US09050073B2
A cryogenic ablation catheter includes a catheter shaft, a balloon and a connector respectively at the catheter shaft proximal and distal ends, a refrigerant delivery tube assembly including a refrigerant delivery tube rotatable within the catheter shaft lumen, and a refrigerant delivery element with an outlet located inside the balloon which directs refrigerant outwardly against the balloon at different rotary positions as it rotates. A cryogenic balloon ablation system includes the cryogenic ablation catheter, a catheter coupler mating with the connector, a motor including a rotatable hollow motor shaft, and a delivery line fluidly coupled to a cryogenic gas source for supplying cryogenic gas to the refrigerant delivery tube. At least one of the refrigerant delivery tube and the delivery line passes at least partway through the hollow motor shaft. The coupling tip of the connector and the refrigerant delivery tube rotate with the motor shaft.
US09050064B2
Systems for engaging a bodily tissue and methods of using the same. In at least one embodiment of an exemplary system for use with a vacuum source for engaging a tissue of the present disclosure, the system comprises an engagement catheter comprising a proximal end, a distal end, first and second lumens extending between the proximal end and the distal end, and a skirt operatively connected to the distal end, an inducer sheath having a proximal portion, a distal portion, and a lumen extending therethrough, the inducer sheath configured so that it is capable of insertion into the second lumen of the engagement catheter, a dilator comprising a tapered tip at a distal end and a hollow channel extending therethrough, the dilator sized and shaped for insertion into the lumen of the inducer sheath, and a vacuum port located at the proximal end of the engagement catheter, the vacuum port being operatively connected to the first lumen of the engagement catheter and capable of operative connection to a vacuum source. In various embodiments, the systems further comprise an inflatable balloon at or near the distal portion of the inducer sheath.
US09050056B2
Medical imaging is carried out by transmitting X-ray emissions through a subject, generating a first set of temporally separated images of an area of interest in the subject from the transmitted X-ray emissions, generating a second set of temporally separated images from the area of interest from a second source, and combining the sets to produce combined images of the area of interest. The method is further carried out by blocking the X-ray emissions from reaching the subject, updating the second set, combining the first set with the updated second set to produce updated combined images, displaying the updated combined images, and when a predetermined condition is satisfied, iterating updating the second set, combining the first set with the updated second set, and displaying the updated combined images.
US09050048B2
This application presents minimally-obstructive and structurally-adjustable retractors which afford an open work area of desirable size and enhanced visualization for a surgeon about the perineum and the posterior vaginal wall of the patient. The retractors may be lightweight and compact, and also configured and dimensioned to minimize slippage during use. The retractors may retract the engorged labia of the postpartum patient as well as the vaginal walls. The device may also be used as a speculum.
US09050045B2
Disclosed is a psychological state estimation device for estimating the psychological state of a subject. A psychological state estimation device for estimating the psychological state of a subject includes bioinformation acquiring means for acquiring bioinformation of the subject, perception response acquiring means for acquiring the perception response of the subject to an external event, influence degree acquiring means for acquiring the degree of influence on a change in the psychological state of the subject on the basis of the acquired perception response, and estimating means for estimating the psychological state of the subject on the basis of the bioinformation and the degree of influence on the change in the psychological state.
US09050041B2
Embodiments of the present disclosure include detecting a concurrent occurrence of a decrease in monitored analyte level and a corresponding decrease in monitored on-skin temperature, confirming a presence of an impending hypoglycemic condition, and asserting a notification corresponding to the confirmed impending hypoglycemic condition. Devices, methods, systems and kits incorporating the same are also provided.
US09050031B2
A system that monitors various conditions of a plurality of hospital beds located in different rooms of a healthcare facility is provided. Alternatively or additionally, other types of equipment may be monitored by the system. Various configurations of network interface units that are coupleable to or integrated into a hospital bed are also disclosed. The system receives data from the hospital beds and/or other equipment and initiates a communication to a wireless communication device of at least one designated caregiver in response to the received data being indicative of an alarm condition.
US09050029B2
A method and system for sizing an earpiece include situating a calibration device proximate a user's ear. The user holds an image capture device so as to aim the image capture device at the user's ear. The user then touches and holds a random area of the touch screen display and releases the touch screen display to activate the image capture device and capture an image of the user's ear and the calibration device. The captured image is then analyzed and an earpiece size is determined based on the analysis of the image.
US09050025B2
A system and method for determining volume-related parameters of a biological tissue, such as ocular tissue, include a light source for projecting light towards the biological tissue, a receiver for receiving light reflected from the biological tissue at two spectral wavelengths, and an image acquisition system in communication with the receiver for forming an image from the reflected light at each wavelength. A processor applies a mathematical model to the image which compares the absorption of light by the biological tissue at a selected image point at each of the two spectral wavelengths to determine the volume-related parameters, such as the relative thickness and material properties, of the biological tissue at that location.
US09050023B2
A controller determines a lower edge position of an imaging area of an image combined in long-length imaging through light illumination from a line marker. Thereby the controller performs control such that light from the line marker is switched off beyond an area, set in advance, capable of being imaged upon determination of the imaging area. Consequently, an operator just performs operation while looking at only light from the line marker upon determination of the imaging area, which achieves easy operation. As a result, operation upon determination of the imaging area can be facilitated.
US09050021B2
The present method describes a new method for the measurement of dark adaptation. The dark adaptation status of subjects may then be used to identify those subjects who are at risk of developing and/or who are currently suffering from a variety of disease states having their clinical manifestations in impaired dark adaptation. The disease states include, but are not limited to, age related macular degeneration, vitamin A deficiency, Sorsby's Fundus Dystrophy, late autosomal dominant retinal degeneration, retinal impairment related to diabetes and diabetic retinopathy. An apparatus for administering the test method described is also provided.
US09050013B2
A heart monitoring and/or therapy device for detecting and quantifying fusion beats, wherein the device includes an IEGM signal sensing channel that puts out a recorded IEGM signal and an evaluation unit operatively connected to the IEGM signal sensing channel that detects fusion beats. The evaluation unit comprises or is connected to a template memory including at least a first template electrogram signal and a second template electrogram signal. The evaluation unit compares the recorded IEGM signal with both, the first and the second template electrogram signal and determines at least a first degree of similarity reflecting the similarities between the recorded electrogram signal and the first template electrogram signal, and a second degree of similarity reflecting the similarities between the recorded electrogram signal and the second template electrogram signal. The evaluation unit then calculates a fusion index (FI) from the at least two degrees of similarity.
US09050009B2
Mammography-apparatus for detecting malignant cells in a breast comprising an x-ray source and an x-ray detector that cooperates with the x-ray source for providing an x-ray image of said breast, and further comprising a paddle for flattening the breast by pressing it against said x-ray detector, wherein at least one sensor is applied for measuring a parameter that is used for determining the pressure at which the paddle compresses the breast, and wherein a control system is provided which controls the actuation of the paddle depending on the pressure that is applied to the breast, wherein there is a contact area measuring unit for measuring the contact area between the breast and the paddle.
US09049994B2
A system for heart performance characterization and abnormality detection comprises an input processor and at least one signal processor. The input processor receives, sampled data representing a patient blood pressure signal and a concurrently acquired electrocardiogram (ECG) signal representing heart electrical activity of the patient. The at least one signal processor, synchronizes the patient blood pressure signal and the heart electrical activity signal, identifies at least two points of a heart electrical activity signal cycle, integrates signal data values representing the amplitude of the patient blood pressure signal of a segment between the identified two points to derive an integral value over time duration of the segment representing an area under the blood pressure signal waveform between the identified two points and in response to the derived integral value, initiates generation of a message associated with a medical condition of the patient.
US09049987B2
A device for manipulating a magnetic coupling force across tissue in response to a monitored coupling force is described. The device includes a magnetic field source assembly, a positioning assembly operatively connected to the magnetic field force assembly, and a magnetic coupling force monitor. The magnetic field source assembly includes magnets that provide an external magnetic field source for providing a magnetic field across tissue. The positioning assembly adjusts the position of the magnetic field source. The magnetic field creates a magnetic coupling force between the external magnetic field source and an object positioned in use in a patient during a procedure, wherein the object has or is associated with an internal magnetic field.
US09049986B2
Systems and methods for treating spinal stenosis include endoscopic access devices and bone removal devices used to perform a foraminotomy or other bone removal procedures. A bone removal device includes a cannulotome with an endoscopic imaging lumen. Optionally, an endoscope retaining device can be used to facilitate advancement of the endoscope through the cannulotome.
US09049982B2
A disease management system, methods, and devices are shown and described. In one embodiment, the system includes an infusion pump and a remote controller with the ability to be paired to each other. A method to verify a wireless connection between an infusion pump and a remote controller is shown and described herein. In a further embodiment, a method to verify a wireless connection between an infusion pump and a remote controller is provided. In addition, a method of operating a diabetes management system is provided in which the system includes an infusion pump and at least a remote controller.
US09049980B2
A strain relief apparatus of a probe and a method of manufacturing the same are disclosed. The strain relief apparatus includes an insert part mounted on a probe switch box and having an insertion recess at an inner side thereof, a ferrite core mounted on the insertion recess, and a rubber part provided to the insert part by injection molding. The strain relief apparatus protects a cable of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus from impact exerted on the cable and suppresses influence on a contact point between a probe switch box and the cable by bending of the cable, thereby preventing damage of the cable.
US09049975B2
A surface maintenance vehicle with quick release squeegee assembly and a method of connecting a squeegee assembly to the brush deck of a floor surface maintenance vehicle. A single release latch may be used to connect and disconnect the squeegee assembly and the brush deck. When engaged, corresponding locating structures on the brush deck and a frame of the squeegee assembly align the brush deck and the frame and provide points where the relative movement between the brush deck and frame are restricted.
US09049969B2
Methods and apparatus for creating a shower or bath enclosure, in which, given a predetermined area in which to create the shower or bath, a given prefabricated water proof bath or shower floor module is too small to occupy the entire available enclosure space. The apparatus includes the use of one or more additional enclosure components, such as one or more shower benches, to occupy a space between an edge or edges of the floor module and the exterior boundary(ies) of the enclosure space.
US09049968B2
A pen for washing a small child, intended for use in a shower or bathtub. The floor panel is flat, resilient for the comfort and safety of the child, and perforated to allow water to flow through. The upper frame assembly provides a handrail too high for the child to trip, fall, or climb over, but low enough for the child to comfortably hold itself upright or pull itself to a standing position. Smooth, perforated side panels allow free flow of water while safely confining the child to the interior of the pen. For use in bathing, the pen relies on the surrounding bathtub to hold water. For use in showering, the pen retains no water. The pen may be collapsible for easy storage.
US09049965B2
A food processor includes a base and a bowl with a removable lid. Food items are advanced into the bowl through a feed tube formed in the lid where they are cut by a cutting assembly driven by a motor. The cutting assembly is adjustable to vary the thickness of the cut food items. An adjustment assembly positioned in the base is operable to adjust the cutting thickness of the cutting assembly while the cutting assembly is driven by the motor.
US09049964B2
A cutting board includes an opening for a rotatable disc. The rotatable disc may be inserted into the cutting board and allow a user to rotate food or other objects to be cut on the rotatable disc. This allows the user to maintain a cutting object, such as a knife, in a fixed location and rotate the rotatable disc to cut the object at varying angles. The rotatable disc can be interchanged with rotatable discs with various surfaces, such as a cutting surface for slicing or grating. The cutting board may also include a removable tray underneath the board for collecting food cut by the cutting surface.
US09049960B2
A machine for preparing a liquid food or beverage has an outermost housing that includes a top part and downwardly extending sidewalls which cover and shield at least part of a liquid food or beverage module. The downwardly extending sidewalls have a portion that forms, optionally together with a portion of the top part, a grip seizable by a human hand such that the machine can be carried and displaced single handed by seizure of the grip.
US09049959B2
Embodiments of the present invention provide improved water fill capabilities, improved coffee baskets, and improved steam diverting and management features for coffee makers used on board passenger transport vehicles.
US09049958B2
An apparatus for producing brewed beverages, having a brewing unit which has a brewing chamber, into which a capsule can be introduced through an introduction shaft.
US09049943B2
An inflatable cell that is inflatable with a fluid, such as air, comprises a flexible casing that is closed at its ends, the casing defining, between its walls, at least one inflatable chamber; and at least one fluid insertion means for inserting fluid into the chamber and at least one fluid removal means for removing fluid from said chamber, these insertion and removal means being bonded in substantially airtight manner to at least one end of the casing; and at least one link means for linking the cell to another identical cell, which link means are integral with or secured to the casing. A method of manufacturing such a cell and a support device of the mattress type that is manufactured on the basis of assembling together such cells are also disclosed.
US09049942B2
A movable bed contains a base, a moving assembly, a first electric actuator, a second electric actuator, a driving shaft for matching with a support stand, and a lifting rack. The moving assembly includes four rollers fitted into two rails of the base. The base includes a centrally horizontal rod with a U-shaped piece. A top end of the first electric actuator is rotatably coupled with a connecting piece of the driving shaft, and the driving shaft has two ends connecting with the support stand and two U-shaped pieces. The second electric actuator includes a bottom end fixed on the moving assembly and a top end rotatably coupled with a L-shaped piece of a first plate of the lifting rack, one end of the first plate is rotatably joined with a second plate. The second plate is rotatably connected with a pushing bar also rotatably joined with the moving assembly.
US09049934B2
The disclosed invention solves the problem of fatigue, among other things, by providing a seat assembly that fits into one or more Unit Spaces in an electronic equipment rack.
US09049930B1
A cabinet drawer includes a molded drawer floor having a central portion including at least one depression, each depression having a bottom wall and a sidewall having an inner surface and an outer surface. A flange extends outwardly from an upper edge of each depression. A plurality of webs extends outward from each depression outer surface for connection with a drawer slide system. A peripheral edge of the flange includes a plurality of deflectable tabs for coupling to a surrounding fence without the use of fasteners. The fence includes a skirt portion extending downward from the drawer floor flange to hide any drawer slide mechanism coupling the drawer floor to any underlying base.
US09049928B2
A holding device for holding a plurality of bottles. The holding device has a plurality of holding elements, each holding element having an interacting surface capable of engaging at least one of a neck and a shoulder of a respective bottle for holding the bottle upside down.
US09049921B1
A floss-dispensing toothbrush device stores and dispenses floss while also cleaning a person's tongue. The toothbrush device includes an elongated member having a head coupled to a handle. A top and bottom side of the handle define an interior space of the handle. A plurality of bristles is coupled to and extends from the head. A ridged surface extends across the head and is configured for cleaning a person's tongue. A floss housing is coupled to and positioned in a floss cavity within the interior space of the handle. The floss housing is configured for receiving floss. A conduit extends from the floss cavity wherein the conduit is configured for guiding the floss through the handle. An aperture is positioned in the handle and coupled to the conduit. The aperture is configured for receiving the floss from the conduit wherein a person palls the floss out from the aperture.
US09049917B2
A device is configured to adjustably retain at least one strap and dampen forces exerted into or by the at least one strap. The device includes a main body including at least one strap adjustment channel configured to adjustably retain the at least one strap, and at least one tensile member formed on or within the main body. The at least one tensile member is configured to flex, bend, and/or stretch in order to absorb the forces exerted into or by the at least one strap.
US09049916B2
One possible embodiment of the invention could be a backpack for carrying folding chairs comprising a front panel, the front panel supporting at least one shoulder strap that is used to connect the backpack to an operator; a back panel; the back panel being connected to the front panel by a mutual bottom edge; one or more connection straps that can respectively removably further attach a front panel to a back panel; wherein when the backpack is carrying a folded folding chair that extends outwards past the front and back panels, the connection straps engage the folded folding chair to sandwich and otherwise hold the folded folding chair between the front panel and the back panel.
US09049915B2
Disclosed herein is a method for producing a unit for applying a cosmetic product, the application unit comprising a support having a fixing site onto which a mass of cosmetic product is molded, the method comprising injection molding the cosmetic product onto the support. Also disclosed herein are application units obtained by such a method.
US09049914B2
The present invention is concerned with a hair clipping device. The device has a first member in the form of an arm, and defines an inwardly facing surface. The device has a second member also in the form of an arm, movably connected to the first member and defines an inwardly facing surface. The device further has a bridge, the bridge has a frame portion made of a first material and an interior portion made of a second material. The interior portion is softer than the frame portion and provided with an increased frictional surface when compared to said frame portion.
US09049913B2
An apparatus (10) for styling hair includes first and second members (12, 14) operatively connected to each other and adapted for relative movement between a generally open condition to receive a length of hair and a generally approximated position to engage the length of hair and a brush (22) mounted relative to the first and second members (12, 14). The brush (22) is adapted for rotational movement about a longitudinal axis defined thereby to brush the length of hair when the first and second members (12, 14) are in the approximated condition. At least one, if not both, of the first and second members (12, 14) may include a heating element (58) for heat treating the length of hair.
US09049910B1
A carry bag assembly having a primary bag structure. The interior is accessible through an open top. At least one flap is provided outside the primary bag structure. Each flap hangs freely next to the primary bag structure, therein defining a veiled area between the flap and the primary bag structure. A removable pouch is provided for each veiled area. A connector is disposed between each removable pouch and the primary bag structure for use in selectively connecting the removable pouch to the primary bag structure. Each removable pouch attaches to the primary bag structure within a veiled area behind a flap. In this manner, the removable pouches can be attached to the exterior of the primary bag structure without being viewed by an observer.
US09049909B2
A package for securing a card is disclosed where the card is retained between two panels that are secured together by a heat-activated adhesives and/or a combination of polymeric and adhesive constituents to drastically hinder surreptitious access to the contents of the package. The package may include additional features for activating or accessing the card and increasing the aesthetic appeal of the package.
US09049893B2
According to various embodiments, a medical device may include a hat and an annular securing device coupled to the hat and configured to adjustably secure the hat to a patient's body. The annular securing device may be configured to reduce in circumference when at least one end of the annular securing device is pulled in an axial direction. The medical device may also include a sensor disposed on the hat or annular securing device. The sensor may be configured to communicatively couple to the patient's body.
US09049888B2
An ashtray having a conical shaped wall. The ashtray is used in sandy environments. The wall consists of wall supports and a series of elongated blades along the length of the lower wall. The ashtray has an attached lid that snaps into the wall supports with an opening to receive extinguished cigarettes. When the ashtray is inserted into the substrate, the external pressure exerted against the wall causes the blades to open. The ashtray is then twisted into the substrate causing the receptacle to fill with sand thereby covering the lid. Cigarettes are extinguished in the substrate. Once the upper surface is filled with waste, the ashtray is lifted and the substrate easily exits the wall cutouts and bottom opening. The butts are easily pushed through the lid. The ashtray can then be reinserted into the substrate covering the waste and providing for a fresh surface to receive additional cigarettes.
US09049880B2
A method for obtaining cochineal wax is provided which comprises (a) harvesting cochineal insects from an artificial medium inoculated with the insects; (b) extracting cochineal wax from the insects with a liquid medium; and (c) isolating cochineal wax from the liquid medium.
US09049879B2
The disclosure relates to an edible energy composition that includes a methylated xanthine, a choline derivative and a flavorant.
US09049875B2
In accordance with the invention, a device and method for steaming and toasting food items is provided. The device is particularly suited for steaming and toasting hamburger sandwich bun heels and crowns. The device in accordance with the invention may include a steam outlet for steaming food items by impinging steam onto the food item. A conveyor moves the food item along a toasting pathway in which the food item is toasted by a heated platen extending along at least a portion of the toasting pathway.
US09049870B2
A removable break-away shackle assembly for suspending an animal carcass during processing includes a shackle connected to a drop rod, where the drop rod is connected to a conveyor system. The drop rod includes an elongated body with a connector at one end. The shackle includes bendable opposing arms forming a widenable gap. The shackle is separable from the drop rod by passing the drop rod through the widenable gap causing the arms to bend and the gap to widen, or by passing the widenable gap across a depression in the drop rod.
US09049863B2
Compounds of the formula (I) or salts thereof, in each case in the optically active (3R,4R)-threo form, in which R1 is hydrogen or a hydrolysable radical, and (R2)n, (R3)m, n and m are as defined in formula (I) according to claim 1, where the stereochemical configuration at the carbon atom in position 3 of the butanoic acid derivative has a stereochemical purity of from 60 to 100% (R), preferably 70 to 100% (R), or more preferably 80 to 100% (R), in particular 90 to 100% (R), based on a mixture of threo enantiomers present, and the stereochemical configuration at the carbon atom in position 4 of the butanoic acid derivative has a stereochemical purity of from 60 to 100% (R), preferably 70 to 100% (R), more preferably 80 to 100% (R), in particular 90 to 100% (R), based on a mixture of threo enantiomers present, are suitable for use as herbicides and growth regulators, in particular for the selective use in plant crops, and can be prepared by the process of claim 9.
US09049859B2
The present invention relates to an agrochemical mixture for increasing the health of a plant, comprising as active ingredients a herbicidal compound (I) selected from the group consisting of: Benzoic acids, Pyridine carboxylic acids, Quinoline carboxylic acids, and benazolin-ethyl; and a fungicidal compound (II) in synergistically effective amounts. The present invention further relates to a method for improving the health of a plant, wherein the plant, the locus where the plant is growing or is expected to grow or plant propagation material from which the plant grows is treated with an effective amount of a mixture as defined above. In addition, the invention relates to the use of a mixture as defined above for synergistically increasing the health of a plant.
US09049856B2
The present invention relates to a cold organ preservation composition for transplantation comprising a cold organ preservation solution and cardiotrophin-1 or a functionally equivalent variant thereof. The invention also relates to methods and kits for the preparation of said composition, the uses thereof for the cold organ protection and/or preservation for transplantation (particularly for kidney, lung and heart) and also to the cold preservation methods and cold-preserved isolated organs by these methods.
US09049845B2
A training apparatus composed of pvc pipe used to train scent dogs to detect complex hazardous substances from an odor mixture having at least two separated component odors housed in at least two ventilated containers. At least two elbow shaped pipes having compartments, in which the containers reside. The apparatus further includes end caps securing the containers in the compartments. A two way clean out adapter pipe, having three openings, is connected to the elbow pipes, where separate odors, from separate explosive components situated in the separated containers, mix by diffusion and provide an odor mixture developed from the separated components. A drain assembly, having a drain cover, with holes is affixed on top of the drain assembly; allowing odor mixtures to rise up and out of the drain assembly, where the scent detecting dogs are trained to identify the explosive components.
US09049842B2
An automatic replenishing mechanism for a pet drinking fountain is a container having a water injection element, a float, a linkage set, and a sealing plug. The water injection element, connected to the container, has a water inlet and a base. The float, connected by a link bar to the base, is located underneath the water inlet and limited by a guiding portion to float longitudinally. The sealing plug is mounted on the link bar near the water inlet. When water level rises to elevate the float, the link bar rotates to push the sealing plug. When the float floats to a predetermined level, the sealing plug blocks the water inlet to stop water supply. When a pet drinks water and the water level drops, the float sinks from the predetermined level. The link bar rotates to retreat the sealing plug from the water inlet, thereby automatically replenishing water.
US09049839B2
A filter assembly including a rectangular inlet frame having a rectangular inlet opening to receive a primary filter and optional a prefilter. The filter assembly may include a rectangular outlet frame and a housing body that is collapsible to have a flattened shipping state and an erect state. The rectangular inlet frame may also be used as a housing by itself to support and house primary filters and prefilters. A gridwork including one or more grid dividers may be used in the rectangular inlet frame to provide 2 or more openings for receipt of filters.
US09049828B1
A novel maize variety designated PH1V5F and seed, plants and plant parts thereof. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprise crossing maize variety PH1V5F with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into PH1V5F through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. Hybrid maize seed, plant or plant part produced by crossing the variety PH1V5F or a locus conversion of PH1V5F with another maize variety.
US09049821B1
A watering control system includes a bridge device and a flow control device. The bridge device communicates with a web server to maintain a watering schedule. The bridge device also communicates wirelessly with the flow control device. The flow control device includes an annular inlet for connecting to an external faucet or another source of fluid, an annular outlet for connecting to a hose or another water conveying channel, and a conduit positioned in communication with the inlet and the outlet. The flow control device further includes a wireless receiver and a valve. The receiver is configured to receive a wirelessly transmitted valve activation signal from the bridge device and the valve is configured to open in accordance with the activation signal to enable the fluid to flow through the conduit.
US09055710B2
In a palette movement in which a palette (24) which holds a tray (6) whose components are used up is moved from a palette carrying part (27) where the palette (24) was carried for the exchange with a new tray (6) to a palette accommodating part (23), the accommodating address of the return destination is specified based on a readout result of a palette identification mark of a palette information readout sensor (32) and palette accommodating data which are stored in advance. Therefore, even if the components in two or more palettes (24) are used up in the same period, the palettes (24) can be returned to the palette accommodating parts (23) corresponding to the specified accommodating addresses of the return destinations.
US09055709B2
An electronic component feeder and a chip mount having the electronic component feeder are provided. The electronic component feeder includes a body having a pickup position at which electronic components are picked up and a plurality of component feed paths guiding respective component feed tapes holding the electronic components to the pickup position, and which switches the component feed paths to select a component feed path guiding a component feed tape to the pickup position so that the electronic components held in the component feed tape are picked up at the pickup position, based on a component holding state about the electronic components held in one of the component feed tapes.
US09055708B2
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.
US09055707B2
A die bonding system for bonding a die on a substrate is provided. The die bonding system includes a supporting base for the substrate, a die pickup device for picking up the die, and an alerting device. The supporting base includes a number of conductive and height-adjustable upper portions. The upper portions are spaced from each other. The alerting device includes a power source and an alerting element electrically connected to the power source. Two electrodes of the power source are electrically connected to the die pickup device and the upper portions, and the alerting element generates different alerts according to different contacting status of the upper portions and the die pickup device.
US09055704B2
A hot press device manufacturing a multilayered printed board by pressing processed members laminated by mutually opposing heating plates includes: a plurality of heating plates including a plurality of projected parts and punched parts engaging therewith and capable of moving in a direction in which the processed members are laminated; and a pressure mechanism pressurizing each of the heating plates in the lamination direction, wherein the processed member is arranged between the heating plates and is pressed by the heating plates pressurized by the pressure mechanism while engaged with each other.
US09055703B2
A structure including a seed layer located directly on top of and conformal to the diffusion barrier, wherein the seed layer is parallel to the sidewall and bottom of the opening, the seed layer comprises a crystalline structure suitable for plating copper; a first intermetallic compound and an alloy layer parallel to the sidewall of the opening and separating the seed layer from the conductive material, the first intermetallic compound is a precipitate within a solid solution of an alloying material of the alloy layer and the conductive material, and is molecularly bound to both the alloy layer and the conductive material, and a first high friction interface located between the seed layer and the alloy layer extending in a direction parallel to the sidewall of the opening, wherein the first high friction interface results in a mechanical bond between the seed layer and the alloy layer.
US09055699B2
A switching power supply device includes a case, a board that has circuit parts containing a switching element mounted thereon and is accommodated in the case, and a heat sink that is provided in the case so as to partition the inside of the case into a part mount chamber having the board accommodated therein and an air flow path through which air flows. The switching element of the circuit parts is mounted on the board while brought into contact with a surface of the heat sink that faces the part mount chamber, and cooled through the heat sink by the air flowing in the air flow path.
US09055682B2
There is provided a circuit module including a circuit substrate being a wiring substrate having a mount surface, a surface wiring layer disposed on the mount surface, and an inner wiring layer formed within the substrate, a first mount component mounted on the mount surface, a second mount component mounted on the mount surface, and electrically connected to the first mount component via the inner wiring layer, a sealing body formed on the mount surface, covering the first mount component and the second mount component and having a trench formed from a main surface of the sealing body to the surface wiring layer between the first mount component and the second mount component, and a shield having an inner shield section formed within the trench that abuts on the surface wiring layer and an outer shield section covering the sealing body and the inner shield section.
US09055681B2
Techniques for producing a flexible structure attached to a device. One embodiment includes the steps of providing a first substrate, providing a second substrate with a releasably attached flexible structure, providing a bonding layer on at least one of the first substrate and the flexible structure, adjoining the first and second substrate such that the flexible structure is attached at the first substrate by means of the bonding layer, and detaching the second substrate in such a way that the flexible structure remains on the first substrate.
US09055675B2
A flap door mechanism with closable function includes a door member, a resilient member and a spring arm member. The door member is pivoted to a casing. The resilient member is installed on the door member and for driving the door member to rotate in a first direction. The resilient member includes a first end and a second end. The spring arm member is selectively disposed on the door member or on the casing. The spring arm member abuts against the first end. When the door member rotates in a second direction opposite to the first direction, the spring arm member is pushed to bend by the first end or is pressed to flatten by the casing, so as to reduce deformation between the first end and the second end of the resilient member.
US09055674B2
A printed circuit board includes signal transmitting units that transmit signals, signal receiving units that receive signals, and a plurality of signal lines that connect the signal transmitting units and the signal receiving units. A resistor having a value Rp [Ω] of resistance with a first tolerance is provided between two signal lines that are adjacent to each other. In addition, a capacitor element that is connected in series to the resistor and that has a value Cp [F] of capacitance with a second tolerance is also connected between the two signal lines. In relation to the rise time tr [s] of the signals output from the signal transmitting units, the value Rp of resistance of the resistor and the value Cp of capacitance of the capacitor element are set such that an expression (Cp×Rp)×0.9≦tr/3≦(Cp×Rp)×1.1 is satisfied.
US09055671B2
A substrate with built-in electronic component includes: a core layer that includes a core material and a cavity formed in the core material and containing an insulating material; an insulating layer that includes a ground wiring and a signal wiring and is formed on the core layer; and a plurality of electronic components that each include a first terminal and a second terminal and are stored in the cavity, the plurality of electronic components each having one end portion and the other end portion, the first terminal being formed at the one end portion and connected to the ground wiring, the second terminal being formed at the other end portion and connected to the signal wiring, the plurality of electronic components having at least one of arrangements in which the first terminals face each other and in which the second terminals face each other.
US09055669B2
An display device package including a first substrate, an display device, a second substrate, a welding glue, and a first adhesive layer is provided. The display device is disposed on the first substrate. The second substrate is disposed above the first substrate and the display device. The welding glue is welded with the first substrate and the second substrate and surrounds the display device, wherein the welding glue has a continuous pattern. The first adhesive layer is adhered to the first substrate and the second substrate, wherein the first adhesive layer is disposed between the display device and the welding glue and surrounds the display device, and the material of the first adhesive layer and the material of the welding glue are different.
US09055668B2
A fabrication method for a multi-piece board includes: checking whether pieces (printed wiring boards) are defect-free or not; forming a first recess in a joint portion between a defective piece and a frame; forming a first fitting portion at the frame by separating the defective piece; cutting out a defect-free piece having a second fitting portion from another board; forming a second recess in the second fitting portion; fitting the second fitting portion into the first fitting portion; flattening a joint portion; and filling an adhesive in a third recess which is formed by the first recess and the second recess, and curing the adhesive to adhere the frame and the defect-free piece.
US09055662B2
The present invention relates to a cyclotron capable or producing a first beam of accelerated charged particles defined by a first <
US09055661B2
A plasma processing apparatus comprises an upper electrode 42, a lower electrode, a grounding member 61 provided above the upper electrode 42 via an insulating member 60; and a DC power supply for applying a DC voltage to the upper electrode 42. Gas diffusion rooms 54 and 55 communicating with a gas supply opening 53 formed at a lower surface of the upper electrode 42 are formed in the upper electrode 42 and a gas flow path 62 communicating with the gas diffusion rooms 54 and 55 is formed in the insulating member 60. A bent portion 63 for allowing a gas within the gas flow path to flow in a direction having at least a horizontal component is formed at the gas flow path 62 such that an end of the gas flow path 62 cannot be seen from the other end thereof when viewed from the top.
US09055654B2
A film formation apparatus with which a deposited film to cover a deposition object having a three-dimensional curved surface can be formed and a method of forming a deposited film to cover a three-dimensional curved surface. The film formation apparatus includes a deposition source having deposition directivity, a deposition-source-moving mechanism which moves the deposition source, a deposition-object-holding mechanism which holds a deposition object having a three-dimensional curved surface, a deposition-direction-changing mechanism which changes the deposition direction, and a control portion which controls the deposition-source-moving mechanism and the deposition-direction-changing mechanism.
US09055651B1
A light source includes an operating time accumulator (i.e., counter or timer). The light source is operable to be powered by a driver circuit. The light source may be included in a light fixture or independently housed. The light source includes a controller integrally connected with a light emitting diode (LED) of the light source. Whenever the LED is receiving power from the driver circuit, the controller receives power from the driver circuit and accumulates an operating time in a nonvolatile memory of the controller. The nonvolatile memory includes blocks of bits arranged in a hierarchy. All of the bits of any block are in the same level of the hierarchy.
US09055648B2
The LED illumination system according to various embodiments is configurated in such a manner that the LED lighting device is installed in an existing straight-tube fluorescent lamp luminaire, and the LED lamp is connected to the existing sockets. The characteristic of the output from the LED lighting device connected to either inter-terminal section A on the ends of the LED lamp is to be different from that of an existing fluorescent lamp lighting device. The LED lamp is provided with lighting device output detector for detecting the output from the LED lighting device and protector for cutting off the input to the LED lamp when the output detected by the lighting device output detector is outside of a predetermined range.
US09055647B2
A system includes first, second, and third sets of LEDs and a control module. The first set of LEDs outputs light having wavelengths in a wavelength range in a spectrum of ultraviolet light and is coated with a phosphor to convert the ultraviolet light to blue light having wavelengths in a wavelength range in a spectrum of blue light. The second and third sets of LEDs output light having wavelengths in a wavelength range in the spectrum of blue light and is coated with phosphors to convert the blue light to light having wavelengths in a wavelength range in a spectrum of green, yellow, and red light. The second set of LEDs generates less red light than green light. The third set of LEDs generates less green light than red light. The current control module controls currents through the first, second, and third sets of LEDs to generate white light.
US09055625B2
The control method comprises the following steps. Firstly, whether a touch event occurs in a control device is determined. Then, responding to a color temperature set and a brightness set from the control device, a first PWM and a second PWM is generated. Then, whether the lamp connects with to the control device is determined. Then, the first PWM and the second PWM is packaged in a color control package if the lamp connects with to the control device. Then, the color control package is transmitted to the lamp in wireless.
US09055618B2
Oven and method for operating an oven, comprising an On/Off-key (4), at least one key (3, 5) for choosing a predefined oven function or for choosing a predefined oven program and/or for programming a not predefined oven program, at least one specific key (6), which enables the user to start a preferred oven function or a preferred oven program from an Off-mode or a Standby-mode of the oven, wherein a running oven function or a running oven program can be saved by a memory unit as a preferred oven function or as a preferred oven program, when the specific key (6) is actuated at least for a predetermined period of time.
US09055605B2
A user system includes terminal equipment, a removable integrated circuit card and a removable memory card configured to cooperate with the terminal equipment, a card link application provided in the integrated circuit card to establish and manage a secure logical connection between the integrated circuit card and the memory card through the terminal equipment, and an application programming interface provided in the terminal equipment to receive and execute commands from the card link application and to cooperate with the card link application to establish the secure logical connection between the integrated circuit card and the memory card through the first terminal equipment.
US09055596B2
The present disclosure presents methods and apparatuses for selective channel reset. For example, the disclosure describes example methods that may include determining that a candidate cell exhibits superior communication properties on a carrier than does a serving cell. In an aspect, this carrier may correspond to an active serving cell channel. The example methods may also include adding a reset flag to a channel reconfiguration message based on the determining, where the reset flag instructs a user equipment to reset a subset of a set of channels associated with the serving cell and the subset includes the channel. Furthermore, example methods may include transmitting the channel reconfiguration message, for example, to a user equipment. Thus, a specified subset of channels associated with the user equipment may be reset, which reduces the signaling load, complexity, and power drain associated with legacy channel reset methods and apparatuses.
US09055595B2
Processing implemented by a method and apparatus herein advantageously improves the quality of measurements performed on non-serving frequencies and/or the quality of serving cell data reception by intelligently configuring measurement gaps during which a wireless device (36) is to perform those measurements. Such intelligent configuration entails obtaining (100) information that identifies, for each of a plurality of candidate non-serving frequencies, one or more measurement bandwidths over which one or more corresponding measurements on that non-serving frequency are to be performed. In at least some embodiments, such candidate non-serving frequencies represent frequencies for which the device (36) has requested measurements gaps. Regardless, processing further includes selecting (110) a subset of the candidate non-serving frequencies based on the measurement bandwidths. Processing finally includes configuring (120) measurement gaps during which the wireless device (36) is to perform one or more measurements on the selected non-serving frequencies.
US09055593B2
Disclosed are a method and apparatus for transceiving channel transmit power information in a wireless communication system. According to one embodiment of the present invention, transmit power information for the channel available for the device which operates in a television band may be signaled for each individual channel.
US09055590B2
An electronic device includes a medium access controller (MAC) to generate frames and transmitter circuitry to convert the frames to radio-frequency (RF) analog signals for transmission. The MAC is to initiate frame generation at a time that precedes initiation of RF analog signal transmission by a specified time period. In a first mode, the MAC is to generate a dummy frame during a first portion of the specified time period and to initiate generation of a transmit frame during a subsequent second portion of the specified time period. Also in the first mode, the transmitter circuitry is to convert the dummy frame into a first analog signal, discard the first analog signal, convert the transmit frame into a second analog signal, and transmit the second analog signal.
US09055584B2
There is provided a management server including a holding unit for holding a location/frequency list in which location information and frequency information are associated, a list creation unit for creating an available frequency list by extracting, from the location/frequency list, frequency information corresponding to location information received from a base station, and a list transmission unit for transmitting the available frequency list created by the list creation unit to the base station.
US09055569B2
A method and a wireless network determining at least part of a PUCCH resource index nPUCCH(1) (PUCCH format 1a/1b) associated with an ePDCCH PRB set. The PUCCH resource index nPUCCH(1) is determined depending on whether a localized or distributed ePDCCH is used.
US09055561B2
Methods and systems for conveying or transmitting to any given user in an OFDMA-MU-MIMO system scheduling information of other co-scheduled users to permit the user to perform error-correction on received data and/or interference reduction on its received signals. The scheduling information can include resource block assignment, modulation constellations employed, coding rates employed, power levels utilized and precoder matrix indices used. Further, the scheduling information can be conveyed in part through dedicated reference symbol layers or pilot streams. Moreover, a base station may transmit a preliminary estimate of the total number of users the base station expects to schedule, or an upper-bound on the total number of users, to the MU-MIMO users to permit the MU-MIMO users to determine preferred precoder matrix indices and indications of channel quality indices.
US09055559B2
A system and method for establishing and/or maintaining disparate connection paths from an originating mobile user device to a base station via a mobile peer-to-peer (PTP) network including an originating mobile user device configured to broadcast at least one of a path establishment request signal and a confirmation request signal to an intermediate mobile user device; a mobile peer-to-peer network including the intermediate mobile user device configured to forwarding at least one of the path establishment request signal, the path establishment response signal, the path confirmation request signal, and a path confirmation response signal, via a disparate connection path; and a base station configured to broadcasting at least one of the path establishment response signal and the path confirmation response signal to the originating mobile user device via one or more disparate connection paths within the mobile peer-to-peer network.
US09055558B2
The herein disclosed apparatus, systems, and methods use Almost Blank Subframes (ABS) to manage interference between D2D and WAN transmissions. In particular, an eNodeB is disclosed comprising a controller module operable to obtain an indicator of a need for a quiescent subframe, and to select responsively thereto a subframe of a communication frame, and allocate the selected subframe as an Almost Blank Subframe (ABS). The base station includes a transceiver module operable to communicate the ABS over an air interface, and to send a misinformation signal to another eNodeB device indicating the ABS is not almost blank.
US09055551B2
The present disclosure relates to the mobile communication field and discloses a prefix allocation method, a network system, and a Local Mobility Anchor (LMA). With the prefix allocation method, the network system and the LMA provided in the present disclosure, the problem that a shared prefix cannot be allocated to a multi-interface (IF) Mobile Node (MN) is solved. The prefix allocation method includes: receiving a registration request for a second IF of the MN from a Mobile Access Gateway (MAG); obtaining a first Home Network Prefix (HNP) that is already allocated to a first interface (IF) of the MN; and allocating the first HNP shared with the first IF to the second IF. The LMA obtains the first HNP that is already allocated to the first IF and allocates the first HNP to the second IF. In this way, a shared prefix is allocated to the multi-IF enabled MN.
US09055550B1
Methods and systems are described for determining a physical address for a device connected to a network via a network access point. Associations between one or more physical addresses and network access points may be stored in a profile associated with the device. If the device is connected to a particular network access point, the profile and associations may be used to determine a current physical address for the device.
US09055529B2
A subscriber station is configured to extend a battery life using a method for envelope tracking power amplification. The subscriber station includes a main processor configured to perform a plurality of functions to operate the subscriber station. The subscriber station also includes a power source configured to provide power to one or more components in the subscriber station and an envelope tracking power amplifier (ET PA) configured to amplify a signal. The ETPA also is configured to estimate and adaptively maintain the envelope and RF signal time alignment during operation of the ET PA.
US09055527B2
The present invention relates to a method and a device for time synchronization of an RBS which has lost its GPS signal. The method in the time synchronization device comprises retrieving from the first radio base station a first timing advance value (710) used by the user equipment to adjust its transmission timing before the handover, and a measurement of a reception timing (720) of a random access preamble. The random access preamble is transmitted from the user equipment to the second radio base station during synchronization. The method also comprises retrieving (730) from the second radio base station a second timing advance value used by the user equipment to adjust its transmission timing after the handover, and determining (740) a time synchronization offset between the first and second radio base station based on the retrieved first timing advance value, the second timing advance value, and the measurement of the reception timing.
US09055525B2
A method of acquiring initial synchronization in a code division multiple access mobile communication system is provided. The method includes quantizing a received signal into a plurality of levels, calculating correlation values of the quantized received signal and a local code, calculating absolute values of the correlation values, and detecting a position of a maximum value which exceeds a threshold among the absolute values and an ID of a downlink synchronization (SYNC-DL) sequence and determining timing values of available cells and energy values corresponding to the timing values.
US09055522B2
Embodiments of the present invention provide a method, device, and system for selecting route discovery, to enable flexible selection of a route discovery method. The method includes: determining the amount of data to be transmitted; selecting, according to the amount of data to be transmitted, symmetric path route discovery or asymmetric path route discovery; and transmitting a selection result to other nodes.
US09055518B2
A method of handling a service request in a communication system comprising a radio access network providing radio access capability to a plurality of core networks, the method comprising: a BSC in the radio access network receiving a service request from a mobile terminal; the BSC making a first core network selection; the BSC sending the service request received to a first MSC; the MSC communicating with the mobile terminal in handling the service request; the MSC sending an IMSI of the mobile terminal to the BSC; in the event that the core network selected as a result of the first core network selection does not provide service, the radio access network making a second core network selection; and the BSC sending the service request and the IMSI to the core network selected as a result of the second core network selection.
US09055516B2
A first wireless communication apparatus acquires communication qualities of a first communication path, a second communication path and a direct communication path, respectively, adopts as a communication quality of an indirect communication path a lower communication qualities selected from the communication qualities of the first and second communication paths, and selects a communication path having a higher one of a communication performance corresponding to the direct communication path and a communication performance corresponding to the indirect communication path.
US09055513B2
Systems and methods for scalable discovery in contention-based peer-to-peer (P2P) networks are described herein. A method for managing access to a contention-based broadcast channel in a P2P wireless communication network as described herein includes obtaining one or more system timing parameters, the system timing parameters including at least a collision probability tolerance; and configuring a time structure for access to the contention-based broadcast channel using the system timing parameters, wherein the wakeup intervals are allocated between a contention period and a non-contention period and configuring the time structure comprises setting an upper-bound backoff counter value associated with the contention period as a function of at least the collision probability tolerance.
US09055512B2
In accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention, a method comprises monitoring a bandwidth allocation of a primary device via monitoring at least one broadcast message sent from an associated base station; determining whether a secondary bandwidth is available based on the monitored bandwidth allocation of the primary device; allocating the secondary bandwidth to a secondary application on a secondary device if the secondary bandwidth becomes available; keeping track of changes in the bandwidth allocation of the primary device; and returning the secondary bandwidth to the primary device when the changes in the bandwidth allocation of the primary device indicates a need for the secondary bandwidth by the primary device.
US09055507B2
A mobile telecommunications network includes a core and a radio access network having a wireless device for wireless communication with mobile terminals registered with the network, wherein the radio access network includes a controller operable to control the use of network resources by the mobile terminals. The controller may include an application programming interface (API) which provides a consistent interface to a multiplicity of applications hosted on the controller. The controller may be provided at an access node site and/or a gateway site.
US09055505B2
The invention relates to a method in which a terminal transmits a channel estimation result in a mobile communication system, comprising: a step in which a receiving unit receives information required for channel estimation from a serving base station; a step in which a control unit estimates a channel on the basis of the information and generates information relating to channel estimation; and a step in which a transmitting unit transmits the information relating to channel estimation to the serving base station and at least one of a plurality of neighbor base stations.
US09055504B1
A serving base station (SBS) that provides service to a UE device can receive or determine admission capacity of a neighbor base station (NBS). The SBS can determine a reporting interval based on the admission capacity and provide the UE device with the reporting interval. Upon determining that handover from the SBS to the NBS may be necessary, the UE device can responsively start transmitting measurement data regarding the NBS to the SBS. Transmission of the measurement data can occur at intervals that equal the reporting interval. The value of the reporting interval can be conditioned on the admission capacity of the NBS. As the capacity for admitting more UE devices decreases, the likelihood of the UE device handing over to the NBS may decrease. Increasing the reporting interval for reporting measurement data regarding the NBS can reduce loading of the reverse-links to the SBS.
US09055495B2
Cell re-selection in a device configured to operate according to multiple cellular communication protocols. The device may operate according to a first cellular communication protocol at a first time, which may include attaching to a first cell. The device may operate according to a second cellular communication protocol at a second time. Operations according to the first cellular communication protocol may be suspended while operating according to the second cellular communication protocol. The device may attempt to resume operating according to the first cellular communication protocol at a third time. This may include measuring one or more of signal strength or signal quality of the first cell. The wireless device may select a cell to which to attach at the third time based at least in part on the measured signal strength and signal quality of the first cell.
US09055490B2
A radio communication system, in a base station apparatus, previously registers neighboring base station information as a part of base station management information, and informs the terminal station of the neighboring base station information. The base station apparatus includes a handover processing unit for detecting that the terminal station has implemented handover that does not pass through a handover preparation phase from an other base station that has not been registered in a list of the neighboring base station information; and a management unit for dynamically additionally registering the other base station in the list of the neighboring base station information when implementation of the handover has been detected by the handover processing unit.
US09055479B2
A method embodiment includes configuring, by a network device, a multiple point communication measurement reporting scheme. The multiple point communication measurement reporting scheme includes a multiple point communication measurement set, a List A, a List B, and measurement report triggering events. The measurement report triggering events includes a first event wherein a measurement result of an element in List A becomes better than a threshold, a second event wherein a measurement result of an element in List A becomes better than a measurement result of an element in List B by at least an offset, a third event wherein a measurement result of an element in List B becomes worse than a threshold, and/or a fourth event wherein a measurement result of an element in List B becomes worse than a measurement result of an element in List A by at least an offset.
US09055477B2
Embodiments of the present disclosure describe techniques and configurations for handling a wait time in a wireless communication network when the network is determined to be congested. An apparatus may include computer-readable media having instructions and one or more processors coupled with the computer-readable media and configured to execute the instructions to send a radio resource control request message to a wireless network controller, receive a response message including an extended wait time value, determine upon receipt of the response message whether a back-off timer associated with the apparatus is running, and determine whether to start the backoff timer with the received extended wait time value based at least in part on the determination of whether the back-off timer is running and the received wait time value is integrity protected.
US09055476B2
Provided are a method and apparatus for measuring interference in a wireless communication system. A terminal receives, from a base station, a zero-power channel state information (CSI) reference signal (RS) indicator that indicates whether or not to estimate interference using a zero-power CSI RS signal, and, according to the zero-power CSI RS indicator, measures interference on the basis of the zero-power CSI RS.
US09055460B1
The present specification describes techniques and apparatus that enable location-based detection of interference. In one or more implementations, a neighboring cell generating interference for a mobile device is determined based at least in part on a location of the mobile device.
US09055443B2
A device-type locking procedure is disclosed, where a trusted execution environment (TEE) of a user device retrieves a telecommunication service plan type identifier stored on an identification module of the user device. The TEE of the user device then initiates a service authentication procedure for a telecommunication service provider of the user device, based on the received plan type identifier and in conjunction with an optional service plan provisioning process. A service plan indicated by the plan type identifier is subsequently compared to a designated user device service plan via the TEE. Based on the comparison results, a determination is then made as to whether the user device should be locked or unlocked, depending on the device's current operating state.
US09055439B2
An application programming Interface (API) is downloaded to wireless user equipment (UE). The API enables the UE to automatically detect the presence of an access point (AP) in a venue and to transmit identification information to the access point to authenticate the UE. The AP may be one of a plurality of APs in a single venue with the identification/authentication occurring whenever the UE comes within range of any of the APs in the venue. A plurality of venues may be coupled to a Cloud network with the authentication information stored on the Cloud network. In this manner, whenever the UE enters any of the venues, the UE is automatically authenticated when it comes within range of any AP within any of the venues. The venue may use the API to provide advertising, coupons, web links, images, audio, video, streaming video, and the like to the UE. The venue may direct the UE to a website or provide a link to the website.
US09055437B2
A communication system for solving a problem, in which secure communications security cannot be ensured in communications between a femtocell base station and UE, is provided. The communication system includes UE (User Equipment) and an HLR (Home Location Register) used in an IMS (IP Multimedia subsystem) network and a femtocell base station (Femto AP) that constructs a predetermined communication area. The femtocell base station exists between the UE and the HLR, acquires a concealment key corresponding to the UE from the HLR during authentication of the UE, and executes a concealment process to conceal the identity of the UE based on the concealment key.
US09055433B2
In one embodiment, a method includes sending, by a first wireless device associated with a first user, first data such that the first data are only available to one or more second wireless devices respectively associated with one or more second users and within a first distance from the first wireless device. The method further includes sending, by the first wireless device associated with the first user, second data such that the second data are only available to one or more third wireless devices respectively associated with one or more third users and within a second distance from the first wireless device.
US09055432B2
A method for controlling the flow of data in a near field communication appliance having an interposed element and a plurality of secure elements connected to the interposed element is disclosed. The method includes receiving a first communication at a first one of the secure elements. The first communication is sent by an external appliance and suited to an application located in one of the secure elements. The method further includes testing, by means of the first secure element, whether the first secure element contains the application. The first secure element is muted if the first secure element does not contain the application. A corresponding near field communication appliance and terminals are also disclosed.
US09055424B1
In one embodiment, a first mobile device reads first information associated with a first device or first service contained in a first asset tag. The first mobile device generates a first message in response to reading the first information, wherein the first message comprises the first information. The first mobile device transmits the first message to a computer system via a wireless communication link. The first mobile device receives a first reply in response to transmitting the first message. In response to the first mobile device receiving the first reply, the first mobile device displays first content for a user of the first mobile device to diagnose and/or solve a problem with the first device or first service.
US09055422B2
A computer-implemented method includes receiving, at a vehicle computing system, a notification that an incoming communication is being sent to a wireless device in communication with the vehicle computing system. The method also includes determining that a do not disturb function is active in the vehicle computing system and blocking a notification to a driver regarding the incoming communication. Finally, this method includes sending a command from the vehicle computing system to the wireless device to silence any notification that the wireless device provides in conjunction with the incoming communication.
US09055415B2
In one embodiment, a first computing device communicating with a second computing device through a communications channel transmits an out-of-band message indicative of the urgency of the communication through a notification channel. In particular embodiments, a server acts as a proxy for relaying the out-of-band message from the first device to the second device. The second device calculates an implicit urgency score based on the communication characteristics, and combines the implicit score with the explicit urgency indicator to determine whether a call is urgent. In particular embodiments, communication handling may be affected by the determination of urgency.
US09055411B2
A method for selecting a Policy and Charging Enforcement Function (PCEF) and a Policy and Charging Rule Function (PCRF), for monitoring members in a monitored group is provided. The method includes allocating a same group Identity (ID) for members in a monitored group, selecting a Packet Data Network Gateway (PGW)/PCEF or a PCEF for a member corresponding to the first user to access the network in the monitored group according to the group ID of the member, selecting a PCRF for the member, saving at least one of a corresponding relationship between the group ID and an Internet Protocol (IP) address of the PGW/PCEF, and a corresponding relationship between the group ID and an IP address of the PCEF, and saving at least a corresponding relationship between the group ID and an IP address of the PCRF.
US09055400B1
A method of includes receiving hotspot identification data from the first device, where the identification data identifies a plurality of WiFi hotspots that are in proximity to the first device; determining that the second device is associated with the first device; sending the hotspot identification data to the second device, where the first device and second device are mobile devices; receiving an indication of proximity from the second device; and notifying the first device of the indication of proximity.
US09055399B1
In systems and methods of tracking area adjustment, a number of tracking area update messages based on a transition of wireless devices from a first access node associated with a first tracking area to a second access node associated with a second tracking area are monitored. When the number of tracking area update messages meets a threshold, the association of the first access node is changed to the second tracking area.
US09055392B2
A method and system for communicating packet data units over a Gb interface in a wireless communication environment is provided. Packed Data Units (PDUs) are received from Machine Type Communication (MTC) device(s) by a base station coupled to the MTC device(s). Then, the PDUs are aggregated over a period of time by the base station. Further, the aggregated PDUs are packed in at least one Logical Link Control (LLC) data packet. The at least one LLC data packet including the aggregated PDUs is multiplexed over a Gb interface in a single session between the base station and a packet core network.
US09055391B2
A method and apparatus for discovering a device without an access point (AP) to perform P2P communication in a wireless communication network includes: receiving a probe request frame from another P2P device; determining whether a message requesting at least one of a phone number and user identification information is included in the received probe request frame; and transmitting a probe response frame including at least one of the phone number and the user identification information to the another P2P device when the message is included in the probe request frame.
US09055388B2
A portable terminal and a method for discovering wirelessly connectable devices are provided. The method includes requesting discovery of wirelessly connectable devices, discovering peripheral devices that are wirelessly connectable in at least one of a plurality of wireless communication schemes supported by the portable terminal, and displaying a list of the discovered devices. The method may discover and display peripheral devices capable of establishing a wireless communication connection in at least one of various wireless communication schemes supported by the portable terminal at one time to improve the convenience for a user. In addition, the method may display connectable wireless communication schemes together with a list of discovered devices to more easily establish a wireless communication connection in a desired scheme of the user.
US09055384B2
Various approaches for providing textual information to an application, system, or service are disclosed. In particular, various embodiments enable a user to capture an image with a camera of a portable computing device. The computing device is capable of taking the image and processing it to recognize, identify, and/or isolate the text in order to forward the text to an application or function. The application or function can then utilize the text to perform an action in substantially real-time. The text may include an email, phone number, URL, an address, and the like and the application or function may be dialing the phone number, navigating to the URL, opening an address book to save contact information, displaying a map to show the address, and so on. Adaptive thresholding can be used to account for variations across an image, in order to improve the accuracy and efficiency of text recognition processes.
US09055383B2
A multi-channel audio system including first combining circuitry, for combining a first spectral band of a first plurality channels to provide a first bass audio signal stream; second combining circuitry, for combining the first spectral band of a second plurality channels to provide a second bass audio signal stream; and third combining circuitry, for combining a second spectral band, the second spectral band including lower frequencies than the first spectral band, of the first plurality of channels and the second plurality of channels to provide a third bass audio signal stream.
US09055374B2
A method and apparatus for determining an auditory pattern associated with an audio segment. An average intensity at each of a first plurality of detector locations on an auditory scale based at least in part on a first plurality of frequency components that describe a signal is determined. A plurality of tonal bands in the audio segment, wherein each tonal band comprises a particular range of detector locations of the first plurality of detector locations is determined. Corresponding strongest frequency components in the tonal bands are determined. A plurality of non-tonal bands is determined, and each non-tonal band is subdivided into multiple sub-bands. Corresponding combined frequency components that are representative of a combined sum of intensities of the first plurality of frequency components that is in a corresponding sub-band are determined. An auditory based on the corresponding strongest frequency components and the corresponding combined frequency components is determined.
US09055371B2
A first apparatus performs the following: determining, using at least two microphone signals corresponding to left and right microphone signals and using at least one further microphone signal, directional information of the left and right microphone signals; outputting a first signal corresponding to the left microphone signal; outputting a second signal corresponding to the right microphone signal; and outputting a third signal corresponding to the determined directional information. Another apparatus performs the following: performing at least one of the following: outputting first and second signals as stereo output signals; or converting the first and second signals to mid and side signals, and converting, using directional information for the first and second signals, the mid and side signals to at least one of binaural signals or multi-channel signals, and outputting the corresponding binaural signals or multi-channel signals. Additional apparatus, program products, and methods are disclosed.
US09055370B2
An audio system includes a passive radiator that is attached to one end of a lever arm. The other end of the lever arm is attached to a mass that serves to move out of phase of the passive radiator to cancel mechanical vibrations of the passive radiator, but without significantly affecting audio output. The lever arm is attached to a mechanical ground, which may be the enclosure on which the passive radiator is mounted. A system may use multiple lever arms to reduce rocking of the passive radiator.
US09055368B1
The disclosed invention provides the ability for an operator, such as a sonar watch stander, to pay attention to both ambient sounds and system audio sound simultaneously. Further, the disclosed invention allows an operator to hear information being disseminated in the immediate environment, while still maintaining full sonar audio capability. The present invention allows the operator to take advantage of the benefits of binaural processing.
US09055365B2
Earbud headphones may be configured to be secured to a user's outer ear. The earbud headphones may comprise a speaker assembly configured to convert an audio signal into a sound wave audible to the human ear. A main body portion may support the speaker assembly. An extension may extend from the main body portion away from the speaker assembly to define a gap between the extension and the speaker assembly. The gap may be sized and positioned to receive a portion of a user's outer ear within the gap such that the portion of the user's outer ear is disposed between the extension and the speaker assembly and retains the earbud headphone in the ear of the user when the earbud headphone is worn by the user.
US09055362B2
The present invention discloses methods, apparatus and systems for individualizing music, audio and speech adaptively, intelligently and interactively according to a listener's personal hearing ability, unique hearing preference, characteristic feedback, and real-time surrounding environment.
US09055354B2
An apparatus comprising a network element (NE) configured to support routing-associated signal compatibility constraint information that is associated with the NE using Generalized Multi-Protocol Label Switching (GMPLS) and an open shortest path first (OSPF) routing protocol, wherein the signal compatibility constraint information comprises a modulation type list, a Forward Error Correction (FEC) type list, a bit rate range list, and an acceptable client signal list, and wherein the signal compatibility constraint information is associated with a resource block (RB) pool for a plurality of NEs. Also disclosed is a network component comprising a transmitter unit configured to transmit signal compatibility constraints via GMPLS OSPF routing, wherein the signal compatibility constraints comprise a modulation type list, a FEC type list, a bit rate range list, and an acceptable client signal list.
US09055346B2
In one embodiment, a method processes video in a system including a host computer processing unit (CPU) and a plurality of transcoder instances. The method receives, by a transcoder instance in the plurality of transcoder instances, first Internet Protocol (IP) packets from a host router coupled to the host CPU. The transcoder instance decapsulates the first IP packets to determine video from a payload of each of the first IP packets and generates a transport stream of video from the video from the payload. The transport stream is in a format in which the transcoder instance can perform a transcoding operation. The transport stream of video is processed by performing the transcoding operation on the transport stream of video. The transcoder instance then encapsulates the processed video from the transport stream of video in second IP packets and sends the second IP packets to a destination.
US09055342B2
An information processing device 11 causes a display 14 to display a program guide in which program information broadcast in one channel is placed in a region having a date axis and a time axis. When a moving operation of the cursor in the time axis direction on the program guide, which particularly is a moving operation from a broadcasting program on a certain date to another broadcasting program on a next date, is accepted, the broadcasting program on the next date is displayed at a position on the date axis at which the broadcasting program on the certain date is displayed, without moving the cursor in the date axis direction.
US09055338B2
A video coding method comprises dividing a coefficient vector into two or more sub-vectors, each sub-vector having a length less than or equal to a length of the coefficient vector, indicating a size of each sub-vector and a position of each sub-vector within the coefficient vector, and forming a block corresponding to each sub-vector.
US09055329B2
A system and method in a broadband receiver (e.g., a satellite television receiver) for efficiently receiving and processing signals, substantially as shown in and/or described in connection with at least one of the figures, as set forth more completely in the claims.
US09055325B2
A transport control interface may be provided by an interactive television program guide application to provide information, control or both for live and recorded video programming. The transport control interface may indicate to the user the time duration of a live or recorded program and any time segments of the program that have been recorded. The transport control interface may automatically adjust the start and end time shown to accommodate various factors such as continuous viewing on a particular channel, multiple recorded segments, buffer size, etc. Various information associated with the live or recorded video programming may be displayed in the transport control interface.
US09055324B2
A method and an apparatus for achieving fast resynchronization of received signals in a time slice in DVB-T/H systems. When the clock drift is low, the location of the symbol window can be decided based on a previous time slice. When the clock drift is high and when there are large delay spreads, the location of the symbol window can be decided based on the detected scattered pilot positions. The placement of the symbol window can further be enhanced through processing of the received TPS bits.
US09055312B2
The present invention provides techniques for digital video distribution that provides for joint video content watching amongst a group of watchers using multiple mini browsing windows (MBWs), such that the watchers can simultaneously interact with each other in a video conferencing-like setting (i.e., seeing selected watchers' videos in MBWs and hearing their voices) while they view together specific video content in a synchronized way. The MBWs can be displayed as overlays on the main video window being watched on full screen.
US09055308B2
A method and system for scheduling commercial advertisement are described in which a data processing system having the spot scheduler solver may be operable to receive an advertiser's order to place advertisement or commercial spots into one or more commercial television breaks. The order may comprise various constraints and requirements corresponding to the spots. The spots may be assigned to inventory buckets within the commercial breaks based on the constraints and requirements. When a conflict arises, a prioritization scheme may be performed to complete the assignment of spots not assigned and to generate a commercial break schedule. The prioritization scheme may be based on spot arrival lead time or on maximizing the sum of the rates corresponding to the spots. The data processing system may maximize the spread of the spots over the commercial break schedule. The commercial break schedule may be adjusted when additional orders are received.
US09055303B2
A video encoding method, in which a video signal consisting of two or more signal elements is targeted to be encoded, includes a step of setting a downsampling ratio is set for a specific signal element in a frame, in accordance with the characteristics in the frame; and a step of generating a target video signal to be encoded, by subjecting the specific signal element in the frame to downsampling in accordance with the set downsampling ratio. The frame may be divided into partial areas in accordance with localized characteristics in the frame; and a downsampling ratio for a specific signal element in these partial areas may be set in accordance with the characteristics in each partial area.
US09055302B2
A video encoder includes: a motion compensation picture signal generator to generate a plurality of motion compensation picture signals in accordance with an encoding target signal and a plurality of reference pictures; a prediction signal generator to generate a prediction signal of the encoding target signal by utilizing the plurality of motion compensation picture signals; a prediction error signal generator to generate a prediction error signal; a selector to select, from among a plurality of scan patterns prepared for generating encoded information from the prediction error signal, a scan pattern that is expected to minimize an information amount of an encoded state of the prediction error signal, in accordance with the plurality of motion compensation picture signals; and a zigzag scanner to generate encoded information from the prediction error signal by using the scan pattern selected by the selector.
US09055301B2
A system comprising a processor and a compression module coupled to the processor. The compression module is adapted to perform motion estimation on video data using an algorithm, the motion estimation performed at a rate. If the processor determines a difference between the rate and a target rate, the processor adjusts a precision level of the algorithm such that the difference is decreased.
US09055298B2
Methods and apparatus to process multimedia data enabling efficient partial decoding of transform coded data are described. A decoder device receives transform coefficients, where the transform coefficients are associated with multimedia data. The decoder device determines a set of multimedia samples to be reconstructed. In one aspect, the set of samples to be reconstructed is a subset of a matrix of transformed multimedia samples. The decoder device determines a set of transform coefficients to be used to reconstruct the multimedia samples. In one aspect, the transform coefficients are used to scale partial basis images associated with the encoding method used to generate the transform coefficients, resulting in reconstructed multimedia samples.
US09055288B2
The present invention is directed a switchable 3D/2D optical imagining system having high functional flexibility in a number of aspects and adaptability to various applications. The present invention is based on generating directional optional beams, transforming these optical beams and projecting transformed optical beams in a field of view to thereby divide the field of view into one or more adjustable viewing zones and to form 2-dimensional (2D) images or perspective views of a 3-dimensional (3D) image of an object or scene herein. The present invention is embodied in the switchable optical imaging system and 3D/2D image switchable apparatus using the same system.
US09055285B2
According to a polarized glasses type stereoscopic image display device and a fabrication method thereof in accordance with the present invention, a light blocking pattern may be formed on a rear surface of the color filter substrate to enhance vertical viewing angle and aperture ratio. Moreover a light blocking pattern may be formed of a metal having a large hardness instead of resin BM and a step height from the rear surface ITO may be removed to prevent a scratch due to an abrasive belt.
US09055281B2
A source device and a sink device and a method of transmitting and receiving a multimedia service therebetween. A method of transmitting a multimedia service from a source device includes: generating uncompressed media data from media provided in the multimedia service; determining reproduction information of the media for a sink device and three-dimensional (3D) video reproduction information of 3D video for the sink device to reproduce the 3D video; and generating media auxiliary data including at least one of the reproduction information and the 3D video reproduction information and outputting the media auxiliary data and the uncompressed media data through the display interface.
US09055278B2
Conversion of interleaved data and/or correction of color samples or other data are corrected by recognizing an underlying arrangement or format of different data sets within a data stream and a conversion process applied that causes bleeding between the sets The data sets are, for example, separate channel views of a 3D display, and the corruption occurs, for example, upon up-conversion of color samples that take into account both views together rather than individually. The invention is embodied, for example, as part of a playback device, display, or as a stand alone converter box that corrects the corrupted samples by at least one of substitution, filtering, or interpolation with appropriately selected samples (e.g., neighboring samples of a same view). In one embodiment, the invention comprises a conversion from a received format (e.g., checkerboard) to a delivery format (e.g., native format of a 3D ready display).
US09055273B2
A communication system and a family of methods for remote access to personal television service are disclosed. A remote personal TV service center provides centralized program guide information. A user may access the personal TV service center through a digital video recorder which is connected to the personal TV service center via telephone modem or a network server. A user may access the personal TV service center through a remote computer terminal or a personal digital assistant which is connected to a computer network. The user selects program events and programs the digital video recorder by using a graphical user interface installed in the front panel of the digital video recorder, or using a similar GUI incorporated into the Web pages presented to remote users by a Web server. The media stream stored in one digital video recorder may be transferred to another digital video recorder.
US09055269B2
Subject matter disclosed herein may relate to messaging techniques with user generated content related to video object timecode.
US09055266B2
Provided are an image processing apparatus and an image processing method, for compressing an image by using a representative-color-based compression which includes dividing an image to be compressed into plural blocks, extracting representative colors from each of the blocks, and assigning each pixel in the blocks one of the representative colors. The image processing apparatus includes: a compressing section configured to perform the following operations. The operations include generating color compression data by performing a representative-color-based compression on a color input image, generating first monochrome compression data by performing a monochrome conversion of representative colors extracted in the generating the color compression data, generating second monochrome compression data by performing a monochrome conversion and then a representative-color-based compression on the color input image, generating difference data by comparing the first and second monochrome compression data, and outputting the color compression data and the difference data.
US09055265B2
A television audio device has a multiple channel television audio system having provisions for providing multiple channel audio to a speaker system and multiple channel audio for receipt by a multiple channel headphone system. A switch is configured to detect operation of the multiple channel headphone system. A processor is selectively programmable to configure the multiple channel television audio system to provide a monaural audio signal to all channels of the multiple channel headphone system when the multiple channel headphone system is detected to be in operation. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.
US09055264B2
A color separation apparatus comprising: a target value acquisition device; a dot threshold data candidate selection device; a print profile acquisition device which acquires a print profile showing correspondence between device signal values and color system values in the printer for each of the candidates of dot threshold data; and a color separation device which allows the printer to calculate candidates of the device signal values on the basis of the target values of colors acquired by the target value acquisition device and the print profile, and determines dot threshold data for reproducing colors corresponding to the target values on the basis of the candidates of dot threshold data and the print profile from among the candidates of dot threshold data, as well as determines device signal values for reproducing colors corresponding to the target values from among the candidates of device signal values.
US09055261B2
The invention relates to the remote management of a digital terrestrial television device. In order to improve the terrestrial television reception, a control command is transmitted by a distant remote management server through another communication channel, the control command requesting the video device to set at least a digital terrestrial television parameter related to a service list management.
US09055242B2
A method of operating an image sensor chip including a motion sensor pixel sensing a motion of an object and a depth sensor pixel, the method including the operations of activating either the depth sensor pixel or the motion sensor pixel according to a mode selection signal, and processing a pixel signal output by either the activated depth sensor pixel or the activated motion sensor pixel.
US09055232B2
An image processing apparatus which is capable of adding the same soft focus effects to images different in image size irrespective of the types of image scenes. A soft focus processing section acquires an input image. Then, the soft focus processing section acquires a shooting condition for the input image. Further, the soft focus processing section generates a plurality of blurred images different in degree of blur from the input image. The input image and at least one of the blurred images are synthesized. In doing this, a synthesis ratio between the images to be synthesized is set based on the shooting condition for the input image.
US09055228B2
The present invention is to allow an XY-address scanning-type imaging device such as a CMOS imaging device to detect a fluorescent flicker correctly and accurately and reduce a fluorescent flicker component surely and sufficiently. The RGB primary color signals arising from A/D conversion of the RGB primary color signals obtained from an imaging element are clamped. Subsequently, for the clamped RGB primary color signals, the following processes are executed: correction of the gains of reading-out channels; reduction of fixed pattern noise; correction of the data of defective pixels; noise reduction; lens shading correction; and gain adjustment for exposure adjustment. Thereafter, for the resultant signals, a flicker detection and reduction unit detects and reduces a flicker component. Furthermore, white balance adjustment is implemented for the RGB primary color signals for which the flicker has been reduced.
US09055219B2
An image editing device, for editing a combined photographic image formed by combining a plurality of images with a predetermined background image, comprises a combined photograph processing section for creating a combined photograph by combining a plurality of images with the background image in accordance with combining position of the combined photograph, an image compression section for dividing the combined photograph into a number of blocks of a specified number of pixels, and subjecting an image to lossy compression, a background portion image selection section for dividing the background image into the blocks, and selecting a plurality of blocks that include at least the combining position as a background portion image, and a storage section for storing an image that has been compressed by the image compression section, and the background portion image that has been selected by the background portion image selection section, as a single image file.
US09055218B2
An image processing apparatus that generates composite image data using multi-viewpoint image data obtained by capturing images from a plurality of viewpoints may include a filter processing unit configured to perform filter processing on the multi-viewpoint image data based on distance information indicative of a distance to a subject and a generation unit configured to generate composite image data by combining the multi-viewpoint image data on which the filter processing has been performed.
US09055215B2
An image capture device (1) includes: a storage unit (19) that stores a plurality of discriminators corresponding to a plurality of photographing environment types, respectively; an acquisition unit (42) that sequentially acquires images; a selection unit (41) that selects a specific discriminator from among a plurality of discriminators that corresponds to the plurality of photographing environments, respectively; and a detection unit (43) that detects an image of a subject in images sequentially acquired by the acquisition unit.
US09055210B2
A device for detecting a camera obstruction is provided. The device includes: a camera device; and, a processor configured to: when a first electronic image acquired by the camera device comprises given data, automatically control the camera device to acquire one or more second electronic images.
US09055209B2
A method to provide a user interface (UI) includes the UI, the present general inventive concept provides the UI to specify a certain region of an image to be photographed and to display a menu for an image displayed on a specified region.
US09055208B2
A camera module according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure includes a housing forming an exterior appearance of the camera module, a PCB (Printed Circuit Board) mounted with an image sensor where one end of which is fixed to the housing and the other end is exposed to an outside to be connected to other parts, a lens holder including at least one or more pieces of lenses and so arranged as to be spaced apart from the image sensor at a predetermined distance, and at least two actuators mounted at areas other than an image sensor-mounted area of the PCB, wherein a position of the image sensor is controlled in response to strains of the actuators.
US09055198B2
A system and method for obtaining biometric imagery such as iris imagery from large capture volumes is disclosed wherein a substantially rotationally symmetric mirror such as a cone or sphere is rotated at a constant velocity about a central axis.
US09055196B2
Provided are apparatuses and methods for forming highlight content, the apparatus including a receiving unit receiving a highlight content formation command which requests formation of the highlight content; an event detection unit detecting an event generation point-in-time for each event of a program from which the highlight content is to be formed, wherein the event generation point-in-time is a point of time at which an event occurs; and a highlight content generation unit forming highlight content for each event from content corresponding to a predetermined period of time ranging before and after the event generation point-in-time.
US09055191B1
A method and computing system for providing, using one or more computing devices, a synchronous communication session for a plurality of users. A first video stream associated with the synchronous communication session is provided to a first imaging device associated with the synchronous communication session. A level of interest of the plurality of users in the first video stream provided to the first imaging device is determined. In response to a low level of interest of the plurality of users, a second video stream associated with the synchronous communication session is provided to the first imaging device associated with the synchronous communication session.
US09055189B2
A virtual circular conferencing experience using unified communication technology is described. An apparatus may comprise a communications module operative to receive a plurality of incoming video streams from corresponding client devices for a conference call, a multimedia controller operative to retrieve video information of participants from each of the incoming video streams and generate a seamless virtual circular video stream from the video information comprising a virtual circular image having a composite of participants in a virtual room, and a communications module operative to broadcast the seamless virtual circular video stream to the client devices. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US09055183B1
Methods of determining a known location of a sensor head in a scanner without the use of contact sensors are described. Upon initialization of a scanner, the sensor head is moved rapidly to quickly detect a known pattern at a known location in the scanner. As the scan head is moved, windows moving along lines of pixels detected by the sensor head are used to perform pixel averaging to detect the known pattern in the scanner. Parameters associated with the windows custom fit the windows to the known pattern to facilitate rapid detection of the known pattern and determine a known location of the scan head to facilitate calibration of the scanner.
US09055178B2
A method for generating a high dynamic range image. An image is captured using a Bayer pattern color filter array to generate raw pixel sensor data for the image. The pixel sensor data is separated into highpass (ZiHP) and lowpass (ZiLP) components. The color components of ZiHP are pooled to yield an achromatic highpass data set {circumflex over (X)}iHP. Saturated pixels in the ZiLP components are corrected by borrowing across spectrums to yield the low pass data set {circumflex over (X)}iLP, and the high dynamic range image is computed as {circumflex over (X)}={circumflex over (X)}iLP+{circumflex over (X)}iHP 1. A camera system incorporating this method is also provided.
US09055172B2
A communication apparatus includes a first communication unit for executing direct wireless communication between an external apparatus and the communication apparatus in which one of the external apparatus and the communication apparatus serves as an access point, and a second communication unit for executing communication between the external apparatus and the communication apparatus in a different way from the communication by the first communication unit. If it is determined that the communication which the communication apparatus is executing is the communication by the second communication unit, a selection screen is displayed so as to enable a user to select a desired service, and if it is determined that the communication which the communication apparatus is executing is the communication by the first communication unit, the selection screen is displayed so as to prevent the user from selecting the specific service.
US09055164B2
Provided is a mobile terminal device capable of performing, when a user moves the mobile terminal device as if the user operated an hourglass, a screen display and a time measurement accordingly. The mobile phone device 10 comprises a display unit 13, an inclination sensor 20, an hourglass function control unit 31 for measuring a set time and displaying the image of the hourglass on the display unit 13, and an inclination deciding unit 32 for controlling the time measured by the hourglass function control unit 31, on the basis of measured data from the inclination sensor 20.
US09055163B1
A method (of operating a mobile parameter-sensing node (e.g., a mobile phone) connectable wirelessly to a remote host (e.g., a base station or NIB)) includes: sampling values of parameters that are internal to and/or ambient to the node; selectively collecting data representing the sampled values according to a first subject list (defining which ones amongst the parameters will have data representative thereof collected) and/or a first frequencies-of-collection list (of collection frequencies at which the data are to be collected); analyzing, locally to the node, the collected data in terms of alarm criteria; and selectively collecting data according to a second subject list and/or a second frequencies-of-collection list when one or more of the alarm criteria are satisfied, the second subject list and the second frequencies-of-collection list being more inclusive than the first subject list and the second frequencies-of-collection list.
US09055145B1
While a dual tone multi-frequency (DTMF) signal can be easily processed if cleanly obtained, difficulties can arise if the DTMF signal is not cleanly obtained. In one example, part of the signal can be cleanly obtained, but part of the signal can be obstructed. In order to determine the content of the DTMF signal the parts that are cleanly obtained can be compared with known DTMF signals, such as DTMF signals that correspond with buttons on a telephone keypad. A classification of a closest matching known DTMF signal can be identified and that classification can be assigned to the partially obtained DTMF signal. Thus, without clearly obtaining the whole DTMF signal a content of the DTMF signal can be ascertained.
US09055144B2
A handle for a handheld terminal includes a first interface module, a first key module, a first power supply module, and a base handle module. The handle couples with the handheld terminal. The handle makes a wireless connection with the handheld terminal the first interface module or a wired connection with the handheld terminal via the first interface module. The first key module includes one or more user operation command keys. The first power supply module supplies power for the handle. The handle is operable with one hand.
US09055128B2
An information processing device is configured to start a download module at a predefined date and time. A transmitter unit is configured to transmit authentication information to an authentication server. A determination unit is configured to determine a file to be downloaded after an authentication process by the authentication server. A download execution unit is configured to download the determined file from a file provider server.
US09055123B2
A method and system allows a computer system to perform a network reboot in response to an enhanced reboot command. The computer system receives a command to load an operating system and interprets the command to determine whether a physical machine or a virtual machine is to be rebooted. In response to a determination that the command indicates the use of a network option, the computer system loads the operating system from a networked server, and perform rebooting according to the interpreted command with the use of the operating system.
US09055114B1
A system may include receiving a packet, of a packet stream, including control tags in a header portion of the packet and classifying each of the control tags into a category selected from a set of possible categories. The set of possible categories may include an unambiguous interposable (UI) category that is assigned to a control tag that corresponds to an unambiguous parsing interpretation and that is interposable within a sequence of the control tags, and an ambiguous interposable (AI) category that is assigned to a control tag in which the control tag has an ambiguous parsing interpretation and in which the control tag is interposable within the sequence of the control tags. The method may further include determining parsing operations to perform for the packet based on the classified categories of the control tags and based on the packet stream of the packet.
US09055106B2
Functionality is shared among mobile devices in a peer to peer manner. A mobile device can include a plurality of functional components that can each perform respective functionality. Examples of the functionalities can include transceiver communications, processing, power, memory, input and output for the mobile device. Further, the mobile device can include a sharing component that enables sharing a particular third party functional component to replace or supplement operation of a corresponding functional component of the mobile device. The third party functional component, for instance, can be made available for sharing by at least one of a disparate mobile device or a stand alone functional component. Moreover, a host component can allow a disparate mobile device to use an available one or more of the plurality of functional components of the mobile device.
US09055096B2
Upon acquiring first data transmitted from an outside of a predetermined range in a network, an apparatus stores, in a memory, first information including transmission source and destination addresses of the first data. Upon acquiring second data addressed to an inside of the predetermined range and indicating predetermined communication data of service initiation, the apparatus extracts the first information including as the transmission source address a source address of the second data, and stores, in the memory, second information indicating a service initiation and including a destination address of the second data, in association with the first information. When the second information including as the transmission destination address a source address of the second data is stored in the memory and a destination address of the second data coincides with the transmission source address in the first information associated with the second information, the apparatus notifies detection of an attack.
US09055091B2
Embodiments of systems and methods for providing access to a server by remote devices are shown. In some embodiments, the system includes a scheduling module, a connection module, and/or a timer module. The scheduling module may compute a timer period and timer offset for each remote device on the server to facilitate evenly distributing connections by remote devices and avoid exceeding the maximum bandwidth of the communication channel. The connection module may initiate a connection from each remote device to the server to retrieve the timer period and timer offset. The timer module on each remote device may be controlled by the timer period and timer offset, and trigger the initiation of the connection module. A remote device's status may be offline if the initiation of the connection falls outside a tolerance window corresponding to the timer period and timer offset.
US09055087B2
A communication system 10 includes a head end 12. The head end communicates with a system gateway 26. A plurality of user devices 28 is coupled to the gateway 26 that includes a memory device 94 for storing content therein. The gateway 26 receives the plurality of first encrypted signals and stores the signals in the memory device 94. The storing in the memory device 94 may be performed after further encryption. One of the user devices 28 generates a request for content and communicates the request to the gateway 26. The gateway 26 communicates content corresponding to the request to the user device 28.
US09055075B2
Embodiments are directed towards a system and method for a cloud-based front end that may abstract and enable access to the underlying cloud-hosted elements and objects that may be part of a multi-tenant application, such as a search application. Search objects may be employed to access indexed objects. An amount of indexed data accessible to a user may be based on an index storage limit selected by the user, such that data that exceeds the index storage limit may continue to be indexed. Also, one or more projects can be elastically scaled for a user to provide resources that may meet the specific needs of each project.
US09055074B2
A system and method for generating a geofeed is provided. A geofeed includes a collection of content, aggregated from various content providers, that is relevant to one or more geographically definable locations. The generated content may include, for example, video, audio, images, text, hyperlinks, and/or other content that may be relevant to a geographically definable location. The content providers may include, for example, social media platforms, online knowledge databases, individual content creators, and/or other providers that can distribute content that may be relevant to a geographically definable location. The geographically definable location may be specified by a boundary, geo coordinates, an address, a place name, a point of interest, a zip code, and/or other information that can spatially identify an area. The geofeed may be presented via an interface that spatially arranges the content according to a geo-location related to the content and/or for integration with other data collection systems.
US09055068B2
Framework for conditionally attaching web service policies to a policy subject (e.g., a web service client or service endpoint) at subject runtime. In one set of embodiments, a constraint expression can be defined that specifies one or more runtime conditions under which a policy should be attached to a policy subject. The constraint expression can be associated with the policy and the policy subject via policy attachment metadata. The constraint expression can then be evaluated at runtime of the policy subject to determine whether attachment of the policy to the policy subject should occur. If the evaluation indicates that the policy should be attached, the attached policy can be processed at the policy subject (e.g., enforced or advertised) as appropriate. Using these techniques, the policy subject can be configured to dynamically exhibit different behaviors based on its runtime context.
US09055066B2
An apparatus and method for providing a game service in cloud computing environment. A method may be provided for providing a streaming game service using a plurality of cloud computing servers. The method may include receiving user inputs from at least one user equipments, executing and progressing at least one game program in response to the user inputs, capturing audio and video data as progress results of the executed at least one game program, and streaming the captured audio and video data to a respective user equipment.
US09055065B2
A coordinator running on a computing device identifies a plurality of participants for a distributed transaction, wherein the coordinator coordinates the distributed transaction. The coordinator determines a participant order for the plurality of participants based on one or more ordering rules. The coordinator sends a message to a first participant in the determined participant order. The coordinator then waits until a response is received from the first participant before sending the message to a second participant in the determined participant order.
US09055064B2
The present invention is directed towards systems and methods for sharing licenses across resources via a multi-core intermediary device. A device intermediary to a plurality of clients and a server may grant a license for a virtual private network (VPN) session established by a first core of a plurality of cores of the device with a client. A second core of the plurality of cores may receive a first request from the client to establish an application connection between an application and a server via the VPN session. The second core may send a second request to the first core to share the license of the VPN session responsive to determining that the first core owns the VPN session. The second core may establish the application connection responsive to receiving from the first core a response accepting the second request to share the license of the VPN session.
US09055046B2
Protocol is provided for safe transfer of files from between nodes of a communication system. The protocol includes a handshake operation between a source (local or initiating) node sending one or more files and a remote (responding) node receiving the files to ensure that control of the file remains with the source node until the file is successfully transferred. The protocol is provided by a file transfer manager that controls the transfer process through a series of file moves that include moving the file into a directory associated with the file transfer manager, from which the file is sent and moving the file out of that directory after the remote node acknowledges a safe copy operation of the file. Files are maintained in the sending directory and under control of the source node at least for a configurable amount of time until the file is safely transferred. Files can be retrieved by the remote node after they have been transmitted for a configurable amount of time, after which they will be deleted from the local node.
US09055035B2
Secure transmission of electronic data via a data communication link is provided between a device and an additional device with independent transmission channels, wherein at least one of the devices is a medical device. Secure transmission comprises the following steps or means: providing a password in the device, receiving the password in the a additional device separate from the data communication link, selecting one of the independent transmission channels, encrypting the channel identification of the selected independent transmission channel using the received password in the additional device, transmitting the encrypted channel identification from the additional device to the device via the data communication link and decrypting the encrypted channel identification in the device, providing a session key in the device and the additional device and transmitting encrypted electronic data between the device and the additional device via the independent transmission channel.
US09055032B2
The present disclosure presents a system, method and apparatus herein enabling secure coupling of a computing device, such as a mobile device with an endpoint, such as an application server. The computing device can include any electronic device such as a computer, a server, an application server, a mobile device or tablet. The endpoint can be any electronic device as well that is located within an enterprise network. In at least one embodiment, the secure coupling of the mobile device with a computing device can include a security gateway server. In one example, the security gateway server can be a tunnel service server. In another embodiment, an application server can include a tunnel service module to provide the secure coupling with the mobile device.
US09055031B1
A check in communication is received from an agent running inside a firewall via a permitted firewall communication channel. The check in communication is received via the permitted firewall communication channel without modifying a firewall configuration. The check in communication is responding to with an instruction to be performed by the agent running inside the firewall, where the response is via the permitted firewall communication channel.
US09055029B2
A multifactor authentication (MFA) enforcement server provides multifactor authentication services to users and existing services. During registration, the MFA enforcement server changes a user's password on an existing service to a password unknown to the user. During normal usage when the user accesses the existing service through the MFA enforcement server, the MFA enforcement server enforces a multifactor authentication enforcement policy.
US09055028B1
A system for flexibly targeting information sent over a broadcast communications medium includes a sender of information signals each carrying information and a targeter for use by a user having a receiver with a targeter. There are a number of the receivers constructed and arranged to receive signals from the sender through a broadcast communications medium. The targeter includes a number of selectors associated with an action ID and a number of key value pairs, constructed and arranged to indicate action to be taken by a user of a selected receiver in the condition that the selector evaluates to true given the values stored in the targeters.
US09055026B2
Techniques for providing and consuming web services, including a service library configured to store one or more web services and a host directory connected to service hosts, configured to store data related to the service hosts. The service hosts are a network and adapted to receive and fulfill deployment requests for the web services stored in the service library by instantiating one or more endpoints of one of the web services. A manager is configured to query the host directory and the service library, generate a deployment plan, and transmit deployment requests to the one or more service hosts.
US09055020B2
An approach is presented for sharing user information among devices. The identity discovery module determines one or more user identifiers. Further, the identity discovery module determines to generate a first device identifier based, at least in part, on the one or more user identifiers. Then, the identity discovery module determines to present the first device identifier in place of a second identifier as a discoverable identity of a device.
US09055016B2
A method and system of mass multimedia messaging in a system having a service provider and a plurality of subscriber communication terminals supported by the service provider, wherein at least some of the subscriber terminals have different messaging capabilities and different message format requirements. The method includes adaptation and handling of a mass multimedia message, and mass multimedia message notification. The system uses a retrieval platform and a processing platform. The retrieval platform generates a unique message identifier for the mass multimedia message, and pre-adapts the message into adapted content messages for the terminal types supported by the service provider. The processing platform formats message notifications for the subscriber terminals based on each terminal's messaging capabilities, with each notification containing the unique message identifier.
US09055012B2
A method and system for determining whether an IP address is part of a bot-network are provided. The IP-address-aggregate associated with the IP address of an e-mail sender is determined. The IP-address-aggregate is associated with an IP-address-aggregate-category based on the current SMTP traffic characteristics of the IP-address-aggregate and the known SMTP traffic characteristics of an IP-address-aggregate-category. A bot-likelihood score of the IP-address-aggregate-category is then associated with IP-address-aggregate. IP-address-aggregate-categories can be established based on historical SMTP traffic characteristics of the IP-address-aggregates. The IP-address-aggregates are grouped based on SMTP characteristics, and the IP-address-aggregate-categories are defined based on a selection of IP-address-aggregates with similar SMTP traffic characteristics that are diagnostic of spam bots vs. non-botnet-controllers spammers. Bot likelihood scores are determined for the resulting IP-address-aggregate-categories based on historically known bot IP addresses.
US09055006B2
A method for mitigating of denial of service (DoS) attacks in a software defined network (SDN). The method comprises receiving a DoS attack indication performed against at least one destination server; programming each network element in the SDN to forward a packet based on a diversion value designated in a packet diversion field, upon reception of the DoS attack indication; instructing at least one peer network element in the SDN to mark a diversion field in each packet in the incoming traffic addressed to the destination server to allow diversion of the packet to a security server; and instructing edge network elements in the SDN to unmark the diversion field of each packet output by the security server, wherein each network element in the SDN is programmed to forward the unmarked packets processed by the security server to the at least one destination server.
US09055001B2
Described are a network, computer program product, and method of distributing routing information for a virtual private network (VPN) application through a packet-switched network (PSN) having fully meshed provider edge (PE) routers through Provider Backbone Bridge (PBB) tunnels. A PE router is configured to participate in a VPN and to run a BGP (Border Gateway Protocol) as an auto-discovery process for finding one or more other PE routers participating in the VPN. The VPN is associated with a PBB tunnel. A service instance identifier (I-SID) is assigned to the VPN. The PE router advertises membership in the VPN by including the I-SID assigned to the VPN in a BGP message issued during the auto-discovery process.
US09054998B2
A source processor can divide each packet of a data stream into multiple segments prior to communication of the packet, allowing a packet to be transmitted in smaller chunks. The source processor can process the segments for two or more packets for a given data stream concurrently, and provide appropriate context information in each segments header to facilitate in order transmission and reception of the packets represented by the individual segments. Similarly, a destination processor can receive the packet segments packets for an ordered data stream from a source processor, and can assign different contexts, based upon the context information in each segments header. When a last segment is received for a particular packet, the context for the particular packet is closed, and a descriptor for the packet is sent to a queue. The order in which the last segments of the packets are transmitted maintains order amongst the packets.
US09054990B2
A data center security system and method are provided that leverage server systems on a chip (SOCs) and/or server fabrics. In more detail, server interconnect fabrics may be leveraged and extended to dramatically improve security within a data center.
US09054987B2
Executing a single instruction/multiple data (SIMD) instruction of a program to process a vector of data wherein each element of the packet vector corresponds to a different received packet.
US09054986B2
The disclosed embodiments include a computer implemented method for routing data packets. In one embodiment, the method includes storing network usage information of a packet network managed by a communications carrier including network usage information associated with communications by subscribers of other communications carrier that communicate data packets over the packet network, the network usage information distinguishing between data packets associated with a first service and data packets associated with a second service; determining pricing information for communicating the data packets via a plurality of networks, wherein each network is associated with a different communications carrier; and selecting one of the plurality of networks for routing the data packets based on cost, wherein the cost includes a first cost for communicating the data packets that are associated with the first service and a second cost for communicating the data packets that are associated with the second service.
US09054982B2
A system and a method include a port extender communicatively linked to a controlling bridge. Network data is received from a local network peer downstream to the port extender. Whether a destination of the network data is a recognized downstream network peer of the port extender is determined. The network data is selectively routed according to whether the destination of the network data is a recognized downstream network peer of the port extender.
US09054981B2
Implementations described and claimed herein provide a system and methods for balancing network loads across distinct provider networks. In one implementation, a virtual network representative of at least a first provider network is established having at least one interconnection point where network traffic is exchanged between the first provider network and a second provider network and having at least one provider edge port and at least one potential interconnection point. A measurement of a bandwidth between the at least one provider edge port and the at least one interconnection point is obtained. A measurement of a distance between the at least one provider edge port and a geographically closest of the at least one potential interconnection point or the at least one interconnection point is obtained. A network load indication for the first provider network as a function of the bandwidth measurement and the distance measurement is obtained.
US09054979B2
A switching system formed of a number of nodes interfacing with external network elements and interconnected through a number of independent switches is disclosed. The switches are arranged into a set of primary switches, a set of secondary switches, and a set of tertiary switches and each node connects to a respective primary switch, a respective secondary switch, and a respective tertiary switch. The connection pattern of nodes to switches is selected so that any set of nodes connecting to any primary switch, any set of nodes connecting to any secondary switch, and any set of nodes connecting to any tertiary switch are mutually orthogonal. A distributed control system sets a path from any node to any other node traversing at most two switches. The switching system may serve as a large-scale data-switching center or a geographically distributed network.
US09054973B2
Certain aspects of a method and system for Ethernet congestion management may include transmitting one or more data packets in a network flow from a source node to a destination node. The source node may be enabled to receive one or more congestion notification frames based on detecting congestion at one or more switches in the network flow. A probe packet comprising a departure timestamp, Ts, may be transmitted from the source node to the destination node based on receiving one or more congestion notification frames. The arrival rate, Ra, of one or more data packets at the destination node may be calculated based on an arrival timestamp, Ta, inserted into the probe packet at the destination node. A rate limiter at the source node may be enabled to limit a rate of one or more data packets based on the calculated arrival rate, Ra.
US09054962B2
A container that manages access to protected resources using rules to intelligently manage them includes an environment having a set of software and configurations that are to be managed. A rule engine, which executes the rules, may be called reactively when software accesses protected resources. The engine uses a combination of embedded and configurable rules. It may be desirable to assign and manage rules per process, per resource (e.g. file, registry, etc.), and per user. Access rules may be altitude-specific access rules.
US09054960B2
The invention relates to a method for monitoring a communication system, comprising: acquiring and storing data about timeout events or faulty transfers in connection with at least one signaling process in at least one first communication terminal (1, 2, 3) of the communication system; and creating a collection of such data and transferring (7, 8, 10) said collection to a collection point (4) for said data in the communication system.
US09054953B2
A home appliance and a home appliance system are provided. The home appliance receives input of a sound including update information, and updates a product operating program. The home appliance system receives a sound including product information from the home appliance, judges whether to update the product operating program of the home appliance, and transmits update information.
US09054940B2
A power encoder includes an amplitude-phase splitter for splitting an input signal into an envelope signal and a phase modulated signal, and a pre-distortion unit for distorting the envelope signal using a look-up table (LUT) to produce a distorted envelope signal. The power encoder also includes a digital converter for combining the distorted envelope signal with the phase modulated signal to produce a distorted input signal, a pulse width modulator (PWM) for modulating the distorted input signal according to the transformation function to produce a modulated signal, and a switch mode power amplifier for amplifying the modulated signal. The look-up table stores a non-linear mapping of a transformation function and a relationship between the distorted input signal and the modulated signal is non-linear.
US09054939B2
A method of processing data including dividing, at a transmitter, data into 3-bit units, generating, at the transmitter, first and second clock embedded data signals and a third data signal, wherein a clock signal and first bits of the units are included in the first clock embedded data signal, the clock signal and second bits of the units are included in the second clock embedded data signal and third bits of the units are included in the third data signal, transmitting, from the transmitter to a receiver, the first and second clock embedded data signals and the third data signal, and restoring, at the receiver, the first and second bits and the clock signal from the first and second clock embedded data signals and the third bits from the third data signal.
US09054938B2
Generally speaking, methods and apparatuses which correct errors related to phase and gain imbalances in quadrature tuners are disclosed. The quadrature tuner may be online and operating, receiving data. An embodiment may generate a squared signal from the IF frequency signal of the tuner. In generating the squared signal, the embodiment may enable the extraction of phase error and gain error information of the IF signal. The embodiment may determine a phase error component, a gain error component, or both, by frequency translation. The frequency translation may involve down-converting the signal associated with the error component to direct current (DC) signals and enable the determination of the associated phase error and/or gain error. The embodiments may generate an adjusted signal via the IF signal by applying a phase correction signal or gain correction signal to components used to correct the IF signal.
US09054931B2
A multi-tone modem with components forming a transmit path and a receive path configured to couple to a wired communication medium for at least intermittent communication of frequency division multiplexed multi-tone modulated communication channels thereon. A Fourier transform component transforms received communication channels between a time domain and a frequency domain and vice-versa. Selected components on the receive path determine alignments between the received multiplexed communication channels in the time domain using alignment determinations made in both a time domain and frequency domain portions of the receive path. The Fourier transform component transforms a stream of digitized samples of the received multiplexed communication channels from the time to the frequency domain using the alignment determinations made by the selected components on the receive path.
US09054914B2
A transmitting device, a receiving device, a circuit device, and a communication method and program. The transmitting device including: a model storage unit for storing a change model for a reference level of a signal on the receiving device end due to coupling between the transmitting device and a receiving device; a compensation calculating unit for calculating a compensation value for offsetting a change in the reference level of the signal constituting a symbol sequence; and an output waveform changing unit for changing an output waveform of the signal constituting the symbol sequence on the basis of the compensation value for the change in the reference level.
US09054912B2
Computer code is configured to support a conversation among participants over a communication network. The computer code is configured to (i) progressively store the incoming and outgoing messages of a conversation on a communication device, (ii) display the message history of the conversation on the communication device, (iii) provide rendering options on the communication device, (iv) selectively transition participation in the conversation between a real-time mode and a time-shifted mode and (v) designate an interrupt mode for the conversation.
US09054911B1
A system and method for processing multicast streams is disclosed. A router receives the multicast streams and communicates the streams via communication tunnels to a set of ingestion pipelines. Each communication tunnel can be terminated upon the ingestion pipeline receiving a multicast stream. The set of ingestion pipelines process and deliver the multicast streams across existing IP infrastructure for real time distribution.
US09054889B2
Provided is a method, medium and apparatus for providing a dynamically changed universal plug and play (UPnP) description. The method includes sensing a change of a service configuration of a device complying with a predetermined standard, updating a description including information about a service based on the change of the service configuration, and advertising that the description is updated. Thus, the service configuration is matched with the description and a control point can correctly control the device whose service configuration is changed.
US09054884B2
Methods and systems of conducting co-browsing sessions may provide for detecting a proximity event between a first device and a second device, and initiating a co-browsing session between the first device and the second device based on the proximity event. In one example, the proximity event is a physical bump between the first and second devices.
US09054861B2
A key agreement protocol for use in a public key cryptographic scheme between a pair of correspondents each of which has a long term public key and an ephemeral public key. The protocol includes the steps of exchanging the ephemeral public keys between the correspondents for computing a shared secret at each correspondent and utilizing the shared secret to obtain a common key, wherein the validity of the ephemeral public keys is checked by the recipient thereof prior to use of the common key.
US09054859B1
Circuits, methods, and apparatus that prevent detection and erasure of a configuration bitstream or other data for an FPGA or other device. An exemplary embodiment of the present invention masks a user key in order to prevent its detection. In a specific embodiment, the user key is masked by software that performs a function on it a first number of times. The result is used to encrypt a configuration bitstream. The user key is also provided to an FPGA or other device, where the function is performed a second number of times and the result stored. When the device is configured, the result is retrieved, the function is performed on it the first number of times less the second number of times and then it is used to decrypt the configuration bitstream. A further embodiment uses a one-time programmable fuse (OTP) array to prevent erasure or modification.
US09054858B2
An apparatus includes a transmit diversity encoder configured to use a block code of a length greater than one for encoding at least two consecutive symbols. A first symbol of the at least two consecutive symbols is dedicated to a first user and the second symbol of the at least two consecutive symbols is dedicated to a second user.
US09054857B2
A parallelizable integrity-aware encryption technique is provided. In at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, a parallelizable integrity-aware encryption method comprises whitening at least one message block with a first mask value, encrypting the whitened at least one message block using a block cipher and a first key, and whitening the encrypted at least one message block with a second mask value to generate at least one corresponding output ciphertext block. In another embodiment of the present disclosure, a parallelizable integrity-aware encryption method comprises applying a XOR function to all blocks of a message to compute a XOR-sum, applying a first mask value to the XOR-sum; encrypting the masked XOR-sum using a block cipher and a first key, and applying a second mask value to the encrypted XOR-sum to generate an integrity tag.
US09054856B2
An exemplary apparatus includes: means configured to obtain a set of plural samples of signals, the set comprising at least one sample for each of L antenna elements of a receiver, where L is an integer greater than two and where the samples are of an RF signal that has been downconverted by a downconversion frequency; means configured, for each antenna element, to perform autocorrelation on the samples relating to that antenna element; means configured to sum the results of autocorrelation for all antenna elements; means configured to convert the summed results into the frequency domain; means configured to determine a maximum value of the summed results in the frequency domain; and means configured to use the determined maximum value to provide an output indicative of an offset between a carrier of the RF signal and the downconversion frequency.
US09054848B2
An electronic apparatus includes a secure unit to store public key information, an input unit to receive user authentication information and a data searching word, a user authenticating unit to perform user authentication with the inputted user authentication information, an encryption generating unit to generate a searching word encryption to use in data search, and a control unit to control generating the searching word encryption using the previously-stored public key information, the inputted user authentication information, and the data searching word.
US09054846B2
Channel-state information and hybrid-ARQ ACK/NACK information for multiple carriers are simultaneously transmitted using a PUCCH Format 3 structure, where the hybrid-ARQ ACK/NACK bits and CSI bits are separately encoded and interleaved. In an example method, a power control offset parameter is calculated (2110) as a linear combination of at least a number N, representing a number of channel-state information bits and a number M, representing a number of hybrid-ARQ ACK/NACK bits. The method continues with the calculating (2120) of a power level for a transmission on a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH), using the power control offset parameter. In some embodiments, encoded channel-state information and hybrid-ARQ ACK/NACK bits are then transmitted (2060) according to the calculated power level. In some embodiments, the linear combination is of the form aN+bM+c, where a, b, and c are non-zero constants.
US09054841B2
For efficient transmission of a first reference signal and a second reference signal for channel estimation without deteriorating a channel estimation accuracy, and without deteriorating a communication quality, a mobile station apparatus, in the case where a transmission of the first reference signal and a transmission of the second reference signal coincide in the same timing (Step S101, YES), performs transmission of the first reference signal (Step S102), and in contrast, in the case where a transmission of the first reference signal and a transmission of the second reference signal have happened to coincide in different component carriers in the same timing (Step S101, NO), performs a transmission of the first reference signal and a transmission of the second reference signal simultaneously (Step S103).
US09054839B2
The present invention is related to integrated multi-datastream transmission technology, more particularly, to integrated multi-datastream modulation technology. According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a modulation equipment (10), including: a symbol integration means (101), configured to combine a first bit stream with a second bit stream to form a symbol to be modulated; a symbol mapping means (102), configured to map the symbol to be modulated into a QAM modulation symbol according to a set of predetermined mapping rules; wherein, in the set of predetermined mapping rules, multiple constellations corresponding to any first bit stream are located in at least two quadrants in the constellation diagram, while multiple constellations corresponding to any second bit stream are located in at least two quadrants in the constellation diagram. The integrated transmission of a first service data and a second service data (e.g., unicast service data and MBMS data) may be supported and has a better performance than the prior art especially in single cell scenario by using the method, equipment and device in the present invention.
US09054835B2
Uplink synchronization establishment in a base station which operates a plurality of component carriers according to one embodiment of the present description, is performed in that the base station is connected to a user equipment, sets component carrier aggregation information, generates an uplink timing groups in the set component carrier aggregation, and transmits information on the thus-generated uplink timing groups to the user equipment.
US09054834B2
Disclosed herein is a first network node and a method in a first network node for selecting a transport format among a plurality of available transport formats for communicating information with a second network node via a wireless link, which transport formats are such that a first transport format has a first maximum capacity and all the other transport formats have a higher maximum capacity in an increasing order. The method comprises the steps of: obtaining a quality indicator, which quality indicator indicates the current channel quality of the wireless link; determining a throughput indicator, which throughput indicator indicates the throughput format being available at the obtained quality indicator; calculating a switching value based on the quality indicator and the throughput indicator; switching to the second transport format when the quality indicator indicates that the switching value is reached or exceeded with respect to the second transport format; sending a notification to the second node, which notification indicates the switch to the second transport format.
US09054831B2
A method and system of determining a new path through an optical network from a source node to a destination node when a link in an original path fails are disclosed. When a fault on a link is detected, adjoint weights are assigned to each operational link for each node on the original path. A connection cost is determined for each node based on the adjoint weights of the links connected to the node. A new path through the optical network is determined based at least in part on the adjoint weights and the connection costs.
US09054826B2
An apparatus and method for transmitting data and power through a metal barrier using ultrasonic waves, having ultrasonic transmission channels through the barrier formed by coupling ultrasonic transducers on opposite sides of the barrier. A power transmitter sends power over a channel and forward and reverse data transmitters send forward and reverse data signals by orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing OFDM over a separate channel. The data signals are made up of plural sub-carriers at plural different sub-carrier frequencies with none of the sub-carriers of the forward transmission signal being at a power harmonic frequency.
US09054817B2
Apparatus, and an associated method, for a weather band radio that annunciates anomaly conditions. The radio has a set-up mode permitting a user to enter a home geographical area and also associated areas within a selected proximity to the home geographical area. When a National Weather Service SAME message is received at the radio that identifies the home geographical area or any of the associated geographical areas, the radio generates an alert.
US09054808B2
A coherent optical transmitter circuit is disclosed in which controlled chirp is employed, enabling the suppression of nonlinear polarization scattering in dual polarization coherent systems, such as those which employ dual polarization-quadrature phase-shift keying (DP-QPSK). By separately chirping the modulated signals of each polarization tributary signal, the polarization state of the output DP-QPSK signal varies during a time period corresponding to a symbol bit period. Such controlled variations in the output DP-QPSK signal result in the mitigation of nonlinear effects associated with the network infrastructure over which the signal is transmitted, resulting in enhanced system performance. Enhanced system performance, for example, can be seen in greater reach and improved signal quality of the transmitted signal.
US09054807B2
An optical fiber transmission system includes a series of optical fiber transmission spans and one or more all-optical signal processors. The optical fiber transmission spans are connected to form an optical communication path. Each all-optical signal processor directly connects a corresponding adjacent pair of the spans. Each all-optical signal processor includes an optical wavelength converter having input and output ports and a dispersion adjustment module connected to the input port of the optical wavelength converter of the same processor. The dispersion module is also configured to adjust cumulative dispersions of some received optical pulses to be outside of a range for the cumulative dispersions of corresponding optical pulses in the span directly preceding the same processor.
US09054798B2
A method of and circuit for improving stabilization of a non-Foster circuit. The method comprises steps of and the circuit includes means for measuring a noise hump power at an antenna port or an output port of the non-Foster circuit, comparing the measured noise hump power with a desired level of noise power that corresponds to a desired operating state of the non-Foster circuit, and tuning the non-Foster circuit to generate the desired level of noise power to achieve the desired operating state of the non-Foster circuit.
US09054794B2
A modem or associated computing or testing device is configured to detect the presence of one or more faults that affect DSL communications, and upon their detection, generate, for example, an indication, communication or message that recommends corrective action. In this context, a fault is generally caused by one or more unfiltered devices, impulsive noises, malfunctioning modems, or other factor that does not affect measured attenuation or measured noise, but does affect the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the link. In addition to being able to generate a message guiding a user through corrective action, the system can estimate the rate impact of the detected fault.
US09054787B2
A method includes detecting, at a first timing with reference to a periodic signal that is common to a first domain and a second domain, a first signal indicative of the first domain. The first signal is used by the first domain to signal presence of the first domain and a time used by the first domain for inter domain communication with other domains. Further, the method includes comparing, the first timing to a second timing with reference to the periodic signal. The second domain uses a second signal at the second timing to signal presence of the second domain and a time used by the second domain for inter domain communication with other domains. Then, the method includes aligning the first signal and the second signal to enable inter domain communication between the first domain and the second domain.
US09054782B2
A noise reduction device for use with a cable signal distributed by an outside plant of a cable system. The device includes an antenna and a signal processing system. The outside plant receives an interfering radio frequency (“RF”) signal generated by one or more external wireless signal sources and combines the interfering RF signal with the cable signal to produce a noisy cable signal. The antenna receives the interfering RF signal as a copy signal. The signal processing system modifies the copy signal to produce a processed copy signal, and combines the noisy cable signal and the processed copy signal to produce a combined signal. The signal processing system also monitors error rate values of the combined signal, and adjusts the copy signal such that the copy signal at least partially cancels the interfering RF signal in the combined signal thereby reducing the error rate values of the combined signal.
US09054778B2
In a protective relay device for a three-terminal transmission line comprising terminal A, terminal B and terminal C, when for example terminal information is transmitted to a protective relay Ry-A of one remote terminal (terminal A) from the protective relay Ry-C of the terminal C, terminal information Db that was sent from the protective relay Ry-B of another remote terminal (terminal B) is transmitted, in addition to the information Dc of the terminal in question. In the same way, when terminal information is transmitted to a protective relay Ry-B of the terminal B from the protective relay Ry-C of the terminal C, terminal information Da that was sent from the protective relay Ry-A of the terminal A is transmitted, in addition to the information Dc of the terminal in question.
US09054763B2
A bias of reception qualities between spatial streams to a plurality of terminal devices is suppressed in a multiuser MIMO transmission. A wireless communication device according to the invention is one for performing a spatial multiplexing transmission to the plurality of terminal devices, that includes an additional data area setting section that allocates, as an additional data area, a part of a resource allocation area to which no data addressed to each terminal device of the plurality of terminal devices is allocated among resource allocation areas for the spatial multiplexing transmission which are allocated to each terminal device of the plurality of terminal devices, an additional data generator that generates additional data corresponding to the additional data area allocated by the additional data area setting section, and a transmitter that transmits the data which is addressed to each of the plurality of terminal devices and the additional data.
US09054750B2
Aspects disclosed herein relate to providing peer mode passive communications while accounting for a power level available to operate a NFC device. In the disclosed aspects, a near field communication (NFC) device may be equipped to detect a value for a power level available to operate the NFC device. The NFC device may be further equipped to determine a first duration to allocate for a listening mode and a second duration to allocate for a polling mode based at least in part on the determined available power level value and select a RF discovery loop based on the determined first duration and second duration. The NFC device may be further operable to perform peer mode discovery using the selected RF discovery loop.
US09054749B2
An apparatus and method is disclosed to optimize power consumption in a NFC environment. A first NFC capable device provides a polling command to a second NFC capable device. The second NFC capable device provides a response to the polling command. The first NFC capable device provides a read command to the second NFC capable device. The second NFC capable device provides a response to the read command that indicates an overvoltage condition is present. The first NFC capable device adjusts a power level that is to be used to transmit further commands when the overvoltage condition is present.
US09054740B1
A method includes receiving a codeword over a communications channel and initializing a test codeword to be equal to the codeword received over the communications channel. The method includes performing, for each row of a low-density parity check (LDPC) matrix, an LDPC processing operation on the test codeword. The method includes, once the LDPC processing operations have been performed for all of the rows of the LDPC matrix, repeating the LDPC processing operations. The method includes monitoring progress of the LDPC processing operations. The method includes selectively generating a termination signal in response to the test codeword being a valid codeword according to the LDPC matrix. The method includes terminating the LDPC processing operations in response to generation of the termination signal.
US09054737B1
An analog-digital converter circuit is disclosed. Voltage control means is configured to control a voltage. Comparing means is configured to send a resulting comparative signal to the voltage control means. A first DAC is connected to the comparing means and to the voltage control means. Switching means connects an input means to the comparing means during a sampling phase. A second DAC is connected to the comparing means and to the voltage control means. A switching means connects input to the second DAC during a sampling phase, and connects voltage control means to DAC during a conversion phase. Switching means connects a second input to comparing means during a sampling phase.
US09054735B1
A method for encoding using a variable length coding is provided, which includes at an encoding system, determining variable length codes for coding a data set to be encoded, dividing a corresponding code corresponding to a specific data included in the data set into a first partial code and a second partial code and storing the divided first and second partial codes at the encoding system, and compressing a first partial code, which is a set of the first partial code, and storing the compressed result at the encoding system.
US09054731B2
In one example implementation, the present disclosure provides a loop filter for use in a continuous-time sigma-delta analog-to-digital converter. Specifically, a capacitive feedback digital-to-analog converter path is provided at the input of a first opamp in a series of opamp integrators. The capacitive feedback digital-to-analog converter at the input of the first opamp reduces the signal content at the output of the first opamp, and thereby reduces the output swing of the first opamp. A reduction in output swing provides a more efficient loop filter.
US09054730B2
A computer implemented method, computer program product, and system for decompressing compressed data. The system (400) has an interface component (420) configured to access and read a compressed data set (310) encoded with a LZW based compression algorithm. The compressed data set (310) includes a sequence of elements including byte characters (B) and symbols (S1/S2), each symbol corresponding to an encoded subset of the data set, and each symbol having a first portion (S1) including a previous symbol or a byte character and having a second portion (S2) including a byte character. The system further has a decoder (410) configured to generate a decompressed data set (320) by applying a LZW based decompression algorithm to the compressed data set (310) The decoder (410) makes use of a reverse order stack (440) configured for intermediate storage of byte characters decoded by the decoder (410) from the compressed data set (310). In one embodiment the system further has a dictionary which can store the full content values of symbols.
US09054726B2
A differential signal is amplified by passive amplification which does not a reference of a common-mode voltage. At this time, the voltage of the differential signal is passive-amplified twice before carrying out a successive approximation type analog-digital conversion operation. The passive amplification is attained by providing a plurality of capacitances which carry out a sampling operation, and switching these connection relation by using switches. Without being accompanied by the increase of the consumed power and the chip size, an influence by the noise of s comparator is reduced to a half so that the effective resolution can be increased for one bit.
US09054724B2
Described is monitoring of an analog-digital conversion of a measured value of at least one of a pressure gauge, a level gauge and a flowmeter. Different measured values can be provided for the analog-digital converter by means of a first microcontroller, wherein these measured values are subsequently transmitted from this first area into a second area by means of a unidirectional coupler. These values are acquired by a second microcontroller in the second area and compared with reference values that are stored in the second area or at another location. This diagnostic circuit may make it possible to detect drifts of resistances and of reference voltages, as well as a faulty analog-digital converter or a program execution error of the first microcontroller.
US09054722B2
A method of calibrating switching circuitry, the switching circuitry comprising a measurement node and a plurality of output switches connected to the measurement node, and the circuitry being configured, in each clock cycle of a series of clock cycles, to control whether or not one or more of said output switches carry a given current based upon input data, the method comprising: inputting a plurality of different data sequences to the circuitry, each sequence causing a given pattern of voltages to occur at the measurement node as a result of currents passing through the output switches; measuring the voltages occurring at the measurement node for each said sequence; and calibrating the switching circuitry in dependence upon a result of said measuring.
US09054721B1
Systems and methods of calibrating a successive approximation register analog-to-digital converter (ADC) are disclosed. A plurality of capacitor stages, a first capacitor array, and a first capacitor stage are coupled in parallel. A capacitance of the first capacitor stage is compared to a sum of capacitances of the plurality of capacitor stages and of the first capacitor array. In response to the comparing, the capacitance of the first capacitor stage is increased by increasing the capacitance of a second capacitor array if the capacitance of the first capacitor stage is less than the sum of the capacitances of the plurality of capacitor stages and of the first capacitor array.
US09054707B2
Methods, systems, circuits, and devices for power-packet-switching power converters using bidirectional bipolar transistors (BTRANs) for switching. Four-terminal three-layer BTRANs provide substantially identical operation in either direction with forward voltages of less than a diode drop. BTRANs are fully symmetric merged double-base bidirectional bipolar opposite-faced devices which operate under conditions of high non-equilibrium carrier concentration, and which can have surprising synergies when used as bidirectional switches for power-packet-switching power converters. BTRANs are driven into a state of high carrier concentration, making the on-state voltage drop very low.
US09054705B2
In one embodiment, a source driving circuit configured for a switching power circuit, can include: (i) a source transistor coupled between a source of a main power transistor and ground, where the source transistor can be controlled by a PWM control signal; (ii) the main power transistor being on when the source transistor is on and a gate-source voltage of the main power transistor exceeds a conduction threshold voltage; (iii) a source diode having an anode coupled to the main power transistor source, and a cathode coupled to a delay circuit and a power supply capacitor; and (iv) the delay circuit controlling the main power transistor to turn off a delay time after the source transistor is turned off, where the delay time allows charging of the power supply capacitor such that a voltage across the power supply capacitor is at least a level of a reference voltage.
US09054704B2
A method, system, and apparatus for driving a Silicon Carbide (SiC) Junction Field Effect Transistor (JFET) are provided. A boosting capacitor is used in combination with two drivers to efficiently provide a boosting current to the SiC JFET and then a holding current to the SiC JFET. The boosting capacitor, upon discharge, creates the boosting current and once discharged the holding current is provided by one of the first and second drivers.
US09054703B2
It is an object of the invention to, in fault detection of a PWM load device, provide a fault detection device and a fault detection method, which are capable of appropriately detecting fault of the load device in the case where such load device is connected the duty ratio of the PWM waveform of which is different, or where such load device is connected the magnitude of current of which is different. The fault detection device samples a current flowing through the load device on a predetermined cycle, decides, based on sampled values, a current-driven period and decides, by using sampled values in the current-driven period, a drive current value for determining whether or not there is a fault.
US09054696B2
The present invention relates to a gate driving circuit, and a array substrate and a display using the same. The gate driving circuit comprises multiple-stage gate driving units, and each gate driving unit includes: an actuating unit configured to transmit an actuation signal; an energy storage unit configured to execute a charging process under the action of the actuation signal to output a driving voltage; a pull-up unit, a first pull-down unit, a second pull-down unit and a third pull-down unit operating under the action of the driving voltage, wherein a third pull-down unit pulls the driving voltage down to a second reference voltage to apply a reverse bias voltage to the gate-source and/or the gate-drain of transistors in the gate driving circuit, such that the threshold voltage of respective transistors under positive offset can offset reversely, thus effectively eliminating adverse effects of a threshold voltage offset phenomenon of the transistors on the gate driving circuit and improving the operation reliability of the gate driving circuit as well as the array substrate and the display panel thereof.
US09054694B2
In various embodiments, a circuit arrangement may be provided. The circuit arrangement may include a level shifting stage configured to be coupled to a first reference voltage, the level shifting stage having an output node. The circuit arrangement may further include a first input electrode in electrical connection with the level shifting stage. The circuit arrangement may also include a second input electrode in electrical connection with the level shifting stage. The circuit arrangement may further include a load having a first end and a second end, the first end coupled to the level shifting stage and the second end for coupling to a second reference voltage. In addition, the circuit arrangement may include a bypass circuit element connected in parallel to the load. The bypass circuit element may be configured to allow current to flow through upon application of an external voltage for bypassing the load.
US09054691B2
According to the present invention, a phase shift of data received by an external device controller is delayed and corrected, and a control signal used for the data load control on the external device controller side is delayed period-by-period. Further, the phase shift is adjusted and then the control signal is adjusted. The adjustment can beneficially be performed very quickly. Moreover, the present invention is also beneficial for preventing a failure to load data.
US09054682B2
A wide bandwidth resonant clock distribution comprises a clock grid configured to distribute a clock signal to a plurality of components of an integrated circuit, a tunable sector buffer configured to receive the clock signal and provide an output to the clock grid, at least one inductor, at least one tunable resistance switch, and a capacitor network. The tunable sector buffer is programmable to set latency and slew rate of the clock signal. The inductor, tunable resistance switch, and capacitor network are connected between the clock grid and a reference voltage. The at least one tunable resistance switch is programmable to dynamically switch the at least one inductor in or out of the clock distribution to effect at least one resonant mode of operation or a non-resonant mode of operation based on a frequency of the clock signal.
US09054668B2
In one embodiment, front end circuitry for an electronic appliance, the front end circuitry comprising: a first port configured to conduct signals from a signal source, the signals comprising a first signal and a second signal; a first filter coupled to the first port, the first filter configured to filter the first signal according to a first frequency band and output the filtered first signal for further processing; a second filter coupled to the first port and arranged in parallel with the first filter, the second filter configured to absorb the second signal according to a second frequency band that is a stopband for the first filter; and an impedance load coupled between an output of the second filter and ground.
US09054641B2
A variable phase shifter. The variable phase shifter includes: a transmission line that outputs quadrature signals from a pair of output ports in response to an input signal of a specific frequency; a synthesizer that includes a first transistor connected to a first port of the pair of output ports and a second transistor connected to a second port of the pair of output ports, and that on input of the input signal takes signals output from the pair of output ports of the transmission line with a phase according to their respective load impedances and employs the first and the second transistors to amplify and combine the signals; and a phase controller that controls the phase of the output signal that is combined and output by the synthesizer by controlling the amplification operation of each of the first and second transistors of the synthesizer.
US09054639B2
A frequency dividing system, which comprises a control circuit, a first multiple input sharing input level triggering device, a first input level triggering group and a second input level triggering group. The first multiple input sharing input level triggering device receives a first frequency dividing signal to generate a feedback signal according to a level of a first clock signal, or receives a second frequency dividing signal to generate the feedback signal according to a level of a second clock signal. The first/second input level triggering group generates the first/second frequency dividing signal to the first multiple input sharing input level triggering device according to the feedback signal if active; and outputs a fixed voltage to the first multiple input sharing input level triggering device if non-active.
US09054638B2
An optical module of an atomic oscillator using a quantum interference effect includes a light source to generate first light including a fundamental wave having a center wavelength, and including a first sideband wave and a second sideband wave having wavelengths that are different from each other, a wavelength selection unit that emits second light by selecting the first sideband wave and the second sideband wave of the first light and by allowing them to pass through, a gas cell in which an alkali metal gas is sealed and to which the second light is irradiated, and a light detection unit that detects an intensity of the second light passing through the gas cell.
US09054635B2
A crystal oscillator having a plurality of quartz crystals that are manufactured so that the directional orientation of the acceleration sensitivity vector is essentially the same for each crystal. This enables convenient mounting of the crystals to a circuit assembly with consistent alignment of the acceleration vectors. The crystals are aligned with the acceleration vectors in an essentially anti-parallel relationship and can be coupled to the oscillator circuit in either a series or parallel arrangement. Mounting the crystals in this manner substantially cancels the acceleration sensitivity of the composite resonator and oscillator, rendering it less sensitive to vibrational forces and shock events.
US09054631B2
A servo control apparatus and method, the servo control apparatus including an input unit configured to receive an execution command with respect to one of a first control mode and a second control mode that are configured to control a motor, a plurality of detection units each configured to detect sensing data required for executing each of the first control mode and the second control mode, and a control unit configured to receive a feedback of the plurality of pieces of sensing data detected through the plurality of detection units while executing the first control mode, determine a point of time when a control mode is needed to be changed if the execution command with respect to the second control mode is input through the input unit, and check the sensing data required for executing the second control mode among the plurality of sensing data that are fed back.
US09054630B2
A synchronous machine controller includes a position detecting unit that detects a position of a rotor, a current detecting unit that detects an armature current, a current command generating unit that generates first and second current commands, a voltage command generating unit that generates a voltage command on the basis of the current commands, the position of the rotor, and the armature current, a power converting unit that outputs a voltage to the synchronous machine on the basis of the voltage command, a magnetic flux estimating unit that estimates an armature interlinkage flux on the basis of a rotational velocity calculated from a variation of the position of the rotor, the voltage command, and the armature current, and a magnet state estimating unit that estimates a magnetic flux or a temperature of the permanent magnet from the position of the rotor, the armature current, and the armature interlinkage flux.
US09054626B2
Provided is a motor control apparatus that can easily distinguish between a current sensor abnormality and a rotation-angle sensor abnormality, without making a current sensor a duplex system. An MGECU estimates a W-phase current on the basis of a V-phase current detected by a current sensor, and estimates the V-phase current on the basis of a detected W-phase current. An actual torque of a motor generator is estimated on the basis of the detected V-phase current and the estimated W-phase current, and the actual torque of the motor generator is also estimated on the basis of the detected W-phase current and the estimated V-phase current. Then, an evaluation is made whether an abnormality is an abnormality of the current sensor or an abnormality of a resolver, on the basis of the differences between the torque command value for the motor generator and both the estimated actual torques.
US09054620B2
A motor driving device includes a rectifier, an inverter connected to a DC link on a DC side of the rectifier, a power failure detecting unit for detecting a power failure on the alternating side of the rectifier, an electric storage device connected to the DC link, a charging unit that possesses a voltage boosting function of charging the electric storage device by direct current power at the DC link, a discharging unit that causes direct current power stored in the electric storage device to be discharged to the DC link, and a control unit that causes the charging unit to operate when the power failure detecting unit does not detect a power failure, or before start of motor drive, and causes the discharging unit and the inverter to operate when the power failure detecting unit detects a power failure.
US09054610B2
A generator includes a stationary portion and a rotating portion. The stationary portion includes a main armature winding and the rotating portion includes a main field winding a main field rotating power converter that selectively controls current supplied to the main field winding.
US09054602B2
An electronic resonant circuit of very high efficiency which is suitable for driving loads with a known and controlled current. The resonant circuit has input terminals and output terminals with a first reactance Xs, in series with an input terminal, a second reactance XL, in series with an output terminal, and a reactance Xp, connected such that there is a series connection path between the first input terminal through Xs and Xp to the second input terminal and such that there is also a second series connection path between the first output terminal through XL and Xp to the second output terminal the input terminals being driven from a high frequency inverter, the output terminals being connected to a load, the value of the reactances Xs, XL and Xp being chosen such that at least one frequency, the reactances of Xs, XL and Xp are approximately similar in magnitude. The reactance Xs and second reactance XL, are predominantly capacitive over a wide range of the frequency of operation and the reactance Xp, is predominantly inductive over a wide range of the frequency of operation. The circuit according to this invention is particularly suited to driving LED lighting systems, constant torque motors, battery charging and capacitor charging.
US09054601B2
Disclosed are a maximum power point tracker, a power conversion controller, a power conversion device having an insulating structure, and a method for tracking maximum power point. The power conversion device includes: a DC/AC converter including a primary DC chopper unit having a primary switch, a transformer, and an AC/AC conversion unit including a secondary switch; a current detector detecting current from an input stage of the DC/AC converter and providing a detected current value; a voltage detector detecting a system voltage from an output stage of the DC/AC converter; and a power conversion controller generating a primary PWM signal to be provided to the primary DC chopper unit and secondary first and second PWM signals, having the mutually opposing phases, to be provided to the AC/AC conversion unit by using the detected current value and the system voltage.
US09054595B2
An AC-DC converter includes two series circuits, an inductor, and a common snubber circuit. Each series circuit includes a switch and a current block device. The block device blocks a current from its high potential side to its low potential side when the first device is closed and allows the current from the low potential side to the high potential side when the first device is opened. The inductor is interposed between a first connection point between the switch and the block device of one series circuit and a second connection point between the switch and the block device of the other series circuit. The common snubber circuit is connected between each of the first connection point and the second connection point and at least one of both ends of the one series circuit.
US09054593B2
A power supply system and method are disclosed. The system includes a power converter comprising a switching stage to conduct an output current in response to switching signals having a defined duty-cycle. The output current can be provided at an output of the power converter system. The system also includes a current monitor to sense a magnitude of the output current. The system further includes a gate drive controller to generate the switching signals and to control an output impedance of the switching stage based on the sensed magnitude of the output current to control the magnitude of the output current.
US09054588B2
A three-phase AC to DC converter includes a three-phase AC power supply, a three-phase rectifier bridge circuit that is connected to the three-phase AC power supply and includes rectifying devices which are connected in a bridge configuration, a three-phase full-bridge circuit that includes two serially-connected switching devices for each of three phases, the two serially-connected switching devices being connected at an output side of the three-phase rectifier bridge circuit, and includes reverse blocking diodes which are connected in parallel to the respective switching devices, a reactor that connects the three-phase full-bridge circuit to the three-phase AC power supply, a smoothing capacitor connected to an output side of the three-phase full-bridge circuit, DC voltage detection means that detects an output voltage, power supply phase detection means that detects a power supply phase of the three-phase AC power supply, and pulse width modulator that outputs PWM signals which control the switching devices.
US09054570B2
Disclosed therein is a stator assembly including: a stator core (10) having a round base, a plurality of teeth radially formed along the outer circumferential surface of the base, and at least one connector bushing formed on the inner circumferential surface of the base; and an insulation coating layer (20) formed on the surface of the stator core, wherein the insulation coating layer (20) is coated to the outer diameter surfaces of the teeth of the stator core.
US09054559B2
A method of delivering electrical energy to a point in an electrical power grid, including accessing a source of energy at a first location and converting the energy into a form of transportable energy. The next step is transporting the transportable energy via a bulk transportation network from the first location to the point on said electrical power grid at a second location having a need for additional electrical power without the transportable energy going through the electrical power grid to get to the point. The next step is converting the form of transportable energy into electrical energy suitable for connecting to the power grid and discharging the electrical energy into the power grid at the second location. A system for delivering electrical energy is also provided. The transportable energy preferably takes the form of charged electrolytes, compressed air or thermal storage units, transported, for example, by way of trains.
US09054555B1
Systems and methods for charging a rechargeable battery device on a marine vessel utilize a rechargeable battery device, a charger charging the battery device, and a control circuit. The control circuit calculates an amount of current that is available to charge the battery device based upon an amount of current that is available from the shore power source and an amount of current that is being drawn from the shore power source by devices other than a voltage charger and limits the amount of current being drawn by the voltage charger to charge the battery device to an amount that is equal to or less than the calculated amount of current that is available to charge the battery device. The control circuit can repeatedly calculate the amount of current that is available to charge the battery device and limit the amount of current being drawn by a voltage charger to charge the battery device to thereby actively adjust an amount of charge applied to the battery device.
US09054548B2
The contactless power feeding system includes a power transmitting device including an AC power source, a power transmitting element transmitting an AC power and a first microprocessor generating a transmission signal, and a power receiving device including a power receiving element receiving the AC power, a rectifier circuit, a smoothing circuit, a voltage conversion circuit, a second microprocessor generating a response signal in accordance with the transmission signal, a charge control circuit changing a charging rate for a power storage device in accordance with the response signal and the power storage device whose charging is controlled by the charge control circuit. Then, a resistance value of the power storage device changes, an impedance changes, and a modulation signal is generated. The generated modulation signal is transmitted from the power receiving device to the power transmitting device and is processed by the first microprocessor.
US09054544B2
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.
US09054533B2
The invention is directed to a protective circuit for a multiplicity of individual cells arranged in a rechargeable battery pack, wherein a predefined number of individual cells forms a cell network. A monitoring circuit for the state of charge of the individual cells in the cell network is provided wherein the voltage at an individual cell is detected and the detected voltages of a plurality of individual cells are compared among one another to output a signal when an unbalancing limit is exceeded unbalancing limit indicates a permissible voltage difference between two selected individual cells of the cell network. The unbalancing limit of the cell network is provided as a characteristic curve variable over its state of charge. To alter the unbalancing limit, the characteristic curve is altered in dependence on a correction value.
US09054532B2
Techniques for controlling dispatch of electric vehicles (EVs) to perform vehicle-to-grid regulation of power of an electric grid are presented. An aggregator component can individually control transitioning respective EVs of a set of EVs between a charging state and a not-charging state. The aggregator component includes a dispatch controller component (DCC) that can employ a defined dispatch algorithm for EVs to facilitate enabling the DCC to perform unidirectional regulation. The DCC can switch EV charging stations on and off using remote switches to meet a system regulation signal. The DCC can use the dispatch algorithm to make determinations regarding which EV to switch using charging priorities, in accordance defined power regulation criterion(s). The aggregator component can reduce communication signals used to adjust dispatch by sending switching signals to only those EVs of the set of EVs that are changing their charging state at a given time.
US09054526B2
Exemplary embodiments are directed to a method for operating a converter, wherein the converter includes a plurality of bridge branches having one or more switching cells connected in series. Each bridge branch connects one of a plurality of inputs to one of a plurality of outputs of the converter. The method includes monitoring each of the switching cells in order to determine a fault. If a fault is identified in one of the switching cells, triggering one of the triggering elements for short-circuiting switching cell connections if the fault identified in the switching cell is not followed by identification of a fault in a further one of the switching cells within a predetermined period of time.
US09054522B2
The invention relates to an on-load tap changer for switching among winding taps of a step transformer without interruption. According to the invention, in each auxiliary current branch of the on-load tap changer, which operates with vacuum switching tubes as switching elements, additional switches are provided in series with the vacuum switching tubes and the respective winding tap. Said additional switches cause a complete galvanic isolation of the vacuum switching tubes in the auxiliary current branches in steady-state operation.
US09054519B2
An electrical circuit comprising a power supply, a load and a surge protection device adapted to protect said load and/or power supply from electrical fast transient events according to the requirements of IEC 61000-4-2 or 4 and which comprises a stress threshold, in which the electrical circuit further comprises a monitoring device adapted to monitor the current in said surge protection device and detect the breaching of said threshold by electrical fast transient events.
US09054518B2
A display apparatus includes a display unit including a thin film transistor (TFT) and a display device. The display device is electrically connected to the TFT and displays an image. A circuit unit is disposed at a side of the display unit and includes a driving device or a signal line unit. The circuit unit includes a damage inducing unit electrically coupled to a conductor in the circuit unit. The damage inducing unit forcibly discharges an electrostatic discharge (ESD) introduced into the circuit unit, thus preventing damage to the driving device or the signal line unit due to the ESD.
US09054511B1
A knockout can be removed from a parent part in a sheet metal structure by removing one or more twistable tabs located on a perimeter of the knockout. A tab is defined by a region of sheet metal within a perimeter consisting of a first and a second cut. The first and second cuts extend through the sheet metal along first and second paths. A first neck extends between the first end of the first cut and the first end of the second cut and between the tab and the parent part. A second neck extends between the second end of the first cut and the second end of the second cut and extends between the tab and the knockout. To remove the tab, the tab is rotated such that the two necks twist about an axis between them, until torsional fatigue fractures the necks.
US09054510B2
A system may include a load-side conduit including a plurality of punch-outs for passing utility wires to a building. The system may also include a utility box having an opening to receive the load-side conduit. The utility box receives utility wires from a utility-side conduit. In one embodiment, the load-side conduit may include a plurality of mounting flanges for suspending the load-side conduit from the utility box. In one embodiment, the load-side conduit includes a mounting strap, attached to the load-side conduit, for mounting the load-side conduit onto a building. In one embodiment, the load-side conduit includes a body and a cover. The body may include locking flanges and the cover may include hooks to engage the locking flanges to secure the cover to the body.
US09054509B2
A wire protecting device for boxes containing electrical wires, the device having an insert sleeve having a substantially solid exterior and a penetrable interior and a structure for attaching the insert sleeve proximate a fastener hole capable of receiving a fastener which extends in a longitudinal direction into the box when in an at least partially fastened position.
US09054500B2
A plasma power limiter fabricated using wafer-level fabrication techniques with other circuit elements. The plasma limiter includes a signal substrate and a trigger substrate defining a hermetically sealed cavity therebetween in which is encapsulated an ionizable gas. The signal substrate includes a signal line within the cavity and the trigger substrate includes at least one trigger probe extending from the trigger substrate towards the transmission line. If a signal propagating on the transmission line exceeds a power threshold, the gas within the cavity is ionized creating a conduction path between the transmission line and the trigger probe that draws off the high power current.
US09054489B2
According to example embodiments, a hybrid vertical cavity laser for a photonic integrated circuit (PIC) includes: a grating mirror between first and second low refractive index layers, an optical waveguide optically coupled to one side of the grating mirror, a III-V semiconductor layer including an active layer on an upper one of the first and second low refractive index layers, and a top mirror on the III-V semiconductor layer. The grating mirror includes a plurality of bar-shaped low refractive index material portions arranged parallel to each other. The low refractive index material portions include a plurality of first portions having a first width and a plurality of second portions having second width in a width direction. The first and second widths are different.
US09054487B2
A semiconductor stripe laser has a first semiconductor region having a first conductivity type and a second semiconductor region having a different, second conductivity type. An active zone for generating laser radiation is located between the semiconductor regions. A stripe waveguide is formed in the second semiconductor region and is arranged to guide waves in a one-dimensional manner and is arranged for a current density of at least 0.5 kA/cm2. A second electrical contact is located on the second semiconductor region and on an electrical contact structure for external electrical contacting. An electrical passivation layer is provided in certain places on the stripe waveguide. A thermal insulation apparatus is located between the second electrical contact and the active zone and/or on the stripe waveguide.
US09054486B2
An optical amplifier device comprising an input/output section that inputs incident light and outputs emission light; a polarized light splitting section that causes a polarized light component of the incident light input from the input/output section to branch, and outputs first polarization mode light having a first polarization and second polarization mode light having a second polarization different from the first polarization; a polarization converting section that receives the first polarization mode light, converts the first polarization to the second polarization, and outputs first polarization converted light; and an optical amplifying section that amplifies the first polarization converted light input to one end of a waveguide, outputs the resulting amplified first polarization converted light from another end of the waveguide, amplifies the second polarization mode light input to the other end of the waveguide, and outputs the resulting amplified second polarization mode light from the one end of the waveguide.
US09054483B2
A photoelectric converting module includes a circuit board, a locating frame fixed on the circuit board, and a photoelectric coupling element. The photoelectric coupling element includes a bottom surface. The bottom surface defines a groove. A shape of the groove coincides with that of the locating frame and a size of the groove is slightly greater than that of the locating frame. The groove receives the locating frame.
US09054478B2
An improved method is employed to produce a plug connector having a defined breaking strength. The plug connector is receivable in a receptacle connector disposed in an electronic device. The plug connector has an inner enclosure bonded to a tab of the connector. The bonds are designed to break at a torque that is less than the breaking strength of the tab of the connector and/or the receptacle connector. The designed breaking strength protects the receptacle connector and/or the electronic device from damage when a force is applied to the plug connector.
US09054473B2
A component loading system includes a board having a socket. A first base member is secured to the board through a plurality of first heat dissipater coupling posts. A first securing member is moveably coupled to the first base member. A second base member is secured to the board through a plurality of second heat dissipater coupling posts. A second securing member is moveably coupled to the second base member. A loading member is moveably coupled to the first base member. A heat dissipater is operable to be coupled to the plurality of first heat dissipater coupling posts and the plurality of second heat dissipater coupling posts. The loading member is operable to be secured to the board by moving the first securing member into engagement with the second base member and moving the second securing member into engagement with the first base member.
US09054472B2
An exemplary power adapter includes a plug member and a housing. The plug member includes a base and a pair of conductive pins located on the base. A number of protrusions protrude from a side of the base. The housing includes a receiving space for receiving the conductive pins. A receiving slot is located on the sidewall of the receiving space. A number of guiding cutouts extends from a top surface of the housing. The guiding cutouts are in communication with the receiving slot and the receiving space.
US09054459B2
An electrical connector assembly including a first connector having a first casing and a plurality of contacts and a second connector having a second casing and a plurality of mating contacts. The first and second connectors are configured to transition between an unassembled condition and an assembled condition to connect the plurality of contacts together with the mating contacts. The second connector supports a connector position assurance (CPA) element. In the unassembled condition, the CPA element abuts against a surface borne by one of connectors, thereby preventing movement of the CPA element relative to the second connector between a safety and an active position. In the assembled condition, the CPA element does not abut against the surface and is movable relative to the second connector between the safety and active positions, so as to connect the mating contact carried by the CPA element with the corresponding contact.
US09054458B1
A connector assembly having a first connector housing, a second connector housing and a connector position assurance (CPA) member that is slidably mounted on the first connector housing for movement between first and second CPA positions. When the CPA member is in the first CPA position and the first connector housing is not fully mated to the second connector housing, the CPA member engages the first connector housing to inhibit sliding movement toward the second CPA position. Fully mating the first and second connector housings together unlocks the CPA member to permit it to be slid to the second CPA position to engage the second connector housing.
US09054442B2
[Problem] To provide a terminal connection structure that can reliably connect terminals together even if the positional offset between the terminals is great.[Solution] The terminal connection structure connects a busbar and a first terminal connected to the coil of a motor. The terminal connection structure is provided with: a base having a bottom wall; a terminal holder that can hold the first terminal and the busbar in an overlapping state; and a mobile attachment section. The mobile attachment section has: a bottom plate section that is provided to the terminal holder and that is parallel to the bottom wall; and a holding slit that is provided to the base, is entered by the bottom plate section, and is larger than the bottom plate section. The mobile attachment section attaches the terminal holder to the base movably in parallel to the surface of the bottom wall.
US09054432B2
A terminal plate set and an electric connector including the terminal plate set are disclosed. The terminal plate set includes two signal terminal plates and two grounding terminal plates, and the signal terminal plates are parallel to each other and disposed between the grounding terminal plates. A partition channel is formed between the grounding terminal plates, between the signal terminal plates, between the signal terminal plate and the grounding terminal plate, or between the terminal plates. The electric connector includes the terminal plate set and a front body, and the terminal plate set is installed at the front body, and a front convection hole is formed on a plug side of the front body. The impedance of the signal terminal plates and the grounding terminal plates can be adjusted within the best range to improve the heat dissipation efficiency of the terminal plate set and the electric connector.
US09054430B2
A connection terminal includes a box-shaped terminal body, a male contact piece protruding from a first side wall of the terminal body, a female contact portion arranged inside of the terminal body, a slit formed in a second side wall and at least one of a front wall closing up a front opening of the terminal body and a rear wall close up a rear opening of the terminal body.
US09054427B2
A planar Vivaldi antenna array, and method of forming such an array, the array comprising: a plurality of slots at an end of the antenna array, the slots extending through the whole thickness of the planar structure of the antenna array; and a plurality of grooves extending from the slots; wherein: the grooves do not extend through the whole thickness of the planar structure of the antenna array; and the cross-sectional shape of the grooves is complementary to the cross-sectional shape of the slots.
US09054420B2
An antenna module is provided. The antenna module includes a first ground element, a body, a radiator and a parasitic element. The body is electrically connected to the first ground element. The radiator is connected to the body, wherein the radiator includes an extending portion, a bending portion and a terminal portion, and the bending portion is connected to the extending portion, and the terminal portion is connected to the bending portion. The parasitic element includes a parasitic extending portion and a parasitic conductive portion, wherein the parasitic extending portion is connected to the parasitic conductive portion, and the terminal portion and the parasitic extending portion is located on a same straight line, and the terminal portion is separated from the parasitic extending portion.
US09054418B2
This invention refers to an antenna structure for a wireless device comprising a ground plane and an antenna element, wherein the ground plane has the shape of an open loop. The invention further refers to an antenna structure for a wireless device, such as a light switch or a wrist sensor or wristwatch, comprising an open loop ground plane having a first end portion and a second end portion, the open loop ground plane defining an opening between the first end portion and the second end portion;and an antenna component positioned within the opening defined between the first end portion and the second end portion and overlapping at least one of the first end portion or the second end portion. Further the invention refers to a corresponding wireless device and to a method for integrating such an antenna structure in a wireless device.
US09054414B2
The present invention regards an antenna system comprising a reflection system that comprises a reflector having a rotational symmetry with respect to an axis of symmetry. Moreover, the antenna system also comprises an electronically steerable planar radiating array that is arranged in a focal region of the reflection system, has a rotational symmetry with respect to the axis of symmetry and is operable to radiate a primary radiofrequency beam oriented in a predefined direction of illumination with respect to the axis of symmetry in such a way as to cause a specific region of the reflector to be illuminated by said primary radiofrequency beam. Said specific region of the reflector is designed, when illuminated by said primary radiofrequency beam, to generate by reflection a secondary radiofrequency beam oriented in at least one predefined direction of transmission with respect to the axis of symmetry.
US09054412B2
Disclosed are various embodiments providing processing circuitry for selecting a channel estimation filter from a plurality of channel estimation filters based on a channel quality metric, the selected channel estimation filter being associated with an intrinsic coefficient. The processing circuitry may then determine a scaled coefficient, the scale coefficient being based on scaling the intrinsic coefficient with respect to a bit size constraint, the bit size constraint being determined by a bit length of a multiplication circuitry operand. Moreover, the processing circuitry may generate an output based on the scaled coefficient and an input signal.
US09054408B2
Removable card for a contactless communication contains an antenna (4) formed of threads (10) placed on the external surface of the body (1) of the card and covered by a layer (7) of a ferromagnetic material. In advantageous adjustment the antenna (4) contains on one area (2) of the card eight threads (10) and both areas (2) of the card are covered by a layer (7) of a ferritic foil. The antenna (4) is connected to the series with element (12) with capacity and the resistance (11) on the other side. Resonant circuit is tuned in for the final frequency from 13.0 to 15.0 MHz. The signal from the antenna (4) is read between the first and the second thread (10) from the side of the element (12) with capacity. The production method for the antenna on the body of the removable card resides in the fact that a groove of the conductive path (5) shape is dredged on the surface of the card's body (1), the groove is filled with a conductive material and a ferromagnetic material layer (7) is applied on the surface of the area (2) covering the antenna (4).
US09054407B2
Radiation electrodes are formed on a dielectric base body of an antenna chip. A capacitive feeding electrode is formed on a first end surface of the dielectric base body. A ground electrode, a feeding circuit connection electrode, feeding lines, a tip electrode, and the like are formed on the top surface of a base member of a substrate. When a first switching element selects the feeding line side, a second switching element is made to enter a conducting state. In this state, the radiation electrodes are capacitively fed. When the first switching element selects the feeding line side, the second switching element is made to enter an open state. In this state, the radiation electrodes are directly fed. In this manner, the directivity direction of an antenna can be switched using a single radiation element.
US09054397B2
A battery cell that comprises a sensing platform with sensing elements configured to provide information about in-situ characteristics and parameters of the battery cell. Embodiments of the battery cell can have the sensing platform integrated into the structure of the battery cell, as a separate structure incorporated in the battery cell, and combinations thereof. In one embodiment, the battery cell comprises a sensing platform having sensing elements proximate a localized measurement region, where the sensing platform comprises a substrate with material layers disposed thereon. The material layers comprise at least one sensing layer that forms the sensing elements so that the sensing elements are responsive to properties of the battery cell.
US09054390B2
The present disclosure relates to an electrolyte for a lithium secondary battery, comprising a non-aqueous solvent, a lithium salt and an additive having a perfluoroalkyl group. By including the additive having a specific structure in the electrolyte, the output of the lithium secondary battery can be improved greatly.
US09054387B2
Provided is an electric storage battery including a jelly roll type electrode assembly having a mandrel. The mandrel includes a positive portion, a negative portion and a removable portion. In some embodiments, the mandrel is planar having two faces with a groove on each of the positive and negative portions. The grooves can be on the same or different faces of the mandrel. The grooves are dimensioned to accommodate a positive and negative feedthrough pin. The electrodes are wrapped around the mandrel using the removable portion to wind the mandrel. Once wrapped, the removable portion can be detached. The positive portion and the negative portion are left in the electrode assembly insulated from each other. The mandrel allows tighter wrapping of the jelly roll assembly, increasing battery miniaturization and also results in electrode assemblies in which after-placement of tabs does not result in burrs or shorting.
US09054385B2
Disclosed herein is a circuit for passively managing power between a fuel cell stack and a battery in a hybrid system. The circuit includes a buck-boost converter circuit, a direct charge circuit; and a network which interconnects them. The network is configured so that in response to a voltage level in the network being lower than or equal to a maximum battery charge voltage, the battery is charged via the direct charge circuit; and in response to another voltage level in the network which is higher than the maximum battery charge voltage, the battery is charged via the buck-boost converter circuit. Also disclosed is a device incorporating the circuit and a method of passively managing power.
US09054383B2
A porous carbonaceous composite material, a positive electrode and lithium air battery including the porous carbonaceous composite material, and a method of preparing the porous carbonaceous composite material. The porous carbonaceous composite material includes a carbon nanotube (CNT); and a modified carbonaceous material doped with a heterogeneous element, wherein the ratio of the number of surface oxygen atoms to the number of surface carbon atoms ranges upward from about 2 atom %.
US09054381B2
A negative electrode active material for a lithium ion battery having the composition formula SiaSnbNicTiyMmCz, wherein a, b, c, y, m and z represent atomic % values, wherein M is either one of more of Fe, Cr and Co, and wherein a>0, b>0, z>0, y≧0, 0≦m≦1, c>5, z+0.5*b>a and c+y>0.75*b. The process for preparing the active material comprises the steps of:—providing a mixture of elemental and/or alloyed powders of the elements in the composition SiaSnbNicTiyMmCz, and—high energy milling under non-oxidizing conditions of the powder mixture.
US09054374B2
A cathode active material capable of obtaining a high capacity and capable of improving stability or low-temperature characteristics, a method of manufacturing the same, and a battery are provided. A cathode (21) includes a cathode active material including a lithium complex oxide including Li and at least one kind selected from the group consisting of Co, Ni and Mn, and P and at least one kind selected from the group consisting of Ni, Co, Mn, Fe, Al, Mg and Zn as coating elements on a surface of the lithium complex oxide. Preferably, the contents of the coating elements are higher on the surface of the cathode active material than those in the interior thereof, and decrease from the surface to the interior.
US09054373B2
A composite material has general Formula (1-x)J-(x)Q wherein: J is a metal carbon alloy of formula SnzSiz′MetwMet′w′Ct; Q is a metal oxide of formula AγMαM′α′Oβ; A is Li, Na, or K; M, M′, Met, and Met′ are individually Ge, Mo, Al, Ga, As, Sb, Te, Ti, Ta, Zr, Ca, Mg, Sr, Ba, Li, Na, K, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Nb, Rt, Ru or Cd; 0
US09054337B2
A display device includes a first optical resonance layer on a substrate, a switching structure on the first optical resonance layer, a first electrode on the switching structure, a light emitting structure on the first electrode, and a second electrode on the emitting structure. The switching structure may include a switching device and an optical distance controlling insulation layer covering the switching device. A first optical resonance distance for an optical resonance of the light may be provided between an upper face of the first optical resonance layer and a bottom face of the second electrode.
US09054331B2
An organic EL display includes: lower electrodes arranged on a substrate so as to correspond to red, green and blue organic EL elements, respectively; hole injection/transport layers arranged on the lower electrodes so as to correspond to the red, green and blue organic EL elements, respectively, the hole injection/transport layers having one or both of hole injection and hole transport properties; red and green organic light-emitting layers arranged on the hole injection/transport layers for the red and green organic EL elements, respectively, and including a low-molecular material; a blue organic light-emitting layer arranged on whole surfaces of the red and green organic light-emitting layers and the hole injection/transport layer for the blue organic EL element; and an electron injection/transport layer and an upper electrode arranged on a whole surface of the blue light-emitting layer, the electron injection/transport layer having one or both of electron injection properties and electron transport properties.
US09054329B2
Light-emitting devices and displays with improved performance are disclosed. A light-emitting device includes an emissive material disposed between a first electrode, and a second electrode. Various embodiments include a device having a peak external quantum efficiency of at least about 2.2%; a device that emits light having a CIE color coordinate of x greater than 0.63; a device having an external quantum efficiency of at least about 2.2 percent when measured at a current density of 5 mA/cm2. Also disclosed is a light-emitting device comprising a plurality of semiconductor nanocrystals capable of emitting red light upon excitation, wherein the device has a peak luminescent efficiency of at least about 1.5 lumens per watt. Also disclosed is a light-emitting device comprising a plurality of semiconductor nanocrystals capable of emitting red light upon excitation, wherein the device has a luminescent efficiency of at least about 1.5 lumens per watt when measured at a current density of 5 milliamps/square centimeter. Also disclosed is a light-emitting device comprising a plurality of semiconductor nanocrystals capable of emitting green light upon excitation, wherein the device has a peak external quantum efficiency of at least about 1.1 percent. Further disclosed is a light-emitting device comprising a plurality of semiconductor nanocrystals, wherein the device has a luminescent efficiency of at least about 3 lumens per watt when measured at a current density of 5 mA/cm2. Further disclosed is a light-emitting device comprising a plurality of semiconductor nanocrystals capable of emitting green light upon excitation, wherein the device has an external quantum efficiency of at least about 2% when measured at a current density of 5 mA/cm2. Other light-emitting devices and displays with improved performance are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods for preparing and for purifying semiconductor nanocrystals.
US09054319B2
An organic electroluminescence device includes an anode, a cathode, and an organic thin-film layer interposed between the anode and the cathode. The organic thin-film layer includes a phosphorescent-emitting layer containing a host and a phosphorescent dopant, and an electron transporting layer that is provided closer to the cathode than the phosphorescent-emitting layer. The host contains a substituted or unsubstituted polycyclic fused aromatic skeleton.
US09054318B2
An organic light emitting device including a plurality of organic layers between a first electrode and an emitting layer, wherein the organic layer includes an electron blocking layer. In one embodiment, a first organic layer, an electron blocking layer, a second organic layer and an emitting layer are formed on the first electrode. The electron blocking layer has a Lowest Unoccupied Molecular Orbital (LUMO) level which is lower than that of the first organic layer. Thus, the electron blocking layer traps excess electrons injected from the emitting layer, thereby improving lifetime characteristics of the OLED.
US09054316B2
A method of manufacturing an organic EL element includes: a first step of forming a lower electrode on a substrate; a second step of forming an organic functional layer on the lower electrode; and a third step of forming an upper electrode on the organic functional layer, wherein the third step includes: a first film-forming step of forming a thin film on the organic functional layer by magnetron sputtering, the thin film being formed of material of the upper electrode; and a second film-forming step of forming, after the first film-forming step, another thin film by a film-forming process different from the magnetron sputtering on the thin film formed in the first film-forming step, said another thin film being formed of the material of the upper electrode.
US09054312B2
A method for making an electrostrictive composite includes the following steps. Carbon nanotubes and a first polymer precursor are mixed. The first carbon nanotubes and the polymer precursor are polymerized to obtain a first material layer. A second material layer is applied to the first material layer, wherein the thermal expansion coefficient of the first material layer is different from the thermal expansion coefficient of the second material layer.
US09054305B2
A nonvolatile memory device includes a plurality of nonvolatile memory elements each having an upper electrode, a variable resistance layer, and a lower electrode; a first insulating layer embedding the plurality of nonvolatile memory elements, and ranging from a lowermost part of the lower electrode to a position higher than an uppermost part of the upper electrode in each of the nonvolatile memory elements; a second insulating layer being formed on the first insulating layer, and having an average size of vacancies larger than an average size of vacancies included in the first insulating layer, or having an average carbon concentration higher than an average carbon concentration of the first insulating layer; and a conductive layer penetrating the second insulating layer and a part of the first insulating layer and being connected to at least one of the upper electrodes included in the nonvolatile memory elements.
US09054296B2
A semiconductor device includes a conductive line, a diode on the conductive line, one or more insulating patterns adjacent to diode, and a data storage region coupled to the diode. An upper surface of the diode is between the one or more insulating patterns and the data storage region. The data storage region may include a phase-change region, and the diode may taper in width between two insulating patterns in one arrangement.
US09054290B2
In accordance with certain embodiments, a semiconductor die is adhered directly to a yielding substrate with a pressure-activated adhesive notwithstanding any nonplanarity of the surface of the semiconductor die or non-coplanarity of the semiconductor die contacts.
US09054289B2
The present disclosure provides a light-emitting diode package, including: a carrier; a light-emitting diode chip disposed over the carrier and electrically connected to the carrier, wherein the light-emitting diode chip includes at least two recesses at corners located on a diagonal line of the light-emitting diode chip; a eutectic layer disposed between the light-emitting diode chip and the carrier, wherein the eutectic layer includes at least two metal pillars embedded into the at least two recesses respectively, wherein an upper portion of the metal pillars covers a portion of a top surface of the light-emitting diode chip. The present disclosure also provides a method for manufacturing a light-emitting diode package.
US09054282B2
A semiconductor structure includes an active region configured to emit light upon the application of a voltage thereto, a window layer configured to receive the light emitted by the active region, and a plurality of discrete phosphor-containing regions on the window layer and configured to receive light emitted by the active region and to convert at least a portion of the received light to a different wavelength than a wavelength of light emitted by the active region. Methods of forming a semiconductor structure including an active region configured to emit light and a window layer include forming a plurality of discrete phosphor-containing regions on the window layer.
US09054279B2
A plastic housing is arranged on a carrier element and is provided with a recess in which an optoelectronic component is arranged. On the side facing away from the carrier element, the recess has an opening to the outside which can be provided with a transparent cover. One or more structures can be provided on the plastic housing in order to orient the cover and/or optical components relative to the optoelectronic component.
US09054268B2
A method for manufacturing an absorber layer of thin film solar cells is revealed. Firstly vapors of different metal-organic sources are generated in a plurality of containers used for mounting different metal-organic sources. Then the vapors of the metal-organic sources are mixed with a carrier gas and are filled into a reaction together with a reaction gas chamber through pipelines. Next the metals and the compounds are deposited on a substrate in the reaction chamber to form an absorber layer of a thin film solar cell. A flow rate of each metalorganic vapors filled into the reaction chamber is controlled by a mass flow controller respectively.
US09054261B2
The photodiode device has an electrically conductive cathode layer (3) at a photodiode layer (4) composed of a semiconductor material. Doped anode regions (5) are situated at a top side of the photodiode layer facing away from the cathode layer. A trench (14) subdivides the photodiode layer. A conductor layer (7) is arranged in or at the trench and electrically conductively connects the cathode layer with a cathode connection (11). Anode connections (12) are electrically conductively connected with the anode regions.
US09054259B2
The present application relates to a light-emitting device and method of manufacturing the same. The device includes a lower portion, and vertical light-emitting structures disposed on the lower portion. A conductive member partially surrounds the vertical light-emitting structures, and reflective members are disposed between the vertical light-emitting structures. The reflective members reflect light that is emitted in a lateral direction from the vertical light-emitting structures to minimize the number of times that light emitted in a lateral direction from the vertical light-emitting structure is transmitted through the light-absorbing member, thereby increasing a luminous efficiency.
US09054254B2
A solar cell includes a rear surface electrode layer a semiconductor layer formed on a surface of rear surface electrode layer a front surface electrode layer formed on a surface of semiconductor layer and a support layer on a surface of rear surface electrode layer at a side opposite the side where semiconductor layer is formed. Semiconductor layer includes at least one p-n junction. A plurality of through holes are provided, which through holes are cavities connecting support layer openings provided on a surface of support layer at a side opposite the side where rear surface electrode layer is formed with semiconductor layer openings provided on a surface of semiconductor layer at a side opposite the side where rear surface electrode layer is formed. Front surface electrode layer is formed in a region where semiconductor layer openings are not provided. A method of manufacturing the solar cell is also disclosed.
US09054250B2
A tempered glass substrate of the present invention is a tempered glass substrate, which has a compression stress layer on a surface thereof, and has a glass composition comprising, in terms of mass %, 40 to 71% of SiO2, 3 to 21% of Al2O3, 0 to 3.5% of Li2O, 7 to 20% of Na2O, and 0 to 15% of K2O.
US09054248B2
A hollow photovoltaic fiber. The hollow photovoltaic fiber includes semiconductor formed on the inner surface of a hollow tube or on a flexible substrate subsequently formed into a hollow tube. The hollow photovoltaic fiber is suitable a variety of semiconductor devices, including solar cells. Light entering the hollow photovoltaic fiber deposits energy in the semiconductor as it travel through the tube. The hollow photovoltaic fiber exhibits improved energy conversion efficiency over planar thin film solar cells due to the large semiconductor surface area and longer light travel path provided by the tube. Embodiments of the hollow photovoltaic fiber are lightweight and flexible allowing the creation of non-planar solar cells and the applications for solar cells to extend into such areas as the manufacture of photovoltaic textiles or photovoltaic non-woven fabrics.
US09054247B2
Single-photon detectors, arrays of single-photon detectors, methods of using the single-photon detectors and methods of fabricating the single-photon detectors are provided. The single-photon detectors combine the efficiency of a large absorbing volume with the sensitivity of nanometer-scale carrier injectors, called “nanoinjectors”. The photon detectors are able to achieve single-photon counting with extremely high quantum efficiency, low dark count rates, and high bandwidths.
US09054246B2
Various embodiment include optical and optoelectronic devices and methods of making same. Under one aspect, an optical device includes an integrated circuit having an array of conductive regions, and an optically sensitive material over at least a portion of the integrated circuit and in electrical communication with at least one conductive region of the array of conductive regions. Under another aspect, a film includes a network of fused nanocrystals, the nanocrystals having a core and an outer surface, wherein the core of at least a portion of the fused nanocrystals is in direct physical contact and electrical communication with the core of at least one adjacent fused nanocrystal, and wherein the film has substantially no defect states in the regions where the cores of the nanocrystals are fused. Additional devices and methods are described.
US09054245B2
Methods for doping an absorbent layer of a p-n heterojunction in a thin film photovoltaic device are provided. The method can include depositing a window layer on a transparent substrate, where the window layer includes at least one dopant (e.g., copper). A p-n heterojunction can be formed on the window layer, with the p-n heterojunction including a photovoltaic material (e.g., cadmium telluride) in an absorber layer. The dopant can then be diffused from the window layer into the absorber layer (e.g., via annealing).
US09054242B2
A process for the production of a MWT silicon solar cell comprising the steps: (1) providing an n-type silicon wafer with (i) holes forming vias between the front-side and the back-side of the wafer and (ii) a p-type emitter extending over the entire front-side and the inside of the holes, (2) applying a conductive metal paste to the holes of the silicon wafer to provide at least the inside of the holes with a metallization, (3) drying the applied conductive metal paste, and (4) firing the dried conductive metal paste, whereby the wafer reaches a peak temperature of 700 to 900° C., wherein the conductive metal paste has no or only poor fire-through capability and comprises (a) at least one particulate electrically conductive metal selected from the group consisting of silver, copper and nickel, (b) at least one particulate p-type dopant, and (c) an organic vehicle.
US09054241B2
A method for forming a back contact for a photovoltaic cell that includes at least one semiconductor layer is provided. The method includes applying a continuous film of a chemically active material on a surface of the semiconductor layer and activating the chemically active material such that the activated material etches the surface of the semiconductor layer. The method further includes removing the continuous film of the activated material from the photovoltaic cell and depositing a metal contact layer on the etched surface of the semiconductor layer.
US09054237B2
Interdigitated back contact (IBC) solar cells are produced by depositing spaced-apart parallel pads of a first dopant bearing material (e.g., boron) on a substrate, heating the substrate to both diffuse the first dopant into corresponding first (e.g., p+) diffusion regions and to form diffusion barriers (e.g., borosilicate glass) over the first diffusion regions, and then disposing the substrate in an atmosphere containing a second dopant (e.g., phosphorus) such that the second dopant diffuses through exposed surface areas of the substrate to form second (e.g., n+) diffusion regions between the first (p+) diffusion regions (the diffusion barriers prevent the second dopant from diffusion into the first (p+) diffusion regions). The substrate material along each interface between adjacent first (p+) and second (n+) diffusion regions is then removed (e.g., using laser ablation) such that elongated grooves, which extend deeper into the substrate than the diffused dopant, are formed between adjacent diffusion regions.
US09054229B2
According to one embodiment, a semiconductor light emitting device includes a first semiconductor layer, a second semiconductor layer, a light emitting layer, a dielectric layer, a first electrode, a second electrode and a support substrate. The first layer has a first and second surface. The second layer is provided on a side of the second surface of the first layer. The emitting layer is provided between the first and the second layer. The dielectric layer contacts the second surface and has a refractive index lower than that of the first layer. The first electrode includes a first and second portion. The first portion contacts the second surface and provided adjacent to the dielectric layer. The second portion contacts with an opposite side of the dielectric layer from the first semiconductor layer. The second electrode contacts with an opposite side of the second layer from the emitting layer.
US09054227B2
The present invention provides a MEMS and a sensor having the MEMS which can be formed without a process of etching a sacrifice layer. The MEMS and the sensor having the MEMS are formed by forming an interspace using a spacer layer. In the MEMS in which an interspace is formed using a spacer layer, a process for forming a sacrifice layer and an etching process of the sacrifice layer are not required. As a result, there is no restriction on the etching time, and thus the yield can be improved.
US09054224B2
The present invention relates to a method to attach a shape memory alloy wire to a substrate, where the wire is mechanically attached into a 3D structure on the substrate. The present invention also relates to a device comprising a shape memory alloy wire attached to a substrate, where the wire is mechanically attached into a 3D structure on the substrate.
US09054223B2
A micro electro mechanical system (MEMS) apparatus includes a substrate. The substrate includes a first surface and a second surface. The first surface and the second surface are on opposing sides of the substrate. A programming contact pad is disposed on the second surface of the substrate. A MEMS device is disposed on the first surface of the substrate. An integrated circuit is disposed on the first surface of the substrate and electrically connected to the MEMS device and the contact pad. An anti-fuse region is coupled to the pad and to ground. When the anti-fuse region is not fused, a first electrical path exists from the programming contact pad to the integrated circuit. When the anti-fuse region is fused, a second electrical path is created from the programming contact pad to ground and the first electrical path is no longer available for programming purposes.
US09054216B2
Trenches are formed into semiconductive material. Masking material is formed laterally over at least elevationally inner sidewall portions of the trenches. Conductivity modifying impurity is implanted through bases of the trenches into semiconductive material there-below. Such impurity is diffused into the masking material received laterally over the elevationally inner sidewall portions of the trenches and into semiconductive material received between the trenches below a mid-channel portion. An elevationally inner source/drain is formed in the semiconductive material below the mid-channel portion. The inner source/drain portion includes said semiconductive material between the trenches which has the impurity therein. A conductive line is formed laterally over and electrically coupled to at least one of opposing sides of the inner source/drain. A gate is formed elevationally outward of and spaced from the conductive line and laterally adjacent the mid-channel portion. Other embodiments are disclosed.
US09054213B2
A gate stressor for a fin field effect transistor (FinFET) device is provided. The gate stressor includes a floor, a first stressor sidewall, and a second stressor sidewall. The floor is formed on a first portion of a gate layer. The gate layer is disposed above a shallow trench isolation (STI) region. The first stressor sidewall formed on a second portion of the gate layer. The second portion of the gate layer is disposed on sidewalls of a fin. The second stressor sidewall formed on the third portion of the gate layer. The third portion of the gate layer is disposed on sidewalls of a structure spaced apart from the fin. The first stressor side wall and the second stressor sidewall do not exceed a height of the fin.
US09054206B2
After a gate insulating film is formed over a gate electrode, in order to improve the quality of a microcrystalline semiconductor film which is formed in an early stage of deposition, a film near an interface with the gate insulating film is formed under a first deposition condition in which a deposition rate is low but the quality of a film to be formed is high, and then, a film is further deposited under a second deposition condition in which a deposition rate is high. Then, a buffer layer is formed to be in contact with the microcrystalline semiconductor film. Further, plasma treatment with a rare gas such as argon or hydrogen plasma treatment is performed before formation of the film under the first deposition condition for removing adsorbed water on a substrate.
US09054198B2
The invention discloses a pixel unit structure, an array substrate and a display device and relates to the technical field of liquid crystal displays. The pixel unit structure has a storage capacitor and has a high aperture ratio and a low manufacturing cost of the pixel unit. The pixel unit structure comprises a thin film transistor (TFT) and a first barrier layer, wherein the first barrier layer is opposite to a drain region of an active layer of the TFT, and is connected to a common electrode of an array substrate, thereby a capacitor can be formed between the first barrier layer and the drain region of the active layer.
US09054197B2
A thin-film transistor includes: a gate electrode; a gate insulating film disposed on the gate electrode; an oxide semiconductor layer disposed on the gate insulating film and having a channel region located to face the gate electrode; a channel protective layer disposed on the gate insulating film and the oxide semiconductor layer; and source and drain electrodes each connected to the oxide semiconductor layer through a connection hole formed in the channel protective layer, in which the oxide semiconductor layer has, in a part of the channel region, a narrow region with a narrower width than a width of the connection hole.
US09054196B2
A thin film transistor including an active layer, and has a field-effect mobility of 25 cm2/Vs or more, the active layer being formed of an oxide that includes In, Ga, and Zn in an atomic ratio that falls within the following region 1, region 2, or region 3, the region 1 being defined by 0.58≦In/(In+Ga+Zn)≦0.68 and 0.15
US09054191B2
Devices and manufacturing methods thereof are presented. The device includes a substrate and a fin-type transistor disposed on the substrate. The transistor includes a fin structure that protrudes from the substrate to serve as a source of the transistor. The fin structure is doped with dopants of a first polarity. The transistor also includes a gate layer formed over and around a first end of the fin structure to serve as a gate of the transistor. A drain layer is disposed over the fin structure and adjacent to the gate layer to serve as a drain of the transistor. The drain layer is doped with dopants of a second polarity opposite the first polarity.
US09054188B2
An apparatus for and a method of forming a semiconductor structure is provided. The apparatus includes a substrate holder that maintains a substrate such that the processing surface is curved, such as a convex or a concave shape. The substrate is held in place using point contacts, a plurality of continuous contacts extending partially around the substrate, and/or a continuous ring extending completely around the substrate. The processing may include, for example, forming source/drain regions, channel regions, silicides, stress memorization layers, or the like.
US09054184B2
A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate having a first gate groove having first and second side walls facing to each other. A first gate insulating film covers the first and second side walls. A first gate electrode is disposed on the first gate insulating film and in a lower portion of the first gate groove. A first burying insulating film buries the first gate groove and covers the first gate electrode. A first diffusion region is adjacent to a first upper portion of the first gate insulating film. The first upper portion is positioned on an upper portion of the first side wall of the first gate groove. A second diffusion region is in contact with an upper portion of the second side wall of the first gate groove.
US09054183B2
The present invention provides AccuFETs with single or dual accumulation channels and methods for manufacturing the same. The present invention also provides for products produced by the methods of the present invention and for apparatuses used to perform the methods of the present invention.
US09054176B2
Methods of dicing substrates by both laser scribing and plasma etching are disclosed. A method includes laser ablating material layers, the ablating leading with a first irradiance and following with a second irradiance, lower than the first. Multiple passes of a beam adjusted to have different fluence level or multiple laser beams having various fluence levels may be utilized to ablate mask and IC layers to expose a substrate with the first fluence level and then clean off redeposited materials from the trench bottom with the second fluence level. A laser scribe apparatus employing a beam splitter may provide first and second beams of different fluence from a single laser.
US09054174B2
In a MOSFET using a SiC substrate, a source region having low resistance and high injection efficiency is formed without performing a high-temperature heat treatment.A vertical Schottky barrier transistor in which a source region SR on a SiC epitaxial substrate is constituted by a metal material is formed. The source region SR composed of a metal material can be brought into a low resistance state without performing a high-temperature activation treatment. Further, by segregating a conductive impurity DP at an interface between the source region SR composed of a metal material and the SiC epitaxial substrate, the Schottky barrier height can be reduced, and the carrier injection efficiency from the source region SR can be improved.
US09054169B2
An InGaAs n-channel quantum well heterostructure for use in a complementary transistor having a Sb-based p-channel. The heterostructure includes a buffer layer having a lattice constant intermediate that of the n- and p-channel materials and which is configured to accommodate the strain produced by a lattice-constant mismatch between the n-channel and p-channel materials.
US09054165B2
Semiconductor devices and methods of manufacturing semiconductor devices. One example of a method of fabricating a semiconductor device comprises forming a conductive feature extending through a semiconductor substrate such that the conductive feature has a first end and a second end opposite the first end, and wherein the second end projects outwardly from a surface of the substrate. The method can further include forming a dielectric layer over the surface of the substrate and the second end of the conductive feature such that the dielectric layer has an original thickness. The method can also include removing a portion of the dielectric layer to an intermediate depth less than the original thickness such that at least a portion of the second end of the conductive feature is exposed.
US09054160B2
An interconnect structure includes a patterned and cured dielectric layer located directly on a surface of a patterned permanent antireflective coating. The patterned and cured dielectric layer and the permanent antireflective coating form shaped openings. The shaped openings include an inverse profile which narrows towards a top of the shaped openings. A conductive structure fills the shaped openings wherein the patterned and cured dielectric layer and the permanent antireflective coating each have a conductively filled region.
US09054157B2
A high performance on-chip vertical coaxial cable structure, method of manufacturing and design structure thereof is provided. The coaxial cable structure includes an inner conductor and an insulating material that coaxially surrounds the inner conductor. The structure further includes an outer conductor which surrounds the insulating material. Both the inner and outer conductors comprise a plurality of metal layers formed on different wiring levels and interconnected between the different wiring levels by conductors. The coaxial cable structure is formed upon a surface of a semiconductor substrate and is oriented in substantially perpendicular alignment with the surface.
US09054149B2
A method of fabricating a bipolar transistor including emitter and base regions having first and second conductivity types, respectively, includes forming an isolation region at a surface of a semiconductor substrate, the isolation region having an edge that defines a boundary of an active area of the emitter region, and implanting dopant of the second conductivity type through a mask opening to form the base region in the semiconductor substrate. The mask opening spans the edge of the isolation region such that an extent to which the dopant passes through the isolation region varies laterally to establish a variable depth contour of the base region.
US09054143B2
A packaging for substrates, in particular for metal-ceramic substrates, having a tray-like packaging part formed from a sheet material, for example a plastic sheet material by deep drawing. The packaging has at least one seat formed by an indentation in an upper base section of the packaging part for a plurality of substrates collected together into a substrate stack or part stack.
US09054139B2
In a chemical liquid supplying apparatus 10a for discharging chemical liquid by expanding and contracting a pump chamber 16 which communicates with a chemical liquid inlet 21 and a chemical liquid outlet 22, the apparatus has a cylinder 12 in which a piston 31 is accommodated and reciprocally movable in an axial direction. A bellows 35 which is elastically deformable in the axial direction is mounted to a cylinder hole 30 between the tip of a connection rod 34 and the cylinder 12. On the inside of the bellows 35, an expanding/contracting chamber 37 is formed as a compartment between the connection rod 34 and the bellows 35, a pressure chamber 38 which communicates with the expanding/contracting chamber 37 is provided on the tip side of the piston 31, and an incompressible indirect medium 39 is enclosed in the expanding/contracting chamber 37 and the pressure chamber 38. The average effective diameter D2 of this bellows 35 is set so as to be smaller than the outer diameter D1 of a sliding surface 32 of the piston 31.
US09054124B2
A diode and a method for an electrostatic discharge resistant diode. The method includes, for example, receiving a wafer. The wafer includes a silicon layer electrically isolated from a silicon substrate by a buried oxide (BOX) layer. The BOX layer is in physical contact with the silicon layer and the silicon substrate. An N-type well is implanted in the silicon substrate. Furthermore, a vertical column of P+ doped epitaxial silicon and a vertical column of N+ doped epitaxial silicon are formed over the N-type well and extend through the BOX layer and the silicon layer. Both vertical columns may form electrical junctions with the N-type well.
US09054120B2
A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor chip, the semiconductor chip including a substrate, a multilayer interconnect layer formed over the substrate, an outer peripheral cell column disposed along an edge of the substrate in a plan view, the outer peripheral cell column having at least one first I/O cell, and an inner peripheral cell column formed at an inner peripheral side of the outer peripheral cell column, the inner peripheral cell column having at least one second I/O cell.
US09054118B2
An embodiment of a method for making semiconductor device packages includes a heat sink matrix and a substrate. A plurality of semiconductor devices is attached to the substrate. Then, a package body is formed between the heat sink matrix and the substrate, wherein the package body encapsulates the semiconductor devices. Then, a plurality of first cutting slots is formed, wherein the first cutting slots extend through the heat sink matrix and partially extend into the package body. Then, a plurality of second cutting slots is formed, wherein the second cutting slots extend through the substrate and through the package body to the first cutting slot, thereby singulating the heat sink matrix and substrate into a plurality of individual semiconductor device packages.
US09054116B2
A manufacturing method of a substrate for a semiconductor package includes a resist layer forming step to form a resist layer on a surface of a conductive substrate; an exposure step to expose the resist layer using a glass mask with a mask pattern including a transmission area, a light shielding area, and an intermediate transmission area, wherein transmittance of the intermediate transmission area is lower than that of the transmission area and is higher than that of the light shielding area; a development step to form a resist pattern including a hollow with a side shape including a slope part decreasing in hollow circumference as the hollow circumference approaches the substrate; and a plating step to plate on an exposed area to form a metal layer with a side shape including a slope part decreasing in circumference as the circumference approaches the substrate.
US09054112B2
In semiconductor devices, the alignment mark for performing alignment processes of measurement tools and the like may be positioned within the die seal area on the basis of a geometric configuration, which still preserves mechanical integrity of the die seal without compromising the spatial information encoded into the alignment marks. For example, L-shaped alignment marks may be provided at one or more corners of the die seal area.
US09054108B2
A method and structure for preventing integrated circuit failure due to electromigration and time dependent dielectric breakdown is disclosed. A randomly patterned metal cap layer is selectively formed on the metal interconnect lines (typically copper (Cu)) with an interspace distance between metal cap segments that is less than the critical length (for short-length effects). Since the diffusivity is lower for the Cu/metal cap interface than for the Cu/dielectric cap interface, the region with a metal cap serves as a diffusion barrier.
US09054106B2
A semiconductor structure and a method for manufacturing the same are provided. A semiconductor structure includes a device substrate, a conductive film, a dielectric film and a conductive plug. The device substrate includes a semiconductor substrate and a conductive structure on an active surface of the semiconductor substrate. The device substrate has a substrate opening passing through the semiconductor substrate and exposing the conductive structure. The conductive film, the conductive plug and the dielectric film between the conductive film and the conductive plug are disposed in the substrate opening.
US09054105B2
A semiconductor package includes a mounting board including a bonding pad, first and second semiconductor chips sequentially stacked on the mounting board, a first wire connecting a first region of the bonding pad to a chip pad of the first semiconductor chip, and a second wire connecting the first region of the bonding pad to a chip pad of the second semiconductor chip, the second wire having a reverse loop configuration.
US09054102B2
The performances of a semiconductor device are improved. The device includes a first MISFET in which hafnium is added to the gate electrode side of a first gate insulation film including silicon oxynitride, and a second MISFET in which hafnium is added to the gate electrode side of a second gate insulation film including silicon oxynitride. The hafnium concentration in the second gate insulation film of the second MISFET is set smaller than the hafnium concentration in the first gate insulation film of the first MISFET; and the nitrogen concentration in the second gate insulation film of the second MISFET is set smaller than the nitrogen concentration in the first gate insulation film of the first MISFET. As a result, the threshold voltage of the second MISFET is adjusted to be smaller than the threshold voltage of the first MISFET.
US09054098B2
A method of manufacture of an integrated circuit packaging system includes: forming a peripheral interconnect having a bond finger and a contact pad with a trace in direct contact with the bond finger and the contact pad, the bond finger vertically offset from the contact pad; connecting an integrated circuit die and the bond finger; and forming a module encapsulation on the integrated circuit die, the bond finger and the trace exposed from the module encapsulation.
US09054097B2
An integrated circuit (IC) package for an IC device, and a method of making the same. The IC package includes an interconnect assembly with at least one printed compliant layer, a plurality of first contact members located along a first major surface, a plurality of second contact members located along a second major surface, and a plurality of printed conductive traces electrically coupling a plurality of the first and second contact members. The compliant layer is positioned to bias at least the first contact members against terminals on the IC device. Packaging substantially surrounds the IC device and the interconnect assembly. The second contact members are accessible from outside the packaging.
US09054096B2
An embodiment of an apparatus is disclosed. For this embodiment of the apparatus, an interposer has first vias. First interconnects and second interconnects respectively are coupled on opposite surfaces of the interposer. A first portion of the first interconnects and a second portion of the first interconnects are spaced apart from one another defining an isolation region between them. A substrate has second vias. Third interconnects and the second interconnects are respectively coupled on opposite surfaces of the package substrate. A first portion of the first vias and a first portion of the second vias are both in the isolation region and are coupled to one another with a first portion of the second interconnects.
US09054093B2
A semiconductor chip and a wiring board are coupled to each other through conductor posts. The centers of conductor posts situated above openings at the outermost periphery shift from the centers of the openings in a direction away from the center of the semiconductor chip. When a region where each of the conductor posts and an insulating layer are overlapped with each other is designated as an overlapped region, the width of the overlapped region more on the inner side than the opening is smaller than the width of the overlapped region more on the outer side than the opening. Thus, while stress applied to the conductor posts is relaxed, coupling reliability between the semiconductor chip and the wiring board is retained.
US09054091B2
A hybrid packaging multi-chip semiconductor device comprises a lead frame unit, a first semiconductor chip, a second semiconductor chip, a first interconnecting structure and a second interconnecting structure, wherein the first semiconductor chip is attached on a first die paddle and the second semiconductor chip is flipped and attached on a third pin and a second die paddle, the first interconnecting structure electrically connecting a first electrode at a front surface of the first semiconductor chip and a third electrode at a back surface of the second semiconductor chip and a second electrode at the front surface of the first semiconductor chip is electrically connected by second interconnecting structure.
US09054086B2
A module having a discrete passive element and a semiconductor device, and method of forming the same. In one embodiment, the module includes a patterned leadframe, a discrete passive element mounted on an upper surface of the leadframe, and a thermally conductive, electrically insulating material formed on an upper surface of the discrete passive element. The module also includes a semiconductor device bonded to an upper surface of the thermally conductive, electrically insulating material.
US09054082B2
A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor chip, a core substrate, first and second insulating layers, and first and second wiring layers. Adhesiveness of the insulating layer to a metal is higher than adhesiveness of the core substrate to the metal. A through hole extends through the insulating layer in the thickness direction. A through via covers the hole wall surface of the through hole, extends in the thickness direction traversing the insulating layer, and electrically connects the first and second wiring layers.
US09054075B2
The present invention discloses a strip-shaped gate-modulated tunneling field effect transistor with double-diffusion and a preparation method thereof, belonging to a field of CMOS field effect transistor logic device and the circuit. The tunneling field effect transistor includes a semiconductor substrate, a highly-doped source region, a highly-doped drain region, a double-diffusion source region, a gate dielectric layer, and a control gate, wherein the control gate has a strip-shaped structure with a gate length greater than a gate width, and at one side thereof is connected to the highly-doped drain region and at the other side thereof extends laterally into the highly-doped source region; a region located below the control gate is a channel region; the gate width of the control gate is less than twice width of a source depletion layer; the double-diffusion region has the same doping region as the highly-doped source region and the double-diffusion region has the same doping type as the highly-doped drain region; and the channel region located below a portion of the control gate portion in the highly-doped source region has double-diffusion source doped impurities. The TFET device according to the invention improves its performance, and the preparation method thereof is simple.
US09054064B2
A heat spreader that is configured to be attached to an integrated circuit substrate. The heat spreader includes a thermally conductive core and a heat spreader via that passes through the thermally conductive core. A connection point of the thermally conductive core is configured to form a solder connection to an integrated circuit substrate plug.
US09054059B2
The present invention relates to a flexible organic electroluminescent device, and the invention disclosed herein includes a switching thin film transistor and a drive thin film transistor formed at the each pixel region on a substrate; a first electrode connected to a drain electrode of the drive thin film transistor, and formed at the each pixel region; a bank formed on the display area and non-display area of the substrate; a spacer formed on a bank in the non-display area, and disposed in the vertical direction in parallel to a lateral surface of the display area; an organic light emitting layer separately formed for each pixel region; a second electrode formed on an entire surface of the organic light emitting layer; an organic layer formed on an entire surface of the substrate; a barrier film located to face the substrate.
US09054044B2
Semiconductor device structures and methods for forming a semiconductor device are provided. In embodiments, one or more fins are provided, each of the one or more fins having a lower portion and an upper portion disposed on the lower portion. The lower portion is embedded in a first insulating material. The shape of the upper portion is at least one of a substantially triangular shape and a substantially rounded shape and a substantially trapezoidal shape. Furthermore, a layer of a second insulating material different from the first insulating material is formed on the upper portion.
US09054043B2
In directed self-assembly (DSA) of a block copolymer (BCP), a patterned sublayer on a substrate serves as a guiding chemical prepattern on which BCPs form more uniform and/or denser patterns. A layer of a blend of a BCP and functional homopolymers, referred to as inks, is deposited on the patterned sublayer and annealed to change the initial chemical prepattern to a 1:1-like chemical pattern that is more favorable to DSA. After annealing, the inks selectively distribute into blocks by DSA, and part of the inks graft on the substrate underneath the blocks. The BCP blend layer is then rinsed away, leaving the grafted inks A second layer of BCP is then deposited and annealed as a second DSA step to form alternating lines of the BCP components. One of the BCP components is removed, leaving lines of the other BCP component as a mask for patterning the substrate.
US09054041B2
Methods for etching dielectric materials in the fabrication of integrated circuits are disclosed herein. In one exemplary embodiment, a method for fabricating an integrated circuit includes forming a layer of a first dielectric material over a gate electrode structure formed on a semiconductor substrate. The gate electrode structure includes a horizontal top surface and sidewall vertical surfaces adjacent to the horizontal top surface. The method further includes forming a layer of a second dielectric material over the layer of the first dielectric material. The first dielectric material is different than the second dielectric material. Still further, the method includes applying an etchant to the second material that fully removes the second material from the sidewall vertical surfaces while only partially removing the second material from the horizontal top surface and while substantially not removing any of the layer of the first dielectric material.
US09054035B2
A description is given of a method for doping a semiconductor body, and a semiconductor body produced by such a method. The method comprises irradiating the semiconductor body with protons and irradiating the semiconductor body with electrons. After the process of irradiating with protons and after the process of irradiating with electrons, the semiconductor body is subjected to heat treatment in order to attach the protons to vacancies by means of diffusion.
US09054031B2
The present invention is a method of incorporating a non-volatile memory into a CMOS process that requires four or fewer masks and limited additional processing steps. The present invention is an epi-silicon or poly-silicon process sequence that is introduced into a standard CMOS process (i) after the MOS transistors' gate oxide is formed and the gate poly-silicon is deposited (thereby protecting the delicate surface areas of the MOS transistors) and (ii) before the salicided contacts to those MOS transistors are formed (thereby performing any newly introduced steps having an elevated temperature, such as any epi-silicon or poly-silicon deposition for the formation of diodes, prior to the formation of that salicide). A 4F2 memory array is achieved with a diode matrix wherein the diodes are formed in the vertical orientation.
US09054030B2
Memory cells are disclosed. Magnetic regions within the memory cells include an alternating structure of magnetic sub-regions and coupler sub-regions. The coupler material of the coupler sub-regions antiferromagnetically couples neighboring magnetic sub-regions and effects or encourages a vertical magnetic orientation exhibited by the neighboring magnetic sub-regions. Neighboring magnetic sub-regions, spaced from one another by a coupler sub-region, exhibit oppositely-directed magnetic orientations. The magnetic and coupler sub-regions may each be of a thickness tailored to form the magnetic region in a compact structure. Interference between magnetic dipole fields emitted from the magnetic region on switching of a free region in the memory cell may be reduced or eliminated. Also disclosed are semiconductor device structures, spin torque transfer magnetic random access memory (STT-MRAM) systems, and methods of fabrication.
US09054027B2
A semiconductor device containing a GaN FET has an isolating gate structure outside the channel area which is operable to block current in the two-dimensional electron gas between two regions of the semiconductor device. The isolating gate structure is formed concurrently with the gate of the GaN FET, and has a same structure as the gate.
US09054013B2
A microelectronic assembly for packaging/encapsulating IC devices, which includes a crystalline substrate handler having opposing first and second surfaces and a cavity formed into the first surface, a first IC device disposed in the cavity and a second IC device mounted to the second surface, and a plurality of interconnects formed through the crystalline substrate handler. Each of the interconnects includes a hole formed through the crystalline substrate handler from the first surface to the second surface, a compliant dielectric material disposed along the hole's sidewall, and a conductive material disposed along the compliant dielectric material and extending between the first and second surfaces. The compliant dielectric material insulates the conductive material from the sidewall. The second IC device, which can be an image sensor, is electrically coupled to the conductive materials of the plurality of interconnects. The first IC can be a processor for processing the signals from the image sensor.
US09054012B2
A method of manufacturing a radiation detection apparatus is provided. On a sensor substrate on which a pixel array is formed, a scintillator layer that covers the pixel array, a sealing layer that covers a side face of the scintillator layer, and a protection layer that covers an upper face of the scintillator layer and an upper face of the sealing layer are formed. The sensor substrate, the sealing layer, and the protection layer along a side of the pixel array are cut such that a cut surface of the sensor substrate, a cut surface of the sealing layer, and a cut surface of the protection layer are arranged on the same plane.
US09054004B2
Systems and methods are provided for fabricating a backside illuminated image sensor including an array of pixels. An example image sensor includes a first pixel, a second pixel, and an isolation structure. The first pixel is disposed in a front side of a substrate and is configured to generate charged carriers in response to light incident upon a backside of the substrate. The second pixel is disposed in the front side of the substrate and is configured to generate charged carriers in response to light incident upon the backside of the substrate. The isolation structure is disposed to separate the second pixel from the first pixel, and extends from the backside of the substrate toward the front side of the substrate. The isolation structure includes a sidewall substantially vertically to the front side of the substrate.
US09053991B2
Disclosed is a semiconductor device suppressed in decrease of reliability. The semiconductor device comprises an electrode pad portion (2) formed on the upper surface of a semiconductor substrate (1), a passivation layer (3) so formed on the upper surface of the semiconductor substrate (1) as to overlap a part of the electrode pad portion (2) and having a first opening portion (3a) where the upper surface of the electrode pad portion (2) is exposed, a barrier metal layer (5) formed on the electrode pad portion (2), and a solder bump (6) formed on the barrier metal layer (5). The barrier metal layer (5) is formed such that an outer peripheral end (5b) lies within the first opening portion (3a) of the passivation layer (3) when viewed in plan.
US09053983B2
Provided is a bottom-gate transistor including an oxide semiconductor, in which electric-field concentration which might occur in the vicinity of an end portion of a drain electrode layer (and the vicinity of an end portion of a source electrode layer) when a high gate voltage is applied to a gate electrode layer is reduced and degradation of switching characteristics is suppressed, so that the reliability is improved. The cross-sectional shape of an insulating layer which overlaps over a channel formation region is a tapered shape. The thickness of the insulating layer which overlaps over the channel formation region is 0.3 μm or less, preferably 5 nm or more and 0.1 μm or less. The taper angle θ of a lower end portion of the cross-sectional shape of the insulating layer which overlaps over the channel formation region is 60° or smaller, preferably 45° or smaller, further preferably 30° or smaller.
US09053982B2
A cluster of semiconductor fins is formed on an insulator layer. A masking material layer is formed over the array of semiconductor fins such that spaces between adjacent semiconductor fins are filled with the masking material layer. A photoresist layer is applied over the masking material layer, and is lithographically patterned. The masking material layer is etched to physically expose a sidewall surface of a portion of an outermost semiconductor fin in regions not covered by the photoresist layer. A recessed region is formed in the insulator layer such that an edge of the recessed region is formed within an area from which a portion of the semiconductor fin is removed. The photoresist layer and the masking material layer are removed. Within the cluster, a region is provided that has a lesser number of semiconductor fins than another region in which semiconductor fins are not etched.
US09053981B2
A semiconductor hybrid structure on an SOI substrate. A first portion of the SOI substrate contains a nanowire mesh device and a second portion of the SOI substrate contains a partially depleted semiconductor on insulator (PDSOI) device. The nanowire mesh device includes stacked and spaced apart semiconductor nanowires located on the SOI substrate with each semiconductor nanowire having two end segments in which one of the end segments is connected to a source region and the other end segment is connected to a drain region. The nanowire mesh device further includes a gate region over at least a portion of the stacked and spaced apart semiconductor nanowires. The PDSOI device includes a partially depleted semiconductor layer on the substrate, and a gate region over at least a portion of the partially depleted semiconductor layer.
US09053980B2
Methods and systems for monolithic integration of photonics and electronics in CMOS processes are disclosed and may include fabricating photonic and electronic devices on two CMOS wafers with different silicon layer thicknesses for the photonic and electronic devices with at least a portion of each of the wafers bonded together, where a first of the CMOS wafers includes the photonic devices and a second of the CMOS wafers includes the electronic devices. The electrical devices may be coupled to optical devices utilizing through-silicon vias. The different thicknesses may be fabricated utilizing a selective area growth process. Cladding layers may be fabricated utilizing oxygen implants and/or utilizing CMOS trench oxide on the CMOS wafers. Silicon may be deposited on the CMOS trench oxide utilizing epitaxial lateral overgrowth. Cladding layers may be fabricated utilizing selective backside etching. Reflective surfaces may be fabricated by depositing metal on the selectively etched regions.
US09053978B2
An erase system and method of a nonvolatile memory device includes supplying an erase voltage to a plurality of memory cells of a nonvolatile memory, performing a read operation with a read voltage to word lines of the plurality of memory cells, and performing an erase verification operation with an erase verification voltage to at least one of the word lines of the plurality of memory cells, the erase verification voltage lower than the read voltage.
US09053972B1
A pillar bump, such as a copper pillar bump, is formed on an integrated circuit chip by applying a metallic powder over a conductive pad on a surface of the chip. The metallic powder is selectively spot-lasered to form the pillar bump. Any remaining unsolidified metallic powder may be removed from the surface of the chip. This process may be repeated to increase the bump height. Further, a solder cap may be formed on an outer surface of the pillar bump.
US09053968B2
A method of manufacturing a semiconductor package structure is provided. A supporting plate and multiple padding patterns on an upper surface of the supporting plate define a containing cavity. Multiple leads electrically insulated from one another are formed on the padding patterns, extend from top surfaces of the padding patterns along side surfaces to the upper surface and are located inside the containing cavity. A chip is mounted inside the containing cavity, electrically connected to the leads. A molding compound is formed to encapsulate at least the chip, a portion of the leads and a portion of the supporting plate, fill the containing cavity and gaps among the padding patterns, and exposes a portion of the leads on the top surface. The supporting plate is removed to expose a back surface of each padding pattern, a bottom surface of the molding compound and a lower surface of each lead.
US09053957B2
A structure and method operable to create a reusable template for detachable thin semiconductor substrates is provided. The reusable template has a three-dimensional (3-D) surface topography comprising a plurality of raised areas comprising a rounded top and separated by a plurality of depressed areas.
US09053953B1
An integrated circuit packaging system, and a method of manufacture thereof, including: a device formed as a die having a conductor with ends exposed on opposite sides of the die; a first surface depression on the device, the first surface depression surrounding one of the ends of the conductor exposed at a stack side of the die; a first component over and connected to the conductor, the first component surrounded by the first surface depression; and a first underfill between and in direct contact with the first component and the device, the first underfill substantially filled to a side of an inner edge and within a perimeter of the first surface depression isolated from the conductor.
US09053939B2
A heterojunction bipolar transistor (HBT) may include an n-type doped crystalline collector formed in an upper portion of a crystalline silicon substrate layer; a p-type doped crystalline p+Si1-xGex layer, formed above the n-type doped collector, that forms a p-type doped internal base of the HBT; a crystalline silicon cap formed on the p-type doped crystalline p+Si1-xGex layer, in which the crystalline silicon cap includes an n-type impurity and forms an n-type doped emitter of the HBT; and an n-type doped crystalline silicon emitter stack formed within an opening through an insulating layer to an upper surface of the crystalline silicon cap.
US09053924B2
A cleaning agent for a silicon wafer (a first cleaning agent) contains at least a water-based cleaning liquid and a water-repellent cleaning liquid for providing at least a recessed portion of an uneven pattern with water repellency during a cleaning process. The water-based cleaning liquid is a liquid in which a water-repellent compound having a reactive moiety chemically bondable to Si element in the silicon wafer and a hydrophobic group, and an organic solvent including at least an alcoholic solvent are mixed and contained. With this cleaning agent, the cleaning process which tends to induce a pattern collapse can be improved.
US09053922B2
The invention describes a method of manufacturing an electrode (1) for a gas-discharge lamp, which method comprises forming an electrode shaft (10); forming a coil (2) over a winding length (L W); arranging the coil (2) on the electrode shaft (10); and melting material of the coil (2) such that, when the melted coil material has re-solidified, the solidified material (30,31) comprises a one-piece shell (3), which one-piece shell (3) comprises a fused portion (30) over a fraction (L T) of the winding length (L W) and a mantle portion (31) over a remainder (L B) of the winding length (L W). The invention further describes an electrode (1) for a gas-discharge lamp, which electrode (1) comprises an electrode shaft (10); a coil (2) arranged on the electrode shaft (10) over a winding length (L W); and a one-piece shell (2) comprising re-solidified material of the coil (2), which one-piece shell (3) comprises a fused portion (30) over a fraction (L T) of the winding length (L W) and a mantle portion (31) over a remainder (L B) of the winding length (L W). The invention also describes a gas-discharge lamp (6) comprising a burner (4) enclosing a discharge vessel (40), a first electrode (1) and a second electrode (1), wherein the electrodes (1) are arranged to protrude into the dis-charge vessel (40) from opposite sides of the discharge vessel (40), wherein at least one of the electrodes (1) comprises an electrode (1) according to the invention.
US09053919B2
A scaled down version of a toroidal radio frequency (RF) ion trap mass analyzer operating with RF trapping voltages on the order of 1 kVp-p yet despite the reduced dimensions, retains roughly the same ion trapping volume as conventional 3D quadrupole ion traps, wherein the curved geometry enables construction of a compact mass analyzer and easy interface with conventional electron multipliers.
US09053912B2
A fine particle measurement system including a primary-side power supply circuit connected to a primary side of an isolation transformer, a control circuit configured to control the primary-side power supply circuit, a first current measurement circuit configured to transmit to the control circuit a first signal indicating a first current that flows from a trapping unit toward a secondary-side reference potential line, and a second current measurement circuit configured to transmit to the control circuit a second signal indicating a second current corresponding to the amount of ions that are not trapped by the trapping unit. The control circuit adjusts the electrical power supplied to the ion generating unit based on the first current and measures the amount of the fine particles in the gas based on the second current. Further, the first current measurement circuit includes an isolation amplifier and amplifies the first signal via the isolation amplifier and transmits the first signal to the control circuit.
US09053911B2
A method of processing mass spectral data is disclosed comprising digitizing a first signal output from an ion detector to produce a first digitized signal. A first set of peaks in the first digitized signal is detected and the arrival time To and peak area So of one or more peaks in the first set of peaks are determined thereby forming a first list of data pairs, each data pair comprising an arrival time value and a peak area value. One or more data pairs from the first list are then filtered out thereby forming a second reduced list, wherein a data pair is filtered out, attenuated or otherwise rejected from the first list if the peak area value of a data pair in the first list is determined to be less than a threshold peak area.
US09053908B2
A variable capacitor is provided within a radiofrequency (RF) power transmission path to a bias electrode, in addition to an impedance matching circuit provided within the RF power transmission path to the bias electrode. An RF power supply is operated in a pulsed mode to transmit pulses of RF power through the RF power transmission path to the bias electrode. A capacitance of the variable capacitor is set to control a rate at which a DC bias voltage builds up on a substrate present above the bias electrode during each pulse of RF power. The rate at which the DC bias voltage builds up on the substrate controls an ion energy distribution and an ion angular distribution within a plasma exposed to an electromagnetic field emanating from the substrate.
US09053899B2
The invention relates to a dual beam apparatus equipped with an ion beam column and an electron beam column having an electrostatic immersion lens. When tilting the sample, the electrostatic immersion field is distorted and the symmetry round the electron optical axis is lost. As a consequence tilting introduces detrimental effects such as traverse chromatic aberration and beam displacement. Also in-column detectors, detecting either secondary electrons or backscattered electrons in the non-tilted position of the sample, will, due to the loss of the symmetry of the immersion field, show a mix of these electrons when tilting the sample.The invention shows how, by biasing the stage with respect to the grounded electrodes closest to the sample, these disadvantages are eliminated, or at least reduced.
US09053895B2
An inductively coupled plasma charged particle source for focused ion beam systems includes a plasma reaction chamber with a removably attached source electrode. A fastening mechanism connects the source electrode with the plasma reaction chamber and allows for a heat-conductive, vacuum seal to form. With a removable source electrode, improved serviceability and reuse of the plasma source tube are now possible.
US09053894B2
Described herein is a method and apparatus for removing metal oxides on a surface of a component via electron attachment. In one embodiment, there is provided a field emission apparatus, wherein the electrons attach to at least a portion of the reducing gas to form a negatively charged atomic ions which removes metal oxides comprising: a cathode comprising an electrically conductive and comprising at least one or more protrusions having an angled edge or high curvature surface, wherein the cathode is surrounded by a dielectric material which is then surrounded by an electrically conductive anode wherein the cathode and anode are each connected to an electrical voltage source, and the dielectric material between the cathode and anode is polarized, intensifying the electrical field strength and accumulating electrons at the apex of the cathode to promote field emission of electrons from the cathode.
US09053890B2
Various embodiments are described herein for nanostructure field emission cathode structures and methods of making these structures. These structures generally comprise an electrode field emitter comprising a resistive layer having a first surface, a connection pad having a first surface disposed adjacent to the first surface of the resistive layer, and a nanostructure element for emitting electrons in use, the nanostructure element being disposed adjacent to a second surface of the connection pad that is opposite the first surface of the connection pad. Some embodiments also include a coaxial gate electrode that is disposed about the nanostructure element.
US09053873B2
Embodiments of switches (10) include electrically-conductive housings (30, 60), and electrical conductors (34, 64) suspended within and electrically isolated from the housings (30, 60). Another electrical conductor (52) is configured to move between a first position at which the electrical conductor (52) is electrically isolated from the electrical conductors (34, 64) within the housings (30, 60), and a second position at which the electrical conductor (52) is in electrical contact with the electrical conductors (34, 64) within the housings (30, 60). The switches (10) further include an actuator (70, 72, 74, 76) comprising an electrically-conductive base (80) and an electrically-conductive arm (82a, 82b) having a first end restrained by the base (80). The electrical conductor (52) is supported by the arm (82a, 82b), and the arm (82a, 82b) is operative to deflect and thereby move the electrical conductor (52) between its first and second positions.
US09053871B2
The present invention, in part, relates to a carbon black having a) a nitrogen BET surface area (BET) of from about 600 m2/g to about 2100 m2/g, b) a CDBP value in mL/100 g of from about (−2.8+(b*BET)) to about (108+(b*BET)), where b is 0.087 and BET is expressed in m2/g, and c) an apparent density (p, g/cm3) of at least about 0.820+q*BET, where q=−2.5×10−4, as determined at a compressive force (P) of 200 kgf/cm2 on dry carbon black powder. Energy storage devices, such as electrochemical double layer capacitors (EDLC's), containing the carbon black are also disclosed. Methods for making the carbon blacks and EDLC's made with them are also provided.
US09053864B2
In a multilayer capacitor, a first dielectric layered product including a first body principal face is formed to be thicker than a second dielectric layered product including a second body principal face in a stacking direction thereof. A first external electrode and a second external electrode extend only to the first body principal face from a first body end face and a second body end face. Alternatively, the first external electrode and the second external electrode extend at least to the first body principal face from the first body end face and the second body end face and extend also to at least one of the second body principal face, a first body lateral face, and a second body lateral face.
US09053862B2
A variable capacitance device including: a device body having a plurality of dielectric layers formed by a dielectric material changing in capacitance according to a control signal applied externally and laminated in a predetermined direction and an internal electrode section including at least one internal electrode formed in each of both surfaces of each dielectric layer, three or more capacitors being formed by the plurality of dielectric layers and the internal electrode section, and the three or more capacitors being connected in series with each other; and at least three control terminals supplied with the control signal, and respectively arranged for at least three internal electrodes forming at least two capacitors of the three or more capacitors.
US09053857B2
There is provided a method of preparing a nickel nanoparticle, the method including: forming an aqueous solution by mixing water and a solution containing a hydroxyl group; forming a mixed liquid by adding carboxylic acid to the aqueous solution at a ratio of 10 to 20 wt % with regard to the solution containing a hydroxyl group; and adding a nickel salt to the mixed liquid and stirring the mixed liquid.
US09053851B2
The present invention relates to a laminate that includes: a foundation layer (12) that is a crystal having a wurtzite structure; and a MgXM1-XO film (14) having a hexagonal film formed on the foundation layer, where M is a 3d transition metal element, and 0
US09053849B2
A magnetic nanosilicon material comprising silicon nanoparticles impregnated with magnetic atoms. This magnetic nanosilicon material has both luminescent and magnetic properties. In certain embodiments of the invention, magnetic nanosilicon material is encapsulated in a polymer or silica sphere to provide a supermolecule. Supermolecules can be used in applications such as but not limited to detection and imaging.
US09053848B2
An impulse solenoid valve with at least one solenoid coil, a magnetically soft magnetic circuit which comprises a stationary yoke and a movable solenoid core, and with a permanent magnet which is accommodated in the magnetic circuit such that it sectionally interrupts the magnetic circuit, is characterized in that a first portion and a second portion of the magnetic circuit each directly contact the same on opposite sides of the permanent magnet, preferably over the full surface.
US09053842B2
A device is provided having a body. The body being made from a flexible material that has an electrical insulating property of at least 1000 volts. A first fastener disposed on a first surface adjacent a first side. A second fastener is disposed on a second surface adjacent a second side, the second surface being opposite the first surface and the second side being opposite the first side. A plurality of straps is coupled to the body.
US09053835B2
A flexible cable may include a data signal layer; a first disconnection detecting signal layer covering a front face of the data signal layer and formed with a disconnection detecting signal pattern; and a second disconnection detecting signal layer covering a rear face of the data signal layer and formed with a disconnection detecting signal pattern. The flexible cable may be formed in a multilayer structure. A shield pattern may be formed in the first and/or second disconnection detecting signal layer and avoiding the disconnection detecting signal pattern. The data signal pattern may be formed so as to be covered by the disconnection detecting signal pattern. At least a part of the signal pattern may be formed so as to avoid the disconnection detecting signal pattern.
US09053834B2
A silicon carbide single crystal includes nitrogen as a dopant and aluminum as a dopant. A nitrogen concentration is 2×1019 cm−3 or higher and a ratio of an aluminum concentration to the nitrogen concentration is within a range of 5% to 40%.
US09053820B2
Techniques are disclosed herein for performing an Internal Data Load (IDL) to sense non-volatile storage elements. Read pass voltages that are applied to the two neighbor word lines to a selected word line may be adjusted to result in a more accurate IDL. The read pass voltage for one neighbor may be increased by some delta voltage, whereas the read pass voltage for the other neighbor may be decreased by the same delta voltage. In one aspect, programming of an upper page of data into a word line that neighbors a target word line is halted to allow lower page data in the target memory cells to be read using an IDL and preserved in data latches while programming the upper page in the neighbor word completes. Preservation of the lower page data provides for a cleaner lower page when later programming the upper page into the target memory cells.
US09053813B2
At least one refresh without scrubbing is performed on a corresponding portion of the memory device with a first frequency. In addition, at least one refresh with scrubbing is performed on a corresponding portion of the memory device with a second frequency less than the first frequency. Accordingly, refresh operations with data scrubbing are performed to prevent data error accumulation. Furthermore, refresh operations without data scrubbing are also performed to reduce undue power consumption from the data scrubbing.
US09053809B2
A method includes calculating redundancy information over a set of data items, and sending the data items for storage in a memory. The redundancy information is retained only until the data items are written successfully in the memory, and then discarded. The data items are recovered using the redundancy information upon a failure in writing the data items to the memory.
US09053797B2
Methods and controllers for programming a memory are provided. In one such method, a potential for pillars of the memory that are to be inhibited is lowered, and programming cells of the memory is accomplished while the pillars of the memory that are to be inhibited have the lower potential.
US09053790B1
A data storage device includes a resistive random access memory (ReRAM) having a three-dimensional (3D) memory configuration that is monolithically formed in one or more physical levels of arrays of memory cells having an active area disposed above a silicon substrate. The data storage device further includes circuitry associated with operation of the memory cells. A method includes performing a first number of write operations to the ReRAM. The method further includes incrementing a value of a counter a second number of times in response to performing at least one of the write operations. The second number is less than the first number.
US09053787B2
The nonvolatile memory device includes a control circuit that controls a sense amplification circuit and a writing circuit. The control circuit changes a value of at least one of (a) a load current and (b) a forming pulse current or a forming pulse voltage, according to a total number of sneak current paths formed by memory cells each including a variable resistance element in a second resistance state having a low resistance value except a selected memory cell in a memory cell array.
US09053785B2
A phase-change memory cell includes a phase change material; a reference electrical terminal disposed on first side of the phase change material; first and second electrical terminals disposed on a second side of the phase change material; the phase-change material configured to be reversibly transformable between an amorphous phase and a crystalline phase, in response to a phase-altering electrical signal applied to the phase-change material via the reference electrical terminal and one or more of the first and second electrical terminals; a resistance measurement unit configured to measure a respective electrical resistance between each of the first and electrical terminals and the reference electrical terminal; and a mathematical operation unit configured to determine a mathematical relation between the respective electrical resistances measured between each of the electrical terminals and the reference electrical terminal.
US09053781B2
A method for operating a multi-level resistive random access memory (RRAM) cell having a current-controlling device and a RRAM device connected together. The method is free of a “forming” step and includes setting the RRAM device to one of resistance levels by controlling the current-controlling device to one of current levels. The setting the RRAM device includes applying a first voltage to a top electrode of the RRAM device and applying a second voltage to a bottom electrode of the RRAM device. The second voltage is higher than the first voltage.
US09053778B2
A memory controller outputs a clock signal to first and second DRAMs disposed on a memory module, the clock signal requiring respective first and second time intervals to propagate to the first and second DRAMs. The memory controller outputs a write command to be sampled by the first and second DRAMs at times indicated by the first clock signal and outputs, in association with the write command, first and second write data to the first and second DRAMs, respectively. The memory controller further outputs first and second strobe signals respectively to the first and second DRAMs, the first strobe signal to time reception of the first and second write data therein. The memory controller adjusts respective transmission times of the first and second strobe signals to be offset from one another by a time interval that corresponds to a difference between the first and second time intervals.
US09053775B2
A method for accessing a semiconductor device having a memory array, the method includes receiving a mode register command to set a command latency value in a mode register, receiving a chip select signal, activating a command receiver in response to the chip select signal, receiving, with the command receiver, an access command with a first latency from the chip select signal equal to the command latency value, accessing the memory array in response to the access command, and deactivating the command receiver with a second latency from the chip select signal equal to a deactivation latency value.
US09053774B2
A duty cycle corrector includes a sensing unit, a pad unit, a fuse unit, and a driver unit. The sensing unit generates at least one sensing signal based on the sensed duty cycle ratio of an output signal. The pad unit outputs at least one decision signal based on the at least one sensing signal. The fuse unit generates a duty cycle control signal based on at least one received fuse control signal. The driver unit adjusts a duty cycle ratio of an input signal to generate the output signal based on the duty cycle control signal. The driver unit adjusts the duty cycle ratio of the input signal by adjusting a pull-up strength or a pull-down strength of the input signal based on the duty cycle control signal.
US09053772B2
A method for conducting reference voltage training includes setting levels of a reference voltage in response to code signals and receiving and storing data for the respective levels of the reference voltage, and simultaneously outputting the stored data.
US09053770B1
A method of operation of a high-voltage word-line driver circuit for a memory device prevents any single transistor of the driver from having the full power supply voltage from which the word-line output signal is generated, from being applied across any single transistor of the word-line driver circuit. A pair of cascode devices are connected in series with the pull-down device of the input stage and a pull-up device of the input stage, and biased using reference voltages to control the maximum voltage drop across the pull-down device when the pull-down device is off and the pull-up device is active, and to control the maximum voltage drop across the pull-up device when the pull-down device is active. The output stage also includes cascode devices that protect the output pull-down and pull-up devices, and the reference voltages that bias the input and output cascode pairs may be the same reference voltages.
US09053769B2
A semiconductor device includes a memory array including memory cells, page buffers suitable for reading data from the memory cells, cache latch circuits suitable for latching read data from the page buffers, and transmitting latched data to data lines in response to a column selection signal, a column selector suitable for outputting the column selection signal to the cache latch circuits through column selection lines in response to a column address, and sense amplifiers suitable for outputting transmitted data of the data lines by sensing voltages of the data lines, in which the cache latch circuits are connected to the column selector and the sense amplifiers through the column selection lines and the data lines, respectively, and have inverse relationship between the column selection lines and the data lines in length.
US09053765B2
A nonvolatile semiconductor memory device includes a memory cell array having multiple blocks each with a plurality of memory strings. Each memory string has multiple memory cells connected in series between first and second selection transistors. The device further includes a row decoder, a block decoder, first and second signal line groups, and a switch circuit. The row decoder has transfer transistors through which voltages are supplied to the selection transistors. The block decoder supplies a selection signal that indicates whether the first group or the second group has been selected. The first and second signal line groups are connected to the selection transistors of the memory strings that are in the respective first and second memory blocks of the first and second groups. The switch circuit connects the first and second signal line groups to the respective first and second memory blocks of the selected group.
US09053750B2
Speaker content generated in an audio conference is visually represented in accordance with a method. Speaker content from a plurality of audio conference participants is monitored using a computer with a tangible non-transitory processor and memory. The speaker content from each of the plurality of audio conference participants is monitored. A visual representation of speaker content for each of the plurality of audio conference participants is generated based on the analysis of the speaker content from each of the plurality of audio conference participant. The visual representation of speaker content is displayed.
US09053748B2
According to one embodiment, a method for reading data from a medium includes reading a data set from a medium repeatedly using different settings until either: a reconstructed data set is sent to a host and/or stored, or a maximum number of rereads has been reached, after each reading of the data set, storing each row to the reserved data buffer that has no errors or errors in the row are correctable using C1-Error Correction Code (ECC) unless a matching row already exists in the reserved data buffer that has fewer corrected errors therein, assembling the data set from the rows stored in the reserved data buffer to form an assembled data set, correcting any remaining errors in the assembled data set using C2-ECC to form the reconstructed data set, and sending the reconstructed data set to the host and/or storing the reconstructed data set.
US09053738B1
In one embodiment, of inventory management for automated data storage libraries, a first subset of data storage cartridges is scanned and extracted from a multi-cartridge deep slot cell and transported to and filled into another multi-cartridge deep slot cell while maintaining tier order of the first subset. A second subset of data storage cartridges is scanned and extracted from the multi-cartridge deep slot cell and returned to its original multi-cartridge deep slot cell while maintaining tier order of the second subset. Other aspects are described herein.
US09053732B2
A method of forming a perpendicular magnetic recording medium. The perpendicular magnetic recording medium comprises a substrate, an underlayer on the substrate, an intermediate layer on the underlayer and a recording layer on the intermediate layer. The underlayer comprises a first soft underlayer, an antiferromagnetically coupled Ru layer on the first soft underlayer, a second soft underlayer on the antiferromagnetically coupled Ru layer, and an orientation control layer on the second soft underlayer, the method comprises applying a negative bias voltage to the substrate during formation of the underlayer.
US09053731B2
A system according to one embodiment includes a slider adapted for use in a hard disk drive; and a laser coupled to a slider, wherein electrical contacts of the laser are positioned towards or face the slider, wherein light from the laser is emitted towards the slider, wherein the slider acts as a heat sink for the laser.
US09053729B1
Various embodiments of a method of detecting a contact event between a head and a storage medium, and a storage device that utilizes such method are disclosed. In one or more embodiments, the method includes applying an input signal to an actuator of a head of a storage device; identifying a frequency of the input signal; detecting an output signal in response to the input signal; and detecting a contact event between the head and a storage medium of the storage device if the output signal includes an even harmonic frequency and an odd harmonic frequency of the frequency of the input signal.
US09053718B1
A method for forming a protective overcoat onto a tape bearing surface of a tape head used for magnetic tape recording. In order to ensure optimal surface tension and liftoff properties of the ink mask, the tape bearing surface is treated with a first application of ethanol, followed by an application of polydimethylsiloxane, followed by a second application of ethanol. After this treatment an ink mask can be printed onto the tape bearing surface so as to form a mask having an opening over the location of the magnetic transducer. An etching can then be performed followed by the deposition of a protective coating such as alumina.
US09053713B2
A sub-structure, suitable for use as a hot seed on which to form a perpendicular magnetic main write pole, is described. It is made up of a buffer layer of atomic layer deposited alumina on which there are one or more seed layers having a body-centered cubic (bcc) crystal structure. Finally, the high coercivity magnetic film lies on the seed layer(s). It is critical that the high coercivity magnetic film be deposited at a very low deposition rate (around 1 Angstrom per second).
US09053712B1
A data storage device is disclosed comprising a disk surface comprising a plurality of tracks, wherein each track comprises a plurality of data sectors and a plurality of servo sectors. The data storage device further comprises a head actuated over the disk surface, the head comprising at least one read element and at least one write element. Control circuitry is configured to use the head to write to a first data sector on the disk surface while simultaneously reading from a first servo sector on the disk surface.
US09053709B2
The present invention relates to a control device, a control method, and a program capable of improving operability with a simpler configuration.A reproducing apparatus 11 which reproduces sound such as music includes earphones 21 which are worn by a user on the ears and a body 22. A sound pickup unit 31 collects sounds around the reproducing apparatus 11, and a determination unit 34 extracts future amounts from the collected sound and determines whether the sound corresponds to an operation sound generated when the sound pickup unit 31 is directly tapped by the user. A controller 35 executes a process in accordance with a result of the determination performed by the determination unit 34. For example, when a sound pickup unit 31-1 is tapped once within a predetermined period of time, the controller 35 instructs a reproduction controller 39 to stop reproduction of music. In the reproducing apparatus 11, various function control processes may be performed by a simple operation of tapping the sound pickup unit 31 and buttons are not required. The present invention is applicable to a music player.
US09053698B2
Methods, systems, and apparatuses are provided for performing jitter buffer enhanced joint source channel decoding. Jitter buffer enhanced joint source channel decoding may be performed in a manner that exploits parameter domain correlation. A jitter buffer stores hard bits of properly channel decoded packets, and a secondary jitter buffer is implemented to store soft bits associated with packets that are improperly channel decoded. Joint source channel decoding may be delayed to perform channel decoding of a frame in the penultimate position of the jitter buffer. The soft bits stored in the secondary jitter buffer as well as hard bits stored in the jitter buffer, which may include future frames, are utilized to perform channel decoding. The delayed jitter buffer enhanced joint source channel decoding may also be extended to iteratively perform channel decoding for giving frames at each position in the jitter buffer as they traverse the jitter buffer.
US09053693B1
Embodiments of a digital cymbal displacement control device for an electronic hi-hat are provided. A digital cymbal displacement detection unit in accordance with the present disclosure is configured to be directly mounted on the tube above the stand of an electronic hi-hat, as with any conventional hi-hat, without any need of changing the way how the electronic hi-hat is operated. The digital cymbal displacement detection unit includes at least one displacement detection unit and a plurality of sliding elastic elements that slide along a contact surface of the at least one displacement detection unit. Variation in an electrical parameter of each of the at least one displacement detection unit is utilized to determine the displacement of an electronic cymbal set of the electronic hi-hat.
US09053690B2
A string instrument is provided having: a body with a sound hole; a neck extending from the body; a plurality of strings strung over the neck and sound hole; a plurality of frets positioned under the strings along the neck, a plurality of sensors positioned on the neck; and electronic circuitry associated with the sensors; characterized, in that each of the frets comprises separate individual fret sections each mounted over a corresponding sensor, thereby forming separate individual dynamic fret-activated sensors, each individual dynamic fret-activated sensor being positioned correspondingly under one of the plurality of strings. When a chord is played by applying finger pressure on the strings, pressure is applied on the corresponding individual frets activating the individual dynamic fret-activated sensors, which transmit the pressure data representing the played chord, via the electronic circuitry to a processor to produce an audio output comprising the played chord.
US09053686B2
A music box includes a plurality of star wheels, a frame, a casing, a vibration plate, and a moving mechanism. Each of the plurality of star wheels being configured to rotate about a first axis. The frame is configured to rotatably support the first axis. The vibration plate comprises a plurality of vibration valves corresponding to the plurality of star wheels. Each of the plurality of vibration valves is extending in a first direction. The plurality of vibration valves is arrayed along a second direction parallel to the first axis. The vibration plate is fixed to the casing. The moving mechanism is configured to move the frame to the vibration plate in the first direction.
US09053684B2
A truss rod adjustment device includes a truss rod gear assembly, an adjustment gear assembly and a base. The truss rod gear assembly includes an end shaped to fit in and engage a truss rod wrench socket attached to a neck of a guitar. The adjustment gear assembly includes an adjustment socket shaped to receive and engage a wrench. The base attaches to the neck of the guitar and holds the truss rod gear assembly in position to engage the truss rod wrench socket. The base also holds the adjustment gear assembly in position both to engage the truss rod assembly gear assembly and to position the adjustment socket to be accessible through a hole in a back of the guitar.
US09053683B1
An accessory device removably mounted to the headstock of a string instrument including an arm assembly for, actuating the keys of a keyboard instrument. The distal end of the arm assembly includes at least one tip cooperatively shaped to actuate the keys of a keyboard instrument. The arm assembly having an elongated arm member that is slidably and lockingly mounted to a clamp assembly that is removably mounted to the stock.
US09053678B2
Embodiments of the disclosed technical solution provides a shift register unit circuit which operates based on two clock signals and comprises input terminals, a pre-charging circuit, a first level pulling-down circuit, a second level pulling-down circuit and a scan signal output terminal. Embodiments of the disclosed technical solution also provides a shift register having at least two shift register unit circuits connected in cascade, and further provides a liquid crystal display array substrate and a liquid crystal display. Embodiments of the disclosed technical solution settles problems that a threshold voltage of the pulling-down TFT would drift under a direct current bias voltage and a output is unstable due to a clock hopping, increases a reliability of the circuit and reduces power consumption.
US09053672B2
A light source portion includes a plurality of back lights provided corresponding to respective regions obtained by virtually dividing a liquid crystal panel screen into a plurality of parts, the back lights have a light emission intensity controlled based on a light emission intensity value and have ON and OFF operations controlled in response to a light emission driving signal, and the light emission driving signal is constituted to sequentially turn ON the plurality of back lights synchronously with a stereoscopic image signal and to turn ON the plurality of back lights at the same time in a predetermined timing, and is constituted to individually control a light emission period for the plurality of back lights based on image information about the stereoscopic image signal.
US09053669B2
A scan driving apparatus, includes a first scan driving unit coupled to a second scan driving unit, the first scan driving unit receives a first start signal, a first clock signal, a second clock signal, and sequentially outputs the first clock signal as a first scan, and outputs the first boost clock signal as a first boost signal, and the second scan driving receives the first clock signal, the second clock signal, a second boost clock signal, and the first scan signal as a second start signal, to sequentially output the second clock signal as a second scan signal, and sequentially outputs the second boost clock signal as a second boost signal.
US09053662B2
A method for adjusting a uniformity of a panel is provided. The panel includes a plurality of blocks. The method includes: comparing whether a color display component of each of the blocks in response to a first input value matches a target component, comparing whether a color characteristic value of each of the blocks in response to a second input value matches a target characteristic value, and providing a corresponding modified second input component and a modified third input component for each of the blocks. The target component is determined according to a plurality of main display components of a plurality of display values corresponding to the blocks, and the target characteristic value is determined according to the plurality of color characteristic values corresponding to the blocks.
US09053651B2
Provided is a flexible display device including a display body having flexibility; an actuator for changing and driving the display body; and an initial shape forming substrate for maintaining an initial state of the display body before the display body is changed and driven. The flexible display device allows a user to exactly control a change state of the flexible display device by driving the actuator and to decrease power consumption for changing and driving the flexible display device. Thus, by using the flexible display device, user convenience can be improved and the flexible display device can be driven with low power consumption.
US09053637B2
A broadcast notification system for providing alert notifications to vehicle drivers. The system recognizes the vehicle type that it has been installed. The system receives vehicle inputs and selects from memory an alert notification associated with a predetermined set of vehicle inputs. Alert messages correspond to vehicle collisions, roadside conditions, dispatch of emergency vehicles and the presence of other stopped roadside vehicles, such as tow trucks, maintenance and repair work vehicles and buses.
US09053634B2
A method of detecting conflicts between aircraft passing through managed airspace, and resolving the detected conflicts strategically. The method may include obtaining intended trajectories of aircraft through the airspace, detecting conflicts in the intended trajectories, forming a set of the conflicted aircraft, calculating one or more revised trajectories for the conflicted aircraft such that the conflicts are resolved, and advising the conflicted aircraft subject to revised trajectories of the revised trajectories.
US09053632B2
The present disclosure relates generally to real-time traffic prediction and/or estimation using GPS data with low sampling rates. In various examples, real-time traffic prediction and/or estimation using GPS data with low sampling rates may be implemented in the form of systems, methods and/or algorithms.
US09053630B2
A method for providing a minimum safe altitude indication on an aircraft display is described. The method includes utilizing current aircraft heading and position data to generate a location and orientation for an own-ship depiction with respect to an aircraft display, utilizing the current position data, along with terrain data, to generate minimum safe altitude data for an area surrounding the aircraft, and displaying on the aircraft display, about the location for own-ship depiction, the minimum safe altitudes surrounding the aircraft.
US09053628B2
A first apparatus receives, from a second apparatus, a signal including information on first time-periods each associated with an occupancy rate, using a wireless channel. The first time-periods each indicate a time-period during which data are scheduled to be collected by the second apparatus, and the occupancy rate indicates a ratio of a duration-time during which data are actually collected by the second apparatus using the wireless channel, to the each first time-period. The first apparatus, based on the occupancy rate and the received power of the first signal, calculates interference values each indicating a degree of interference caused by a radio wave from the second apparatus during the each first time-period, and acquires, based on the calculated interference values, second time-periods during which data are scheduled to be collected by the first apparatus, and collects data from a node apparatus during the third time-periods using the wireless channel.
US09053625B2
The present invention relates generally to a system and method for group tracking wherein at least one individual within a tracked group is provided with an article of footwear equipped with a wireless tracking device. The wireless tracking device is configured for bi-directional communications with a monitoring center, wherein the wireless tracking device is adapted to determine and store absolute location information of the individual wearing the wireless tracking device and the location information of at least one other individual within the tracked group. Each individual's tracking device has a unique identifier for identifying the individual with a monitoring center at a remote location and/or portable monitoring unit.
US09053619B2
An LED strobe notification device and method for operating an LED strobe notification device is provided. The LED strobe notification device is configured to generate an output at two or more candela settings and is configured to generate the output at the two or more candela settings having a human-perceived pulse duration with a fixed width. The LED strobe device includes: an LED strobe element; and an LED controller in communication with the LED strobe element with the LED controller configured to: receive a candela selection for the LED strobe element, the candela selection selected from the two or more candela settings; receive a command to activate the LED strobe element of the LED strobe notification device; and in response to receiving the command, control the LED strobe element in order to generate the output from the LED strobe element having the human-perceived pulse duration with the fixed width.
US09053616B2
Computing systems and methods for electronically indicating the acceptability of a product. An image capture and communication device may analyze a product label that includes one or more monitors, authentication elements, and identification elements. The image capture and communication device may determine the type and features of the monitors, authentication elements, and identification elements and, based on the type of the monitors, authentication elements, and identification elements. The image capture and communication device may transmit data based on the type and features to a host server, which may transmit data associated with the host product to the image capture and communication device in, inter alia, the form of an acceptability report.
US09053607B2
A test tool provides a flexible resource for control an of electronic gaming machine (EGM) via a data network. The test tool provides both interactive and automated access to the EGM when the EGM is operated using a special diagnostic BIOS that supports both communication with the test tool over the data network and the ability to set operational variables including random numbers. The test tool can use structured data test scripts, such as XML files, to automate repetitive testing of one or more gaming machines by automating breakpoint setting, variable settings, and comparison of expected results based on game type, paytables, currency, etc.
US09053603B2
Techniques for providing deployment and management services for wager-based virtual machines deployed in a cloud-based on-demand service environment. In some implementations, a master deployment set is stored in one or more data sources under a repository of master deployment sets. The master deployment set includes one or more virtual machines configured to be deployed to one or more component servers to provide a component service to a client terminal in one or more jurisdictions. The repository of master deployment sets is configured to include one or more master deployment sets having regulatory approval in the one or more jurisdictions. The master deployment set may be deployed to the one or more component servers. The repository of master deployment sets, the master deployment set, and the deployment may be managed by an authorized user.
US09053598B2
A banknote processing device that stacks banknotes in a banknote storage section even when a jam occurs. The device has an insertion aperture, a verification section, the storage section and a controller. The aperture separates and feeds inserted banknotes. The verification section verifies the banknotes fed from the aperture. The banknotes are stacked in the storage section. The controller controls conveyance of the banknotes conveyed from the aperture to the verification section such that, depending on verification results, the banknotes are conveyed directly to the storage section. When a jam occurs during conveyance of the banknotes, the controller stops the separation and feeding of the banknotes from the aperture, and controls conveyance such that banknotes for which the storage section has been set as a conveyance destination by the verification section are conveyed directly to the storage section and banknotes for which no conveyance destination has been set are ejected.
US09053595B2
A coin identification system and method is disclosed for determining the identity of a source coin by way of image processing. The system comprises a source coin image capture means, an image processing means, and an output that relays information to the user or sorts the coin according to its match results. The processing means compares at least one image of the source coin to a plurality of reference coin images, whereby the image of the source coin is manipulated and overlaid onto the reference coin images to determine if a match is available with a given probability. An embodiment of the system employs a coin collection and sorting device. Another embodiment contemplates a handheld electronic device that captures and processes the source coin. Both embodiments may connect to a remote server housing the reference coin information or store the information locally.
US09053592B2
A key management box includes a card reader configured to read ID for personal authentication, a data writing unit to write information on at least the ID read by the card reader in an electronic key, a data erasing unit configured to communication with the electronic key and disable the electronic key when the electronic key is determined to be a key on-lending, and a control substrate configured to determine that a lending mode is established when the card reader reads the ID and cause an electronic lock to permit opening/closing of a door and then activate the data writing unit, or configured to cause the electronic lock to permit opening/closing of the door when the data erasing unit determines that the electronic key is a key on-lending through communication with the electronic key while the card reader does not read ID.
US09053587B2
A remotely actuated door lock is provided. The remotely actuated lock includes a transceiver for establishing telephone communication with a remote telephone and for receiving a transmitted identification code therefrom. The door lock includes a microprocessor, a programmable logic controller or the like for comparing the transmitted identification code with a stored identification code stored in memory associated with the processor or controller. The door lock further includes a lock bolt actuator in communication with a lock bolt for changing a state of the door lock. The lock bolt actuator is selectively actuated if the transmitted identification code matches the stored identification code. However, if the transmitted identification code does not match the stored identification code, then the transceiver transmits a first alert message to a user, alerting the user to possible unauthorized access.
US09053582B2
A method is provided for streaming light propagation with particular application for feature films and other demanding content creation using scenes of high complexity requiring art directed global illumination. By attaching a data recording shader or equivalent functionality to any tracing based renderer that can provide multi-pass global illumination, the complete set of light bounce propagation records and the set of emissive samples for a particular rendering can be recorded to memory or disk. A user may edit the emissive samples to adjust the lighting environment, including modifying light source color and intensity and even moving and adding new emissive samples. To relight the scene, the edited emissive samples are processed through the propagation records using a streaming multiply-and-add operation amenable to high levels of parallelization, avoiding a costly re-rendering of the scene and providing a final quality result in interactive time.
US09053571B2
Generating computer models of 3D objects is described. In one example, depth images of an object captured by a substantially static depth camera are used to generate the model, which is stored in a memory device in a three-dimensional volume. Portions of the depth image determined to relate to the background are removed to leave a foreground depth image. The position and orientation of the object in the foreground depth image is tracked by comparison to a preceding depth image, and the foreground depth image is integrated into the volume by using the position and orientation to determine where to add data derived from the foreground depth image into the volume. In examples, the object is hand-rotated by a user before the depth camera. Hands that occlude the object are integrated out of the model as they do not move in sync with the object due to re-gripping.
US09053567B2
In a stereoscopic image processing device capable of displaying and/or recording stereoscopic animated images and stereoscopic still images, stereoscopic still image data representing any stereoscopic still image are extracted from predetermined stereoscopic animated image data, and the parallax amount of the stereoscopic still image represented by the extracted stereoscopic still image data is acquired. The parallax amount of the stereoscopic still image data is converted so as to be larger than the acquired parallax amount.
US09053562B1
The inventive method involves receiving as input a representation of an ordered set of two dimensional images. The ordered set of two dimensional images is analyzed to determine at least one first view of an object in at least two dimensions and at least one motion vector. The next step is analyzing the combination of the first view of the object in at least two dimensions, the motion vector, and the ordered set of two dimensional images to determine at least a second view of the object; generating a three dimensional representation of the ordered set of two dimensional images on the basis of at least the first view of the object and the second view of the object. Finally, the method involves providing as output an indicia of the three dimensional representation.
US09053560B2
Disclosed is an edge management unit of accessing a memory including a first memory area and a second memory area. The edge management unit comprises an edge write controller writing bucket information corresponding to input edge data in the first memory area and the edge data at a location of the second memory area appointed by the bucket information; and an edge read controller responding to a scan line signal to read the bucket information from the first memory area and the edge data from a location of the second memory area appointed by the read bucket information.
US09053551B2
Embodiments of the invention relate to a method, system, and computer program product to automate image classification with respect to coronary vessels in an angiography sequence. Two primary elements are employed, including training and recognition. Training pertains to the pre-processing images and extracting salient features that characterize the appearance of coronary arteries under different viewpoints. Recognition pertains to extraction of features from a new image sequence and determining a classification boundary for the new image from previously classified and labeled image sequences.
US09053546B2
An information processing apparatus for estimating a position and orientation of a target object in a three-dimensional space, inputs a plurality of captured images obtained by imaging the target object from a plurality of viewpoints, clips, for each of the input captured images, a partial image corresponding to a region occupied by a predetermined partial space in the three-dimensional space, from the captured image, extracts, from a plurality of partial images clipped from the plurality of captured images, feature information indicating a feature of the plurality of partial images, stores dictionary information indicating a position and orientation of an object in association with feature information of the object corresponding to the position and orientation, and estimates the position and orientation of the target object by comparing the feature information of the extracted target object and the feature information indicated in the dictionary information.
US09053541B2
Certain embodiments provide a computer system operable to determine a registration mapping between a first medical image and a second medical image, the computer system comprising: a storage device for storing data representing the first medical image and the second medical image; and a processor unit operable to execute machine readable instructions to: (a) identify a plurality of elements in the first medical image; (b) determine a spatial mapping from each element in the first medical image to a corresponding element in the second medical image to provide a plurality of spatial mappings subject to a consistency constraint; and (c) determine a registration mapping between the first medical image and the second medical image based on the plurality of spatial mappings from the respective elements of the first medical image to the corresponding elements of the second medical image.
US09053539B2
An image processing apparatus having an input unit for inputting an image signal and an image corrector for correcting the input image signal is disclosed. The image corrector is arranged to extract from the input image signal a specular reflection component and a diffuse reflection component and generate a corrected image signal based on a computation result with respect to these specular and diffuse reflection components thus extracted. This image corrector is adaptable for use in various types of image processors, including projectors, display devices and imaging devices.
US09053535B2
An adaptive roadmapping device and method for examination of an object include providing pre-navigation image data representing part of the object being a vascular structure including an element of interest and having a tree-like structure with a plurality of sub-trees; generating a vessel representation based on the pre-navigation image data; acquiring live image data of the object; determining spatial relation of the pre-navigation image data and the live image data; analyzing the live image data by identifying and localizing the element in the live image data; determining a sub-tree in which the element is positioned, where the determining is based on the localization of the element and on the spatial relation; selecting a portion of the vascular structure based on the determined sub-tree; generating a combination of the live image data and an image of the selected portion of the vascular structure; and displaying the combination as a tailored roadmap.
US09053534B2
A voxel-based technique is provided for performing quantitative imaging and analysis of tissue image data. Serial image data is collected for tissue of interest at different states of the issue. The collected image data may be normalized, after which the registered image data is analyzed on a voxel-by-voxel basis, thereby retaining spatial information for the analysis. Various thresholds are applied to the registered tissue data to predict or determine the evolution of a disease state, such as brain cancer, for example.
US09053514B2
An online sales/automatic rebate and coupon redemption system provides online customers automatic retrieval and redemption of all applicable rebates and coupons during purchase. Purchase orders from customers are selectively fulfilled and products are shipped to the customers either by the system for online sales with automatic rebate and coupon redemption or by other merchant or manufacturer environments. The system purchases from merchants using applicable coupons and rebates and then sells the products to the customers, passing the savings to them. The system makes it possible to automatically retrieve coupons and rebates for items in a shopping cart during the activity of an online purchase at an electronic mall or an online merchant site. The system provides coupons to potential customers via email, based on customer profile, geographical information, etc. Manufacturers and merchants can update coupon value and content based on ongoing sales and volume of customer activity.
US09053505B2
The subject disclosure relates to pre-installed software and services, such as online services, and markets for pre-installed software and online services. In one aspect, the disclosed subject matter facilitates contracting between software vendors and device manufacturers or redistributors for placement and/or conversion of software applications or services in devices. As further advantages, embodiments of the disclosed subject matter can provide transparency into markets for device placement and can facilitate detailed contract performance tracking. Further non-limiting embodiments are provided that illustrate the advantages and flexibility of the disclosed subject matter.
US09053500B2
A system, method and medium for determining and displaying one or more locales on a web browser. The method can include the steps of providing in the web browser a plurality of display regions, associating a locale with a plurality of web pages, selecting by a user a user-specified locale, associating the locale with one or more particular display regions, and determining whether the locale is mandatory. If the locale is mandatory, content associated with the user-specified locale can be translated to content associated with the locale. Finally, content is displayed in the one or more particular frames in accordance with the locale.
US09053494B2
A system for handling data and transactions involving data through the use of a virtual transaction zone, which virtual transaction zone removes the dependency of such transaction on the delivery medium of the product. The invention may reside and operate on a variety of electronic devices such as televisions, VCRs, DVDs, personal computers, WebTV, any other known electronic recorder/player, or as a stand alone unit. The transaction zone also provides a mechanism for combining mediums, data feeds, and manipulation of those feeds. The transaction zone also provides a mechanism for controlling the content, delivery, and timing of delivery of the end consumer's product.
US09053488B2
Provided herein are an answering terminal, an answer counting system and a question-and-answer session method, which do not force answerers to perform complicated operations of an answering terminal when one questioner and a multiplicity of answerers have a question-and-answer session. The answer counting system comprises a receiving part; a grouping part; a result storing part; an answering action differentiating part; a differentiation result counting and analyzing part; and a displaying part.
US09053481B2
Pursuant to some embodiments, systems, methods, apparatus, and means for conducting payment transactions using mobile devices are provided in which a mobile device is presented at a point of sale for use in a payment transaction. A selection of a primary account is received from a user of the mobile device, and the mobile device automatically identifies a product type of the primary payment account. The mobile device selects and transmits a proxy payment account identifier having a product type equivalent to the product type of the primary payment account to the point of sale for use in the payment transaction. The point of sale causes a first payment authorization request message to be routed to an issuer of the proxy payment account.
US09053478B2
A mobile commerce system including a multiplicity of Mobile Device-Point of Sale Communication (MPC)-equipped mobile devices, a plurality of MPC-enabled Point-of-Sale (POS) devices, at least one POS configuration server for configuring the plurality of MPC-enabled POS devices, at least one MPC-equipped mobile device configuration server for configuring the plurality of MPC-equipped mobile devices and at least one mobile marketing platform server operative to introduce Transaction Value Certificate (TVC)-related functions and to communicate both with the at least one POS configuration server and the at least one MPC-equipped mobile device configuration server to coordinate operation thereof so that the MPC-enabled POS devices will be “tap-ready” for carrying out the TVC-related functions.
US09053477B2
A mobile communication device is disclosed. The disclosed mobile communication device performs corresponding identity (ID) and data verification processing on a server through a smart chip and comprises a wireless communication unit, a smart chip, and a processing unit. The smart chip is configured to store ID verification information. The processing unit is electrically connected to the smart chip and the wireless communication unit. When the processing unit runs a transaction procedure, the processing unit accesses the ID verification information from the smart chip. The processing unit also drives the wireless communication unit to send the ID verification information to the server and requests the server to perform an ID verification procedure, so as to determine whether the transaction procedure is valid. Additionally, when the transaction procedure is invalid, the processing unit cancels the transaction procedure.
US09053472B2
A “Bring Your Own License” (BYOL) service can convert users' “off-the-shelf” (OTS) software licenses for use in public clouds according to rules provided by independent software vendors (ISVs). The BYOL service can offer additional license terms to the users during conversion of the OTS software license on behalf of the ISVs. The additional license terms can be an expansion of the use of the software, an expansion of the technical support offer by the new cloud license, and expansion of the duration of use.
US09053469B1
Methods and systems for providing usage based insurance for one or more vehicles for an insured individual or party. In an example, fuel transaction data is received for a party, the fuel transaction data includes a fuel cost; insurance policy data is received for an insurance policy; a premium is determined for the insurance policy using a computing device and the premium is added to the fuel cost. In an example, a geographic location for a vehicle is determined and a premium is determined using at the least the geographic location. In an example, a number of miles driven in a time period is determined and a premium is determined using at the least the number of miles driven. In an example, a premium is determined for an insurance policy using at least a portion of the fuel transaction data. In an example, at least one vehicle related parameter is predicted from the fuel transaction data and a premium is determined using the vehicle related parameter.
US09053467B2
A method, apparatus, and computer program product for managing follow-up appointments in a calendaring system. In one illustrative embodiment, a follow-up appointment is created to an original appointment using a processor and responsive to receiving a user input. Information is set for the follow-up appointment created in response to receiving the user input. The follow-up appointment is associated with the original appointment in a data structure stored in a computer readable storage device to form an associated follow-up appointment. The associated follow-up appointment is then stored in the calendaring system.
US09053464B2
A method and apparatus for ensuring that important confidential or proprietary information is not inadvertently released through email and similar transmissions. When file security firewall resident on a file security server or another network node receives an email intended for transmission, it determines whether the file revision history should be removed from any attachments. If so, the email is buffered and the attachments are extracted for file revision history by a file revision history remover associated with the firewall or an available proprietary file revision history remover. Once the file revision history removal is attempted, successfully or unsuccessfully, a reformed email is created, including either the original attachments or, in their place, a version of the attachment from which file revision history has been removed.
US09053461B2
An apparatus for facilitating instant messaging communications between clients of different instant messaging service provider networks is provided. The apparatus includes translation logic for translating received communications related to an instant messaging service, the received communications associated with an external instant messaging service provider network and formatted according to a secondary protocol. The translation logic translates the received communication from the secondary protocol to a primary protocol, the primary protocol native to a receiving service provider network. The communication may then be routed to a client of the primary network according to the native, primary protocol.
US09053456B2
Techniques for conference system location awareness and provisioning are described. An apparatus may comprise a room detection component operative to determine a room identifier of a room which a conference system is in, a database component operative to determine one or more room properties of the detected room by querying a database of room properties using the room identifier, and a conference configuration component operative to configure one or more conference elements using the room properties. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US09053444B2
A method for deploying an enterprise application to enterprise users is provided. First, a defined sequence identifying a series of preverified functions is received, wherein the defined sequence constitutes the enterprise application. Then, the defined sequence is stored in a database, wherein the database additionally includes enterprise data created by use of the enterprise application. The enterprise application is then synchronized to the enterprise users in the same manner that the enterprise data is synchronized to the enterprise users.
US09053435B2
Embodiments are directed towards generating application models based on discovery based machine learning. A mobile application may be uploaded to a computer that may be part of a testing platform. A reference mobile computer may be selected and the mobile application maybe installed onto the reference mobile computer. Also, the testing platform may generate an initial application model based on the mobile application. The current active window of the mobile application may be determined and the application model may be updated accordingly. Screenshots may be generated that correspond to each current active window of the mobile application. Also, each user-interface control in the active window may be activated. The results of activating each control may be observed and added to the model. If the activation causes navigation, another active window may be determined. The application model may be used for testing other mobile computers.
US09053434B2
A technique for determining an obverse weight. A set of cases can be divided into bins. An obverse weight for a bin can be determined based on an importance weight of the bin and a variance of an error estimate of the bin.
US09053431B1
A system and method of detecting an aberrant message is provided. An ordered set of words within the message is detected. The set of words found within the message is linked to a corresponding set of expected words, the set of expected words having semantic attributes. A set of grammatical structures represented in the message is detected, based on the ordered set of words and the semantic attributes of the corresponding set of expected words. A cognitive noise vector comprising a quantitative measure of a deviation between grammatical structures represented in the message and an expected measure of grammatical structures for a message of the type is then determined. The cognitive noise vector may be processed by higher levels of the neural network and/or an external processor.
