formation; performing a statistical analysis on the data for each of the at least one shale gas formation; providing a simulation model; history matching the simulation model for each of the at least one shale gas formation based at least in part on the performed statistical analysis to generate a history matched model for each of the at least one shale gas formation; and forecasting production for another shale gas formation by plugging in data for the other shale gas formation into each generated history matched model. Various other apparatuses, systems, methods, etc., are also disclosed.
US09910933B2
A computer receives event information associated with a user. The computer determines one or more social media contacts associated with the event, wherein the social media contacts are further associated with the user. The computer determines one or more terms utilized by the determined one or more social media contacts. The computer detects an input by the user, wherein the input includes one or more characters. The computer determines one or more autocomplete suggestions based on the one or more terms utilized by the determined one or more social media contacts.
US09910929B2
A web browser-based content management system which includes a web browser; a web server engine embedded into the web browser so that the web browser has web server functionality, the web server engine having web server, database and scripting language components; and a content management system to support the creation, collection, management and publication of digital content, the content management system deployed on the web browser embedded web server to provide a web browser-based content management system. Also included is a browser to browser content sharing system.
US09910922B2
One or more files associated with a user are scanned. Metadata corresponding to the one or more files is determined. One or more categories based on the one or more files is determined, wherein the one or more categories is associated with the user. One or more categories are modified based on the metadata corresponding to the one or more files.
US09910913B2
Embodiments of the present invention disclose a method, computer program product, and system for generating a plan for document processing. A plurality of electronic documents are received from a data store. The plurality of electronic documents are analyzed. Textual data within the identified tabular data are identified, by performing a first natural language search of the analyzed plurality of electronic documents. Textual hints are generated, where the generated textual hints are mapped to a lookup set. References are identified, and a count of identified references are determined. A priority score is calculating based on the count of identified references. In response to receiving a priority score modifying value, a modified priority score is calculated. Ingestion plans are generated based on the modified priority score. Generated ingestion plans are communicated by the computer using the network.
US09910909B2
Embodiments of the invention relate to managing user interactions and, more particularly, to performing analysis on data generated by user interactions. Embodiments of the invention use text mining to extract personal information of users from user interactions automatically. A topic model is used to reduce the number of dimensions required to represent the text, yet all the information of interest is highly pronounced. This enables a lower dimensional representation of the data leading to significantly faster computations.