US09325360B2
A receiver for a wireless device is described. The receiver includes a low noise amplifier that includes differential inputs. The receiver also includes a mixer coupled to the low noise amplifier. The receiver further includes second-order intermodulation reduction circuitry coupled to a stage subsequent to the low noise amplifier. The second-order intermodulation reduction circuitry provides a biasing of the differential inputs.
US09325358B2
The present disclosure relates to a method for reducing second order intermodulation distortion in a harmonic rejection mixer arranged for down-converting a radio frequency signal to an in-phase and a quadrature baseband signal. The method includes adjusting an output current of a first mixer, to reduce the second order intermodulation distortion in the quadrature baseband signal to a first value, and adjusting an output current of a second mixer, to reduce the second order intermodulation distortion in the in-phase baseband signal to a second value.
US09325339B2
Generally, this disclosure describes an apparatus, systems and methods for analog to digital conversion with improved spurious free dynamic range. The system includes a segmented ADC circuit with a plurality of interleaved ADC segments, the segmented ADC circuit configured to generate a digital signal including a channel with an associated channel frequency; a frequency down-converter circuit coupled to the segmented ADC circuit, the frequency down-converter circuit configured to frequency shift the digital signal by a frequency offset; a spur frequency prediction circuit coupled to the frequency down-converter circuit, the spur frequency prediction circuit configured to predict frequencies of spurs generated by the ADC segments, the prediction based on the number of ADC segments and based on the sampling rate of the digital signal; the spur frequency prediction circuit further configured to generate the frequency offset based on the predicted spur frequencies and based on a frequency band of the channel; and a filter circuit coupled to the frequency down-converter circuit, the filter circuit configured to remove one or more of the spurs from the frequency shifted digital signal to generate a filtered signal.
US09325338B2
In an ultra-wideband communication system, a 1-trit ternary analog-to-digital converter (“ADC”) having dynamic threshold adaption and providing an output in ternary form [+1, 0, −1]. The ternary ADC includes a pair of 1-bit binary ADCs, one being configured in a non-inverting form, and one being configured in an inverting form. Each binary ADC includes an feedback network mechanism, thereby allowing for simultaneous and independent adaptation of the pair of thresholds, compensating for the effects of any DC offset that may be present. The use of a trit-based ternary encoding scheme improves system entropy.
US09325337B1
In contrast to some existing techniques, a calibration technique compares multiple outputs which may be, for example, successive or different outputs from the digital-to-analog converter (DAC) in an analog environment and determines differences between at least two outputs in an analog environment. A feedback signal is provided in the digital environment to provide an internal or self-calibration regime. The digital feedback signal is provided to a digital signal processing (DSP) component of the calibration circuitry which uses the feedback signal to determine appropriate input codes to provide to the DAC. The same DAC can be used for both signal generation and feedback DAC purposes, and this provides a self-calibration of the DAC performance which is typically related to the integral non-linearity (INL) characteristics of the DAC transfer function.
US09325335B1
A comparator circuit suitable for use in a column-parallel single-slope analog-to-digital converter comprises a comparator, an input voltage sampling switch, a sampling capacitor arranged to store a voltage which varies with an input voltage when the sampling switch is closed, and a local ramp buffer arranged to buffer a global voltage ramp applied at an input. The comparator circuit is arranged such that its output toggles when the buffered global voltage ramp exceeds the stored voltage. Both DC- and AC-coupled comparator embodiments are disclosed.
US09325334B2
A frequency reference device that includes a frequency reference generation unit to generate a frequency reference signal based on an absorption line of a gas.
US09325328B2
An oscillation circuit includes a voltage controlled oscillation circuit that includes a variable capacitance circuit provided with a variable capacitance element whose capacitance value is controlled on the basis of a control voltage and oscillates a vibrator so as to generate an oscillation signal, and a fractional N-PLL circuit that receives the oscillation signal generated by the voltage controlled oscillation circuit and includes a voltage controlled oscillator which controls an oscillation frequency on the basis of control input data (an integral division ratio and a fractional division ratio).
US09325320B1
A plurality of functional elements are all located on a same integrated circuit wherein at least one of the functional elements comprises a micro-controller. A configuration data store in the integrated circuit stores configuration values loaded by the micro-controller. A plurality of connectors are configured to connect the integrated circuit to external signals. A programmable interconnect also located in the integrated circuit programmably connects together the plurality of functional elements and the plurality of connectors according to the configuration values loaded into the configuration data store.
US09325318B1
A post driver comprises a source follower and a first sub-unit. The source follower includes an input to receive a first voltage from a pad, and an output to provide a second voltage. The first sub-unit includes a first transistor and a second transistor. The first transistor is coupled between the pad and a first power rail, and is configured to operate in a sub-threshold region in response to the second voltage and a first range of the first voltage. The second transistor is coupled in parallel with the first transistor between the pad and the first power rail, and is configured to electrically connect the pad to the first power rail in response to a second range of the first voltage.
US09325312B1
An input control circuit that can be used to drive analog switches of analog modules such as an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) enables a sampling switch to receive a higher input voltage than the voltage rating of the devices comprising the sampling switch without risk of damage and without the need for a resistor divider network. The input control circuit and switch both receive an input voltage to be processed and the input control circuit generates a control signal for the switch that is derived from a pre-charged capacitor. The control circuit permits the design and manufacture of high voltage analog modules using low voltage devices, which can save on mask costs without any performance trade-offs.
US09325306B1
A high-voltage switching device is formed by: connecting a number of normally-on transistors, such as JFETs, in series with each other, where the drain of each transistor is connected to the source of the next; connecting the chain of normally-on transistors in series with a normally-off switch component, such as a MOSFET, where the drain of the normally-off switch component is connected to the source of the first transistor in the chain in the chain; and, for each transistor, connecting a voltage-clamping device, such as a diode, with the anode of the voltage-clamping device connected to the source of the transistor and the cathode of the voltage-clamping device connected to the gate of the next transistor in the chain.
US09325304B2
An apparatus to remove an input offset voltage of a comparator circuit includes an input voltage offset capacitor, control logic to charge and discharge the capacitor to provide an offset cancelation voltage. The offset cancellation voltage removes the input offset voltage of the comparator dependent upon an output of the comparator circuit. A switching arrangement controlled by the control logic switches signals between the capacitor and the control logic.
US09325298B2
A receiving circuit includes first input transistors of a first conductivity type including control terminals to which differential input signals are applied; load transistors of a second conductivity type connected between a first wiring to which a first voltage is supplied and first terminals of the first input transistors; second input transistors of the second conductivity type including control terminals to which the differential input signals are applied; a latch circuit connected between a second wiring to which a second voltage is supplied and first terminals of the second input transistors; and conversion transistors of the second conductivity type connected in parallel to the second input transistors, the conversion transistors including control terminals that are connected to output nodes to which the first input transistors and the load transistors are connected.
US09325284B2
A composite amplifier providing digitally selectable amplification includes a plurality of channels and a combiner. Each of the channels includes a digitally controllable selector, a Class-S power amplifier, and bandpass filter. The digitally controllable selector selectively couples a digital bitstream to the amplifier. The amplifier receives the digital bitstream and provides an amplified signal. The bandpass filter generates a filtered signal as a function of the amplified signal. The combiner couples filtered signals provided by the channels to form a composite output signal. A method of providing digitally selectable amplification includes steps of: selectively coupling a digital bitstream to a plurality of channels in the amplifier; amplifying the digital bitstream to provide an amplified signal associated with a corresponding one of the channels; filtering amplified signals associated with the channels to provide corresponding filtered signals; and combining the filtered signals to generate a composite output signal.
US09325278B2
A resonator element includes: at least one resonating arm extending, wherein the resonating arm has a mechanical resonance frequency which is higher than a thermal relaxation frequency thereof, the resonating arm has a groove portion, the groove portion includes a bottom portion, a first side surface that extends along the longitudinal direction of the resonating arm and comes into contact with the opened principal surface and the bottom portion, and a second side surface that faces the first side surface with the bottom portion disposed therebetween and comes into contact with the opened principal surface and the bottom portion, and the groove portion has a non-electrode region which extends from a part of the first side surface close to the bottom portion to a part of the second side surface close to the bottom portion and in which no electrode is provided.
US09325270B2
The present invention provides a driving circuit for a vibration motor and a driving method for the vibration motor. The driving circuit comprises: a detecting unit, coupled to the vibration motor, for detecting rotating position and rotating speed of the vibration motor and accordingly generating a detecting result; and a control unit, coupled to the detecting unit and the vibration motor, for controlling acceleration and deceleration of the vibration motor according to the detecting result. The driving method comprises: providing a detecting unit for detecting rotating position and rotating speed of the vibration motor and accordingly generating a detecting result; and providing a control unit for controlling acceleration and deceleration of the vibration motor according to the detecting result.
US09325269B1
An electrical power generation system includes a flux switching machine (FSM) including an FSM rotor operatively connected to an FSM stator, the FSM rotor operatively connected to a shaft, wherein the FSM includes an electrical input/output (i/o) in electrical communication with the FSM stator, and a permanent magnet machine (PMM) including a PMM rotor operatively connected to a PMM stator, the PMM rotor operatively connected to a the shaft, wherein the PMM is electrically connected to the FSM.
US09325265B2
A motor-driven appliance includes a battery; a motor including permanent magnets as field magnets; a momentary maximum current upper limit storage unit in which a predetermined momentary maximum current upper limit is stored; a current detection unit that detects a current flowing in the motor; a current threshold setting unit that generates a current threshold based on the momentary maximum current upper limit, and outputs the generated current threshold; a current exceedance determination unit that determines whether the current detected by the current detection unit has become equal to or greater than the current threshold, and outputs an interruption signal used to interrupt a current path from the battery to the motor when the detected current has become equal to or greater than the current threshold; and a current flow interruption unit that interrupts the current path when the interruption signal is outputted from the current exceedance determination unit.
US09325263B1
An estimate of the initial position of a rotor is made by monitoring sensed motor current signals which are amplitude and phase modulated with the rotor flux position in response to a high frequency voltage signal injection. The motor current signals are envelope detected to determine zero crossing points. Samples are taken of the motor current signals at positive and negative offsets from the zero crossing point, with the samples processed to identify a direction of the rotor flux axis. Further samples of at least one motor current signal are taken with respect to a certain phase reference, and the samples compared to resolve a polarity of the rotor flux axis which is indicative of the angular position of the rotor.
US09325262B2
A motor system includes a motor including two linear Hall sensors configured to output analog signals, and a controller configured to control the motor. The controller is operable to monitor the analog signals output from the two linear Hall sensors, determine a plurality of auxiliary signals based on the analog signals, and determine a motor position based on the plurality of auxiliary signals.
US09325258B2
A method for controlling a plurality of power converters connected to a power supply network is described. Each power converter includes high-power semiconductor devices. Control signals are sent between a controller and a wireless node of one or more of said plurality of power converters using a wireless communication system. The control signals are transmitted to a local wireless node of one or more of a plurality of power converters. The data transmissions include data packets including control information such that a clock of the local wireless node can be synchronized using time synchronization information of the wireless communication system. In other aspects of the invention a system employing the method and a computer program for carrying out the method are described.
US09325251B2
A system for delivering power to an offshore load is disclosed. The system may include an on-land source of three-phase power, an on-land AC-to-DC power conversion module, a DC transmission line, and an offshore DC-to-AC power inverter. The on-land AC-to-DC power conversion module may be configured to convert the three-phase power to DC power. The DC transmission line may have a source end and a load end, where the source end is configured to receive DC power from the on-land AC-to-DC power conversion module. The offshore DC-to-AC power inverter may be configured to receive DC power from the DC transmission line, convert the DC power to three-phase AC power, and deliver the three-phase AC power to an offshore load.
US09325246B1
A power supply apparatus includes a main converter, a voltage superposition circuit, a voltage detection circuit and a pulse width modulation controller. The voltage superposition circuit is electrically connected to the main converter. The voltage detection circuit is electrically connected to the main converter and the voltage superposition circuit. The pulse width modulation controller is electrically connected to the main converter and the voltage detection circuit. The main converter includes a sensing resistor. The voltage detection circuit detects a sensing voltage of the sensing resistor. The voltage superposition circuit supplies a superposition voltage to the voltage detection circuit when an output voltage of the power supply apparatus is less than a predetermined output voltage, and then the voltage detection circuit sends the sensing voltage and the superposition voltage to the pulse width modulation controller.
US09325245B2
The present disclosure discloses a bidirectional isolated DC-DC converter, which includes two ports, two voltage and current isolated acquisition units, a processing module, two filtering-circuit units, and a bidirectional power-converting module. One of the two ports is selectively used as an input terminal of the bidirectional isolated DC-DC converter, and another of the two ports is used as an output terminal. The two voltage and current isolated acquisition units are connected with the two ports respectively to sample voltages and currents at the two ports and generate corresponding feedback signals. The processing module receives the feedback signals and outputs corresponding control signals according to the feedback signals. The bidirectional power-converting module is connected via the two voltage and current isolated acquisition units to the two ports to perform the conversion of different voltages between the two ports according to the control signals output by the processing module.
US09325242B2
A switching regulator includes a controller and a power stage for coupling to a load through an inductor and a capacitor. The a controller is operable to control operation of the power stage via a pulse width modulation (PWM) signal generated based on a difference between a reference voltage and the load voltage and sample the inductor current at a lower rate than the load voltage. The controller is further operable to estimate the capacitor current based on the sampled load voltage, generate an offset to the reference voltage based on the sampled inductor current and the estimated capacitor current and adjust the PWM signal applied to the power stage based on the offset. The switching regulator can be single-phase or multi-phase.
US09325237B2
The present invention provides a power supply comprising a driver and a charge pump. The driver is configured to provide a driving signal to a load. The charge pump comprises a first capacitor coupled to the load in parallel, at least one flying capacitor, a second capacitor and a switch array comprising a plurality of switches. The switch array is coupled to the first capacitor, the second capacitor and the at least one flying capacitor. The switch array receives the voltage across the first capacitor and controls the charge and discharge of the at least one flying capacitor, so as to make the voltage across the second capacitor be larger than the voltage across the first capacitor.
US09325234B2
System and method for protecting a power conversion system. An example system controller includes a protection component and a driving component. The protection component is configured to receive a feedback signal, a reference signal, and a demagnetization signal generated based on at least information associated with the feedback signal, process information associated with the feedback signal, the reference signal, and the demagnetization signal, and generate a protection signal based on at least information associated with the feedback signal, the reference signal, and the demagnetization signal. The demagnetization signal is related to multiple demagnetization periods of the power conversion system, the multiple demagnetization periods including a first demagnetization period and a second demagnetization period. The driving component is configured to receive the protection signal and output a drive signal to a switch configured to affect a current flowing through a primary winding of the power conversion system.
US09325231B2
An energy storage apparatus for storing energy transmitted by a power transmission line includes an elastically deformable component and an actuator-generator. The actuator-generator is coupled to the elastically deformable component such that electrical actuation of the actuator-generator generates tension in the elastically deformable component. The actuator-generator is further coupled to the elastically deformable component such that mechanical actuation of the actuator-generator via a release of tension in the elastically deformable component causes a generation of electrical energy by the actuator-generator.
US09325230B2
A vibration generator includes a tubular magnetic case, an end cover holding a first bearing metal, a second bearing metal held in a burring portion of the bottom plate of the case, a non-magnetic movable thrust shaft that is inserted in an axially movable manner spinning the first and second bearing metal, and first to third toroidal coils connected and fixed at the inner circumference of the case. The vibration generator further includes a first annular pole piece fixed to the movable thrust shaft, a first and a second tubular permanent magnet of axial magnetization, a second annular pole piece and third annular pole piece, first and second wight body fixed at both ends of the movable thrust shaft outside the case, a first coil spring between the end cover and the first wight body, and a second coil spring between the bottom plate and the second wight body.
US09325224B2
Disclosed are systems and rotor/stator assemblies with improved electrical isolation. An example rotor/stator assembly may include a rotor, a rotor housing, a rotor insulator, a stator, a stator plate, and a stator insulator. The rotor may be electrically isolated from the rotor housing by the rotor insulator, and the stator may be electrically isolated from the stator plate by the stator insulator. The stator may be disposed coaxial to the rotor. The rotor/stator assembly may function as a motor, and the stator may be configured to cause the rotor to rotate about the stator in response to an input of electrical energy to the stator. Alternatively or additionally, the rotor/stator may function as an electrical generator. The rotor may be configured to rotate about the stator, and the stator may be configured to produce electrical energy in response to rotation of the rotor relative to the stator.
US09325215B2
An inner-rotor-type motor includes four outer surface portions flush or substantially flush with the motor outer surface of the core-back portion provided in the frame portion of each of the two insulating members of the insulator to secure electrical insulation between the stator core and the coil. The outer surface portions of the frame portion of each of the insulating members are inserted between the leg portions of four corners of each of the cover members attached to the axial opposite sides of the stator core. In this state, the cover members are attached to the stator core. The inner-rotor-type motor makes it possible to easily and cost-effectively manufacture a cover member without impairing the dust-proofness of the interior of the motor and greatly improves ease of assembly.
US09325206B2
A system for delivering optical power over optical conduits includes at least one optical power source delivering multiple optical power forms over an optical conduit with a counter propagating optical control signal.
US09325193B2
A device and associated testing method for empirically determining the state-of-charge of an electrochemical energy device, comprising: applying electrical excitations to the energy device at a predetermined electrical excitation frequency ωe; applying mechanical excitations to the energy device at a predetermined mechanical excitation frequency ωm; measuring an electrically-induced phase difference Δθe(ωe) between voltage (V) and current (I) within the energy device from applying the electrical excitations; measuring a mechanically-induced phase difference Δθe(ωm) between voltage (V) and current (I) within the energy device from applying the mechanical excitations; and deducing the empirical real-time state-of-health of the energy device by comparing the electrically-induced phase difference Δθe(ωe) with the mechanically-induced phase difference Δθe(ωm); and using the deduced state of health to determine the state of charge.
US09325177B2
An apparatus for balancing a plurality of cells in a battery includes common bus having a connector for connecting to a common bus of another battery. Each of plurality of balancing circuits has a bidirectional voltage converter connected to a given cell of the plurality of cells and a linear current regulator arrangement controls the magnitude of current flow between the bidirectional voltage converter. A controller is connected to the common bus and the plurality of cells and selectively operatives the plurality of balancing circuits to transfer energy between the plurality of cells and the common bus to balance the states of charge of the cells. The balancing circuits are operated in response to actual states of charge of the cells, an average state of charge, a desired voltage level for the common bus, and an actual voltage level on the common bus.
US09325172B2
A power supply control apparatus comprises a receiving unit configured to receive data sent from an external device via a network, a control unit configured to process the data received by the receiving unit, a switching unit configured to switch between supply and disconnection of power from a first power supply unit to the receiving unit and to the control unit, and a mechanical switch configured to switch between supply and disconnection of power from a second power supply unit to the control unit. If the apparatus receives data from the external device in a power state in which power is supplied from the first power supply unit to the receiving unit and power to the control unit is stopped, the apparatus controls to supply power from the first power supply unit to the control unit without turning on the mechanical switch.
US09325168B2
Disclosed is a semiconductor device that includes an N-channel MOS transistor and a control voltage generation circuit. The N-channel MOS transistor controls the supply of a power supply voltage obtained by stepping down a DC voltage. The control voltage generation circuit clips the gate voltage of the N-channel MOS transistor at a control voltage not higher than a predetermined voltage in accordance with the DC voltage.
US09325157B2
A discharge electrode that generates ions when supplied with a voltage includes a first part, a second part, and a third part. The first part includes a basal end and a distal end. The second part includes a basal end, which is continuous with the distal end of the first part, and a distal end. The third part includes a basal end, which is continuous with the distal end of the second part, and a convex surface defining a distal surface of the discharge electrode. The first to third parts are formed integrally. The basal end of the first part is wider than the distal end thereof. The second part is rod-shaped and has a width that is constant from the distal end to the basal end of the second part. The width of the second part is the same as that of the basal end of the third part.
US09325145B2
A method for improving the output beam quality of a free electron laser (FEL) by reducing the amount of emission at wavelengths longer than the electron pulse length and reducing the amount of edge radiation. A mirror constructed of thermally conductive material and having an aperture therein is placed at an oblique angle with respect to the beam downstream of the bending magnet but before any sensitive use of the FEL beam. The aperture in the mirror is sized to deflect emission longer than the wavelength of the FEL output while having a minor impact on the FEL output beam. A properly sized aperture will enable the FEL radiation, which is coherent and generally at a much shorter wavelength than the bending radiations, to pass through the aperture mirror. The much higher divergence bending radiations will subsequently strike the aperture mirror and be reflected safely out of the way.
US09325141B2
An amplifying apparatus includes an optical fiber that includes a wound portion doped with a rare earth element and three-dimensionally wound, holes being formed in cladding of the optical fiber and surrounding a core of the optical fiber, the optical fiber transmitting signal light injected thereinto; a thermally conductive member in which the wound portion of the optical fiber embedded, the thermally conductive member having thermal conductivity; a light source that emits excitation light; an injecting unit that injects the excitation light emitted by the light source, into the optical fiber; and a temperature adjusting unit that includes a thermal coupling unit thermally connected to the light source and the thermally conductive member, the temperature adjusting unit adjusting a temperature of the thermal coupling unit.
US09325136B2
A tool for compressing a connector onto a coaxial cable includes a pair of gates, a plunger for compressing the connector against the gates and onto the coaxial cable, and an actuator in communication with the gates and the plunger. When the actuator is moved from a first position to a second position, it causes the gates to move from an open to a closed position in which they retain the coaxial cable and brace the connector, and the plunger moves from a first position to a second position in which it engages the connector to compress the connector against the gates and onto the coaxial cable. When the actuator is moved back to its first position, the gates move to their open position thereby releasing the coaxial cable and the plunger moves to its first position thereby disengaging from the connector.
US09325122B1
A fuse assembly includes a housing comprising a first compartment and a second compartment. The fuse assembly also includes a fuse holder movable between a closed position and an open position relative to the housing. A fuse can be removed when the fuse holder is in the open position, and the fuse is inaccessible when the fuse holder is in the closed position. The fuse assembly also includes a first connector comprising a first fuse contact disposed at one end and a first wire coupler disposed at an opposite end. The first connector is slidable between an engaged position and a disengaged position within the first compartment. The connector is electrically coupled to the fuse in the engaged position and electrically decoupled in the disengaged position. The first connector locks the fuse holder in the closed position when the first connector is in the engaged position.
US09325119B2
A cable connector assembly comprises an insulative housing, a plurality of first contacts and second contacts, a cable electrically connected with the contacts, a metallic shell enclosing the insulative housing. The first contacts are received in the first tongue, and the second contacts are held in the second tongue, the second contacts have a grounding contact in the middle thereof. The cable has an aluminum foil, and a front part of the aluminum foil is stripped away. The grounding contact has an extending configuration extending beyond back ends of other contacts along a front to back direction and a pair of soldering portions on both sides of the extending configuration, the extending configuration has a Z-shaped cross-section and extends rearwards to a front end of the aluminum foil.
US09325114B2
A plug connector for cooperation with a socket connector (9) comprises a plug housing (2) having latch arms (22) with an end lug (29) for cooperation with an appropriate groove (95) in the socket connector (9), and being formed with a pair of split cross ribs (26) forming a gap (26a) therebetween. A CPA member (5) is provided for locking the connectors (1, 9) when mated, and comprises a pair of locking legs (50) and a pair of spring arms (53). The spring arms (53) each has a free end lug (54) and a nose (55) which projects inwardly so that, when the CPA member (5) and the plug connector (1) are in a pre-locked position, the nose (55) takes a short distance (d) to a support surface (20a) of the connector housing (20), and when there is a load well in excess of the mating a force onto the CPA member (5) in this condition, the noses (55) make a stop on the support surface (20a) to keep the CPA member (5) in the pre-locked position. When there is an excessive force placed on the CPA member, the spring arms (53) may slip into the gaps (26a) to prevent damaging of the CPA member (5).
US09325112B2
A connector device comprises a connector and a mating connector. The connector is mateable with the mating connector and removable from the mating connector. The mating connector includes a mating primary terminal and a mating secondary terminal. The connector includes a housing, a sub-connector, a first operation member and a second operation member. The housing holds a primary terminal while the sub-connector holds a secondary terminal. When the first operation member is operated, the housing is moved, and the primary terminal is connected to the mating primary terminal. When the second operation member is operated, the sub-connector is moved, and the secondary terminal is connected to the mating secondary terminal.
US09325109B2
An electrical connector is provided and includes a housing and plurality of contacts. The a housing includes a partition wall. The plurality of contacts are alternatively arranged along a plurality of rows in the housing such that adjacent rows of the plurality of rows are separated by the partition wall and offset with respect to each other.
US09325106B2
A coupling member for a connector component that includes an inner sleeve configured to surround a shell and that sleeve is rotatable with respect to the shell in a tightening direction to mate with the mating component and a release direction opposite the tightening direction. The inner sleeve has an interface portion and an engagement member. A spring member is wrapped around the shell adjacent the inner sleeve. The spring member has a first tab end that engages the engagement member. When the inner sleeve is rotated with respect to the shell in the tightening direction, the inner sleeve pushes the first tab of the spring member, thereby loosening the spring member around the shell allowing the inner sleeve to rotate in the tightening direction to engage the mating connector component. The first tab end of the spring member prevents the inner sleeve from rotating in the release direction.
US09325098B2
A power connector includes an insulating base, a pair of rotating seats, a pair of terminals and a pair of electrodes. Each rotating seat is pivotally installed to the insulating base. The terminals are parallel to each other and disposed with an interval apart on each respective rotating seat, such that the terminals may be rotated with respect to the insulating base and selectively to an extended position and a retracted position. The electrodes are installed to the insulating base and configured to be corresponsive to the terminals respectively. A pair of grippers are extended from each electrode, such that when the terminals are rotated, the grippers clamp the respect terminal to maintain an electric connection with the terminal continuously.
US09325095B2
A female contact is provided for an electrical connector. The female contact includes a body portion and a plurality of flexible beams that extend from the body portion. The body portion is biased for engagement with a connector housing. The flexible beams taper from a first width this is near the body portion to a second width that is smaller than the first width.
US09325093B2
There is provided a connector terminal to be inserted into a connector housing, the connector housing including a first space having an opening through which the connector terminal is inserted thereinto, and a second space being situated adjacent to the first space, the connector terminal including a terminal body and a resilient piece to be housed in the terminal body, the resilient piece defining a loop between ends thereof such that a gap is formed between the ends, the resilient piece being fixed at one of the ends thereof to the terminal body, the resilient piece including a contact portion resiliently protruding into the second space from the first space, the connector housing including a projection, the contact portion being caused to protrude into the second space from the first space when the other end of the resilient piece slides on the projection.
US09325088B2
A leg unit used for a connector housing, the leg unit being inserted into a fixing hole formed through a printed circuit board from a first surface towards a second surface of the printed circuit board, the leg unit including a first projection having elasticity, a second projection, and a contact portion making contact with the first surface when the leg unit is inserted into the fixing hole, the first and second projections being spaced away from each other and facing each other, a distance between an outer surface of the first projection and an outer surface of the second projection being greater within a predetermined range than an inner diameter of the fixing hole, the first projection including a unit for preventing the leg unit from being released out of the fixing hole after the leg unit has been inserted into the fixing hole.
US09325086B2
An interconnection assembly for a motherboard uses right-angle edge connectors attached to a bottom side of the motherboard, and vertical header connectors attached to the top side. The header connectors mate with a transition card assembly which includes a transition card having plated through holes that receive pins of the header connectors. Right-angle mezzanine connectors mounted on the transition card have pins that extend into the plated through holes from the top side. The edge connectors and mezzanine connectors both face forward in a common direction. The transition card has holes along a rear edge to retain pressed-in nuts for mounting to a stabilizing bezel. Instead of pins being part of the header connectors, connector caps may be provided with pins having first ends that extend into sockets of the header connectors and second ends that extend into the plated through holes of the transition card.
US09325082B2
A shield terminal includes a braided part crimping member. The shield terminal is connected to a coaxial cable including a core wire, an insulator covering an outer periphery of the core wire, a braided part covering an outer periphery of the insulator and an outer jacket covering an outer periphery of the braided part. The braided part crimping member is crimped with and encloses a braided part exposing portion which is formed by removing the outer jacket to expose the braided part. A wall part of the braided part crimping member which comes into direct contact with the braided part is formed with a round hole so that a part of the braided part enters the round hole in a state where the braided part crimping part is crimped with the braided part exposing portion.
US09325074B2
Processes and systems for radiating electromagnetic energy from an open-ended coaxial cavity are described herein. An antenna assembly includes an open-ended coaxial radiator. The coaxial assembly includes an inner electrically conducting surface and an outer conductive surface spaced apart from and opposing the inner electrically surface. More than one radially aligned electromagnetic coupling modules are positioned at least partially within the coaxial waveguide along different rotation angles. Each of the different electromagnetic coupling modules samples a local electric field, amplifies the sampled field, and alters a phase of at least one of the amplified fields. The amplified, phase-adjusted coaxial fields are radiated from an open end of the coaxial cavity. Although described for transmission mode, the structure can be operated in receive mode by similarly detecting radiated electric fields, amplifying and applying a phase offset, and radiating the amplified, phase offset fields into an open-ended coaxial cavity.
US09325068B2
An antenna device is provided. The antenna device comprises a first radiation portion and a second radiation portion. The first radiation portion includes a first end and a second end. The second radiation portion is connected to the first end at a connecting part and includes a first arm and a second arm. The first arm and the second arm have different lengths and extend from the connecting part.
US09325062B2
A communication system is provided, including an antenna, a matching network coupled to the antenna, a controller configured to host an algorithm for controlling the matching network, and a look-up table coupled to the controller. The look-up table includes characterization data according to frequency bands and conditions. The controller is configured to refer to the look-up table to determine optimum impedance for a frequency band selected under a condition detected during a time interval, and adjust the matching network to provide the optimum impedance. Part or all of the sections related to the tunable matching scheme can be integrated on a chip.
US09325058B2
An isotropic antenna system internally mounted in the outermost portion of an aircraft wing and in the elevated winglet or similar vertical member of an aircraft wing. The antenna includes a shaped dielectric substrate including a horizontally oriented section located in the horizontally oriented member of the aircraft wing, a vertically oriented section located in the vertically oriented member of the aircraft wing, a first antenna element on the top surface of the dielectric substrate in the vertically oriented member of the aircraft wing, a second antenna element on the top surface and the bottom surface of the dielectric substrate, an antenna feed point coupled to the first antenna element and to the second antenna element, and a Radio Frequency (RF) energy guide coupled to the second antenna element. When the antenna is implemented and installed it does not substantially alter the appearance or aerodynamic characteristics of the aircraft.
US09325057B2
The antenna radiating element includes an antenna configured to transmit a signal having one or more measurable characteristics and a shroud surrounding the antenna and configured to change the one or more measurable characteristics.
US09325056B2
An apparatus includes a dielectric slab having first and opposing second major surfaces. A planar antenna element is located on the first major surface. A via formed through the dielectric slab is conductively connected to the antenna element. A plurality of solder bump pads is located on the second major surface and is configured to attach the dielectric slab to an integrated circuit.
US09325050B2
A compact microstrip to waveguide dual coupler transition includes a multilayer printed circuit board configured with a rectangular region on an upper surface of the multilayer printed circuit board, wherein the rectangular region has a pair of long edges and a pair of short edges; a transition probe configured on the upper surface of the multilayer printed circuit board, wherein a terminal of the transition probe extends into the rectangular region through a long edge of the rectangular region, and another terminal of the transition probe is electrically connected to a power amplifier; a first coupler probe configured on the upper surface of the multilayer printed circuit board, wherein a terminal of the first coupler probe extends into the rectangular region; and a second coupler probe configured on the upper surface of the multilayer printed circuit board, wherein a terminal of the second coupler probe extends into the rectangular region.
US09325048B2
A multiplexer with a common port feeding structure is disclosed. The multiplexer with a common port feeding structure of the present invention comprises: a housing comprising an antenna connector connected to an antenna for bidirectional transmitting and receiving and a plurality of input/output connectors bidirectionally inputting and outputting a specific frequency band of wireless signals which are input/output through the antenna; a plurality of band-pass filter units mounted inside the housing to transmit wireless signals at between the antenna connector and the input/output connector to pass a specific frequency band; and a coupling unit having a plurality of feeding members to couple the antenna connector and each of the plurality of band-pass filter units.
US09325047B1
In one embodiment, a dynamically reconfigurable bandpass filter includes a resonator loop and a microfluidic channel proximate to the resonator loop, the channel containing a conductor, wherein the position of the conductor within the channel can be adjusted to change capacitive loading of the resonator loop and therefore change the frequencies that the filter passes. In another embodiment, a filter includes a second resonator loop having comprising switches located at discrete positions along a length of the second resonator loop, wherein opening and closing of the switches changes the effective length of the second resonator loop to change capacitive loading of the first resonator loop.
US09325039B2
In a system and method for detecting venting of a sealed storage cell, the sealed storage cell comprises a container with a sealing cap adapted to be detached from the container and move in the presence of gas overpressure inside the container to allow venting of the storage cell. The detection system comprises a printed circuit board with a central portion designed to be situated opposite the sealing cap, a peripheral portion surrounding the central portion and connected to the central portion by a hinge adapted to flex during movement of the sealing cap, and at least one frangible portion adapted to break upon movement of the sealing cap. An electrical printed track connects the peripheral portion to the central portion through the hinge and frangible portion(s), and is designed to be broken upon breaking of the frangible portion(s) following movement of the sealing cap.
US09325038B2
The present invention provides a temperature controlling system for a battery in an energy storage system, the temperature controlling system including: a converter comprising a plurality of switches and a converter inductor, the converter being configured to increase or decrease a voltage of the battery; a DC linker comprising first and second capacitors that are coupled in series and configured to stabilize an output voltage of the converter; and an inverter comprising a plurality of switches and an inductor, the inverter being configured to invert an input voltage, wherein the inverter further comprises a switch coupled between a terminal of the inductor and a first node between the first and second capacitors of the DC linker to provide a current from the inductor to the battery.
US09325027B2
The present provides a method for preparing a composite material, wherein the method comprises the following steps: (1) compounding a dispersion solution of an ion exchange resin containing a free radical initiator and a high-valence metal compound, with a functional monomer-grafted porous fluoropolymer membrane with a microporous structure by performing solution pouring, tape casting, screen printing process, spraying, or impregnating process; (2) subjecting a wet membrane to heat treatment at 30˜300° C., so that the free radical initiator can initiate crosslinking reaction between the porous membrane and the resin to obtain the composite material.
US09324999B2
Provided is a cathode for lithium secondary batteries comprising a combination of one or more compounds selected from Formula 1 and one or more compounds selected from Formula 2. The cathode provides a high power lithium secondary battery composed of a non-aqueous electrolyte which exhibits long lifespan, long-period storage properties and superior stability at ambient temperature and high temperatures.
US09324994B2
A high capacity lithium secondary battery includes a lithium manganese oxide having a layered structure exhibiting a great irreversible capacity in the event of overcharging at a high voltage and a spinel-based lithium manganese oxide. Because it is activated at a high voltage of 4.45 V or higher based on a positive electrode potential, additional lithium for utilizing a 3V range of the spinel-based lithium manganese oxide can be provided and an even profile in the entire SOC area can be obtained. Because the lithium secondary battery includes the mixed positive electrode active material including the spinel-based lithium manganese oxide and the lithium manganese oxide having a layered structure, and is charged at a high voltage, its stability can be improved. Also, the high capacity battery having a large available SOC area and improved stability without causing an output shortage due to a rapid voltage drop in the SOC area can be implemented.
US09324980B1
Described in this disclosure is a battery retention device which may include an integral gasket configured to provide an interface between a portion of a battery compartment and a circuit board. The battery retention device may comprise an elastomeric material and one or more retention features configured to prevent Euler buckling in batteries positioned in tandem with one another.
US09324978B2
The present disclosure relates to a packaging for a cable-type secondary battery, surrounding an electrode assembly in the cable-type secondary battery, the packaging having a moisture-blocking layer comprising sealant polymer layers on both outer surfaces of a moisture-blocking film and a moisture-blocking film disposed between the sealant polymer layers, wherein the moisture-blocking layer is a tube form surrounding the electrode assembly, and the sealant polymer layers in both ends of the moisture-blocking layer are overlapped and adhered with each other in a predetermined part. The packaging according to the present disclosure can be used in a cable-type secondary battery to block moisture from being infiltrated into an electrode assembly, thereby improving the life characteristics of the battery and preventing the deterioration of battery performances.
US09324971B2
A light-emitting module which efficiently extracts light emitted from a light-emitting element is provided. Alternatively, a light-emitting module having lower power consumption or improved reliability is provided. A light-emitting module includes a window material having a light-transmitting property, a light-emitting element that emits light transmitted from a light-transmitting layer to the window material, and an optical bonding layer between the window material and the light-transmitting layer. The optical bonding layer includes a thick part overlapping the light-emitting element and a thin part surrounding the thick part. The light-transmitting layer, the optical bonding layer, and the window material are provided in decreasing order of refractive index.
US09324970B2
An organic light-emitting display apparatus for selectively realizing circular polarization according to external light conditions, including a substrate; an organic light-emitting device on the substrate; a sealing member on the organic light-emitting device; a phase retardation layer on a surface of the substrate, the organic light-emitting device, or the sealing member; and a linear polarization layer on another surface of the substrate, the organic light-emitting device, or the sealing member, wherein the linear polarization layer is located to be closer to a source of external light than the phase retardation layer, and wherein the linear polarization layer comprises a photochromic material.
US09324964B2
An organic EL element including anode, hole injection layer, buffer layer, light-emitting layer, and cathode, layered on substrate in the stated order, and banks defining a light-emission region, and having excellent light-emission characteristics, due to the hole injection layer having excellent hole injection efficiency, being a tungsten oxide layer including an oxygen vacancy structure, formed under predetermined conditions to have an occupied energy level within a binding energy range from 1.8 eV to 3.6 eV lower than a lowest binding energy of a valence band, and after formation, subjected to atmospheric firing at a temperature within 200 ° C. -230 ° C. inclusive for a processing time of 15-45 minutes inclusive to have increased film density and improved dissolution resistance against an etching solution, a cleaning liquid, etc., used in a bank forming process.
US09324959B2
A display device includes a display panel, a top member, and a bottom member. The top member is disposed on the display panel. The bottom member is disposed under the display panel, and includes a plurality of layers. At least one of the layers has an opening at a bending region of the display device.
US09324951B2
It is an object to provide a novel material having a bipolar property, a light emitting element provided with the novel material, and a display device that includes the light emitting element. It is an object to provide a pyrazine derivative represented by the following general formula (g-1).
US09324947B2
A substrate on which a plurality of pixel electrodes are disposed is prepared. An organic electroluminescent film 22 is formed with the inclusion of a common layer that continuously covers the plural pixel electrodes. A common electrode is formed on the organic electroluminescent film. The common layer is irradiated with an energy ray above areas between the respective adjacent pixel electrodes with the avoidance of irradiation above the plural pixel electrodes. An electric conductivity of the common layer is reduced above the areas between the respective adjacent pixel electrodes, by irradiation of the energy ray. With this configuration, a current leakage can be prevented between the adjacent pixels.
US09324944B2
A selection device, non-volatile memory cell, and method of fabricating the same. The selection device employs an oxide laminate structure including a tunneling oxide layer and a metal-cluster oxide layer between first and second electrodes, enabling a high selection ratio and sufficient on-current density to allow program data recordation in a memory cell at relatively low voltage. The non-volatile memory cell includes the selection device electrically connected to a resistive random access memory device, including a resistance change layer, enabling suppression of current leakage from a non-selected adjacent memory cell in an array structure. In the method of fabrication, a tunneling oxide layer is formed by depositing and oxidizing a metal layer to control oxygen vacancy density in the metal-cluster oxide layer, and an interface oxide layer is formed in the tunneling oxide layer by doping of metal-clusters in the metal-cluster oxide layer, improving on-current density of the selection device.
US09324940B2
A storage element is provided. The storage element includes a memory layer having a first magnetization state of a first material; a fixed magnetization layer having a second magnetization state of a second material; an intermediate layer including a nonmagnetic material and provided between the memory layer and the fixed magnetization layer; wherein the first material includes Co—Fe—B alloy, and at least one of a non-magnetic metal and an oxide.
US09324934B2
A piezoelectric thin film which is of a perovskite type having a tetragonal crystal structure, the tetragonal crystal having a degree of (100) orientation of 80% or higher. The piezoelectric thin film is constituted of a lead lanthanum zirconate titanate (PLZT) which is a lead zirconate titanate (PZT) in which some of the lead has been replaced with lanthanum.
US09324929B2
A wiring substrate includes a heat sink, an insulation layer, first and second wiring layers, first and second through wirings, and first and second pads. The insulation layer is arranged on the heat sink with an adhesive layer located in between. The insulation layer includes first and second through holes. The first and second wiring layers are arranged on a surface of the insulation layer in contact with the adhesive layer. The first and second wiring layers are embedded in the adhesive layer. The first through wiring formed in the first through hole is connected to the first wiring layer and thermally coupled to the semiconductor device. The second through wiring formed in the first through hole is connected to the second wiring layer and electrically connected to the semiconductor device. The pads cover exposed surfaces of the through wirings.
US09324919B2
A light emitting diode chip including a substrate, a light emitting structure arranged on the substrate, the light emitting structure including an active layer arranged between a first conductive-type semiconductor layer and a second conductive-type semiconductor layer, and a distributed Bragg reflector to reflect light emitted from the light emitting structure. The distributed Bragg reflector has a reflectivity of at least 90% for light of a first wavelength in a blue wavelength range, light of a second wavelength in a green wavelength range, and light of a third wavelength in a red wavelength range, and the distributed Bragg reflector has a reflectivity of at least 90% for light in a full wavelength range of 400 to 700 nm.
US09324914B2
A semiconductor light-emitting device capable of keeping high luminance intensity even if electric power increases, and suitable for lighting instruments such as lights and lamps. The semiconductor device includes a metal electrode layer provided with openings, and is so large in size that the electrode layer has, for example, an area of 1 mm2 or more. The openings have a mean diameter of 10 nm to 2 μm, and penetrate through the metal electrode layer. The metal electrode layer can be produced by use of self-assembling of block copolymer or by nano-imprinting techniques.
US09324913B2
A nitride semiconductor structure includes: a plurality of crystal growth seed regions formed of a nitride semiconductor, of which the principal surface is an m-plane and which extends to a range that defines an angle of not less than 0 degrees and not more than 10 degrees with respect to an a-axis; and a laterally grown region formed of a nitride semiconductor which has extended in a c-axis direction from each of the plurality of crystal growth seed regions. An S width that is the spacing between adjacent ones of the plurality of crystal growth seed regions is at least 20 μm.
US09324912B2
A group III nitride semiconductor light-emitting element having a pn junction hetero structure composed of: an n-type aluminum gallium indium nitride layer; a light-emitting layer disposed contacting the n-type aluminum gallium indium nitride layer and including a gallium indium nitride layer containing crystals having a larger lattice constant than the n-type aluminum gallium indium nitride layer; and a p-type aluminum gallium indium nitride layer provided on the light-emitting layer. Further, the relative atomic concentrations of donor impurities at either interface of the light-emitting layer and within respective layers of the light-emitting element are specified herein.
US09324904B2
A semiconductor light emitting device includes a first conductive semiconductor layer, an active layer, a second conductive semiconductor layer, a first internal electrode, a second internal electrode, an insulating part, and first and second pad electrodes. The active layer is disposed on a first portion of the first conductive semiconductor layer, and has the second conductive layer disposed thereon. The first internal electrode is disposed on a second portion of the first conductive semiconductor layer separate from the first portion. The second internal electrode is disposed on the second conductive semiconductor layer. The insulating part is disposed between the first and second internal electrodes, and the first and second pad electrodes are disposed on the insulating part to connect to a respective one of the first and second internal electrodes.
US09324898B2
A method for forming thin films or layers of cadmium telluride (CdTe) for use in photovoltaic modules or solar cells. The method includes varying the substrate temperature during the growth of the CdTe layer by preheating a substrate (e.g., a substrate with a cadmium sulfide (CdS) heterojunction or layer) suspended over a CdTe source to remove moisture to a relatively low preheat temperature. Then, the method includes directly heating only the CdTe source, which in turn indirectly heats the substrate upon which the CdTe is deposited. The method improves the resulting CdTe solar cell reliability. The resulting microstructure exhibits a distinct grain size distribution such that the initial region is composed of smaller grains than the bulk region portion of the deposited CdTe. Resulting devices exhibit a behavior suggesting a more n-like CdTe material near the CdS heterojunction than devices grown with substrate temperatures held constant during CdTe deposition.
US09324893B1
A portable solar power system and a method for deploying the portable solar power system are disclosed. The portable solar power system may include a foldable plate including a non-foldable portion and at least one foldable portion with respective to the non-foldable portion, both of which have respective surfaces on which a solar cell array is mounted; a rotating mechanism for rotating the foldable plate at least in a generally horizontal plane; and a mast for supporting at least a part of the rotating mechanism and the foldable plate.
US09324891B2
A solar cell (1) of the present invention includes a photoelectric conversion layer (2) and a photonic crystal provided inside the photoelectric conversion layer (2) in order to have a photonic band gap. The photonic crystal has defects (31) in order to provide a defect level in the photonic band gap. QV which is a Q value representing a magnitude of a resonance effect yielded by coupling between the photonic crystal and an outside is substantially equal to Qα which is a Q value representing a magnitude of a resonance effect yielded by a medium of the photoelectric conversion layer (2).
US09324887B2
A solar cell element according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a semiconductor substrate that includes a first semiconductor layer of one conductivity type and a second semiconductor layer of the opposite conductivity type, and a plurality of linear current collector electrodes that are arranged on a first main surface of the semiconductor substrate at the second semiconductor layer side, the plurality of linear current collector electrodes being arranged at intervals in a direction from a middle part toward both end parts of the first main surface. A distance between neighboring ones of the current collector electrodes located in the middle part and a distance between neighboring ones of the current collector electrodes located in the both end parts are different from each other.
US09324885B2
Systems and methods are herein disclosed for efficiently allowing current to bypass a group of solar cells having one or more malfunctioning or shaded solar cells without overwhelming a bypass diode. This can be done using a switch (e.g., a MOSFET) connected in parallel with the bypass diode. By turning the switch on and off, a majority of the bypass current can be routed through the switch, which is configured to handle larger currents than the bypass diode is designed for, leaving only a minority of the current to pass through the bypass diode.
US09324882B2
A thin film transistor containing at least, a gate electrode, a gate insulating film, an oxide semiconductor layer, source-drain electrode and a passivation film, in this order on a substrate. The oxide semiconductor layer is a laminate containing a first oxide semiconductor layer (IGZTO) and a second oxide semiconductor layer (IZTO). The second oxide semiconductor layer is formed on the gate insulating film, and the first oxide semiconductor layer is formed between the second oxide semiconductor layer and the passivation film. The contents of respective metal elements relative to the total amount of all the metal elements other than oxygen in the first oxide semiconductor layer are as follows; Ga: 8% or more and 30% or less; In: 25% or less, excluding 0%; Zn: 35% or more to 65% or less; and Sn: 5% or more to 30% or less.
US09324876B2
A semiconductor device includes a first oxide semiconductor film over an insulating surface; a second oxide semiconductor film over the first oxide semiconductor film; a source electrode and a drain electrode in contact with side surfaces of the first oxide semiconductor film, side surfaces of the second oxide semiconductor film, and the top surface of the second oxide semiconductor film; a third oxide semiconductor film over the second oxide semiconductor film, the source electrode, and the drain electrode; a gate insulating film over the third oxide semiconductor film; and a gate electrode in contact with the top surface of the gate insulating film. A length obtained by subtracting a channel length between the source electrode and the drain electrode from a length of the second oxide semiconductor film in the channel length direction is 0.2 times to 2.0 times as long as the channel length.
US09324874B2
A pixel portion and a driver circuit driving the pixel portion are formed over the same substrate. At least a part of the driver circuit is formed using an inverted staggered thin film transistor in which an oxide semiconductor layer is used and a channel protective layer is provided over the oxide semiconductor layer serving as a channel formation region which is overlapped with the gate electrode. The driver circuit as well as the pixel portion is provided over the same substrate to reduce manufacturing costs.
US09324868B2
FinFET devices with epitaxially grown fins and methods for fabricating them are provided. Embodiments include forming at least two shallow trench isolation (STI) regions, filled with dielectric material, adjacent to but separate from each other in a silicon substrate; epitaxially growing a silicon-based layer between each adjacent pair of STI regions to form a fin with a non-rectangular cross-section extending from each STI region to each adjacent STI region; forming a gate oxide over and perpendicular to each fin; and forming a gate electrode over the gate oxide to form a FinFET.
US09324864B2
A semiconductor device structure is provided. The semiconductor device structure includes a semiconductor substrate. The semiconductor device structure includes an isolation structure positioned in the semiconductor substrate and adjacent to a first active region of the semiconductor substrate. The semiconductor device structure includes a gate stack disposed over the first active region. The semiconductor device structure includes a first contact structure disposed over the first active region and positioned between the isolation structure and the gate stack. The semiconductor device structure includes a dummy gate stack disposed over the isolation structure and adjacent to the gate stack. The dummy gate stack is not positioned over a portion of the isolation structure next to the first contact structure.
US09324860B2
According to one embodiment, a semiconductor device includes a first semiconductor region, a second semiconductor region, a third semiconductor region, an insulating film, and a control electrode. The first semiconductor region includes a silicon carbide of a first conductivity type. The second semiconductor region is provided on the first semiconductor region, includes a silicon carbide of a second conductivity type, and has a first main surface. The third semiconductor region is provided on the second semiconductor region and includes the silicon carbide of the first conductivity type. The film is provided on the surface. The electrode is provided on the film, and has a first region close to the third semiconductor region side, and a second region closer to the first semiconductor region side than the first region. An effective work function of the first region is larger than an effective work function of the second region.
US09324848B2
A semiconductor device includes a first conductivity-type drift layer, a second conductivity-type base layer formed in a front surface portion of the drift layer, a second conductivity-type collector layer formed in the drift layer and separated from the base layer, gate insulation layers formed on a surface of the base layer, gate electrodes individually formed on the gate insulation layers, an emitter layer formed in a front surface portion of the base layer, an emitter electrode electrically connected to the emitter layer and the base layer, and a collector electrode electrically connected to the collector layer. A rate of change in a gate voltage of a part of the gate electrodes is smaller than a rate of change in a gate voltage of a remainder of the gate electrodes. The emitter layer is in contact with only the gate insulation layers provided with the part of the gate electrodes.
US09324847B2
In some aspects of the invention, an n-type field-stop layer can have a total impurity of such an extent that a depletion layer spreading in response to an application of a rated voltage stops inside the n-type field-stop layer together with the total impurity of an n− type drift layer. Also, the n-type field-stop layer can have a concentration gradient such that the impurity concentration of the n-type field-stop layer decreases from a p+ type collector layer toward a p-type base layer, and the diffusion depth is 20 μm or more. Furthermore, an n+ type buffer layer of which the peak impurity concentration can be higher than that of the n-type field-stop layer at 6×1015 cm−3 or more, and one-tenth or less of the peak impurity concentration of the p+ type collector layer, can be included between the n-type field-stop layer and p+ type collector layer.
US09324844B2
A vertical III-nitride field effect transistor includes a drain comprising a first III-nitride material, a drain contact electrically coupled to the drain, and a drift region comprising a second III-nitride material coupled to the drain. The field effect transistor also includes a channel region comprising a third III-nitride material coupled to the drain and disposed adjacent to the drain along a vertical direction, a gate region at least partially surrounding the channel region, having a first surface coupled to the drift region and a second surface on a side of the gate region opposing the first surface, and a gate contact electrically coupled to the gate region. The field effect transistor further includes a source coupled to the channel region and a source contact electrically coupled to the source. The channel region is disposed between the drain and the source along the vertical direction such that current flow during operation of the vertical III-nitride field effect transistor is along the vertical direction, and the channel region extends along at least a portion of the second surface of the gate region.
US09324839B2
A method of manufacturing a graphene structure, the graphene structure, and a graphene device including the graphene structure, include depositing a metal layer over a silicon carbide substrate; and performing, at a first temperature, a heat treatment on the silicon carbide substrate over which the metal layer is deposited to form a composite layer and a graphene layer on the silicon carbide substrate. The composite layer includes a metal.
US09324837B2
A gate electrode is formed in a trench reaching a drain region so as to leave a concave portion on the top of the trench. A first insulating film is formed, which fills the concave portion and of which the thickness increases as the distance from an end of the trench increases on the substrate surface on both sides of the trench. First and second source regions are formed in a self-alignment manner by introduction of impurities through the first insulating film.
US09324833B2
Methods of forming semiconductor devices are disclosed. In some embodiments, a first trench and a second trench are formed in a substrate, and dopants of a first conductivity type are implanted along sidewalls and a bottom of the first trench and the second trench. The first and second trenches are filled with an insulating material, and a gate dielectric and a gate electrode over the substrate, the gate dielectric and the gate electrode extending over the first trench and the second trench. Source/drain regions are formed in the substrate on opposing sides of the gate dielectric and the gate electrode.
US09324825B2
A manufacturing method of an electrochemical sensor comprises forming a graphene layer on a donor substrate, laminating a film of dry photoresist on the graphene layer, removing the donor substrate to obtain an intermediate structure comprising the film of dry photoresist and the graphene layer, and laminating the intermediate structure onto a final substrate with the graphene layer in electrical contact with first and second electrodes positioned on the final substrate. The film of dry photoresist is then patterned to form a microfluidic structure on the graphene layer and an additional dry photoresist layer is laminated over the structure. In one type of sensor manufactured by this process, the graphene layer acts as a channel region of a field-effect transistor, whose conductive properties vary according to characteristics of an analyte introduced into the microfluidic structure.
US09324823B2
A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor body having a first surface vertically spaced apart from a second surface. A first trench vertically extends into the semiconductor body from the first surface and includes first and second sidewalls extending across the semiconductor body in a lateral direction that is parallel to the first surface. A field electrode is arranged in first trench and electrically insulated from the semiconductor body by a field dielectric. A first gate electrode is arranged in the first trench. The first gate electrode is electrically insulated from the field electrode by the field dielectric and is electrically insulated from the semiconductor body by a first gate oxide. The first gate electrode includes widened and tapered portions that are continuously connected and adjacent to one another in the lateral direction. The first gate oxide forms a non-perpendicular angle with the first sidewall in the lateral direction.
US09324821B2
An embodiment of a compound semiconductor device includes: a substrate; a nitride compound semiconductor stacked structure formed on or above the substrate; and a gate electrode, a source electrode and a drain electrode formed on or above the compound semiconductor stacked structure. A recess positioning between the gate electrode and the drain electrode in a plan view is formed at a surface of the compound semiconductor stacked structure.
US09324816B2
According to one embodiment, a semiconductor device includes a first semiconductor layer, a second semiconductor layer provided in a portion on the first semiconductor layer, a first insulating layer provided on the first semiconductor layer on a terminal region side of the second semiconductor layer, a third semiconductor layer provided on the first semiconductor layer on the terminal region side of the first insulating layer, a second insulating layer provided on the first semiconductor layer on the terminal region side of the third semiconductor layer, a fourth semiconductor layer provided between the first semiconductor layer and the second insulating layer, and a plurality of field plate electrodes provided inside an inter-layer insulating film, the plurality of field plate electrodes having mutually-different distances from the first semiconductor layer.
US09324807B1
A monolithically integrated MOS channel in gate-source shorted mode is used as a diode for the third quadrant conduction path for a power MOSFET. The MOS diode and MOSFET can be constructed in a variety of configurations including split-cell and trench. The devices may be formed of silicon carbide, gallium nitride, aluminum nitride, aluminum gallium nitride, diamond, or similar semiconductor. Low storage capacitance and low knee voltage for the MOS diode can be achieved by a variety of means. The MOS diode may be implemented with channel mobility enhancement materials, and/or have a very thin/high permittivity gate dielectric. The MOSFET gate conductor and MOS diode gate conductor may be made of polysilicon doped with opposite dopant types. The surface of the MOS diode dielectric may be implanted with cesium.
US09324802B2
A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor material and trenches extending into the semiconductor material from a first main surface of the semiconductor material to form mesas of semiconductor material between the trenches. The device also includes a field plate in the trenches, a body region in the mesas, a source region in contact with the body region in the mesas, and a gate electrode on the first main surface of the semiconductor material and defining a lateral channel region in each of the body regions under the gate electrodes. A drain region is at the opposing main surface of the semiconductor material. The gate electrodes adjacent opposing sides of the same field plate have the same alignment with respect to that field plate. The device can be a MOSFET or HEMT. Corresponding methods of manufacture are also provided.
US09324801B2
Fin stacks including a silicon germanium alloy portion and a silicon portion are formed on a surface of a substrate. Sacrificial gate structures are then formed straddling each fin stack. Silicon germanium alloy portions that are exposed are oxidized, while silicon germanium alloy portions that are covered by the sacrificial gate structures are not oxidized. A dielectric material having a topmost surface that is coplanar with a topmost surface of each sacrificial gate structure is formed, and thereafter each sacrificial gate structure is removed. Non-oxidized silicon germanium alloy portions are removed suspending silicon portions that were present on each non-oxidized silicon germanium alloy portion. A functional gate structure is then formed around each suspended silicon portion. The oxidized silicon germanium alloy portions remain and provide stress to a channel portion of the suspended silicon portions.
US09324797B2
A method for fabricating a semiconductor device comprises forming a nanowire on an insulator layer at a surface of a substrate; forming a dummy gate over a portion of the nanowire and a portion of the insulator layer; forming recesses in the insulator layer on opposing sides of the dummy gate; forming spacers on opposing sides of the dummy gate; forming source regions and drain regions in the recesses in the insulator layer on opposing sides of the dummy gate; depositing an interlayer dielectric on the source regions and the drain regions; removing the dummy gate to form a trench; removing the insulator layer under the nanowire such that a width of the trench underneath the nanowire is equal to or less than a distance between the spacers; and forming a replacement gate in the trench.
US09324794B2
A method for forming nanostructures includes bonding a flexible substrate to a crystalline semiconductor layer having a two-dimensional material formed on a side opposite the flexible substrate. The crystalline semiconductor layer is stressed in a first direction to initiate first cracks in the crystalline semiconductor layer. The first cracks are propagated through the crystalline semiconductor layer and through the two-dimensional material. The stress of the crystalline semiconductor layer is released to provide parallel structures including the two-dimensional material on the crystalline semiconductor layer.
US09324793B2
An ashing chemistry employing a combination of Cl2 and N2 is provided, which removes residual material from sidewalls of a patterned metallic hard mask layer without residue such that the sidewalls of the patterned metallic hard mask layer are vertical. The vertical profiled of the sidewalls of the patterned metallic hard mask layer can be advantageously employed to reduce pattern factor dependency in the etch bias between the pattern transferred into an underlying layer and the pattern as formed on the metallic hard mask layer. Further, the ashing chemistry can be employed to enhance removal of stringers in vertical portions of a metallic material layer.
US09324780B2
Embodiments of mechanisms for forming a semiconductor device with metal-insulator-metal (MIM) capacitor structure are provided. The MIM capacitor structure includes a substrate; and a MIM capacitor formed on the substrate. The MIM capacitor includes a bottom electrode formed over the substrate. The bottom electrode is a top metal layer. The MIM capacitor also includes an insulating layer formed on the bottom electrode; and a top electrode formed on the insulating layer.
US09324776B2
An organic light-emitting device including a barrier layer that includes a silicon oxide layer and a silicon-rich silicon nitride layer. The organic light-emitting device includes a flexible substrate that includes a barrier layer and plastic films disposed under and over the barrier layer. The barrier layer includes a silicon-rich silicon nitride layer and a silicon oxide layer. The order in which the silicon-rich silicon nitride layer and the silicon oxide layer are stacked is not limited and the silicon oxide layer may be first formed and then the silicon-rich silicon nitride layer may be stacked on the silicon oxide layer. The silicon-rich silicon nitride layer has a refractive index of 1.81 to 1.85.
US09324765B2
The present disclosure provides a semiconductor light emitting apparatus, comprising a first light emitting unit having a current supplying layer formed at the bottom; a second light emitting unit having a current supplying layer formed at the bottom and extended into the second light emitting unit; a connecting plate including a conductive portion where the first light emitting unit is placed and a conductive portion where the second light emitting unit is placed; and an electric pass for electrically connecting the first light emitting unit and the second light emitting unit.
US09324764B2
Embodiments of the present invention relate to an array substrate and a display device comprising the array substrate. According to an embodiment of the invention, there is provided an array substrate which comprises: a terminal region; and an active pixel region, the active pixel region comprising: a plurality of pixel units; a plurality of gate lines; a plurality of data lines; and a plurality of gate leading wires, wherein two columns of the plurality of pixel units are provided between two adjacent data lines among the plurality of data lines, each of the plurality of gate leading wires is disposed between the two columns of the plurality of pixel units, and each of the plurality of gate lines is connected to respective one of the plurality of gate leading wires.
US09324761B2
A method of forming an image sensor device where the method includes forming a first dielectric layer on a substrate. The method further includes patterning the first dielectric layer to define an area for a reflective shield, where the area defined for the reflective shield is above a photodiode. Additionally, the method includes forming the reflective shield on the substrate by filling the defined area with a high reflectivity material, and the high reflective material comprises a polymer.
US09324760B2
A method for manufacturing an imaging device in a semiconductor substrate is disclosed. The substrate includes a first surface, a second surface substantially opposite the first surface, and a thickness defined by a distance between the first surface and the second surface. A trench is fabricated in the semiconductor substrate first surface. A passivation layer is applied over the substrate first surface and the trench, optionally filling the trench by depositing a conformal layer over the substrate first surface. The conformal layer and the passivation layer are planarized from the substrate first surface, and a membrane is fabricated on the substrate first surface. From the substrate second surface, a cavity is formed in the substrate abutting the membrane and at least a portion of the trench via the unmasked region.
US09324759B2
An image sensor pixel for use in a high dynamic range image sensor includes a first photodiode and a second photodiode. The first photodiode include a first doped region, a first lightly doped region, and a first highly doped region disposed between the first doped region and the first lightly doped region. The second photodiode has a second full well capacity substantially equal to a first full well capacity of the first photodiode. The second photodiode includes a second doped region, a second lightly doped region, and a second highly doped region disposed between the second doped region and the second lightly doped region. The first photodiode can be used to for measuring low light and the second photodiode can be used for measuring bright light.
US09324755B2
An imaging system may include an image sensor die stacked on top of a digital signal processor (DSP) die. The image sensor die may be a backside illuminated image sensor die. Through-oxide vias (TOVs) may be formed in the image sensor die and may extend at least partially into in the DSP die to facilitate communications between the image sensor die and the DSP die. Bond pad structures may be formed on the surface of the image sensor die and may be coupled to off-chip circuitry via bonding wires soldered to the bad pad structures. Color filter elements may be formed over active image sensor pixels on the image sensor die. Microlens structures may be formed over the color filter elements. An antireflective coating (ARC) liner may be simultaneously formed over the microlens structures and over the bond pad structures to passivate the bond pad structures.
US09324743B2
A flat panel display device with an oxide thin film transistor is disclosed which includes: an oxide semiconductor layer which has a width of a first length and is formed on a buffer film; a gate insulation film which has a width of a second length and is formed on the oxide semiconductor layer; a gate electrode which has a width of a third length and is formed on the gate insulation film; an interlayer insulation film formed on the entire surface of the substrate provided with the gate electrode; source and drain electrodes formed on the interlayer insulation film and connected to the oxide semiconductor layer; a pixel electrode formed on a passivation film and connected to the drain electrode. The first length is larger than the second length and the second length is larger than the third length.
US09324728B2
A memory includes a three-dimensional array including a plurality of levels is described. Each level includes a bit line pad, a source line pad, and a plurality of strips of semiconductor material extending between the bit line pad and the source line pad. The source line pad includes at least one n-type region and at least one p-type region. The memory includes word lines coupled to the plurality of strips in the plurality of levels. The memory includes data storage elements between the word lines and the strips of semiconductor material, whereby memory cells are disposed at cross-points of the strips and the word lines. The memory also includes circuitry coupled to the n-type region and the p-type region of the source line pad, configured to selectively enable current flow in the strips extending from the source line pad and one of the n-type region and the p-type region.
US09324724B1
The present invention provides a method of fabricating a memory structure, especially forming an oxide on top of a spacer to prevent the spacer from being over-etched, the method comprising the steps of: providing a semiconductor substrate; forming a charge trapping layer, a first conducting layer and a capping layer as a gate stack on the substrate; forming a first gate structure by patterning; a plurality of spacers are patterned and disposed adjacent to the sidewall of said gate stack; depositing a second conducting layer on the substrate to cover the first gate structure and the spacer; selectively etching the second conducting layer to expose the top of the spacer; performing an oxidation process to form an oxide on top of the spacer.
US09324715B2
A semiconductor device includes a substrate including PMOSFET and NMOSFET regions. First and second gate electrodes are provided on the PMOSFET region, and third and fourth gate electrodes are provided on the NMOSFET region. A connection contact is provided to connect the second gate electrode with the third gate electrode, and a connection line is provided on the connection contact to cross the connection contact and connect the first gate electrode to the fourth gate electrode.
US09324712B2
A method for manufacturing an integrated circuit may include the following steps: forming a first transistor, which includes a first active region; forming a second transistor, which includes a second active region; forming a third transistor, which includes a gate electrode that overlaps each of the first active region and the second active region; and providing a predetermined voltage to the gate electrode for turning off the third transistor to isolate the first transistor from the second transistor.
US09324707B2
Integrated circuits and methods of manufacture and design thereof are disclosed. For example, a method of manufacturing includes using a first mask to pattern a gate material forming a plurality of first and second features. The first features form gate electrodes of the semiconductor devices, whereas the second features are dummy electrodes. Based on the location of these dummy electrodes, selected dummy electrodes are removed using a second mask. The use of the method provides greater flexibility in tailoring individual devices for different objectives.
US09324706B2
A method is provided for forming an integrated circuit chip with a variable capacitor disposed in a metallization. A back end of line metallization is formed over the semiconductor substrate. The variable capacitor is formed within a cavity of the back end of line metallization. The variable capacitor includes a fixed main capacitor electrode disposed in a first metal layer of the back end of line metallization, a second main capacitor electrode electrically connected to a second metal layer of the back end of line metallization and vertically spaced from the fixed main capacitor electrode, and a movable capacitor electrode disposed in the first metal layer adjacent the fixed main capacitor electrode.
US09324702B2
A photoelectric device includes a base, an LED (light emitting diode) element and a zener diode. The base includes a first electrode and a second electrode. The LED element and the zener diode are electrically connected with the first electrode and the second electrode. A recess structure is defined in the base. The zener diode is arranged in the recess structure. The zener diode is electrically connected in anti-parallel with the LED element.
US09324698B2
A device comprises a first chip and a second chip stacked together to form a multi-chip structure, wherein the multi-chip structure is embedded in an encapsulation layer. The device further comprises a redistribution layer formed on a top surface of a first side of the encapsulation layer, wherein the redistribution layer is connected to active circuits of the first chip and the second chip and the redistribution layer extends beyond at least one edge of the first chip and the second chip.
US09324697B1
The present disclosure provides a novel light-emitting diode package and corresponding fabrication method for making such a package. The novel LED package comprises a resin carrier layer having a first and second surface. Embedded in the resin carrier layer are at least one electrical conductor and at least one LED. The embedded LED comprises a substrate having a bottom surface that is substantially exposed at the second surface of the resin carrier layer. The embedded LED further comprises a light emitting layer that is substantially exposed at the first surface of the resin carrier layer.
US09324692B2
A flexible light sheet lamp includes a thin substrate and an array of printed microscopic vertical LEDs (VLEDs) sandwiched between a transparent first conductor layer and a transparent second conductor layer. The light sheet has a light exit surface. The VLEDs have one surface, facing the light exit surface of the light sheet, covered with a reflective metal. A phosphor layer is provided such that the semi-transparent VLED layer is between the phosphor layer and the light exit surface. A reflector layer is provided such that the phosphor layer is between the reflector layer and the VLED layer. The substrate may form the light exit surface or the light exit surface may be the opposite side of the light sheet. Some VLED light passing through the phosphor layer is reflected by the reflector layer and re-enters the phosphor layer. Therefore, less phosphor is needed to achieve the desired conversion ratio.
US09324688B2
An embedded package includes a first semiconductor chip embedded in a package substrate, a second semiconductor chip disposed over a first surface of the package substrate, and a group of external connection joints disposed on the first surface of the package substrate and between a sidewall of the second semiconductor chip and an edge of the embedded package. Related memory cards and related electronic systems are also provided.
US09324683B2
In one embodiment, a semiconductor package includes a circuit substrate, a plurality of semiconductor chips stacked on the circuit substrate, insulating adhesive patterns interposed between the semiconductor chips, a heat slug provided on an uppermost semiconductor chip and adhered to the uppermost semiconductor chip by a heat dissipative adhesive pattern, and a mold structure provided on the circuit substrate to cover sidewalls of the semiconductor chips, the insulating adhesive patterns, the heat dissipative adhesive pattern and the heat slug. A failure of the semiconductor package during a manufacturing process of the mold structure may be reduced. The semiconductor package may therefore have good operating characteristics and reliability.
US09324678B2
An integrated circuit package is presented. In an embodiment, the integrated circuit package has contact pads formed on the top side of a package substrate, a die electrically attached to the contact pads, and input/output (I/O) pads formed on the top side of the package substrate. The I/O pads are electrically connected to the contact pads. The integrated circuit package also includes a flex cable receptacle electrically connected to the I/O pads on the top side of the package substrate. The flex cable receptacle is non-compressively attachable to a flex cable connector and includes receptacle connection pins electrically connected to the I/O pads.
US09324672B2
In a semiconductor device, a plurality of conductive pillars is formed over a temporary carrier. A dual-active sided semiconductor die is mounted over the carrier between the conductive pillars. The semiconductor die has first and second opposing active surfaces with first contact pads on the first active surface and second contact pads on the second active surface. An encapsulant is deposited over the semiconductor die and temporary carrier. A first interconnect structure is formed over a first surface of the encapsulant. The first interconnect structure is electrically connected to the conductive pillars and first contact pads of the dual-active sided semiconductor die. The temporary carrier is removed. A second interconnect structure is formed over a second surface of the encapsulant opposite the first surface of the encapsulant. The second interconnect structure is electrically connected to the conductive pillars and second contact pads of the dual-active sided semiconductor die.
US09324671B2
A method for fabrication a metal pillar bump packaging structure is provided. The method includes providing a semiconductor substrate; and forming a metal interconnect structure and a dielectric layer exposing a portion of the metal interconnect structure on the semiconductor substrate. The method also includes forming a photoresist layer having an opening with an undercut with a bottom area greater than a top area at the bottom of the opening to expose the metal interconnect structure and a portion of the dielectric layer on the semiconductor substrate; and forming a metal pillar bump structure having a pillar body and an extension part with an enlarged bottom area in the opening and the undercut. Further, the method includes forming a soldering ball on the metal pillar bump structure.
US09324666B2
The present invention relates to electronic technology and discloses an electronic device and an electronic apparatus, capable of solving the problem that an electronic device cannot perform a wireless data communication with another electronic device. The electronic device comprises: a first communication chip provided in a first body and operative to transmit/receive a signal directionally; and at least one second communication chip provided in a second body and operative to transmit/receive a signal directionally, the second body being physically connected to the first body in a detachable manner, wherein the first body is capable of performing wireless data communication with the second body by using the first communication chip for transmitting/receiving data to/from the second communication chip.
US09324640B1
A method for forming a stacked semiconductor package includes providing a bottom leadframe (LF) panel including LFs downset each including at least a plurality of terminals. Low side (LS) transistors are attached to the first die attach area. A first clip panel including first clips downset and interconnected are placed on the bottom LF panel. A dielectric interposer is attached on the first clips over the LS transistors. High side (HS) transistors are attached on the interposers. A second clip panel including a plurality of second clips is mated to interconnect to the HS transistors including mating together the second clip panel, first clip panel and bottom LF panel. The LFs can include a second die attach area, and a controller die attached on the second die attach area, and then pads of the controller die wirebonded to the plurality of terminals.
US09324636B2
A wiring device for a semiconductor device, a composite wiring device for a semiconductor device and a resin-sealed semiconductor device are provided, each of which is capable of mounting thereon a semiconductor chip smaller than conventional chips and being manufactured at lower cost. The wiring device connects an electrode on a semiconductor chip with an external wiring device, and has an insulating layer, a metal substrate and a copper wiring layer. The wiring device has a semiconductor chip support portion provided on the side of the copper wiring layer with respect to the insulating layer. The copper wiring layer includes a first terminal, a second terminal and a wiring portion. The first terminal is connected with the electrode. The second terminal is connected with the external wiring device. The wiring portion connects the first terminal with the second terminal.
US09324625B2
A gated diode may include source zones and a drain zone which are both of a first conductivity type. The source zones directly adjoin a first surface of a semiconductor die and the drain zone directly adjoins an opposite second surface of the semiconductor die. The drain zone includes a drift zone formed in an epitaxial layer of the semiconductor die. Base zones of a second conductivity type, which is the opposite of the first conductivity type, are provided between the drain zones and the source zones. The drift zone further includes adjustment zones directly adjoining a base zone and arranged between the respective base zone and the second surface, respectively. A net dopant concentration in the adjustment zone is at least twice a net dopant concentration in the second sub-zone. The adjustment zones precisely define the reverse breakdown voltage.
US09324621B1
Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method of making a metal-oxide semiconductor (MOS) device. The method comprises providing an apparatus that comprises a common source and drain well disposed within a substrate, and a gate disposed on the substrate, wherein the gate is substantially encapsulated within layers of the apparatus. The method further comprises removing a portion of the substrate and creating a shallow trench isolation (STI) structure through the substrate such that the STI structure engages the common source and drain well.
US09324620B2
A metal gate structure includes a substrate including a dense region and an iso region. A first metal gate structure is disposed within the dense region, and a second metal gate structure is disposed within the iso region. The first metal gate structure includes a first trench disposed within the dense region, and a first metal layer disposed within the first trench. The second metal gate structure includes a second trench disposed within the iso region, and a second metal layer disposed within the second trench. The height of the second metal layer is greater than the height of the first metal layer.
US09324619B2
A method of fabricating a semiconductor device having a first region, a second region, and a third region between the first and second regions includes forming first and second preliminary active patterns protruding from a substrate in the first and second regions, respectively, forming mask patterns exposing the third region on the substrate, performing a first etching process using the mask patterns an etch mask to form first and second active patterns, respectively, and forming gate structures on the substrate.
US09324618B1
One illustrative method includes, among other things, forming a plurality of trenches in a semiconductor substrate so as to define a substrate fin, forming a layer of insulating material in the trenches, and forming a layer of CTE-matching material above the upper surface of the layer of insulating material, wherein the layer of CTE-matching material has a CTE that is within ±20% of the replacement fin CTE and wherein the layer of CTE-matching material partially defines a replacement fin cavity that exposes an upper portion of the substrate fin. In this example, the method also includes forming the replacement fin on the substrate fin and in the replacement fin cavity, removing the layer of CTE-matching material and forming a gate structure around at least a portion of the replacement fin.
US09324616B2
An object of the present invention is to provide a method of manufacturing a flip-chip type semiconductor device with a simplified process, in which various types of information are supplied in a visually recognizable manner. The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a flip-chip type semiconductor device comprising: a step A of laminating on a semiconductor wafer a film for the backside of a flip-chip type semiconductor, in which the film is to be formed on the backside of a semiconductor element that is flip-chip connected onto an adherend; a step B of dicing the semiconductor wafer; and a step C of laser marking the film for the backside of a flip-chip type semiconductor, wherein the film for the backside of a flip-chip type semiconductor in the step C is uncured.
US09324612B2
In one embodiment there is disclosed a method for manufacturing an integrated circuit in a semiconductor substrate including through vias and a coplanar line, including the steps of: forming active components and a set of front metallization levels; simultaneously etching from the rear surface of the substrate a through via hole and a trench crossing the substrate through at least 50% of its height; coating with a conductive material the walls and the bottom of the hole and of the trench; and filling the hole and the trench with an insulating filling material; and forming a coplanar line extending on the rear surface of the substrate, in front of the trench and parallel thereto, so that the lateral conductors of the coplanar line are electrically connected to the conductive material coating the walls of the trench.
US09324604B2
Provided are gap-fill methods. The methods comprise: (a) providing a semiconductor substrate having a relief image on a surface of the substrate, the relief image comprising a plurality of gaps to be filled, wherein the gaps have a width of 50 nm or less; (b) applying a gap-fill composition over the relief image, wherein the gap-fill composition comprises a first polymer comprising a crosslinkable group, a second polymer comprising a chromophore, wherein the first polymer and the second polymer are different, a crosslinker, an acid catalyst and a solvent, wherein the gap-fill composition is disposed in the gaps; (c) heating the gap-fill composition at a temperature to cause the first polymer to self-crosslink and/or to crosslink with the second polymer to form a crosslinked polymer; (d) forming a photoresist layer over the substrate comprising the crosslinked polymer-filled gaps; (e) patternwise exposing the photoresist layer to activating radiation; and (f) developing the photoresist layer to form a photoresist pattern. The methods find particular applicability in the manufacture of semiconductor devices for the filling of high aspect ratio gaps with an antireflective coating material.
US09324600B2
A mounting table structure includes a mounting table body, made of a conductive material, for mounting thereon the processing target object and serving as an electrode; a base table, made of a conductive material, disposed below the mounting table body with a gap therebetween in a state insulated from the mounting table body; a support column, connected to the ground side, for supporting the base table; a high frequency power supply line, connected to the mounting table body, for supplying a high frequency bias power to the mounting table body; and a power stabilization capacitor provided between the ground side and a hot side to which the high frequency bias power is applied. Here, an electrostatic capacitance of the power stabilization capacitor is set to be larger than an electrostatic capacitance of a stray capacitance between the mounting table body and the protective cover member.
US09324596B2
The present disclosure relates to a substrate storage rack, including a hollow rack body with a first, a second, a third, and a fourth lateral surfaces, wherein at least one substrate laying layer is arranged in the rack body along a vertical direction. The substrate laying layer includes: a first support connected with the rack body and arranged at the second lateral surface; first supporting bars transversely arranged on the first support and extending to the interior of the rack body; a second support connected with the rack body and arranged at the fourth lateral surface; and second supporting bars transversely arranged on the second support and extending to the interior of the rack body. Since the first and the second supporting bars are arranged on the second and the fourth lateral surfaces of the rack body respectively, storing substrates in the rack body can be ensured. Then, the first lateral surface can be used as a fetching and feeding port for an automatic manipulator arm and the fourth lateral surface can be used as a manual fetching and feeding port, so that bidirectional fetching and feeding of the substrates in the substrate storage rack can be realized, and thus the production efficiency can be effectively improved.
US09324588B2
A stable etching process is realized at an earlier stage by specifying the combination of wavelength and time interval, which exhibits a minimum prediction error of etching processing result within a short period. For this, the combination of wavelength and time interval is generated from wavelength band of plasma emission generated upon etching of the specimen, the prediction error upon prediction of etching process result is calculated with respect to each combination of wavelength and time interval, the wavelength combination is specified based on the calculated prediction error, the prediction error is further calculated by changing the time interval with respect to the specified wavelength combination, and the combination of wavelength and time interval, which exhibits the minimum value of calculated prediction error is selected as the wavelength and the time interval used for predicting the etching processing process.
US09324586B2
A chip-packaging module for a chip is provided, the chip-packaging module including a chip including a first chip side, wherein the first chip side includes an input portion configured to receive a signal; a chip carrier configured to be in electrical connection with the first chip side, wherein the chip is mounted to the chip carrier via the first chip side; and a mold material configured to cover the chip on at least the first chip side, wherein at least part of the input portion is released from the mold material.
US09324577B2
Methods of modifying a self-aligned contact process in a semiconductor fabrication and a semiconductor device are provided. A method includes forming a transistor over a substrate, including depositing a high-k dielectric layer over the substrate; depositing a work function metal layer over the high-k dielectric layer; forming a metal gate over the work function metal layer; forming two spacers sandwiching the work function metal layer and the metal gate; and forming a doped region in the substrate; etching the work function metal layer and the metal gate to leave a metal residue over inner walls of the two spacers exposing the work function metal layer and the metal gate; modifying the metal residue and the exposed work function metal layer and metal gate to form a metal compound; depositing an insulator covering the metal compound; and forming contact pads respectively electrically connected to the metal gate and the doped region.
US09324574B2
Methods of forming a pattern in a semiconductor device may be provided. The methods may include sequentially forming a first hard mask layer and a second hard mask layer on an etching target layer including first and second regions, forming a first spacer layer on the second hard mask layer, forming a second hard mask pattern layer by etching the second hard mask layer using the first spacer layer, forming a second spacer layer on a sidewall of the second hard mask pattern layer, forming a first hard mask pattern layer by etching the first hard mask layer using the second spacer layer, and etching the etching target layer using the first hard mask pattern layer.
US09324561B2
According to an embodiment, there is provided a method of fabricating an epitaxial wafer, which includes preparing a wafer in a susceptor; and growing an epitaxial layer on the wafer, wherein the growing of the epitaxial layer on the wafer includes supplying a raw material into the susceptor; growing the epitaxial layer on the wafer at a first growth rate; and growing the epitaxial layer on the wafer at a second growth rate higher than the first growth rate. According to an embodiment, there is provided a silicon carbide epitaxial wafer which includes a silicon carbide wafer; and a silicon carbide epitaxial layer on the silicon carbide wafer wherein a surface defect formed on the silicon carbide epitaxial layer is 1 ea/cm2 or less.
US09324558B2
A surface of a semiconductor wafer is subjected to high flattening processing.A resin application and grinding step is repeatedly carried out, the step including determining as a reference surface a flat surface obtained by applying a curable material to one entire surface of a wafer sliced out from a semiconductor single crystal ingot with the use of a wire saw apparatus and performing surface grinding with respect to the other surface of the wafer, and determining as a reference surface the other surface of the wafer subjected to the surface grinding and performing the surface grinding with respect to the one surface of the wafer.
US09324557B2
A process to form metal pillars on a flip-chip device. The pillars, along with a layer of solder, will be used to bond die pads on the device to respective substrate pads on a substrate. A photoresist is deposited over the device and a first set of die pads on the device are exposed by forming openings of a first diameter in the photoresist. Pillars of the first diameter are formed by electroplating metal onto the exposed die pads. Then a second photoresist deposited over the first photoresist covers the pillars of the first diameter. Openings of a second diameter are formed in the first and second photoresists to expose a second set of die pads. Pillars of the second diameter are formed by electroplating metal onto the exposed die pads. The photoresists are then removed along with conductive layers on the device used as part of the plating process.
US09324547B2
A method of mass analysis and a mass spectrometer are provided wherein a batch of ions is accumulated in a mass analyzer; the batch of ions accumulated in the mass analyzer is detected using image current detection to provide a detected signal; the number of ions in the batch of ions accumulated in the mass analyzer is controlled using an algorithm based on a previous detected signal obtained using image current detection from a previous batch of ions accumulated in the mass analyzer; wherein one or more parameters of the algorithm are adjusted based on a measurement of ion current or charge obtained using an independent detector located outside of the mass analyzer.
US09324545B2
A method of calibrating a dual gain ADC detector system is disclosed comprising passing a test signal through a high gain signal path to produce a first signal and passing a test signal through a low gain signal path to produce a second signal. A time difference between the first signal and the second signal is then determined. Data from the two ADCs is then stitched to form a composite mass spectrum without needing to correct the phase between the two ADCs.
US09324537B2
The present invention relates to a charged particle system comprising: a charged particle source; a first multi aperture plate; a second multi aperture plate disposed downstream of the first multi aperture plate, the second multi aperture plate; a controller configured to selectively apply at least first and second voltage differences between the first and second multi aperture plates; wherein the charged particle source and the first and second multi aperture plates are arranged such that each of a plurality of charged particle beamlets traverses an aperture pair, said aperture pair comprising one aperture of the first multi aperture plate and one aperture of the second multi aperture plate, wherein plural aperture pairs are arranged such that a center of the aperture of the first multi aperture plate is, when seen in a direction of incidence of the charged particle beamlet traversing the aperture of the first multi aperture plate, displaced relative to a center of the aperture of the second multi aperture plate. The invention further pertains to a particle-optical component configured to change a divergence of a set of charged particle beamlets and a charged particle inspection method comprising inspection of an object using different numbers of charged particle beamlets.
US09324534B2
A cold cathode field emission electron source capable of emission at levels comparable to thermal sources is described. Emission in excess of 6 A/cm2 at 7.5 V/μm is demonstrated in a macroscopic emitter array. The emitter has a monolithic and rigid porous semiconductor nanostructure with uniformly distributed emission sites, and is fabricated through a room temperature process which allows for control of emission properties. These electron sources can be used in a wide range of applications, including microwave electronics and x-ray imaging for medicine and security.
US09324532B2
Circuitry for fuse failure display for monitoring the trip status of a fuse is disclosed, wherein a light-emitting diode is provided in order to display the trip status of the fuse, which light-emitting diode is arranged in a current path parallel to the fuse. If the fuse is not tripped, the parallel current path has a high resistance in relation to the resistance across the fuse, such that the current across this current path is insufficient for operation of the light-emitting diode. If the fuse is tripped, this parallel current path has a low resistance in relation to the resistance across the fuse, such that the current across this current path is sufficient for operation of the light-emitting diode, wherein a current-limiting device for limiting the current across the light-emitting diode and a voltage-limiting device for limiting the voltage across the tripped fuse are also provided.
US09324524B2
An electromagnetic relay includes a movable iron core arranged to move up and down within a center hole of an electromagnet unit formed by winding a coil, and a contact switch where an upper end surface of the movable iron core attaches to and detaches from a lower end surface of a fixed iron core arranged in the center hole according to magnetization and demagnetization of the electromagnet unit and a movable contact attaches to and detaches from a fixed contact by a movable shaft which reciprocates along with the movable iron core where the movable iron core includes a sliding portion which always abuts an auxiliary yoke disposed within a yoke, and where a height dimension of the sliding portion is at least equal to or larger than a plate thickness dimension of the yoke.
US09324522B2
A conduction breaking device is provided that uses gas from a gas generator to move a cutter block in the thickness direction of a cuttable portion, thereby cutting the cuttable portion between the moving cutter block and a cutting edge portion of a cutting chamber. The cutter block is attached to the cuttable portion such that, before generation of gas by the gas generator, a part of the cutter block is located in the cutting chamber and at a position close to the cutting edge portion in a direction along the surface of the cuttable portion.
US09324521B2
A vacuum valve includes a fixed side electrode on a fixed side current-carrying shaft and a movable side electrode on a movable side current-carrying shaft. An opening and closing unit is coaxially disposed with the movable side current-carrying shaft, and drives the movable side current-carrying shaft. A chattering suppression structure is coaxially disposed with the fixed side current-carrying shaft on the fixed side of the vacuum valve, and suppresses chattering. The opening and closing unit includes an electromagnetic operating mechanism which drives the movable side current-carrying shaft when energized. A contact pressure spring is coaxially disposed with the electromagnetic operating mechanism, and applies contact pressure between the movable side electrode and the fixed side electrode during contact closing of the vacuum valve. A release spring is coaxially disposed with the electromagnetic operating mechanism, and assists driving force of the electromagnetic operating mechanism during contact opening of the vacuum valve.
US09324514B2
There is provided a key input device including a supporting member including groove portions inclined with respect to a horizontal direction, a plurality of keytops each including a sliding portion which is fitted in a corresponding groove portion of the groove portions and slides along the groove portion, and a control member configured to cause two or more keytops of the plurality of keytops to slide obliquely downward along the groove portions.
US09324512B2
Various embodiments provide a single pole single throw switch. The switch may include a first terminal, a second terminal and a control terminal; a field-effect transistor having a drain connected to the first terminal, a source connected to the ground, and a gate; a bias resistor connected between the gate of the field-effect transistor and the control terminal; an inductor connected between the first terminal and the second terminal; and a capacitor having one end connected to the second terminal and another end connected to the ground.
US09324510B2
The gas circuit breaker includes a main shaft which is a rotating shaft of a main lever connected to an opening spring, a cam shaft which is a rotating shaft of a cam connected to a closing spring, a main shaft holding member which holds the main shaft, a cam shaft holding member which holds the cam shaft, and a bracket which holds the main shaft holding member and the cam shaft holding member. A through hole is provided in a portion of the bracket between the main shaft holding member and the cam shaft holding member, and a heat generating member is provided at least on a portion of the through hole.
US09324503B2
A capacitor for use in relatively high voltage environments is provided. The solid electrolyte is formed from a plurality of pre-polymerized particles in the form of a dispersion. In addition, the anode is formed such that it contains at least one longitudinally extending channel is recessed therein. The channel may have a relatively high aspect ratio (length divided by width), such as about 2 or more, in some embodiments about 5 or more, in some embodiments from about 10 to about 200, in some embodiments from about 15 to about 150, in some embodiments from about 20 to about 100, and in some embodiments, from about 30 to about 60.
US09324502B2
Provided is a lithium ion capacitor that can maintain a high capacity retention rate and suppress an increase in internal resistance even after high-load charging-discharging is repeated many times and that has long service life because the occurrence of a short circuit due to precipitation of lithium on the negative electrode is prevented.The lithium ion capacitor comprises a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and an electrolyte solution, the negative electrode including a current collector and electrode layers that contain a negative electrode active material and are formed on front and back surfaces of the current collector, wherein, in the negative electrode, ratios of deviations of respective thicknesses of the electrode layers formed on the front and back surfaces of the current collector from an average of the thicknesses of the electrode layers to the average is −10 to 10%.
US09324490B2
Apparatus and methods for vector inductors are provided herein. In certain configurations, an apparatus includes a vector inductor comprising a plurality of conductors arranged in a stack and separated from one another by dielectric. The conductors are tightly coupled to one another to provide a relatively high amount of mutual inductance. For example, adjacent conductors in the stack can be mutually coupled with a coupling coefficient k that is at least 0.5, or more particularly, 0.9 or greater. In certain implementations, the conductors are electrically connected in parallel with one another to provide the vector inductor with low resistance. However, tight coupling between the conductors in the stack can result in vector inductor having an overall inductance that is similar to that of a self-inductance of an individual conductor in the stack. The Q-factor of the vector inductor can be increased by the inclusion of additional conductors in the stack.
US09324487B1
This disclosure is directed at least partly to reducing an acceleration of a magnet when a magnet is moved toward an attracting object. An apparatus may include a dampening mechanism to dissipate kinetic energy of the magnet as it traverses within a housing from a first position to a second position. The housing may be at least partially coupled to another surface as a result of a magnetic attraction when the magnet is located in the second position. The dampening mechanism may include use of a fluid and/or gas that is displaced by the magnet to slow acceleration of the magnet as the magnet traverses between the first position and the second position. In some embodiments, the dampening mechanism may be implemented using threads that cause rotation of the magnet or by rollers that slow acceleration of the magnet.
US09324478B2
A high speed cable with terminating assemblies at the respective ends of the cable includes a ground wire, one or more signal wires, and a conductive layer enclosing the ground wire and the signal wires. The ground wire as well as the signal wires and the conductive layer extend into the terminating assemblies, in each of which corresponding inductive elements are coupled between the conductive layer and the ground wire. In each terminating assembly, the ground wire is shunted to the conductive layer by inductive elements, thus providing added low frequency connectivity in the cable, while at the same time blocking high frequency noise energy that may be present in the ground wire and preventing it from being coupled into, and transmitted through, the conductive layer.
US09324469B1
An intensifying screen for exposing X-ray film includes a screen support backing, a luminescent layer having a luminescent material that emits light in the presence of X-rays, and a reflective layer disposed between the luminescent layer and the screen support backing, the reflective layer including a plurality of micro-prisms that reflect light emitted by the luminescent material. An X-ray film cassette includes at least one intensifying screen and a housing surrounding the at least one intensifying screen.
US09324467B2
A mobile radiation system is provided. The mobile radiation system comprises a mobile radiation device coupled to a control unit; a radiation blocker having an adaptor opening for receiving said mobile radiation device when said mobile radiation device is in a seated position on said radiation blocker; and a mobile carrier comprising a first compartment for housing said radiation blocker, a second compartment for housing said control unit, and a carrier motion device. The adaptor opening can dimensionally fit the mobile radiation device to block radiations from the mobile radiation device when said mobile radiation device is in the seated position. The mobile radiation device can produce radiation having peak radiation wavelength in a range of from about 250 nm to about 450 nm and can have a peak irradiation power in a range of from about 0.5 W/cm2 to about 10 W/cm2.
US09324464B2
This invention generally concerns robotic systems and is specifically concerned with an improved apparatus and method for inspecting nuclear reactor components in limited access areas, such as, the core annulus, core spray and feedwater sparger regions of a nuclear reactor. This invention includes an apparatus for remotely operating and positioning at least one inspection device for inspecting at least one component in an annulus region of a reactor pressure vessel of a nuclear power plant. The apparatus includes a track, a braking system and a frame assembly which has a frame movably connected to the track, at least one mast assembly and at least one mast positioning assembly. The at least one inspection device is attached to the at least one mast assembly. In certain embodiments, the at least one mast assembly includes a mast that is capable of becoming rigidly stable in both an extended tube form and a retracted rolled form.
US09324463B2
Preventive maintenance method and apparatus for a structural components in a reactor pressure vessel
Disclosed is a water jet peening method that includes the steps of: preparing a water jet peening apparatus having a supporting member, a first divider plate, a nozzle support body, and a second divider plate; inserting the water jet peening apparatus into a piping in which a structure or electronic device is mounted that is susceptible to damage by a jet of water discharged from a jet nozzle or by shock waves; disposing either the first divider plate or the second divider plate between the jet nozzle and the structure or electronic device; filling water into an internal area formed in the piping between the first divider plate and the second divider plate; and subjecting the inner surface of the piping to water jet peening by allowing the jet nozzle to discharge a jet of water into the water in the internal area.
US09324457B2
According to one embodiment, a nonvolatile memory includes a memory area including a first magnetoresistive element, and a fuse circuit including a second magnetoresistive element serving as an anti-fuse element and configured to store correction information of the memory area when a defect exists in the memory area. The first magnetoresistive element includes a first storage layer, a first reference layer, and a first insulating film between the first storage layer and the first reference layer. The second magnetoresistive element includes a second storage layer, a second reference layer, and a second insulating film between the second storage layer and the second reference layer.
US09324451B2
A device for monitoring process variations across memory bitcells includes a bitcell inverter that provides an output voltage to be used for identifying skewed corners of the memory bitcells. A first comparator compares the output voltage with a first reference voltage, and a second comparator compares the output voltage with a second reference voltage. The first and the second comparators generate a corner code based on comparison results.
US09324449B2
Disclosed is a driver circuit including a latch circuit, a shift register circuit, and a switching circuit, where the latch circuit is provided over the shift register circuit and the switching circuit. The shift register circuit and the switching circuit may have a silicon-based semiconductor, while the latch circuit may have an oxide semiconductor. The latch circuit includes a first transistor and a second transistor connected in series. The latch circuit may further include a first capacitor and a second capacitor which are electrically connected to the first transistor and the second transistor. A display device using the driver circuit as well as a method for preparing the driver circuit is also disclosed.
US09324446B2
A non-volatile semiconductor storage device includes an memory cell array including first and second blocks, each of which includes a plurality of memory strings each having n (n: natural number) memory cells, and a optionally a peripheral circuit for controlling the memory cell array. In this non-volatile semiconductor storage device, n signal lines are arranged in the first block, and m (n>m, m: natural number) signal lines are arranged in the second block, such that the second block size is smaller than the first block size.
US09324444B2
A data storage device includes a nonvolatile memory device; and a controller electrically coupled with the nonvolatile memory device, and configured to control an operation of the nonvolatile memory device, wherein the controller is configured to change a frequency of an internal clock and a level of an internal voltage, according to whether data is being transmitted through a channel.
US09324439B1
Techniques are provided to improve long term data retention in a charge-trapping memory device. In addition to a primary charge-trapping layer in which most charges are stored, the memory device may include a tunneling layer comprising an engineered tunneling barrier such as oxide-nitride-oxide. The nitride in the tunneling layer may also store some charges after programming. After the programming, a data retention operation is performed which de-traps some electrons from the tunneling layer, in addition to injecting holes into the tunneling layer which form neutral electron-hole dipoles in place of electrons. These mechanisms tend to lower threshold voltage. Additionally, the data retention operation redistributes the electrons and the holes inside the charge-trapping layer, resulting in an increase in threshold voltage which roughly cancels out the decrease when the data retention operation is optimized.
US09324438B2
An array of programmable non-volatile devices, such as a nominal OTP cell, is operated such that a Vt representing a particular binary logic state is changed over time. This allows for re-programming and emulating a few times or multi-time programmable device.
US09324435B2
A data transmitting method for a memory storage apparatus is provided. The method includes: initially setting a first threshold and a first accumulated value; and updating the first threshold by using the first threshold plus the first accumulated value at intervals of a first predetermined time. The method also includes when a detected temperature of the memory storage apparatus is greater than or equal to a temperature threshold, determining whether a size of received writing data is greater than or equal to the first threshold; and if no, writing the writing data into a rewritable non-volatile memory module and then updating the first threshold by using the first threshold minus the size of the writing data; and if yes, not writing the writing data into the rewritable non-volatile memory module. Accordingly, the method can effectively prevent overheat of system during operations of the memory storage apparatus.
US09324434B2
The present disclosure includes methods, devices, modules, and systems for operating semiconductor memory. One method embodiment includes determining a status of a page of memory cells without using input/output (I/O) circuitry, and outputting the status through the I/O circuitry.
US09324429B2
A semiconductor storage device 1 includes: an input controller (3); and a content-addressable memory block (2) connected to the input controller (3). Each word circuit (4) of the content-addressable memory block (2) includes: a k-bit 1st-stage sub word (4a) connected to search line 1 (SL1) of the input controller (3); and an (n-k)-bit 2nd-stage sub word (4b) connected to search line 2 (SL2) of the input controller (3). The k-bit 1st-stage sub word (4a) and the (n-k)-bit 2nd-stage sub word (4b) are separated by a segmentation circuit (5). When the 1st-stage sub word outputs a match signal, the match result is stored in the segmentation circuit (5), and a plurality of local match circuits within the 2nd-stage sub word (4b) are operated.
US09324403B2
Voltage controlled magnetic tunnel junctions and memory devices are described which provide efficient high speed switching of non-volatile magnetic devices at high cell densities. Implementations are described which provide a wide range of voltage control alternatives with in-plane and perpendicular magnetization, bidirectionally switched magnetization, and control of domain wall dynamics.
US09324393B2
A tracking circuit in a memory macro includes a data line, a tracking cell electrically coupled with the data line, a logical gate, a feedback transistor, and a plurality of pulling devices. The logical gate has an input terminal and an output terminal. The input terminal of the logical gate is electrically coupled with the data line. The feedback transistor has a first terminal, a second terminal, and a gate terminal. The first terminal of the feedback transistor is electrically coupled with the data line, and the gate terminal of the feedback transistor is electrically coupled with the output terminal of the logical gate. The plurality of pulling devices is configured to pull the second terminal of the feedback transistor toward a first voltage.
US09324391B2
A technique to increase transfer rate of command and address signals via a given number of command and address pins in each of one or more integrated circuit memory devices during a clock cycle of a clock signal. In one example embodiment, the command and address signals are sent on both rising and falling edges of a clock cycle of a clock signal to increase the transfer rate and essentially reduce the number of required command and address pins in each integrated circuit memory device.
US09324387B2
A semiconductor memory device may include a memory cell, a bit line connected to the memory cell, a bit line data latch circuit configured to sense-amplify data stored in the memory cell connected to the bit line and to store write data in the memory cell via the bit line; an input/output driver configured to output read data on the bit line to an external device or to drive the write data provided from the external device; and a selection unit configured to select whether the read data and the write data are communicated between the input/output driver and the memory cell with or without use of the bit line data latch circuit.
US09324383B2
An integrated circuit that includes a generator unit connected to one or more pull-up units, one or more pull-up units connected to one or more source lines and an array of memory cells connected to the one or more source lines. The generator unit is configured to set a first voltage signal of each pull-up unit of the one or more pull-up units. Each pull-up unit of the one or more pull-up units is connected with the corresponding source line of the one or more source lines and is configured to set a current of the corresponding source line of the one or more source lines. The array of memory cells is electrically connected to the one or more source lines and one or more bit lines.
US09324381B2
An OTP memory cell including an antifuse unit and a select transistor is provided. The antifuse unit includes an antifuse layer and an antifuse gate disposed on a substrate in sequence, a modified extension doped region disposed in the substrate below the antifuse layer, and a first doped region and a second doped region disposed in the substrate at two opposite sides of the antifuse gate. The select transistor includes a select gate, a gate dielectric layer, a second doped region, and a third doped region. The select gate is disposed on the substrate. The gate dielectric layer is disposed between the select gate and the substrate. The second and the third doped region are respectively disposed in the substrate at two opposite sides of the select gate. The doped region, the antifuse layer and the antifuse gate form a varactor.
US09324376B2
Traditionally, time-lapse videos are constructed from images captured at given time intervals called “temporal points of interests” or “temporal POIs.” Disclosed herein are intelligent systems and methods of capturing and selecting better images around temporal points of interest for the construction of improved time-lapse videos. According to some embodiments, a small “burst” of images may be captured, centered around the aforementioned temporal points of interest. Then, each burst sequence of images may be analyzed, e.g., by performing a similarity comparison between each image in the burst sequence and the image selected at the previous temporal point of interest. Selecting the image from a given burst that is most similar to the previous selected image allows the intelligent systems and methods described herein to improve the quality of the resultant time-lapse video by discarding “outlier” or other undesirable images captured in the burst sequence around a particular temporal point of interest.
US09324374B2
A method and a system for automatic generation of clips from a plurality of images based on inter-object relationships score are provided herein. The method may include: obtaining a plurality of images, wherein at least two of the images contain at least one object over a background; analyzing at least some of the images to detect objects; extracting geometrical meta-data of at least some of the detected objects; calculating an inter-object relationships score for at least some of the detected objects; and determining a spatio-temporal arrangement of at least some of the objects and at least some of the images based at least partially on the inter-object relationships score and the geometrical meta-data of at least some of the detected objects.
US09324371B2
The present invention is related to systems and methods for serial application of different decode algorithms to a processing data set. In some cases, a first data decode algorithm may be applied to a first detected output, and a second data decode algorithm may be applied to a second detected output. In such a case, the second detected output may be generated based at least in part on the result of applying the first data decode algorithm.
US09324367B1
A shingled magnetic recording (SMR) append-only file system includes a disk comprising a plurality of concentric append-only shingled data bands having partially overlapping data tracks, wherein the data bands are associated with a circular linked list having a head data band and a tail data band, the head data band and the tail data band each comprising a plurality of data blocks. The system also includes a processor configured to write data blocks to the disk, and create a new file wherein an empty data band of the plurality of data bands is removed from the circular linked list and added to a single linked list of the new file.
US09324365B2
A data processor for processing a data stream having audio and video data has an input buffer for buffering the data stream; a data stream analyzer for analyzing the data stream for finding information on a plurality of language-specific content in different languages; a queuing buffer for queuing a plurality of parallel queues, each queue having only language-specific content in the same language; and a feeder for feeding a selected queue in accordance with a language selection signal to a subsequent processing stage, wherein a non-selected queue is not fed by the feeder. Also disclosed are a corresponding method for processing a data stream and a computer-readable digital storage medium. The data processor or the method for processing a data stream reduces a delay experience by a user when switching from one language-specific content to another language-specific content in a different language, even if the processing is done on an architecture that needs ample data buffering to compensate for variations in the system load, such as a personal computer system with the standard operating system.
US09324361B2
A method including: reading a portion of stored data from a storage medium, decrypting the portion of stored data, then if changes are requested, making the changes to the portion of stored data to produce changed data, encrypting the changed data, and writing the encrypted changed data to the storage medium. An apparatus that performs the method is also included.
US09324356B2
A multi-stack optical data storage medium (30) for recording and reading using a focused radiation beam (40) entering through an entrance face (41) of the medium (30) is described. It has a first substrate (31a) with present on a side thereof a first recording stack (33) named L0, comprising a recordable type L0 recording layer (35), formed in a first L0 guide groove (38a, 38b). A first reflective layer (39) is present between the first L0 recording layer (35) and the first substrate (31a). A second substrate (31b) with present on a side thereof a second recording stack (32) named L1 is present at a position closer to the entrance face (41) than the L0 recording stack (33) and formed in a second L1 guide groove (37). A transparent spacer layer (36) is sandwiched between the recording stacks (32, 33). The first L0 guide groove (38a, 38b) has a depth GL0<100 nm. In this way a relatively high reflection value of the L0 stack is achieved at a radiation beam wavelength of approximately 655 nm.
US09324354B2
Magnetic storage media that include a multilayer structure are described. In general, the magnetic storage media include a substrate, an underlayer that includes a plurality of underlayer particles formed over the substrate, and a magnetic layer that includes a plurality of magnetic particles formed over the underlayer. The magnetic layer may define a saturated magnetization and thickness product less than or equal to approximately 1.00 memu per square centimeter, and the magnetic particles may be selected from the group consisting of magnetic platelet-shaped particles and magnetic particles with an aspect ratio less than or equal to approximately 1.5. In addition, the described magnetic storage media may exhibit minimal interlayer diffusion between the underlayer and magnetic layer. Reduced interlayer diffusion between different layers of a magnetic recording medium may result in an improved magnetic recording surface for recording and storing data.
US09324353B2
In one embodiment, a magnetic media suitable for HAMR recording includes a recording layer having first and second magnetic layers. The first magnetic layer has a first segregant between magnetic grains thereof, the first segregant being primarily C. Moreover, the second magnetic layer is formed above the first magnetic layer. The second magnetic layer has a second segregant between magnetic grains thereof, the second segregant being primarily C and a second component. Additional systems and methods are also described herein.
US09324352B1
Embodiments disclosed herein provide systems and methods for identifying similarly located wireless devices. In a particular embodiment, a method provides processing location information that indicates past locations of the wireless communication devices to generate location profiles for the wireless communication devices. The method further provides processing groups of the location profiles to determine location-similarity metrics among the location profiles within the groups and determining if any of the location-similarity metrics for any of the groups satisfies a similarity criteria indicating similarly located devices. If one of the location-similarity metrics for one of the groups satisfies the similarity criteria, then the method provides generating device information indicating a location-association among the wireless communication devices that correspond to the location profiles in that one group.
US09324350B2
An apparatus according to one embodiment includes a magnetic head having servo writers each configured to write a servo pattern having a first magnetic bar and a third magnetic bar oriented to form a chevron-like pattern with the first magnetic bar, the first magnetic bars each having a longitudinal axis oriented at a first angle between 2 and 88 degrees from an intended direction of tape travel thereacross, the third magnetic bars each having a longitudinal axis oriented at a second angle between 2 and 88 degrees from the intended direction of tape travel thereacross, the second angle having a different numerical absolute value than the first angle. The apparatus also includes a drive mechanism for passing the magnetic recording tape over the magnetic head, and a controller electrically coupled to the magnetic head.
US09324338B2
A method determines from an input noisy signal sequences of hidden variables including at least one sequence of hidden variables representing an excitation component of the clean speech signal, at least one sequence of hidden variables representing a filter component of the clean speech signal, and at least one sequence of hidden variables representing the noise signal. The sequences of hidden variables include hidden variables determined as a non-negative linear combination of non-negative basis functions. The determination uses the model of the clean speech signal that includes a non-negative source-filter dynamical system (NSFDS) constraining the hidden variables representing the excitation and the filter components to be statistically dependent over time. The method generates an output signal using a product of corresponding hidden variables representing the excitation and the filter components.
US09324337B2
A method and system for enhancing dialog determined by an audio input signal. In some embodiments the input signal is a stereo signal, and the system includes an analysis subsystem configured to analyze the stereo signal to generate filter control values, and a filtering subsystem including upmixing circuitry configured to upmix the input signal to generate a speech channel and non-speech channels and a peaking filter configured to filter the speech channel to enhance dialog while being steered by at least one of the control values. The filtering subsystem also includes ducking circuitry for attenuating the non-speech channels while being steered by at least some of the control values, and downmixing circuitry configured to combine outputs of the peaking filter and ducking circuitry to generate a filtered stereo output. In some embodiments, the system is configured to downmix a multichannel input signal to generate a downmixed stereo signal, an analysis subsystem is configured to analyze the downmixed stereo signal to generate filter control values, and a filtering subsystem is configured to generate a dialog-enhanced audio signal in response to the input signal while being steered by at least some of the filter control values. Preferably, the filter control values are generated without use of feedback including by generating power ratios (for pairs of speech and non-speech channels) and preferably also shaping in nonlinear fashion and scaling at least one of the power ratios.
US09324335B2
In some embodiments, a multistage filter whose biquad filter stages are combined with latency between the stages, a system (e.g., an audio encoder or decoder) including such a filter, and methods for multistage biquad filtering. In typical embodiments, all biquad filter stages of the filter are operable independently to perform fully parallelized processing of data. In some embodiments, the inventive multistage filter includes a buffer memory, at least two biquad filter stages, and a controller coupled and configured to assert a single stream of instructions to the filter stages. Typically, the multistage filter is configured to perform multistage filtering of a block of input samples in a single processing loop with iteration over a sample index but without iteration over a biquadratic filter stage index.
US09324333B2
Speech encoders and methods of speech encoding are disclosed that encode inactive frames at different rates. Apparatus and methods for processing an encoded speech signal are disclosed that calculate a decoded frame based on a description of a spectral envelope over a first frequency band and the description of a spectral envelope over a second frequency band, in which the description for the first frequency band is based on information from a corresponding encoded frame and the description for the second frequency band is based on information from at least one preceding encoded frame. Calculation of the decoded frame may also be based on a description of temporal information for the second frequency band that is based on information from at least one preceding encoded frame.
US09324331B2
Provided are a coding device, a communication processing device, and a coding method, whereby processing operation load (computational load) is significantly reduced for a configuration which computes either frame energy or sub-frame energy of an input signal, using auto-correlation operations, without causing a decline in the precision of either the frame energy or the sub-frame energy. In a coding device (101), a sub-frame energy computation unit (201) computes the sub-frame energy by substituting the sum of input signal auto-correlation operations in a first range with the sum of auto-correlation operations in a second range which differs at least partially from the first range.
US09324319B2
Method and apparatus for segmenting speech by detecting the pauses between the words and/or phrases, and to determine whether a particular time interval contains speech or non-speech, such as a pause.
US09324315B2
The present invention relates to a type of vibrating membrane for speakers comprising the vibrating membrane body which comprises: A bottom layer used to reinforce the low frequency, a surface disposed on the said bottom layer, a composite metal layer used to ensure vibration uniformity, and a composite platy layer used for HF compensation disposed between the said bottom layer and the said composite metal layer. A type of speaker with the structure of the said vibrating membrane is also disclosed in the invention. Application of the vibrating membrane for speakers and the speaker using the said vibrating membrane as claimed in the invention could be such as to: enable excellent transient response speed, ensure vibration uniformity and obtain flat response in the working area; eliminate MF (medium frequency) and HF (high frequency) resonance to meet the full frequency band requirements of the headphone speakers; boast good flexural behavior to make the speaker structure more stable and less prone to deformation, thereby extending the service life and promoting the quality of the product.
US09324307B1
An instrument cover system for displaying dynamic or static images. A display coating having electronic ink is disposed on a front surface of a guitar body. The display coating is operatively connected to a display processor, which is operatively connected a display memory component adapted to store instructions that causes the processor to perform operations for displaying an image. A first control button is operatively connected to the display processor and functions to change the image on display. A connector component is operatively connected to the display processor and functions to allow the system to connect to a power source or a separate electronic device. The electronic device has a device memory for storing instructions that causes a device processor to perform operations for changing and displaying an image.
US09324303B2
Embodiments of techniques and apparatus for open angle detection and processing are described. In embodiments, an apparatus may comprise a first panel having a display, a second panel movably coupled with the first panel. The first and second panels variably define an angle between these two panels. One or more sensors may be disposed in the apparatus and configured to detect an angle change event of the variable angle between two panels. The angle changing information may be used by an application to vary output of the application onto the display. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.
US09324293B2
Embodiments of the invention are generally directed to conversion of multimedia data streams for use by connected devices. An embodiment of a method for processing data includes receiving a data stream in a first multimedia data format at a first device, and inserting a replacement video portion into the received data stream to generate a modified multimedia data stream in a second multimedia data format. The modified data stream is provided to a second device coupled to the first device.
US09324292B2
Techniques for selecting an interaction scenario based on an object are described in various implementations. A method that implements the techniques may include receiving, at a computer system and from an image capture device, an image that depicts a viewing area proximate to a presentation device. The method may also include processing the image, using the computer system, to detect a user in the viewing area presenting an object in a manner that indicates desired interaction with the presentation device. The method may also include selecting, using the computer system, an interaction scenario for presentation on the presentation device based on the object.
US09324285B2
A display device is provided with a display panel; a correction circuit which performs gamma correction on target image data in response to correction data specifying a gamma curve; and a driver circuit driving the display panel in response to gamma-corrected data received from the correction circuit. The correction circuit is configured to perform approximate gamma correction in accordance with a correction expression in which the target image data is defined as a variable of the correction expression and coefficients of the same are determined on the correction data, and to modify the correction data in response to target image data associated with the target pixel of the gamma correction and the pixel adjacent to the target pixel.
US09324270B2
In one aspect, an emission driving unit and an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display having the same are disclosed. The emission driving unit includes an input signal generating circuit that receives a FLM signal according to a first clock signal, receives a second clock signal according to the FLM signal, and outputs a sequential input signal. The emission driving unit also includes an inverter circuit that receives the FLM signal according to the first clock signal, and that inverts the FLM signal to generate an inverter output signal. The emission driving unit also includes an output switching circuit that outputs a first voltage having a logic high level or a second voltage having a logic low level as an emission signal in response to the inverter output signal. The input signal generating circuit, the inverter circuit, and the output switching circuit are implemented by transistors of the same kind.
US09324258B2
The display apparatus has a plurality of arrayed pixel circuits. Each of the pixel circuits has a current light emitting device; a driving transistor supplying current to the current light emitting device; a first capacitor having a first terminal connected with a gate of the driving transistor; a second capacitor connected between a second terminal of the first capacitor and a source of the driving transistor; a first switch applying a reference voltage to a node at which the first capacitor and the second capacitor are connected; a second switch supplying an image signal voltage to the gate of the driving transistor, and a third switch supplying an initialization voltage to the source of the driving transistor.
US09324255B2
An electro-optic device according an embodiment of the invention can increase the number of gray scales capable of being expressed. A liquid crystal panel is viewed via a blocking unit which blocks the field of view in a predetermined non-viewing period. A converting unit converts, based on a video signal, a gray-scale value input for each frame composed of a subfields into a subfield code indicating a combination of ON and OFF of b (2≦b≦a) subfields included in a viewing period other than the non-viewing period and c (1≦c≦b) subfields included in the non-viewing period. A driving unit drives a plurality of electro-optic elements each based on the converted subfield code.
US09324251B2
A mobile terminal comprising a stereoscopic display unit outputting a stereoscopic image is disclosed. In one embodiment the stereoscopic display unit comprises a display element configured to periodically display left and right images, a refractive lens unit disposed to overlap with the display element and configured to change refractive characteristics thereof, and a controller configured to control the refractive characteristics of the refractive lens unit such that a refraction direction of transmitted light is periodically changed to make the left and right images face in different directions.
US09324244B1
A multi-nodal distributed operant conditioning system and method consisting of a user node and one or more networked subject nodes. A user audience at a user node engages in operant conditioning with a subject at a networked subject node by observing real time image data of the subject and effecting operant conditioning signals to the subject in response to operantly offered behaviors by the subject. The multi-nodal, distributed nature of the embodiments provides for uses by a user audience in educational, entertainment, or therapeutic behavioral modification settings.
US09324243B2
A musical-score performing apparatus is provided. In the apparatus, a musical-score displaying unit with a displaying screen displays a musical score of music on the displaying screen, the musical score being represented by a form of multiple staffs, and a designating unit is used to designate a position on the displaying screen of the musical-score displaying unit. A play-back controlling unit plays back the music represented by apart or the whole of the multiple staffs of the musical score in accordance with the position designated on the displaying screen.
US09324239B2
An authoring tool to structure and create a computer-based training course includes a role allocation module to facilitate an allocation of a user to at least one of an instructional design role and a content definition role with respect to the authoring tool. A function allocation module facilitates an allocation of a first set of functions, provided by the authoring tool, to the instructional design role, and also facilitates an allocation of a second set of functions, provided by the authoring tool, to the content definition role.
US09324237B2
Methods and systems for determining a change of speed of an aircraft for enabling the avoidance of conflicts between aircraft trajectories. The method of determining a change in speed of an aircraft, comprises the steps of: defining a merge point and a tie point; monitoring a first aircraft; determining when the first aircraft passes the tie point; providing trajectory data; predicting a trajectory of a second aircraft using the trajectory data; defining a minimum permissible longitudinal spacing; predicting a longitudinal spacing between the first and second aircraft at the merge point based on the predicted trajectory; and if the minimum permissible longitudinal spacing is greater than the predicted longitudinal spacing then calculating a proposed change in speed of the second aircraft that will result in the longitudinal spacing between the first and second aircraft at the merge point being greater than or equal to the minimum permissible longitudinal spacing.
US09324235B2
A vehicle (1) having a vehicle information acquisition unit (11) which acquires image captured by a vehicle mounted sensor (20) and a camera (21), a vehicle information transmission unit (13) which transmits vehicle information data indicating information acquired by the vehicle information acquisition unit (11) to a host computer (50), a first arithmetic processing result reception unit (14) which receives first arithmetic processing result data replied from the host computer (50), and a driving assistance unit (17) which executes driving assistance processing based on the first arithmetic processing result data, the host computer (50) has a vehicle information reception unit (52) which receives vehicle information data, a first arithmetic processing unit (53) which executes first arithmetic processing on vehicle information data, and a first arithmetic processing result transmission unit (54) which transmits first arithmetic processing result data indicating the first arithmetic processing result to the vehicle (1).
US09324233B2
A vehicle contact warning method and system are provided in a host vehicle. A communication device of the host vehicle receives a remote vehicle message including information pertaining to a remote vehicle including a remote vehicle location and a remote vehicle trajectory. A controller of the host vehicle prepares a host vehicle location and a host vehicle trajectory. The controller determines a possibility of contact between the host vehicle and the remote vehicle at a contact location at a contact time based on a host vehicle travel time from the host vehicle location to the contact location based on the host vehicle information and a remote vehicle travel time from the remote vehicle location to the contact location based on the remote vehicle information. The controller automatically operates an external warning device to the host vehicle, the remote vehicle, or both, upon determining the possibility of contact exists between the host vehicle and the remote vehicle.
US09324226B2
Method of implementing a disaster identification system by utilizing personal illuminated displays to visually communicate with search and rescue personnel. The method consists of holding or attaching an illuminated display to people and pets that are located in a disaster stricken area. In one exemplary method, the illuminated displays are set by the users to certain colors and flash patterns to indicate their location, group make up and condition to search and rescue personnel patrolling the area. The night is now utilized to discover survivor's locations and conditions, something that is not done today.
US09324218B2
A personal alarm light operates as a multi-purpose emergency tool having a power pack of batteries powering a white light beam, as well as a radially emanating red light ring. An audible alarm has a loud, typically high-pitched oscillating sound. A resonance chamber amplifies the sound, which emanates from apertures delivering sound radially away from the resonance chamber. Crowns on each end of the tool provide regions of reduced area and alternating relieved sections about the circumference thereof, in order to provide increased impact pressure from the points when used as hammers to break glass, or as strikers to cut through fabric or other sheet materials.
US09324213B2
A system and method are provided to combine a gambling establishment player club with one or more second chance games. Players are thereby given multiple opportunities and incentives to interact with the gambling establishment and player club. The gambling establishment is thereby able to gather valuable player data, build player profiles, and incentivize players to take actions desired by the gambling establishment.
US09324211B2
A gaming machine includes a gaming console. A display is mounted in the gaming console for displaying a wagering game and its result. A controller controls operation of the game, the controller displaying the result of a first game on the display, making payment of a prize if the first game has a prize winning result and, thereafter, irrespective of the result of the first game, varying a result displayed on the display without requiring any additional wager by a player whether before or after completion of the first game.
US09324210B2
A system and method are provided for performing a cashless gaming ticket redemption transaction for a customer in a casino environment. The system includes a gaming machine, such as a slot machine, that the customer plays. Rather than issuing cash to the customer, the gaming machine issues a redemption ticket with a unique identifier to the customer. The unique identifier and the amount of the customer's winnings accrued on the gaming machine are stored and associated on a redemption ticket database. When the customer wishes to redeem the winnings, the redemption ticket is introduced to a multi-function ATM. To perform the ticket redemption transaction, the ATM is adapted to electronically accept the redemption ticket and read the unique identifier. The ATM then electronically communicates with the redemption database to retrieve the predetermined dollar value associated with the unique identifier. Finally, the ATM transfers to the customer an award equal to the predetermined dollar value in cash or credit.
US09324204B2
A secure charging station for portable electronic devices (PEDs) may include plurality of individual charging sub-stations, each with an associated charging port, PED sensing area and authentication system. The PED sensing area includes one or more sensors sensing the presence and/or absence of the PED. The authentication system permits a PED owner to enter authentication information, such as a four-digit code via keypad, or information on a credit card, to initiate a secure mode in which unauthorized removal of the PED will trigger an alarm. When in the secure mode, the charging station may display a signal to notify unauthorized persons that tampering or removal of a corresponding PED from the sensing area will trigger an alarm. When charging is complete, or when the owner desires to remove the PED from the secure sensing area, he or she again enters authentication information via the authentication system to cause the PED sensing area to assume an unsecure mode, which permits removal of the PED without the sounding of an alarm.
US09324200B2
A work machine includes a tank that stores liquid. The work machine includes a calculation unit configured to obtain a difference between an amount of the liquid inside the tank acquired at a first timing and an amount of the liquid inside the tank acquired at a second timing after the first timing, and a notification unit configured to notify abnormality information indicating occurrence of abnormality related to the tank in the case where an operating time of the work machine during a period from the first timing to the second timing is equal to or smaller than a first threshold and also the difference is equal to or larger than a second threshold, and further configured not to notify the abnormality information in the case where the operating time is larger than a second threshold.
US09324199B2
Methods and systems are provided for expediting engine system heating by stagnating coolant in one of a plurality of loops in an engine cooling system. Degradation of the various valves and thermostats of the cooling system can be diagnosed by adjusting the valve and monitoring changes in one or more of coolant temperature, transmission temperature and cabin temperature. Based on engine operating conditions, the various valves may be adjusted to vary coolant temperature in different regions of the cooling system, thereby providing fuel economy benefits.
US09324194B2
A system and method of customizing a data retrieval and storage device for communication with a specific vehicle after the device is initially connected to the vehicle. The system includes a master database having communication information arranged by vehicle specific information, and an automotive scan tool having an incomplete set of preloaded communication information stored thereon. The automotive scan tool is configured to retrieve an electronic VIN from the vehicle and upload the electronic VIN to the master database. After receiving the electronic VIN, the master database identifies the specific communication information associated with the vehicle and communicates such information to the automotive scan tool to compliment the preloaded communication information.
US09324178B2
A system comprises an electron beam directed toward a three-dimensional object with one tilting angle and at least two azimuth angles, a detector configured to receive a plurality of scanning electron microscope (SEM) images from the three-dimensional object and a processor configured to calculate a height and a sidewall edge of the three-dimensional object.
US09324169B2
A computer-implemented method for identifying relationships between entities includes accessing a first data structure being a two-dimensional array of scalar elements (e, eij, ekl(i)) representable as a matrix, each of the scalar elements capturing a relationship between two entities; reorganizing the first data structure by clustering the scalar elements separately on each dimension of the two-dimensional array, to obtain a second data structure, representable as a K×M block matrix, wherein each block is a reordered sequence of rows and/or columns of the first data structure; compacting the second data structure by: determining two parallel block sequences, which are the most similar according to a given distance measure, the parallel block sequences being either distinct rows or distinct columns of blocks of the second data structure; and reorganizing the second data structure by merging the two determined sequences into a single block sequence.
US09324166B2
Methods and systems for rendering an electronic greeting card to a portable computing device, wherein the visually-perceived light effects of the electronic greeting card are updated in real time. The electronic greeting card is dynamically rendered to the portable computing device including these dynamic light effects.
US09324164B2
This invention makes it possible to detect only a relatively large mismatch while allowing a mismatch to some extent between an LDR image and HDR information, which are stored in a single file, caused by editing of the LDR image. An apparatus of this invention generates, from an input HDR image, an LDR image and difference information representing a difference between the LDR image and the HDR image. The generated LDR image is encoded. Information formed from data representing a local feature of the LDR image is calculated as LDR meta-data. The apparatus generates a file by storing the encoded data in a main encoded data storage region and storing the difference information and the LDR meta-data in a marker defined as a non-reference region for an LDR image decoding apparatus in the file structure.
US09324158B2
An image processing device executes: a determination process of determining similarity of a motion of a subject in each of a plurality of pieces of moving image data stored in the storing unit; a selection process of selecting a specific piece of moving image data from among the pieces of moving image data on the basis of the similarity determined by the determination step; and an output process of outputting information of a selection result by the selection step.
US09324155B2
Systems and methods for determining parameters for image analysis are provided. One method includes obtaining ultrasound data of an object, generating an image of the object, and identifying a region of interest in the image. The method also includes determining a plurality of spatially varying parameters for image analysis of the region of interest using prior information for one or more objects of interest, including prior location information for the one or more objects of interest, and wherein the plurality of spatially varying parameters are determined for a plurality of sections of the region of interest and different for at least some of the plurality of sections. The method further includes using the plurality of spatially varying parameters for performing image analysis of the region of interest in the image to determine the location of the one or more objects of interest.
US09324136B2
A method, an electronic apparatus, and a computer readable medium for processing reflection in an image are proposed. In the method, a first image and a second image are obtained. A plurality of objects in the first image and the second image are recognized and a plurality of lighting regions having a brightness higher than a first threshold in the first image and the second image are detected. Then, a plurality of displacements between corresponding objects and corresponding lighting regions in the first image and the second image are calculated. It is determined whether a ratio of the displacement of the object nearby one of the lighting regions to the displacement of the lighting region is over a second threshold. Finally, the lighting region is determined as a reflection if the ratio is over the second threshold.
US09324129B2
Improved methods and apparatus for cross-sectional scanning of parts employ a scanning station in which the focal plane of the scanning apparatus never moves in the vertical direction, i.e., the direction in which the stage of the part/potting combination moves. Distinct steps of material removal and scanning alternate with an intermediate step of moving the part/potting combination in the vertical direction after a surface layer has been removed, thus placing the newly-created surface back into the non-moving focal plane for the next scanning step. A removal station (not the stage carrying the part/potting combination) repeatedly moves into and out of the field of view of the scanning station between scanning steps. The material removal station is specially configured to remove the desired surface layer of the part/potting combination and the created debris, without requiring the separate environment characteristic of previous commercial applications.
US09324112B2
The author ranking technique described herein is a technique to rank authors in social media systems along various dimensions, using a variety of statistical methods for utilizing those dimensions. More particularly, the technique ranks authors in social media systems through a combination of statistical techniques that leverage usage metrics, and social and topical graph characteristics. In various exemplary embodiments, the technique can rank author authority by the following: 1) temporal analysis of link sharing in which authority is computed based on a user's propensity to provide early links to web pages that subsequently become popular; 2) topical authority based on the author's links and content updates in specific topic areas; and 3) popularity and influence based on nodal properties of authors.
US09324111B2
Normalizing codified data in an eligibility response and proactively identifying insurance eligibility and benefit documentation issues is provided. Data in an eligibility response may be mapped with other data including data received from healthcare providers, payers, data from inquiries, etc. The data may be stored in tables, and/or in internal and external databases. If there are any determined issues discovered, an alert of the issue found is embedded in the response or the determined issue may be automatically corrected. The alert may provide an instruction on how to rectify the issue to a healthcare provider administrative user. The formatting and structure of the eligibility response may be normalized such that message segments relating to a same service type are grouped together, providing a consistently formatted normalized response. Accordingly, an end user may be able to more easily find information in the normalized eligibility response.
US09324100B2
A card reader is positioned in a housing that has length, height and width dimensions. The read head is configured to be coupled to a mobile device and has a slot for swiping a magnetic stripe of a card. The read head reads data on the magnetic stripe and produces a signal indicative of data stored on the magnetic stripe. The read head has length, height and width edge surfaces. An asymmetric spring is coupled to the read head. The asymmetric spring positions the read head to be offset in the housing with the housing length and height edges being non-symmetrical in respect to the length and height edges of the read head. An output jack is adapted to be inserted in a port of the mobile device and deliver an output jack signal to the mobile device.
US09324095B2
Identifying on-line advertising conversions includes identifying, at a computer server system, a plurality of reports from one or more computing devices, wherein each of the reports indicates a clock skew between one of the computing devices and a clock server system; using the clock skews to determine that two or more of the reports are likely from a common computing device; determining that the two or more of the reports are common, in that they correspond to display of an advertisement on the common computing device and to purchase of on-line content with the common computing device; and indicating that a purchase conversion occurred based on determining that the two or more of the reports are common.
US09324092B2
A content control system is provided for displaying mixed media content. The content control system includes a display module, a content module and a control module. The display module includes a display device and a information appliance device connected to the display device. The information appliance devices includes a display processor to processes a signal into displayable content for the display device. The content module is connected to the information appliance device and includes a storage device storing data for the signal and a content processor that sends the signal to the information appliance device. The control module connects to the content module and includes a user interface to view and select the data to be displayed on the display device.
US09324088B2
In one aspect, a computing apparatus is configured to generate trigger records for a transaction handler to identify authorization requests that satisfy the conditions specified in the trigger records, identify communication preferences of the users associated with the identified authorization requests, and use the communication preferences to target real-time messages at the users in parallel with the transaction handler providing responses to the respective authorization requests.
US09324082B2
A computer-implemented system and method for providing information tagging in a networked system is disclosed. The apparatus in an example embodiment includes a tag engine configured to process a database of categorized product listings; to receive a user-provided tag associated with at least one of the product listings; to retain the user-provided tag; and to serve the user-provided tag to a user viewing at least one of the product listings.
US09324077B2
A system, method, and computer program product are used to issue and track debit cards. A system comprises an enrolling system that verifies an enrollee, associates an enrollee's main and overdraft account, and issues a debit card, an authentication system that receives information regarding a requested transaction of a debit card and that receives information regarding the main and overdraft account associated with the debit card and accepts or rejects the requested transaction based thereon, and a settlement system that generates a periodic report of at least one of the transactions, the main account, and the overdraft account. The overdraft account can be a charge or credit account.
US09324068B2
A financial transaction is facilitated without unlocking a mobile device, where the lock screen wallpaper of a mobile device is dynamically set to an image having a scanning code (e.g., a QR code, a barcode, etc.) for use at a business location that the user is currently located.
US09324067B2
The present disclosure relates to making payments with a mobile device. In one example process, the mobile device receives and stores information for one or more payment accounts on the mobile device. The mobile device is used to make payments using the payment accounts. In some examples, authorization to proceed with a payment is performed before each purchase made by the user. The authorization process can include receiving a verification of the user, such as a fingerprint scan or passcode. In some examples, a payment account is selected from among available payment accounts. In some examples, an indication is displayed of a digital item associated with a purchased item. In some examples, a payment transaction is initiated with participants of an ongoing communication. In some examples, an application of a retailer is invoked based on the availability of the application. In some examples, a purchase recommendation is provided.
US09324065B2
In some examples, a merchant device at a point of sale (POS) location may present information to a merchant in a first language preferred by the merchant, and may present information to a buyer in a second language preferred by the buyer. The merchant device may switch between the different languages in response to detecting a change in the physical orientation of a display. For instance, in a first orientation in which the display is viewable from a merchant direction, the merchant device may present information in the language preferred by the merchant. When the orientation of the display is changed to a second orientation in which the display is viewable from a buyer direction, the merchant device may present information in the language indicated to be preferred by the buyer. Various techniques may be used for determining the preferred language of a particular buyer.
US09324058B2
Creating and managing an editable cache of unsent message fragments during conversations using real-time messaging systems (such as instant messaging, text messaging, chat sessions, and so forth). Using this cache, a user participating in a real-time messaging conversation can cache at least one message fragment, and can then recall selected fragments for review and/or editing (as desired by the particular user) before sending to other conversation participants. Preferably, any unsent message fragment from the cache can be sent, upon request of the user, through a mouse click or keystroke.
US09324056B2
Systems and techniques that can be used for analyzing a social network or any other type of entity networks. In an effort to preserve the privacy rights of individuals, a model of a real entity network can be generated that is a balanced representation of the entity network, and various tests can be performed on metadata in the model. For example, the model network can be generated based on only two data portions: the total number of nodes in the network and the number of relations per node.
US09324055B2
Techniques to manage remote events are described. An apparatus may comprise a processor circuit and a remote event application arranged for execution by the processor circuit. The remote event application may be operative to manage remote event notifications for a publisher entity and a subscriber entity. The remote event application may comprise, among other elements, an event monitor component operative to receive an external event notification message with a publisher entity event for the publisher entity. The event monitor component may select a custom event receiver component associated with the publisher entity from among multiple custom event receiver components, and send the external event notification message to the selected custom event receiver component. The custom event receiver component may implement custom business logic, such as code callouts designed for specific application programs or system programs. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US09324054B2
Document exchange is disclosed between a computer and a portable device equipped with camera functionality, memory storage, network interface, and appropriate software. An image of a computer screen is captured by the portable device. The computer screen is displaying a document intended for exchanging. The portable device examines the image to identify marking indicia that provides location information about the document. When such marking indicia is found, it is translated and used to transmit a request for a copy to the computer where the document is stored. On receipt of the request, the computer transmits the copy to the portable device.
US09324048B2
Security personnel time is assigned to a store property by generating an incident score based on a probability of an incident occurring on a store property. A set of ranges of incident scores, each range being associated with a number of hours of security personnel time, are retrieved from computer memory. A range of incident scores in the set of ranges of incident scores that the generated incident score falls within is identified and an associated number of hours of security personnel time is retrieved. Security personnel time is assigned to the store property using a processor based on the number of hours of security personnel time retrieved for the identified range of incident scores.
US09324045B2
A computer implemented method for instantiating a process in a process modelling system may include modelling the process as a process model, said process model comprising process objects and automatically transforming the process model into a meta model, said meta model comprising the process objects of the process model as definitions of process object types in said meta model. Further, a process modelling system and a non-transitory computer readable media containing a computer program for performing said method are provided.
US09324044B2
A method (1500) for generating a Generalized Missing Rule (GMR). The method involves receiving descriptions of First Scopes (FSs) that are admissible for a First Rule Project (FRP). FRP comprises first rules. Each FS is defined by at least one object characterizing a case. An Expanded Set of Scope Descriptions (ESSD) is generated by adding descriptions of Second Scopes (SSs) covered by FRP to the descriptions of FSs. An Implicit Description (ID) of FSs and SSs is produced. An Incomplete Most-General Scope (IMGS) is identified from FSs and SSs using ID. IMGS is a scope which is defined by a minimal set of objects, is admissible for FRP and covers at least one case which is not treated by a Second Rule Project (SRP). A Missing Case (MC) of IMGS is identified. MC is not treated by FRP. GMR is generated using MC and IMGS.
US09324041B2
A method of identifying an element. The method comprises setting a training set comprising a plurality of data units, selecting a function group of building block functions adapted for processing said plurality of data units, combining members of said function group to create a stream of a plurality of combination functions each complied from at least two members of said function group, applying each member of said stream on each of said plurality of data units to create a set of results, analyzing said set of results to identify a correlation between at least one member of said stream and a target variable for an analysis of said plurality of data units, and outputting said at least one member or an indication thereof.
US09324035B2
An apparatus and a method predict a patient's potential change of Coronary Artery Calcification (CAC) level using various risk factors including a Coronary Artery Calcification Score (CACS). The apparatus includes a receiving unit, a cluster determining unit, a risk factor score extracting unit, a prediction model storage unit, a prediction model learning unit, and a predicting unit, and the method includes a receiving process, a risk factor score extracting process, and an operation performing process.
US09324024B2
In some examples, a method for recognizing a pseudo message is described. The method may include receiving a message intended for a recipient having an associated recipient Ontology. The method may also include semantically analyzing content of the message to determine whether the content is inconsistent with any rules in the recipient Ontology. The method may also include, upon a determination that the content is inconsistent with a rule in the recipient Ontology, authenticating the message as a pseudo message.
US09324022B2
Embodiments are directed towards classifying data using machine learning that may be incrementally refined based on expert input. Data provided to a deep learning model that may be trained based on a plurality of classifiers and sets of training data and/or testing data. If the number of classification errors exceeds a defined threshold classifiers may be modified based on data corresponding to observed classification errors. A fast learning model may be trained based on the modified classifiers, the data, and the data corresponding to the observed classification errors. And, another confidence value may be generated and associated with the classification of the data by the fast learning model. Report information may be generated based on a comparison result of the confidence value associated with the fast learning model and the confidence value associated with the deep learning model.
US09324018B2
The invention relates to a method of producing, by vacuum deposition of at least one conducting material on a supporting means, radiofrequency identification elements as well as to radiofrequency identification elements that can be obtained by implementing such a method. The present invention is directed to a method of production allowing low-cost fabrication of radiofrequency identification elements which have high-performance and are also discrete. To achieve this, the invention provides for the use of a vacuum deposition technique for producing the antenna on a support means previously covered with a bonding coat, such as a layer of varnish. More precisely, the subject of the invention is a method of producing at least one radiofrequency identification element consisting in producing at least one antenna (8) on a support means (2) by vacuum deposition of at least one conducting material (10) on a receiving surface (2a) of the support means (2), characterized in that at least a part of the receiving surface (2a) is previously covered with a bonding coat (6).
US09324012B2
Disclosed are a method and system of rendering clear texturing on a media substrate. According to one exemplary method, one or more parameters are provided by a user, via a UI (User Interface), to control the clear texturing process, wherein the parameters are associated with, but are not limited to, media sheet area coverage, object type the clear texturing process is to be performed on and maximum/minimum percentage of clear material to be used for rendering the clear texturing.
US09324005B2
In one embodiment, a method of amplifying temporal variation in at least two images includes converting two or more images to a transform representation. The method further includes, for each spatial position within the two or more images, examining a plurality of coefficient values. The method additionally includes calculating a first vector based on the plurality of coefficient values. The first vector can represent change from a first image to a second image of the at least two images describing deformation. The method also includes modifying the first vector to create a second vector. The method further includes calculating a second plurality of coefficients based on the second vector.
US09324004B2
A digital image of the object is captured and the object is recognized from plurality of objects in a database. An information address corresponding to the object is then used to access information and initiate communication pertinent to the object.
US09323998B2
A method for identifying postal mailings includes registering the mailings by means of at least one recognizable pictorial feature and at least one external information item, or both. Further, the method includes carrying out recognition of the pictorial feature to identify a mailing, and if identification is incomplete, performing identification using the external information item.
US09323997B2
Various implementations address distortion and quality measurements related to, for example, freeze-with-skip and/or a freeze-without-skip events. In several implementations, information is accessed indicating that a first and second set of one or more consecutive pictures are not to be displayed. A first and second indicator are determined. In one such implementation, the first and second indicators indicate an amount of distortion across one or more types of distortive effects that result from displaying substantially a first, or second, same picture during a display time for the first, or second, set of pictures. The first and second indicators are combined in a non-linear manner. In another such implementation, the distortion is associated with a given type of distortive effect, from among multiple types of distortive effects, and the first and second indicators are combined for the given type of distortive effect.
US09323994B2
Multi-level hierarchical routing matrices for pattern-recognition processors are provided. One such routing matrix may include one or more programmable and/or non-programmable connections in and between levels of the matrix. The connections may couple routing lines to feature cells, groups, rows, blocks, or any other arrangement of components of the pattern-recognition processor.
US09323992B2
A computerized system mountable on a vehicle operable to detect an object by processing first image frames from a first camera and second image frames from a second camera. A first range is determined to said detected object using the first image frames. An image location is projected of the detected object in the first image frames onto an image location in the second image frames. A second range is determined to the detected object based on both the first and second image frames. The detected object is tracked in both the first and second image frames When the detected object leaves a field of view of the first camera, a third range is determined responsive to the second range and the second image frames.
US09323991B2
A method and system for adaptable video-based object tracking includes acquiring video data from a scene of interest and identifying an initial instance of an object of interest in the acquired video data. A representation of a target object is then established. One or more motion parameters associated with said scene of interest are used to adjust the size of a search neighborhood associated with said target object. The target object is then tracked frame-by-frame in the video data.
US09323984B2
Systems, methods, and non-transitory computer readable media for determining the emotional state of a user are described herein. In one example, the method for determining the emotional state of the user comprises receiving a feed from a sensor at a default sampling frequency, and analyzing the feed to determine facial features of a user. The method further comprises computing an emotional quotient of the user based on the facial features, determining a trigger to re-compute the sampling frequency the feed, based in part on the emotional quotient and computing a new sampling frequency based in part on the trigger. Thereafter, the method comprises generating instructions for the sensor to capture the feed at the new sampling frequency.
US09323979B2
A technique is provided for recognizing faces in an image stream using a digital image acquisition device. A first acquired image is received from an image stream. A first face region is detected within the first acquired image having a given size and a respective location within the first acquired image. First faceprint data uniquely identifying the first face region are extracted along with first peripheral region data around the first face region. The first faceprint and peripheral region data are stored, and the first peripheral region data are associated with the first face region. The first face region is tracked until a face lock is lost. A second face region is detected within a second acquired image from the image stream. Second peripheral region data around the second face region are extracted. The second face region is identified upon matching the first and second peripheral region data.
US09323978B2
An image processing device includes an image acquisition section that acquires a captured image, the captured image having been captured by an imaging section, and including an image of an object, a distance information acquisition section that acquires distance information based on the distance from the imaging section to the object when the imaging section has captured the captured image, a known characteristic information selection section that selects known characteristic information corresponding to a motion amount, and outputs the selected known characteristic information, the known characteristic information being information that indicates known characteristics relating to the structure of the object, and a concavity-convexity information extraction section that extracts information that indicates a concavity-convexity part of the object that meets the characteristics specified by the selected known characteristic information from the distance information as extracted concavity-convexity information.
US09323977B2
An apparatus and method for processing three-dimensional (3D) information is described. The 3D information processing apparatus may measure first depth information of an object using a sensor apparatus such as a depth camera, may estimate a foreground depth of the object, a background depth of a background, and a degree of transparency of the object, may estimate second depth information of the object based on the estimated foreground depth, background depth, and degree of transparency, and may determine the foreground depth, the background depth, and the degree of transparency through comparison between the measured first depth information and the estimated second depth information.
US09323975B2
The present invention relates to a method of determining a representation of a fingerprint pattern. The method comprises the steps of acquiring a reference signal indicative of an electric coupling between a hand surface having friction ridges and a reference sensing structure extending across a plurality of the friction ridges; and determining the representation of the fingerprint pattern based on the reference signal and a capacitive coupling between the finger and each of a plurality of sensing elements. The acquired reference signal can, for example, be used for controlling the sensing elements so that the sensing performed by the sensing elements is carried out using favorable timing, when the signal quality is good. Alternatively, or in combination, the acquired reference signal may be used for post-processing, whereby the signals/signal values obtained by the sensing elements are modified depending on the corresponding values of the reference signal.
US09323974B2
A fingerprint ridge image synthesis system, configured to accurately extract the shape of the ridges contained in a fingerprint image and clearly reproduce the fingerprint of the fingerprint image on an image, includes: a ridge pixel parameter calculation unit that calculates parameter values including wavelet phase, ridge angle, and inter-ridge distance corresponding to each pixel by means of applying continuous wavelet conversion with respect to the gradient of each pixel contained in the fingerprint image; a label optimization processing unit that optimizes/converts the parameter values corresponding to each pixel to values indicating the mutual continuity with the parameter values in surrounding pixels; and a ridge image generation unit that generates the ridge image by means of converting each pixel gradient in the fingerprint image on the basis of the optimal value.
US09323971B2
A biometric authentication apparatus of the present invention comprises: a finger-tip placing detecting means for detecting placing of a finger-tip onto a finger-tip placing section; a finger-base-part placing detecting means for detecting placing of a finger-base part onto a finger-base-part placing section; and a guidance means for conducting guidance of whether or not the finger-tip or the finger-base part has been placed, on the basis of the results of the detections conducted by the finger-tip placing detecting means and the finger-base-part placing detecting means.
US09323968B2
An RFID reading apparatus (20) for shelf occupancy detection, the RFID reading apparatus (20) having an antenna (16, 18, 24), wherein the antenna (16, 18, 24) comprises a housing and an antenna circuit board (24) arranged in the housing, wherein the housing has an elongate hollow profile element (18) with the antenna circuit board (24) inserted into the hollow profile element (18).
US09323958B2
The present invention considers an apparatus for prevention of tampering, unauthorized use, and unauthorized extraction of information from at least one secure system including at least one information device arranged to process information, at least one integrated encryption segment arranged to encrypt the information using at least one encryption process enabled by a set of encryption key information incorporated in at least one secure information storage of the at least one information device, at least one destruction driver arranged to initiate and support at least one controllable energy release in a proximity of the at least one secure information storage of the at least one information device incorporating the set of encryption key information, such that at least fraction of the set of encryption key information has been obliterated during the controllable energy discharge.
US09323955B2
The method for protecting a logic or mathematical operator of the NOR operator type, able to be used for executing a program in a microprocessor electronic module wherein the execution of the NOR operator is replaced by the execution (CAL-XORSEC(1) of a sequence Si operations having for final result a result identical to that of the XOR function.The sequence of operations Si composed of elementary operations with AND, OR and NOT is selected at each XOR operator from a set of eight equivalent sequences (S1 to S8) after determination CAL-NDO) of an order number ND0=1 according to the parameters of the program and/or a random parameter R supplied by a pseudo-random number generator (14).
US09323946B2
An authoring component determines the sensitivity of an authored document and generates a user interface conveying contextual educational information about data dissemination policies that apply to the document. The user interface also provides user input mechanisms that allow the user to provide inputs affect the enforcement of a given data dissemination policy on the document.
US09323944B2
An apparatus, program product, and method are disclosed for receiving a password entered by a user, the password not conforming to one or more requirements of a password policy, manipulating the password to create one or more compliant passwords conforming to the one or more requirements of the password policy, and presenting a list of the one or more compliant passwords to the user wherein a compliant password is selectable by the user.
US09323943B2
Data read from a volume is decrypted using a first key. The decrypted data is encrypted using a second key. The encrypted data is written back to the volume. An access request to a location of the volume is received from a host. Data is encrypted to or decrypted from the location using the first or second key, in response to the access request. The first key is used for the access request if the location has not been decrypted using the first key and encrypted using the second key. The second key is used for the access request if the location has been decrypted using the first key and encrypted using the second key.
US09323942B2
Embodiments of an invention for protecting information processing system secrets from debug attacks are disclosed. In one embodiment, a processor includes storage, a debug unit, and a test access port. The debug unit is to receive a policy from a debug aggregator. The policy is based on a value of a first fuse and has a production mode corresponding to a production value of the first fuse and a debug mode corresponding to a debug value of the fuse. The test access port is to provide access to the storage using a debug command in the debug mode and to prevent access to the storage using the debug command in the production mode.
US09323939B2
A cloud computing system includes a plurality of tenants that are permitted to access cloud hosted applications. The system includes an input governance layer associated with each application, and an output governance layer associated with each application. The input governance layer and the output governance layer include an encapsulation of a cloud hosted application. The governance layers receive a request from a tenant-user to access a first application on the cloud computing system, check a governance database to determine if the tenant-user is authorized to access the first application, and allows or denies access accordingly.
US09323932B2
Embodiments include methods, systems, and computer storage devices directed to identifying that a trusted boot mode (TBM) control bit is set in an input/output memory management unit (IOMMU) and configuring the IOMMU to block a DMA request received by the IOMMU from a peripheral in response to the identifying.
US09323924B1
A disclosed method may include (1) tracking the health of a computing system over time by calculating, for each of several time periods, a health metric that indicates the computing system's health during the time period, (2) evaluating the health metrics of the time periods to identify an anomalous time period during which the health of the computing system changed, (3) locating one or more files that were present on the computing system during the anomalous time period and absent from the computing system during one or more other time periods, and (4) basing a reputation for the file(s) on an association between the file(s) and the computing system that includes the anomalous time period and excludes the other time period. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.
US09323923B2
The disclosed subject matter provides for code repository intrusion detection. A code developer profile can be generated based on characteristic features present in code composed by the developer. Characteristic features can be related to the coding propensities peculiar to individual developers and, over sufficient numbers of characteristic features, can be considered pseudo-signatures. A target code set is analyzed in view of one or more developer profiles to generate a validation score related to a likelihood of a particular developer composing a portion of the target code set. This can serve to confirm or refute a claim of authorship, or can serve to identify likely author candidates from a set of developers. Where the target code set authorship is determined to be sufficiently suspect, the code set can be subjected to further scrutiny to thwart intrusion into the code repository.
US09323915B2
A mobile device is related to a user account. An agent implemented as processor instructions on a computing device sends login information to a service provider server. The service provider server compares the login information to the user account, performs a proximity check of the mobile device and the computing device, and sends authorization to the agent to approve an exchange of data with an application on the computing device. In some implementations the service provider may be an authorization service provider. Alternatively the service provider may be a wireless communications service provider and the mobile device is a cellular phone. In some implementations the mobile device is one of a card or a key fob that may include a biometric reader.
US09323913B2
An extranet includes a network which couples a plurality of non-related participants and a server coupled to the network. The server stores a plurality of applications including workgroup applicants, transaction applications, security applications and transport circuits and equipment. The server is programmed to load particular ones of the plurality of applications onto the network for use by the plurality of participants in response to a request by one of the participants for a particular application.
US09323911B1
A method comprises receiving a request to remove a given application from a first device, identifying one or more verification rules previously established by a user of the first device for processing of the removal request, sending a notification regarding said one or more verification rules, receiving verification input responsive to the notification, and granting or denying the removal request based at least in part on the received verification input. Denying the removal request comprises removing protected application data from the first device. Receiving the removal request, identifying one or more verification rules, sending the notification, receiving the verification input, and granting or denying the removal request may be implemented in a verification platform adapted for communication with the first device.
US09323908B2
Embodiments of the present disclosure provide an authentication method and an electronic device. The method includes: generating by a first device an authentication request if a predetermined condition exists between the first device and a second device, when the first device is in a locking state, wherein the first device has the locking state and a non-locking state; receiving by the first device authentication information, the authentication information being input in response to the authentication request; and authenticating the second device using the authentication information. Through the present disclosure, others cannot directly damage or copy data in the first device in a connection manner such as using a data line even if they get hold of the device, as long as the first device is in the locking state. Thus, the security of the data in the first device is ensured. Since a complex synchronization authentication protocol does not need to be developed by synchronization software and the first device, and the present disclosure is compatible with various commercially available synchronization software, the implementation method is simple and efficient, and the compatibility is good.
US09323894B2
A medical sanitation device may include a detector for detecting the physical presence of a clinician token within a detection area in the vicinity of the medical sanitation device. The clinician token may be indicative of the identity of a clinician. The medical sanitation device also includes a sanitation module configured to be used by the clinician to perform a sanitation task. Detection of a clinician in proximity to the medical sanitation device may be used to at least partially control access to, or operation of, a medical patient monitoring device.
US09323891B1
Provided herein are various systems and methods of adjusting images of an image series that are preloaded (and/or otherwise processed) in view of behavior data associated with viewing of other previous exams having similar characteristics (e.g., same modality) and/or by the same user.
US09323884B2
A computer program, method, and system for locksmithing. The computer program, method, and system receive vehicle information, obtain a key code for a lock based on the vehicle information, decrypt the key code to determine key specification data, and provide the key specification data to a user, such that a duplicate key corresponding to the lock can be formed.
US09323882B2
A metrology pattern layout for a circuit structure is provided, the metrology pattern layout including a plurality of quadrants, in which quadrants a first wafer measurement pattern, a second wafer measurement pattern, a reticle registration pattern, and a reticle measurement pattern may be arranged to facilitate correlation of reticle metrology data with wafer metrology data. The reticle registration pattern may further include one or more outermost structural elements designed to protect other structural elements within the reticle measurement pattern from being modified in an optical proximity correction process. A method of optical proximity correction process is provided, in which a reticle measurement pattern may be obtained and classified to add or modify a rule set of the optical proximity correction process.
US09323879B2
There is described a method of optimizing the design of an electronic device with respect to electromagnetic emissions based on frequency spreading. With the method, a designer can add frequency spreading with specific parameters by hardware. The resulting frequency spread signal can be observed. The designer can thus evaluate the reduction in electromagnetic emission level, and repeat this process by iteratively applying frequency spreading each time with specific parameters but without having to modify the design of the device and to generate another prototype of the device.
US09323862B2
A method of predictive content delivery to a mobile device over a wireless network is provided. The method includes sending, by a mobile device, a search query for content stored at a computing device, receiving search results from the computing device, wherein the search results are for selection by a user of the mobile device, and receiving selected content corresponding to certain of the search results, wherein the content corresponding to the certain of the search results is not delivered to the mobile device among the certain search results but is to be pre-loaded on the mobile device before being requested by the user of the mobile device. The content corresponding to the certain of the search results is selected according to network performance of the wireless network.
US09323861B2
Methods and apparatus for searching the World Wide Web are disclosed. The method includes searching all the pages of at least one web site and then searching at least one search engine index for all the pages of at least one web site and determining if the pages are cached in the search engine index. A further embodiment provides for searching an index of a search engine, repeating the search after a specified period of time and then determining if any changes have been made to the web pages in the search engine index.
US09323858B2
A server receives an interaction history comprising a set of one-to-one interactions between a first user and other users. The server determines an interaction score for each of the interactions. Each interaction score is based on a type of the respective one-to-one interaction and an age of the respective one-to-one interaction. The server then determines a friend rank for each of the other users based on the interaction history. The friend rank indicates a measure of a degree of influence the other users have over the first user and stores the friend rank for each of the other users. The server then receives, from a client, a request for an advertisement to display to the first user, selects one of the other users having a friend rank satisfying a predetermined threshold, and transmits, to the client, an advertisement portraying the selected additional user.
US09323857B2
In a method for providing content-related information based on a digital watermark and fingerprint, the method includes: receiving a request for content-related information from a client terminal; using a watermark and a fingerprint of content to retrieve the requested content-related information from a database; and transmitting the retrieved content-related information to the client terminal.
US09323855B2
Processing a plurality of media items that are associated with a respective plurality of locations includes: obtaining the plurality of media items; selecting a first media item that defines a first region on a map; determining a first set of media items that are located within the first region; selecting a second media item that defines a second region on the map, the second media item being selected among media items that are not located within the first region; determining a second set of media items that are located within the second region; and processing the first set of media items and the second set of media items as distinct groups.
US09323849B2
Content such as user interface items provided to a user during a session of an interactive application is personalized. One or more environmental context attribute values for the session are determined. Responsive to a request for content, for at least one item of the content, each of the environmental context attribute values are mapped to respective values indicating a users level of interest in the item for the environmental context attribute values. Content is retrieved from a content database and the content is personalized as a function of the users level of interest in the item for the environmental context attribute values before being returned to the application.
US09323847B1
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for presenting search results. One of the methods includes obtaining, based on a search request, search results that comprise a first user profile and a second user profile. The method includes determining a popularity difference between a first popularity associated with the first user profile and a second popularity associated with the second user profile. The method includes determining that the popularity difference exceeds a threshold. The method includes based on determining that the popularity difference exceeds the threshold, causing the search results to be presented in a display area such that the first user profile is emphasized relative to the second user profile within the display area.
US09323845B2
A portable communication device for extracting a user interest comprises a term vector generation unit for generating, based on types of text data stored in the portable communication device, a term vector representing each text data, a subject classification tree storage unit for storing a subject classification tree, which is a tree structure in which multiple nodes, each including at least one training data and representing a subject, are connected to one another, and a similarity calculation unit for calculating a similarity between the term vector and the training data for each node in the subject classification tree. The similarity calculation unit extracts a node name representing the user interest from the subject classification tree based on the similarity.
US09323844B2
A method for enhancing web search experience of users. The method comprises selecting at least one resource from a plurality of resources to respond to an input query received from a user on a user device; sending the input query to the selected at least one resource; designating a unique display segment within a display area on the user device, wherein each display segment corresponds to each of the selected at least one resource; causing the selected at least one resource to respond to the input query within the corresponding unique display segment; and establishing a direct communication between each of the selected at least one resource and the user device for at least enabling, in response to the query, interaction of the selected at least one resource with the user within the unique display segment corresponding to the selected resource.
US09323841B2
A multi-dimensional database and indexes and operations on the multi-dimensional database are described which include video search applications or other similar sequence or structure searches. Traversal indexes utilize highly discriminative information about images and video sequences or about object shapes. Global and local signatures around keypoints are used for compact and robust retrieval and discriminative information content of images or video sequences of interest. For other objects or structures relevant signature of pattern or structure are used for traversal indexes. Traversal indexes are stored in leaf nodes along with distance measures and occurrence of similar images in the database. During a sequence query, correlation scores are calculated for single frame, for frame sequence, and video clips, or for other objects or structures.
US09323831B2
A method, system and computer program product for generating answers to questions. In one embodiment, the method comprises receiving a query, conducting a search through one or more data sources to identify candidate answers to the query, and providing each of the candidate answers with a preliminary score. The method further comprises filtering out any of the candidate answers with a preliminary score that does not satisfy a defined condition. The candidate answers having preliminary scores that satisfy this condition form a subset of the candidate answers. Each of the candidate answers in this subset is processed to produce further scores. A ranking function is applied to these further scores to determine a ranking for each of the candidate answers in the subset; and after this ranking function is applied, one or more of the candidate answers are selected as one or more final answers to the query.
US09323827B2
Key terms for similar passages from a large corpus are identified and used to enhance searching and browsing the corpus. The corpus contains multiple documents such as the text of books. Browsing by concept is supported by identifying a set of similar passages or quotations in documents stored in the corpus and assigning key terms to passages which links conceptually related passages together. The context of each passage instance is identified and can include, for example, the text surrounding the passage. The contexts of all similar passage instances are analyzed in order to identify key terms for the similar passage. The related key terms are analyzed to identify relationships among the key terms from different similar passage sets. The key terms can be used as a basis for navigating the documents in the corpus. The key terms enable browsing the documents in the corpus by concepts referenced in the documents.
US09323822B2
The present invention relates to a mobile terminal technology. The present invention discloses a data back method and device for a mobile terminal. Since the data backup method and device of the mobile terminal provided in the present invention encodes a data in the mobile terminal into UTF-8 and stores it in the xml file, it is quite convenient to back up the data in the mobile terminal to the xml file. It is also beneficial for a user to manage the data in the mobile terminal. The present invention provides convenience for the user, the operation is simple, and the backup is easy to be done.
US09323821B2
According to the invention, one embodiment of a method and program of synchronizing an end device with a data repository is disclosed. In another embodiment, a method for synchronizing data, both multimedia and non-multimedia, with a repository is provided. In an exemplary embodiment, a method for synchronizing data with multiple repositories is provided. In another embodiment a software program to implement said methods is provided.
US09323817B2
As part of a query-processing technique, in response to receiving queries for information stored in a distributed storage system and associated query-processing information identifying sets of predefined operations to perform on one or more databases in the distributed storage system, the distributed storage system accesses sets of predefined operations. Then, for the sets of predefined operations on the one or more databases, the distributed storage system uses one or more adaptors for multiple storage subsystems in the distributed storage system and one or more indexes corresponding to collections of information in the one or more databases. Moreover, the distributed storage system executes the sets of predefined operations on the multiple storage subsystems to obtain results for the queries. The sets of predefined operations may be defined by different users, so that the distributed storage system can be adapted to these users' needs.
US09323816B1
Extract, transform, and load application (ETL) complexity management framework systems and methods are described herein. The present disclosure describes systems and methods that reduce the complexity in managing ETL flow and correcting errant data that is subsequently identified. One or more methods include defining an ETL job definition, defining a data asset definition, defining a data asset dependency definition, receiving an ETL flow to provide execution of one or more ETL flow steps, providing retrieval of data from a source data asset, applying a data control to the source asset data, and producing an ETL job registration, a data asset status, a latest asset available date, a data asset consumer identifier, and a target data asset based on at least one of the ETL job definition, the data asset definition, the data dependency definition, and the source asset data.
US09323815B2
A computer-implemented method, computer program product and a system for supporting star and snowflake data schemas for use with an Extract, Transform, Load (ETL) process, comprising selecting a data source comprising dimensional data, where the dimensional data comprises at least one source table comprising at least one source column, importing a data model for the dimensional data into a data integration system, analyzing the imported data model to select a star or snowflake target data schema comprising target dimensions and target facts, generating a meta-model representation by mapping at least one source table or source column to each target fact and target dimension, automatically converting the meta-model representation into one or more ETL jobs, and executing the ETL jobs to extract the dimensional data from the data source and loading the dimensional data into the selected target data schema in a target data system.
US09323805B2
A system and method for managing provenance data are disclosed. In accordance with one method, input data elements assessed by a processing element are evaluated. The method further includes determining whether an input window comprising the input data elements includes a sufficient amount of relevant input data. If the input window does not include a sufficient amount of relevant input data, then the input data elements are designated for reference in response to a provenance query.
US09323802B2
Processing data includes profiling data from a data source, including reading the data from the data source, computing summary data characterizing the data while reading the data, and storing profile information that is based on the summary data. The data is then processed from the data source. This processing includes accessing the stored profile information and processing the data according to the accessed profile information.
US09323797B2
The present invention relates generally to a system and method for reviewing and evaluating performance. In particular, the present invention relates to a system and method for reviewing and evaluating performances of an official or group of officials at an event or events. Even more specifically, according to embodiments of the present invention, the system and method can involve reviewing and evaluating a referee's performance during a football game or games.
US09323793B2
A computational device receives input data and control data, where the control data includes instructions to modify one or more operations performed during a runtime execution associated with the input data. The control data is processed to modify the one or more operations during the runtime execution associated of the input data.
US09323784B2
A mobile device searches for electronic content. The mobile device captures an image from a rendered document, and searches for an electronic version of the image using characteristics of the image and using text within the contents of the image. The mobile device receives a result for the search based upon the image characteristics and the text within the context of the image.
US09323779B2
A reverse geocoding system and method processes a point level dataset and a street segment dataset to determine an address for a particular latitude and longitude of an input point entered into the system. A determination is made if the point level dataset contains a point level data address match to the entered latitude and longitude data within the closest street segment and without crossing the street segment. Any such point level data address match is output. When no such point level data address match is made, the system computes an interpolated address from a range of addresses of the closest street segment in the street segment dataset based on the entered latitude and longitude of the input point in relation to said range of addresses for the closest street segment. The interpolated address from the closest street segment in the street segment dataset is output.
US09323769B2
Methods and apparatus teach a digital spectrum of a file for use in determining positional relationships between groups of files. The digital spectrum is used to reveal distances between the files to sort into groups of related files. Representatively, files determined by a nearest neighbor method to be related are sorted into groups of related files. In turn, the groups of related files are determined to be related, or not, according to positional location in N-dimensional space. A centroid location for each group of related files is determined, and a distance value from that centroid location to each member file of the group of related files is determined. In turn, centroid-to-centroid distance values are determined between each group of related files and rank-ordered. Comparing the centroid-to-centroid distance values and the distance values between centroid locations and files of the groups of related files reveals relatedness, or not, of groups of files.
US09323760B1
This disclosure relates to a method, article of manufacture, and apparatus for intelligently determining snapshot method during snapshot based backup. In some embodiments, this includes at a second time instance, calculating a data change rate since a first time instance, obtaining policies, wherein each of the policies specifies a backup method and one or more corresponding conditions, determining a snapshot method based on the data change rate and the policies, and performing a snapshot using the snapshot method.
US09323758B1
Needless migration of duplicate file data is avoided by recording in a database a record of migration of a first instance of a replicated file from a source file server to a target file server. When migrating a subsequent instance of a replicated file to the target file server, the database is searched for a record of replication of a first instance of the replicated file to the target file server. If such a record is found, the subsequent instance is replicated by sending from the source file server to the target file server attributes of the subsequent instance of the replicated file and an identification of the previously migrated data of the replicated file without re-transmission of the previously migrated data of the replicated file.
US09323756B2
An electronic device receives a stop position tag that indicates a stop position within first electronic content which is a first sensory type. The electronic device identifies a start position within second electronic content using the stop position tag. The second electronic content is a second sensory type that is different than the first sensory type. In turn, the electronic device executes the second electronic content at the identified start position. In one embodiment, the first sensory type is an auditory sensory type and the second sensory type is an image sensory type.
US09323753B2
A method and a device for representing digital documents for search applications are provided. The method includes periodically obtaining one or more digital documents stored in a memory of a handheld device, and generating a compressed representation of the one or more digital documents stored in the memory using one or more balanced trees. Additionally, the method includes receiving a search query including one or more words from a user of the handheld device for searching for one or more digital documents, and retrieving the one or more digital documents including the one or more words by traversing through a digital document map table and providing a search result including the one or more retrieved digital documents on the display of the handheld device if it is determined that the one or more words correspond to the one or more nodes in the word balanced tree.
US09323749B2
Profiling data includes processing an accessed collection of records, including: generating, for a first set of distinct values appearing in a first set of one or more fields, corresponding location information; generating, for the first set of fields, a corresponding list of entries identifying a distinct value from the first set of distinct values and the location information for the distinct value; generating, for a second set of one or more fields, a corresponding list of entries, with each entry identifying a distinct value from a second set of distinct values appearing in the second set of fields; and generating result information, based at least in part on: locating at least one record of the collection using the location information for at least one value appearing in the first set of fields, and determining at least one value appearing in the second set of fields of the located record.
US09323743B2
Methods, apparatuses, and computer program products are described herein that are configured to generate a situational analysis text. In some example embodiments, a method is provided that comprises generating a set of messages based on one or more key events in a primary data channel and one or more significant events in one or more related data channels in response to an alert condition. The method of this embodiment may also include generating a situational analysis text based on the set of messages and the relationships between them. In some example embodiments, the situational analysis text is configured to linguistically express the one or more key events, the one or more significant events, and the relationships between the one or more key events and the one or more significant events.
US09323734B2
A method and system are provided for identifying type-ahead candidates. A method includes determining a context of past non-threaded emails of a user. The method further includes generating a context index associating the past non-threaded emails of the determined context with repeatable values within the past non-threaded emails. The method further includes receiving characters in a current email and determining a context of the current email. The method further includes determining matches between the current email and the past non-threaded in the context index. The method further includes identifying the corresponding repeatable values and matching the identified corresponding repeatable values with the received characters. The method further includes presenting the candidate words to the user for inclusion in the current email.
US09323731B1
Systems and techniques for extracting data from unstructured documents are described. One such method involves assigning one or more labels to one or more nodes in a first object model of a first web page; comparing a second object model of a second web page to the first object model; if the first object model matches the second object model to a determined degree, extracting from the second web page data associated with nodes in the second object model that match labeled nodes in the first object model; and providing the extracted data for storage in a structured database in a manner associated with the labels.
US09323723B2
One or more techniques and/or systems are disclosed for improving reading ease of text displayed by a device. Reading-related feedback, such as feedback that indicates user reading speed and/or user reading comprehension, can be received for a user of the device. One or more display-related characteristics, such as characteristics that indicate how text is displayed by the device, can be received for the device. Using the reading-related feedback and the one or more display-related characteristics, a reading model can be created that can indicate desired display parameters for displaying the text on the device. The desired display parameters indicated by the reading model may be used to improve reading ease of the text, displayed by the device, for the user.
US09323722B1
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for a low latency interactive user interface. In one aspect, a method includes while individual characters in a sequence of characters are being entered into a field of an interactive user interface and before the sequence has been completely entered parsing the entered characters using a string pattern and presenting the parsed characters in a second field according to a presentation format. The method also includes sending one or more of the entered characters to a server. The method also includes receiving a different second string pattern and a different second presentation format from the server in response to the sending. The method also includes parsing one or more second entered characters using the second string pattern and presenting the parsed second entered characters in the second field according to a second presentation format.
US09323718B2
A method for operating a driver assistance system of a vehicle, includes providing and using data for making a decision as to whether or not the driver assistance system is to provide a driver assistance function, detecting a vehicle position when the driver assistance function is provided, and assigning the detected vehicle position to the used data to create a set of driver assistance system data. A device for operating a driver assistance system of a vehicle, as well as a vehicle system for a vehicle and a computer program are also described.
US09323716B2
A reconfigurable hierarchical computer architecture having N levels, where N is an integer value greater than one, wherein said N levels include a first level including a first computation block including a first data input, a first data output and a plurality of computing nodes interconnected by a first connecting mechanism, each computing node including an input port, a functional unit and an output port, the first connecting mechanism capable of connecting each output port to the input port of each other computing node; and a second level including a second computation block including a second data input, a second data output and a plurality of the first computation blocks interconnected by a second connecting means for selectively connecting the first data output of each of the first computation blocks and the second data input to each of the first data inputs and for selectively connecting each of the first data outputs to the second data output.
US09323710B2
A system and a method are disclosed for receiving an infrared signal on a mobile device. The mobile device receives an infrared signal by creating an intermediate bitstream based on the received infrared signal. The intermediate bitstream is trimmed, downsampled, and demodulated in the time domain. The intermediate bitstream is then converted into a raw infrared code. The received bitstream is processed in a software layer, enabling the mobile device to process infrared signals without the use of additional hardware configured on the mobile device.
US09323698B2
A data transmission system is provided. The data transmission system includes a source device having a source device controller and a register and a sink device having a sink device controller. The data transmission system also includes a transmission link coupling the source device and the sink device. The transmission link includes a unidirectional main line having a plurality of main link channels, a bidirectional auxiliary line configured to transmit data between the source device and the sink device at a first data rate, and a unidirectional interrupt line. The transmission link is configured to transmit data from the source device to the sink device over one of the main link lines at a second data rate and to transmit data from the sink device to the source device over the auxiliary line at the second data rate. The transmission link may comply with the DisplayPort standard, and the data may be transmitted in accordance with the USB standard.
US09323695B2
Systems and methods for predictive cache replacement policies are provided. In particular, some embodiments dynamically capture and predict access patterns of data to determine which data should be evicted from the cache. A novel tree data structure can be dynamically built that allows for immediate use in the identification of developing patterns and the eviction determination. In some cases, the data can be dynamically organized into histograms, strings, and other representations allowing traditional analysis techniques to be applied. Data organized into histogram-like structures can also be converted into strings allowing for well-known string pattern recognition analysis. The pattern recognition and prediction techniques disclosed also have applications outside of caching.
US09323688B2
A data access system including a storage device and a processor, which includes one or more levels of cache (LOC). In response to data required by the processor not being within the LOC, the processor generates a physical address to be accessed within the storage device in order to retrieve the data. The storage device includes a main memory and a cache module, which is configured as a final level of cache (FLOC) to be accessed by the processor prior to accessing the main memory. The cache module includes a controller that, in response to the data not being cached within the LOC, converts the physical address into a virtual address within the FLOC. The FLOC uses the virtual address to determine whether the data is within the FLOC. If the data is not within the FLOC, the cache module or the processor retrieves the data from the main memory.
US09323684B2
Technologies are presented that allow a portion of a cache to be used as a front memory when there is dynamic need based on system demand. A computing system may include at least one processor, a memory controlled by a controller and communicatively coupled with the at least one processor, a cache communicatively coupled with the at least one processor and the memory, and mapping logic communicatively coupled with the at least one processor, the memory, and the cache. The mapping logic may map a portion of the cache to a portion of the memory, wherein the portion of the cache is to be used by the at least one processor as a local memory, and wherein the mapping is dynamic based on system demand and managed by the controller in a physical address domain.
US09323682B1
A system and techniques are provided for evaluating front end activity of a storage device in connection with storage tiering and management operations at the back end without the need to collect new sub-LUN metrics/statistics on the front end or querying the front end. The system avoids demotions of extents that are hot on the front end even when seemingly cool on the back end. The result is improved system performance since data that is hot on the front end will not be demoted to a lower storage tier. The system provides that there is little to no additional performance impact on the front end because there is no requirement to collect any new front end statistics or query the front end, and there is no increase in the meta data collected by the automated tiering system as there is no new sub-LUN metrics collected on the front end.
US09323663B2
Some implementations include a method of managing a hosted non-volatile random-access memory (NVRAM) based storage subsystem that includes NVRAM devices. The method includes: receiving, at a device driver on the host computing device, write requests each requesting to write a respective unit of data to the NVRAM-based storage subsystem; categorizing the write requests into subgroups of write requests, where write requests within respective subgroups are mutually exclusive; ascertaining a load condition of each of several of the NVRAM devices of the NVRAM-based storage subsystem; identifying a target location on at least one NVRAM device to service a particular subgroup of write requests according to the ascertained load conditions of the NVRAM devices of the NVRAM-based storage subsystem; and servicing the particular subgroup of write requests by writing the corresponding units of data to the identified target location on the at least one NVRAM device of the NVRAM-based storage subsystem.
US09323661B2
A memory system has a storage unit having two or more parallel read/write processing elements and non-volatile data recording areas for a logical block divided into a plurality of logical pages, and a control unit that generates log information for each unit of data written into the recording areas, determines for each logical page a log information recording area from a group of recording areas of the logical page, and controls the parallel operation elements to write the log information generated for a logical page into the log information recording area of the logical page and the data of the logical page into the other recording areas of the group of recording areas of the logical page.
US09323655B1
Managing data in a storage system having a plurality of classes of storage includes determining an amount of data to be provided on at least one of the classes of storage according to a policy, dynamically setting a threshold according to the amount of data to be provided on the at least one of the classes or an expected performance based on the threshold, and placing data on particular classes of storage based on the threshold. Dynamically setting a threshold may include sorting data portions according to at least one score thereof and may include determining a particular score corresponding to the amount of data to be provided. The data portions may be provided in a histogram having a horizontal scale corresponding to a score value and a vertical scale corresponding to a number of data portions having a particular value.
US09323653B2
An apparatus and method for processing data capable of providing an application with data converted based on various data types is provided. The data processing apparatus converts data, which is input from an input system, into various types of data. Various applications receive and use the data that is converted in the data processing apparatus.
US09323650B2
A method, non-transitory computer readable medium, and apparatus that extracts a plurality of attributes from a software requirements specification wherein each attribute is associated with a data type and one or more properties. Constraint representation syntax is applied to the extracted attributes based on the data type and the one or more properties associated with each attribute to generate a plurality of constraints, wherein the constraint representation syntax is a machine readable format. Each of the plurality of constraints is output and optionally associated with one or more nodes of a specification requirements model.
US09323647B2
Apparatus, systems, and methods for troubleshooting a software service are disclosed that operate to execute the software service on a computing platform to provide a software execution; receive a request at the software service, the request including a client session identifier; identify a troubleshooting point in the software execution based on the client session identifier; and perform a troubleshooting action when the troubleshooting point is detected during the software execution. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.
US09323643B1
A method for analyzing at least one test app is provided. The method comprises collecting feature data related to a plurality of historical apps, extracting features of the plurality of historical apps from the feature data, classifying the features of the plurality of historical apps into a plurality of feature groups, and assigning weights to the features of the plurality of historical apps to generate reference data. The method further comprises collecting feature data related to the at least one test app, extracting features of the at least one test app from the feature data, classifying the features of the at least one test app into the plurality of feature groups, and assigning weights to the features of the at least one test app based upon the reference data.
US09323638B2
The CPU REGISTER ASSISTED VIRTUAL MACHINE SCREENSHOT CAPTURE TIMING APPARATUSES, METHODS AND SYSTEMS (“CRV”) transforms register retrieval requests, via CRV components, into boot success messages and screenshot capture command invocation outputs. A method comprises determining when to capture a screenshot of a virtual machine's display output by observing the values of a virtual CPU's registers, or the entropy of the virtual CPU's register values, obtained from a hypervisor in communication with the virtual machine's virtual CPU. The method further comprises determining when the virtual machine is at a boot success state and capturing a screenshot of the virtual machine display output.
US09323625B2
Systems and method relating generally to data processing, and more particularly to systems and methods for segmenting a data set and recovering the segmented data set. In one particular example, a method is disclosed that includes: querying an input data set for an actual sync mark; forcing a proxy sync mark where the actual sync mark is not found in the input data set; applying data processing to the input data set to yield a processed output; correlating a potion of the processed output with a corresponding portion of the input data set to yield a true sync location; calculating a difference between the true sync location and the location of the forced sync mark to yield an offset; re-forcing the proxy sync mark based upon the offset; and re-applying the data processing to the input data set aligned using the re-forced proxy sync mark to yield a re-processed output.
US09323624B2
[Problem] To provide a file management system and file management method that are able to perform a backup process efficiently by means of a configuration that uses a virtual file system metadatabase from a backup process side also. [Solution] The file management system is provided with a virtual drive controller (110) that controls a virtual drive (5), a metadatabase (210) that contains information for associating a virtual file and a physical file that is saved in a storage device (6), a backup controller (120) that manages the backup process of a file, and a backup status management database (220) used in backup process management. The virtual drive controller (110) registers updated file information in the backup status management database (220). The backup controller (120) references the backup status management database (220) and the metadatabase (210), and backs up the file.
US09323621B2
A method for dynamic monitoring of command line queries. The method includes receiving a command that includes a query and one or more parameters, mapping the command to a system resource, monitoring for a state change event pertaining to the system resource or a terminal event until a detection of the terminal event, and retrieving one or more characteristics of the system resource in response to detecting the state change event pertaining to the system resource. The system resource has a plurality of characteristics, each characteristic having a name and a value. A state change event corresponds to a change in one or more characteristics of a system resource.
US09323615B2
A method of distributing data in a distributed storage system includes receiving a file into non-transitory memory and dividing the received file into chunks. The chunks are data-chunks and non-data chunks. The method also includes grouping one or more of the data chunks and one or more of the non-data chunks in a group. One or more chunks of the group is capable of being reconstructed from other chunks of the group. The method also includes distributing the chunks of the group to storage devices of the distributed storage system based on a hierarchy of the distributed storage system. The hierarchy includes maintenance domains having active and inactive states, each storage device associated with a maintenance domain, the chunks of a group are distributed across multiple maintenance domains to maintain the ability to reconstruct chunks of the group when a maintenance domain is in an inactive state.
US09323612B2
Mixed-granularity higher-level redundancy for NVM provides improved higher-level redundancy operation with better error recovery and/or reduced redundancy information overhead. For example, pages of the NVM that are less reliable, such as relatively more prone to errors, are operated in higher-level redundancy modes having relatively more error protection, at a cost of relatively more redundancy information. Concurrently, blocks of the NVM that are more reliable are operated in higher-level redundancy modes having relatively less error protection, at a cost of relatively less redundancy information. Compared to techniques that operate the entirety of the NVM in the higher-level redundancy modes having relatively less error protection, techniques described herein provide better error recovery. Compared to techniques that operate the entirety of the NVM in the higher-level redundancy modes having relatively more error protection, the techniques described herein provide reduced redundancy information overhead.
US09323606B2
Systems and method relating generally to data processing, and more particularly to systems and methods for decoding information. Some disclosed systems include a first data decoding circuit, a second data decoding circuit, and a data output circuit. The second data decoding circuit is coupled to the first data decoding circuit and the data output circuit. The second data decoding circuit is operable to apply a finite alphabet iterative decoding algorithm to the first decoded output to yield a second decoded output.
US09323605B2
A measured value transmitting device for serially transmitting data in accordance with the SSI method, includes a slave providing the data bits of a measured value detected by a sensor for serial bit-by-bit transmission to a master. The master requests a measured value from the slave with a clock burst having multiple clock cycles matching the number of data bits to be transmitted. In a first device, the clock cycles have a specified duty cycle corresponding to the ratio of the pulse duration to the period duration of one clock cycle, and the master contains a comparator. The master reads the clock bursts outputted on the clock line and checks the duty cycle in the comparator to determine whether an upper and/or lower threshold has been exceeded. In a second device a corresponding check of the duty cycle is carried out in the slave.
US09323604B2
Embodiments described herein provide an apparatus, computer readable digital storage medium and method for producing an instruction sequence for a computation unit which can be controlled by a program which includes at least the instruction sequence.
US09323601B2
A system for transmitting data packets representing a source signal across a packet data network is provided. Additionally provided are methods and an apparatus for encoding parameters representing the source signal and also decoding these parameters. The system allows adaptation to the loss scenario of data packets transmitted across the packet data network. A redundancy encoding is generated with a bit rate continuously scalable, the bit rate being provided by a bit rate controller that uses input from the network and packet-loss rate information. The specification can be changed for each coding block. At the decoder, recovery is performed by a parameter estimator based on a dynamically generated statistical model of the effect of the quantizers. The method may be added to existing lossy source coding systems or may be used to enhance the quality of the reconstructed source signal even in scenarios without packet loss.
US09323591B2
Processing a request from a sending computer that is a co-member of a message group of a sysplex coupled together using a signaling service includes the steps of: determining, by a receiving computer, that a signaling service message has been received from the sending computer, wherein the signaling service message relates to a data transfer between the sending computer and the receiving computer and wherein the data transfer relates to an exchange of one or more files between the sending and receiving computers using a communications channel other than the signaling service. This processing also includes decoding, by the receiving computer, a control block data structure associated with the signaling service message to determine contents of the control block data structure; and performing, by the receiving computer, an action related to the data transfer based on the contents of the control block data structure associated with the signaling service message.
US09323588B2
Requests received at a service platform may be processed either synchronously or asynchronously, based on, for example, a determination of the expected response time for the service request. Some embodiments may include separate hardware infrastructures and/or may support service requests designated for asynchronous processing.
US09323586B2
We teach a powerful approach that greatly simplifies the design of non-blocking mechanisms and data structures, in part by, largely separate the issues of correctness and progress. At a high level, our methodology includes designing an “obstruction-free” implementation of the desired mechanism or data structure, which may then be combined with a contention management mechanism whose role is to facilitate the conditions under which progress of the obstruction-free implementation is assured. In general, the contention management mechanism is separable semantically from an obstruction-free concurrent shared/sharable object implementation to which it is/may be applied. In some cases, the contention management mechanism may actually be coded separately from the obstruction-free implementation. We elaborate herein on the notions of obstruction-freedom and contention management, and various possibilities for combining the two. In addition, we include description of some exemplary applications to particular concurrent software mechanisms and data structure implementations.
US09323578B2
A computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer usable program code for collecting information about threads. A thread entering a wait state is detected. Information is selectively obtained about a set of threads in the wait state using a policy to produce an action in response to the thread entering the wait state. A history containing the collected data may be saved and used to determine changes to patterns.
US09323576B2
A computer system for providing virtualization services may execute computer programs by a virtual processor in a virtual machine. The computer programs may be executed as tasks scheduled for execution at respective points in an apparent time tracked by an apparent-time reference. During execution of the computer programs, the computer system may detect a current point in apparent time at which all tasks scheduled for repeated execution at a given frequency have been executed, or at which the virtual processor is idle. And in response, the computer system may advance the apparent time to a subsequent point with a frequency greater than that with which the apparent time is tracked by the apparent-time reference.
US09323573B2
A mechanism is provided for sharing resources allocated to an entitled virtual machine (VM). A blocked domain is created around the entitled VM and one or more processors allocated to the entitled VM. A first dispatching algorithm is implemented that prevents the dispatching of processes from other operating systems within other VMs to the one or more processors allocated to the entitled VM. Responsive to utilization of the one or more processors allocated to the entitled VM falling below a predetermined threshold, a second dispatching algorithm is implemented that allows dispatching of processes from the other operating systems within the other VMs to the one or more processors allocated to the entitled VM.
US09323572B2
An embodiment of the invention provides a method and system for autoconfiguring a cloud instance based on contextual parameters. More specifically, an interface receives a request for a resource from a user; and, an analysis module connected to the interface examines parameters of the resource. The parameters of the resource include an encryption parameter and a language parameter. The analysis module also examines properties of the request, including a location of the user, at least one rule at the location of the user, and a dominant language at the location of the user. A processor connected to the analysis module determines whether the encryption parameter of the resource violates the rule at the location of the user. An instance generator connected to the processor creates a customized instance of the resource when the encryption parameter of the resource violates the rule at the location of the user.
US09323571B2
A state of an application running in a system is monitored. The monitoring of the application states includes monitoring one or more buffers associated with the application. Dispatch of one or more threads in the system is controlled. At least one thread in the system is associated with the application. Resources in the system are managed based at least on the state of the application and the state of the one or more threads in the system.
US09323567B2
A host-side overcommit value is set upon a physical node that implements virtual machines (VM Node). The overcommit value is determined by receiving a selected enablement template that includes a selected computing capacity and a selected overcommit value. A user-side normalization factor is determined that normalizes the selected computing capacity against a reference data handling system. A comparable computing capacity of the VM Node is determined. A host-side normalization factor is determined that normalizes the comparable computing capacity against the reference data handling system. The host-side overcommit value is determined from the selected overcommit value, the user-side normalization factor, and the host-side normalization factor. The host-side overcommit value may indicate the degree the comparable computing capacity is overcommitted to virtual machines deployed upon heterogeneous VM Nodes as normalized against the reference system.
US09323566B2
The network connection of a VM (target VM) that has been live-migrated from a first physical computer to a second physical computer is restored in a virtual computer system in which communication is performed using a certain type of information outside the jurisdiction of a virtualization mechanism. When receiving a packet from the VM, the first virtualization mechanism of the first physical computer extracts a certain type of information from the packet and registers the extracted certain type of information in a first management information unit. The first virtualization mechanism transmits the certain type of information in the first management information unit to the second virtualization mechanism of the second physical computer during live migration. The second virtualization mechanism registers the certain type of information in a second management information unit and transmits a certain type of packet including the certain type of information from at least one of one or more physical I/O devices of the second physical computer in order to restore the network connection of the target VM.
US09323564B2
Systems, methods, and computer program products that provide for the use of a type 2 VMM to de-link or isolate underlying processor hardware from an operating system. This may allow the launching of a task that requires direct access to processor hardware, where such access requires the absence of an operating system. Such a task may take the form of a type 1 VMM, such as an information security or integrity VMM, e.g., an anti-malware VMM.
US09323540B2
Embodiments of a method for operating an event-driven processor and an event-driven processor are described. In one embodiment, a method for operating an event-driven processor involves configuring a heartbeat timer of the event-driven processor and handling an event using the event-driven processor based on the heartbeat timer. Using a heartbeat timer built into the event-driven processor, the task execution determinism of the event-driven processor is improved and the power consumption of the event-driven processor is reduced. Other embodiments are also described.
US09323537B2
A method comprises measuring the execution time T1 for a problem to be solved with a program being run by a single processor, measuring the execution time TM and TS of MIMD and SIMD program fragments being run by a single processor and a single accelerator correspondingly, determining the specific acceleration ρ of the execution time for an SIMD program fragment being run by a single accelerator in comparison with the execution time for the fragment being run by a single processor, determining a portion of the execution time for an MIMD fragment being run by a single processor and a portion of the execution time for an SIMD fragment being run by a single processor and adjusting the quantity of processors or accelerators comprised in a hybrid computing system structure according to the data obtained.
US09323535B2
A processor of an aspect includes an instruction fetch unit to fetch a pair of instruction order enforcement instructions. The pair of instruction order enforcement instructions are part of an instruction set of the processor. The pair of instruction order enforcement instructions includes an activation instruction and an enforcement instruction. The activation instruction is to occur before the enforcement instruction in a program order. The processor also includes an instruction order enforcement module. The instruction order enforcement module, in response to the pair of the instruction order enforcement instructions, is to prevent instructions occurring after the enforcement instruction in the program order, from being processed prior to the activation instruction, in an out-of-order portion of the processor. Other processors are also disclosed, as are various methods, systems, and instructions.
US09323531B2
The execution of a KZBTZ finds a trailing least significant zero bit position in an first input mask and sets an output mask to have the values of the first input mask, but with all bit positions closer to the most significant bit position than the trailing least significant zero bit position in an first input mask set to zero. In some embodiments, a second input mask is used as a writemask such that bit positions of the first input mask are not considered in the trailing least significant zero bit position calculation depending upon a corresponding bit position in the second input mask.
US09323516B2
An electronic device system includes a connection device configured to store a plurality of types of boot data and an electronic device, wherein the electronic device includes a connection unit to which the connection device is connected, a selection unit configured to select boot data to be obtained from the connection device connected to the connection unit, an obtaining unit configured to obtain the boot data selected by the selection unit from the connection device, a storage unit configured to store the boot data obtained by the obtaining unit; and a boot processing unit configured to perform processing in relation to booting of the electronic device by using the boot data stored in the storage unit.
US09323515B1
A network having a device management server to execute Sync ML device management (DM) commands and manage associated mobile devices. The network may employ a broker to execute bundles comprising device management and provisioning activities, provisioning parameters etc. The broker may determine the sequence in which these device management and provisioning activities are executed and may employ the device management server to conduct the DM operations to interact with the associated mobile devices.
US09323512B2
Various embodiments herein include at least one of systems, methods, and software to export and import an application. Some embodiments include a user selecting a source system and a target system, and automatically exporting an application from a source system and automated import of this export to the target system. Exporting an application can include testing whether a software export tool version is compatible with a software import tool version, and installing a compatible software import tool on the target system. Some embodiments include informing the user that the application has been successfully imported.
US09323508B2
Aspects of the disclosure provide a method for code compilation. The method includes receiving instructions of a loop code for compiling, allocating one or more registers to variables before compiling the instructions into a loop body for the loop code, and compiling the instructions into the loop body based on the allocated registers.
US09323507B2
An optimization apparatus includes an insertion unit inserting a method test for each of the virtual methods included in a code sequence, an acquisition unit acquiring one or more profiled run-time classes of a receiver object used for calling each of the virtual methods at execution of the code sequence into which the method tests have been inserted, and an optimization unit inserting, in place of the inserted method test, a class test that sets a recording-time class and the run-time class of a corresponding receiver object as classes to be permitted on condition that the run-time class of the corresponding receiver object has successfully called all virtual methods requesting the method test for the receiver object.
US09323504B1
Template-driven data access is enabled. A collection of data model component identifiers that are accessible for use by view developers may be established. View developers may specify views of the data model with a view description language and may utilize accessible data model component identifiers to reference data model components that may be rendered in the views. The views may be in accordance with a Model-View-Controller (MVC) architecture. In contrast to a conventional MVC architecture, changes to a view do not require changes to a corresponding controller. For example, view developers may create, update, modify and delete views independent of the activity of controller developers. In accordance with at least one embodiment, there is a universal controller for views specified with the view specification language and/or utilizing the predefined collection of accessible data model component identifiers.
US09323488B2
Image forming systems include servers and image forming apparatuses. Image forming apparatuses include first storage devices, printing devices, accepting devices, and first controllers. Printing devices print images corresponding to image data pieces stored in first storage devices. Accepting devices accept instructions. First controllers include first control devices. Servers include second storage devices and second controllers. Second controllers include second control devices. First controllers specify printing conditions for print-target image data pieces based on instructions. First controllers start downloading print-target image data pieces from servers in response to specifying printing conditions for print-target image data pieces. First controllers store downloaded print-target image data pieces in first storage devices. First controllers control printing devices to print downloaded print-target image data pieces stored in first storage devices after accepting print-start instructions at accepting devices. Second controllers transmit print-target image data pieces based on instructions accepted at accepting devices.
US09323482B2
The print control system includes a data conversion apparatus including a data conversion unit that converts application data to print data; an image processing apparatus including a print control unit that prints print data; and a data processing apparatus including a data conversion request unit that sends conversion request data including application data to be processed to the data conversion apparatus for requesting the converting of the application data to print data, and a print request unit that sends print request data including converting apparatus data indicating a data conversion apparatus from which print data to print is to be obtained to the image processing apparatus for requesting the obtaining of the converted print data from the indicated data conversion apparatus and printing the obtained print data.
US09323479B2
A medium stores instructions that are executable by a computer. The instructions cause a controller of an information processing apparatus to receive a selection of a moving-image file from a plurality of moving-image files stored in a storage unit, to receive a selection of a print target frame image from a plurality of frame images composing the moving-file that has been selected, to output print data based on the print target frame image to a print unit, to store a thumbnail composing image based on the print target frame image upon associating with the moving-image file that has been selected, and to display one thumbnail image based on the thumbnail composing image that has been stored in the storage unit upon associating with that moving-image file, for each of the plurality of moving-image files that has been stored in the storage unit.
US09323478B2
An apparatus includes an operating unit. The operating unit includes one or more processors each configured to transmit an execution request for executing a process based on a user's operation, and a delivery unit configured to receive event information indicating an event generated in the apparatus, and to deliver the received event information to the processors. A connection is established for performing communications between the apparatus and the operating unit every time each of the processors transmits the execution request, and a permanent connection for performing communications between the apparatus and the operating unit that is permanently established is used when the delivery unit receives the event information.
US09323471B2
Aspects of the present disclosure are directed toward a method, a system, and a computer program product for managing the migration of extents on tiered systems. The method can include receiving a space reservation request for one or more requested extents on a first storage tier of a storage system. The method can also include releasing a first storage tier reserve space that includes one or more first tier reserved extents in response to the first storage tier reserve space being insufficient for the reservation request. The method can also include migrating the one or more requested extents to the first storage tier reserve space.
US09323468B2
A storage apparatus includes multiple ports communicable with a server, multiple processor cores and multiple LUs (Logical Units). For each port, a port responsible core, which is a processor core to accept an I/O request received by the port, is specified. For each LU, an LU responsible core, which is a processor core responsible for I/O, is specified. The LU responsible core may be dynamically changed. The server periodically acquires identification information about the LU responsible cores from the storage apparatus. When transmitting an I/O request, the server selects a non-cross call path, which is such a path that the LU responsible core and the port responsible core are the same processor core, from among multiple paths to an I/O destination LU, which is an LU specified by the transmission target I/O request, and transmits the transmission target I/O request via the selected path.
US09323465B2
A storage layer presents logical address space of a non-volatile storage device. The storage layer maintains logical interfaces to the non-volatile storage device, which may include arbitrary, any-to-any mappings between logical identifiers and storage resources. Data may be stored on the non-volatile storage device in a contextual format, which includes persistent metadata that defines the logical interface of the data. The storage layer may modify the logical interface of data that is stored in the contextual format. The modified logical interface may be inconsistent with the existing contextual format of the data on the non-volatile storage media. The storage layer may provide access to the data in the inconsistent contextual format through the modified logical interface. The contextual format of the data may be updated to be consistent with the modified logical interface in a write out-of-place storage operation.
US09323464B2
Provided are a computer program product, system, and method for assigning device adaptors to use to copy source extents in source ranks to target extents in target ranks in a copy relation. A determination is made of an order of the target ranks in the copy relation. Target ranks in the copy relation are selected according to the determined order. For each selected target rank, indication is made in a device adaptor assignment data structure of a source device adaptor and target device adaptor of the device adaptors to use to copy the source rank to the selected target rank indicated in the copy relation, wherein indication is made for the selected target ranks according to the determined order. The source ranks are copied to the selected target ranks using the source and target device adaptors indicated in the device adaptor assignment data structure.
US09323462B2
In one embodiment, a system includes a processor and logic configured to receive a request to write data to a file block on a multi-tier file system where a first logical block is associated with the file block, and when the request is the first write request for the file block after creation of the snapshot of the file block: create a second logical block, determine a measure of access requests to be directed to a logical block allocated for the snapshot versus a logical block allocated for new data on the file block, the logical block allocated for the snapshot and the logical block allocated for new data on the file block being uniquely chosen from: the first and second logical block, and send the measure of access requests to the automatic tiering module when so determined. Other systems, methods, and computer program products are described in more embodiments.
US09323461B2
Exemplary embodiments provide a technique to reduce the traffic between storage devices during data migration. In one embodiment, a system comprises a plurality of storage systems which are operable to migrate a set of primary and secondary volumes between the storage systems by managing and copying, between the storage systems, a plurality of same data and a plurality of difference data between the primary and secondary volumes and location information of each of the plurality of difference data, the location information identifying a location of the difference data in the primary or secondary volume associated with the difference data. Each secondary volume which corresponds to a primary volume, if said each source secondary volume contains data, has a same data as the primary volume and, if said each secondary volume is not synchronized with the primary volume, further has a difference data with respect to the primary volume.
US09323452B2
A system and method for processing a touch input are provided. An initial press action that is associated with a number of simultaneous touches is detected on a touch interface. One or more commands that are mapped to one or more sequences of user interaction is determined based on the number of simultaneous touches, where each of the one or more sequences of user interaction is initiated by the initial press action. One or more graphical interface components, where each of the one or more graphical interface components correspond to a different one of the one or more sequences of user interaction are provided for display. Each of the one or more graphical interface components indicate at least part of the corresponding sequence of user interaction and indicates respective command mapped to the corresponding sequence of user interaction.
US09323447B2
An electronic whiteboard and a touch screen method for configuring and applying metadata tags on an electronic whiteboard allows user-defined and user-classified metadata tags to be configured and applied to objects “on the fly” through touch screen inputs on the electronic whiteboard, providing object tagging in electronic whiteboard sessions that is less cumbersome, less disruptive to creative flow and more precise than conventional methods.
US09323446B2
An apparatus for screen change includes a touch screen to divisionally display a first region where a first screen is displayed and a second region where a second screen is displayed, and a controller to detect whether a display change event for a screen display change occurs in at least one of the first region and the second region, and to analyze the display change event and to change a display direction of the second screen while maintaining a display of the first screen.
US09323441B1
A wireless communication device receives data indicating commercial icons that are related to commercial industries and displays an original group of the commercial icons that are individually related to different ones of the commercial industries. The wireless communication device receives a first user input to scroll the display toward a first set of the commercial icons related to a first one of the commercial industries, and in response, display the first set of the commercial icons related to the first one of the commercial industries while displaying a portion of the original group of the commercial icons that are not related to the first one of the commercial industries. A second user input is received to scroll the display toward a second set of the commercial icons related to a second one of the commercial industries based on the displayed portion of the original group of the commercial icons.
US09323438B2
Some embodiments of the invention provide a media-editing application for creating and editing a media presentation that displays the results of edits as the edits are made to the media presentation. The media-editing application displays the movement of media clips of the media presentation as the media clips are being moved within the media-editing application to change the media presentation. Also, the media editing application in some embodiments can dynamically display the results of edits in a preview display area. That is, the media editing application has a preview generator that can generate previews of the media presentation on the fly as media clips are being dragged into and within the timeline. This allows the user of the media-editing application to see and hear the results of the operation while performing them.
US09323425B2
Various methods, systems, and computer program products for deferring transmission of data related to collapsing a collapsible display panel are presented. The collapsible display panel may be collapsed. State data that indicates the collapsible display panel has been collapsed may be generated. A determination that no non-state change data corresponding to the collapsible display panel needs to be transferred to a server may be made. In response, the state data may be stored at least until non-state data is to be transmitted to the server. At some time after storing the state data, non-state data that is to be transmitted to the server may be identified. In response to identifying the non-state data that is to be transmitted to the server, the state data and the non-state data may be transmitted to the server together.
US09323424B2
Column organization of content is described. In an implementation, a mobile communications device configures a user interface to include a plurality of representations of content arranged according to a plurality of columns that permits navigation between first and second said columns upon detection of a gesture input via a touchscreen of the mobile communications device. The user interface is displayed on a display device of the mobile communications device. The first column is configured for vertical navigation through each of the plurality of representations and the second column includes a filtered subset of the plurality of representations such that at least one of the representations is included in the first column and not the second column.
US09323415B2
In one or more embodiments described herein, there is provided an apparatus which comprises at least one processor and at least one memory including computer program code. The at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform certain steps. Firstly, the apparatus is caused to present, in response to detection of first touch signalling on a particular portion of a touch-sensitive display, a magnified view of at least that particular portion of the touch-sensitive display and an indicator positioned corresponding to the detected position of the first touch signalling. Secondly, the apparatus is caused to, upon release of the first touch signalling, maintain the magnified view of that particular portion and the positioned indicator for a predetermined period. Thirdly, the apparatus is caused to allow for detection of second touch signalling during the predetermined period to allow the user to cause movement of the position of the indicator.
US09323412B2
Method, device, and storage medium that provides a briefing service. The briefing service includes a self-discovery mode and a suggestion box. The self-discovery mode allows a user to obtain information about a product or a thing based on an image capture of a Quick Response code. The Quick Response code is decoded and a parameter is extracted and used to generate a uniform resource identifier. The suggestion box allows a user to submit a suggestion regarding a briefing. The self-discovery mode and the suggestion box are provided to a user based on a briefing software that includes user interfaces.
US09323405B2
A touch surface device having improved sensitivity and dynamic range is disclosed. In one embodiment, the touch surface device includes a touch-sensitive panel having at least one sense node for providing an output signal indicative of a touch or no-touch condition on the panel; a compensation circuit, coupled to the at least one sense node, for generating a compensation signal that when summed with the output signal removes an undesired portion of the output signal so as to generated a compensated output signal; and an amplifier having an inverting input coupled to the output of the compensation circuit and a non-inverting input coupled to a known reference voltage.
US09323394B2
A touch control apparatus includes a first light source, a first sensor, a second light source, a second sensor and a controller. A selection method for the touch control apparatus includes steps of: driving the first light to generate a first initial structured light; sensing a first reflected light distribution by the first sensor; driving the second light source to generate a second initial structured light; sensing a second reflected light by the second sensor; and, from multiple candidate touch positions, selecting positions corresponding to at least two touch points according to a first left reflected structured light, a second left reflected structured light, a first right reflected structured light and a second right reflected structured light.
US09323391B2
An information capturing system includes a flexible light sensing film including a film and a plurality of light sensing elements configuring on the film for converting light to electric energy and storing the electric energy to form electric fields; and a sensing panel device for sensing the electric fields formed by the light sensing elements not shaded with a light shielding material on the flexible light sensing film to generate an electric field distributing situation, and capturing an information formed by the light shielding material on the flexible light sensing film according to the electric field distribution.
US09323382B2
A mobile terminal device includes an electrostatic touch panel, a resistive touch panel, a memory, and a processor connected to the memory. The processor acquires a touch coordinate detected on at least one of the electrostatic touch panel and the resistive touch panel and determines a touch mode including the presence or absence of strong touch at equal to or higher than a predetermined pressure based on the acquired touch coordinate. Then, the processor specifies a touch coordinate at which the strong touch is made when a touch mode with the strong touch is determined and the touch coordinate is detected on each of the electrostatic touch panel and the resistive touch panel.
US09323380B2
A method includes utilizing transmitters and receivers, performing detection of objects spaced from an electronic device, when an object that is spaced from the electronic device is detected, continuing performing detection of objects, when no object is detected, discontinuing performing detection of objects, and utilizing touch sensors of the touch-sensitive display, performing touch detection.
US09323379B2
The invention relates to an electronic device for determining a first positional information and a second positional information regarding a user input object, such as at least one user hand or at least one stylus, the electronic device comprising: a touch-sensitive surface; contact-free detection means; and controller means that are operatively connected to the touch-sensitive surface and to the contact-free detection means; wherein the first positional information depends on where the user input object contacts the touch-sensitive surface, and wherein the second positional information depends on the spatial configuration of the user input object with regard to the touch-sensitive surface, characterized in that the controller means are adapted for simultaneously and/or alternately determining the first positional information via the touch-sensitive surface and the second positional information via the contact free detection means.
US09323377B2
A panel control device includes a processor. The processor is configured to perform processes including acquiring a plurality of pressed cells and a plurality of cell coordinates, the plurality of pressed cells being a plurality of cells, among pluralities of cells that divide a panel into a plurality of regions, to which pressing forces are applied simultaneously, and each of the plurality of cell coordinates being coordinate information that indicates a position within one of the pressed cells to which the pressing forces have been applied, specifying, as at least one candidate cell, at least one of the plurality of pressed cells based on positional relationships among the plurality of cell coordinates included in an adjacency group, and specifying designation coordinates based on cell coordinates, among the plurality of cell coordinates, that indicates a position within the at least one candidate cell.
US09323372B2
A FPD integrated with a touch screen panel includes an upper substrate and a lower substrate facing each other, the upper substrate including a display region and first and second non-display regions surrounding the display region, a plurality of sensing patterns on the display region of the upper substrate, a plurality of sensing lines on the first non-display region of the upper substrate, a sealing material on the second non-display region of the upper substrate, the sealing material connecting the upper and lower substrates, and a flexible printed circuit (FPC) bonding pad unit on the second non-display region of the upper substrate, the FPC bonding pad unit including a plurality of bonding pads coupled to the plurality of sensing lines, the bonding pads including a transparent conductive material in regions overlapping the sealing material.
US09323366B2
A method for controlling volume of an electronic device is proposed along with the electronic device using the same. The electronic device has a speaker module, a display and a touch sensor disposed on the display. The method includes the following steps. The touch sensor is driven when the display is disabled from displaying an image. A sensing signal is received from the touch sensor. Inputted information is determined based on the sensing signal. An audio signal of the electronic device is changed according to the inputted information. The changed audio signal is outputted.
US09323364B2
Interactive method, apparatus and system are provided, which relate to communication field, achieve interaction between an electronic apparatus and an accessory, and improve user experience. The interactive method is applied to an electronic apparatus and an accessory independent of the electronic apparatus, including: obtaining a first display state of the display device, wherein the first display state is a display state in a case that the electronic apparatus operates independently; obtaining position information of the accessory, wherein the position information is information indicating the position of the accessory on the display device; obtaining attribute information of the accessory, wherein the attribute information is used to change the display state of the display device; generating a state changing instruction according to the position information and the attribute information; and switching the first display state of the display device to a second display state according to the state changing instruction.
US09323362B1
According to aspects of the disclosure, an input device may include a first adjustment region, a second adjustment region, a connector region, a function region, and a display region. In one example, A user may access a particular function by providing a gesture to the function region. The user may then continue the gesture from the function region to the connector region for a predetermined length along the connector region. Once a particular function is accessed, a user may control the parameters or settings associated with that particular function via one or both of the first adjustment region and second adjustment region. For example, a user may provide a gesture to either the first or second adjustment region in order to modify parameters associated with the function.
US09323350B2
A display control device comprises: a display; a movement judgment portion that judges whether or not a second image moves a certain distance by user dragging the second image to an arbitrary position of a first image on the display, a controller that allows the display to show a larger area of the first image at least by reducing the first image in size, if the movement judgment portion judges that the second image moves a certain distance; and an image giving portion that gives the second image to a user desired position on the first image by user dropping the second image at the position.
US09323336B2
A device and method to detect a gesture made by an object in touch-less communication with the device are described. The device includes two or more ambient light sensors arranged at respective surface locations of the device, each of the two or more ambient light sensors configured to measure light intensity at the respective surface location. The device also includes a processor configured to detect the gesture based on a comparison of the light intensity measured at each of the respective surface locations at two or more time instants or measurement cycles.
US09323327B2
A system and method for providing tactile feedback in a user interface. The system includes a tactile feedback assembly configured to communicate with a user interface of an electronic device. The tactile feedback assembly is configured to provide mechanical and/or nerve stimulation to a user during user interaction (e.g. navigation, input of data, etc.) of the user interface. The mechanical and/or nerve stimulation is configured to provide a user with tactile sensation (in the form of the sense of touch) in response to user interaction with the user interface, including, but not limited to, sense of texture and sense of pressure.
US09323324B2
A mobile terminal and an operation control method thereof are provided. The operation control method includes displaying a stereoscopic 3D image, which is created based on the disparity between left- and right-eye images, on a display module; determining a position of a user's gaze on the stereoscopic 3D image by performing eye tracking; and varying a 3D effect of a portion of the stereoscopic 3D image corresponding to the determined gaze position. Therefore, it is possible to effectively control various operations performed by a mobile terminal in connection with a stereoscopic 3D image by using eye tracking.
US09323315B2
A system and method for power management by performing clock-gating at a clock source. In the method a critical stall condition is detected within a clocked component of a core of a processing unit. The core includes one or more clocked components synchronized in operation by a clock signal distributed by a clock grid. The clock grid is clock-gated to suspend distribution of the clock signal to the core during the critical stall condition.
US09323310B2
An information processing apparatus including a touch panel and a near field communication interface. The information processing apparatus detects that an input received at the touch panel corresponds to a predetermined input when the information processing apparatus is in a suspended state; and controls the information processing apparatus execute a predetermined function via the near field communication interface and awake from the suspended state upon detecting that the input corresponds to the predetermined input.
US09323309B2
A computing system is provided and includes recording media relative to which input/output (I/O) operations are executable, and a processor, disposed in signal communication with the recording media, which is configured to execute the I/O operations and to evaluate power requirements associated with executions of the I/O operations relative to each individual recording medium. The processor includes a computer-readable medium having a set of instructions stored thereon, which, when executed, cause the processor to schedule the executions of the I/O operations relative to each individual recording medium or to refuse the executions of the I/O operations in accordance with the evaluated power requirements.
US09323299B2
A power unit including multiple generators supplies power to a load or loads that may be variable. The generators can differ, e.g., in generating capacities, rates at which their outputs can be changed, maintenance requirements, and/or different energy-conversion efficiencies. A control unit throttles the generators independently according to a digitally implemented algorithm that may, but need not, use the difference(s) in supplying power to the load. In some cases, the controller regulates monitored power delivered to the load or loads. A power combiner is connected to the outputs of the generators. If desired, a buffer can be used between the generators and the load or loads to provide energy storage that can allow for the load or loads to change at a faster rate than the generators are throttled and for peak loads that temporarily exceed the capacity of the generators.
US09323297B2
Embodiments of the present invention provide a heat dissipation device of a notebook computer. The notebook computer is provided with a keyboard. The heat dissipation device includes a heat dissipation component and a heat guiding box, the heat dissipation component is communicated with the heat guiding box, the keyboard is also communicated with the heat guiding box, and the heat guiding box is used to transmit heat in the heat dissipation component to the keyboard.
US09323296B2
A system, a method and an apparatus are described. The apparatus includes a modem that responds to a thermal mitigation request by invoking different levels of thermal mitigation for different concurrently active connections. In some instances, the modem may invoke thermal mitigation with respect to a first active connection and refrain from invoking thermal mitigation with respect to a second active connection maintained by the modem. The apparatus determines the first and second active connections based on subscriptions corresponding to subscriber identification modules, an identification of a power amplifier or group of power amplifiers responsible for a thermal issue in the modem. The selection of mitigation levels for each active connection and decisions to invoke mitigation on one connection while refraining from invoking mitigation on another connection may be based on priorities of the active connections, including quality of service related priorities.
US09323295B2
A touch panel, including a substrate, first electrodes, second electrodes, first connecting lines, first pads, second connecting lines, and second pads, is provided. The first electrodes are arranged in an array to define a plurality of columns each parallel to a first direction and a plurality of rows each parallel to a second direction intersecting the first direction. Each of the second electrodes is extended in the first direction. The second electrodes are sequentially arranged in the second direction so that one column of the first electrodes is disposed between two adjacent second electrodes. The first connecting lines connect the first electrodes in the same row into a series connected to one first pad. The second electrodes are connected to the second pads through the second connecting lines. The first electrodes, the second electrodes, the first connecting lines, and the second connecting lines do not intersect one another.
US09323292B2
A portable terminal including a body, a front deco positioned along a periphery of the body, a main battery cover positioned on a rear surface of the body to cover a battery, and a waterproofing cover interchangeable with the front deco and the main battery cover so that when substituted for the main battery cover and front deco all water intrusion paths on the portable terminal are sealed.
US09323291B2
A flexible display device including a display area for displaying an image and a non-display area neighboring the display area includes: a flexible substrate including a plurality of chamfers on respective ends corresponding to the non-display area; a display provided on the flexible substrate corresponding to the display area and displaying the image; and a driver provided on the flexible substrate corresponding to the non-display area and connected to the display.
US09323281B2
A pedal assembly for a vehicle is provided and includes a housing and a pedal part that is rotatably coupled to the housing. A movable member has an inclined surface formed on one side thereof and slidably moves with respect to the housing. A connection member moves in cooperative operation with the rotation of the pedal part. Additionally, a friction member is connected to the connection member and slidably moves along the inclined surface of the movable member in the state of being brought into contact with the inclined surface and an elastic member is located between the other side of the movable member and the housing.
US09323276B2
A voltage generation circuit includes a plurality of voltage generation units each configured to include an internal voltage with a reference voltage, generate a detection signal based on a comparison result between the internal voltage and the reference voltage, and adjust the level of the internal voltage in response to an oscillation signal, a control unit configured to generate an oscillation control signal in response to the detection signals, an oscillator configured to generate the oscillation signal in response to the oscillation control signal, and a selective output unit configured to selectively supply the oscillation signal to one or more of the plurality of voltage generation units in response to the detection signals.
US09323273B2
A current source circuit is configured to receive a reference current at the input circuit path of a current mirror circuit. The current mirror circuit mirrors the reference current and generates mirror currents at a number of output circuit paths. A corresponding number of control transistors are connected in series with the output circuit paths. Each control transistor is selectively actuated in response to a control signal. A decoder circuit is configured to receive a variable control signal and generate actuation signals in response thereto to selective actuate the control transistors to pass the mirror current to an output node. At the output node, the passed mirror currents are summed to generate a variable output current. The variable current is monotonically modulated in response to the variable control signal.
US09323270B1
A transmission channel transmits high-voltage pulses and receives echos of the high-voltage pulses. The transmission channel includes a current generator circuit, which generates current-integrator drive currents, a receiver, which amplifies transducer-echo signals, and control circuitry. The control circuitry generates one or more control signals to control generation of current-integrator drive currents by the current generator circuit during transducer-driving periods and reception of transducer-echo signals by the receiver during echo-reception periods. A current integrator integrates current-integrator drive currents generated by current generator circuit to generate transducer drive signals.
US09323269B1
A voltage regulator includes a supply filter, a bias filter, and first and second circuits. The supply filter is configured to operate from a supply voltage, and to generate a filtered supply voltage at a first node. The supply filter includes a transistor and a capacitor. First and control terminals of the transistor receive the supply voltage. A second terminal of the transistor and a first terminal of the capacitor are connected to the first node. The first circuit is configured to operate from both the supply voltage and the filtered supply voltage, and to generate a second reference voltage based on an input reference voltage. The bias filter is configured to generate a filtered second reference voltage based on the second reference voltage. The second circuit is configured to operate from the filtered supply voltage, and to generate a regulated voltage based on the filtered second reference voltage.
US09323268B2
A switching circuit is electrically coupled between a connection terminal and an output terminal of a transmission channel and includes first and second switching transistors electrically coupled in series to each other and having respective body diodes in anti-series, between the connection terminal and the output terminal. The switching circuit comprises a bootstrap circuit connected to respective first and second control terminals of these first and one second switching transistors, as well as to respective first and second voltage references. The bootstrap circuit includes a first parasitic capacitance electrically coupled between the first control terminal and a first bootstrap node, and a second parasitic capacitance electrically coupled between the second control terminal and a second bootstrap node. The parasitic capacitances have value of at least one order of magnitude lower with respect to the gate-source capacitances of the first and second switching transistors.
US09323264B2
A voltage regulator apparatus and an associated method are provided, where the voltage regulator apparatus includes: a voltage regulator module for regulating an input voltage according to a bandgap reference voltage to generate an output voltage; and a plurality of sensing modules. Ina situation where the output voltage abruptly decreases, a sensing module reduces, based on a variation amount of the output voltage, a decrement of the output voltage. In a situation where the output voltage abruptly increases, another sensing module reduces, based on another variation amount of the output voltage, an increment of the output voltage. In addition, yet another sensing module senses variation of the output voltage, converts the variation of the output voltage into a current signal, and applies the current signal to a control terminal within the voltage regulator module to indirectly control the output voltage.
US09323252B2
A method for automatically controlling a flow in a flow line system including a flow line, a flow line inlet and outlet, and a control valve located in the flow line at the outlet. The method includes controlling the opening of the valve with a control unit. An outlet flow rate is measured or estimated from the flow line. The valve is opened. It is determined if a sudden drop occurs in any of the measurements or estimates. It is decided if a liquid blockage in the flow line is present or approaching. If a liquid blockage is indicated as present or approaching, the opening of the valve is increased by an amount determined by the measurements or estimates. Any further manipulation of the valve is inhibited before a non-zero time period has expired. The steps are repeated. Also a system and a computer program product.
US09323249B2
A method for accurately tracking and controlling robots includes capturing a first image of a first matrix code labeled on a first mobile robot at a first time by one or more stationery cameras, wherein the first matrix code is encoded with an identification that uniquely identifies the first mobile robot, correcting a tilt of the first image to produce a first corrected image that shows the first matrix code in a substantially rectangular or square shape, extracting the identification to uniquely identify the first mobile robot, calculating a first position of the first mobile robot based on the first corrected image by a computer system, and controlling a movement of the first mobile robot based at least in part on the identification and the first position of the first mobile robot.
US09323232B2
In accordance with exemplary embodiments there is determining geo-routines of a user, the geo-routines based on at least one of a location and an altitude and a trajectory of the user, recording the determined geo-routines of user of the system; and based on a current trajectory of a user indicating that the user is going to use a transportation system, optimizing a use of the system according to the recorded geo-routines of the user of the system. In addition, sending information including a location and/or an altitude of a user, and a trajectory of the user, the information associated with a current geo-routine of the user, and receiving information to optimize the use of a transportation system, the receiving based on a current trajectory indicating that the user is going to use the transportation system and on the current geo-routine and/or historical geo-routines of a user of the transportation system.
US09323230B2
A system for verifying a communication device, the system comprising at least a one communication device comprising a transmitter for performing communication, and a storage for holding first information, the first information comprising ID information of the communication device, at least a one security communication device comprising a transmitter for performing communication, and a storage for holding second information, the second information comprising ID information of the security communication device, a verification element, and a communication element for receiving the ID information from one or more of the communication devices and one or more of the security communication devices, transmitting the received ID information to the verification element, wherein the verification element is adapted to verify each of the one or more communication devices only if the received ID information of the pertaining communication device can be verified and the received ID information of at least one of the one or more security communication devices can be verified.
US09323223B2
The timepiece movement includes a balance-and-hairspring oscillator and an escapement cooperating with the oscillator. The outer turn of the hairspring includes a stiffened portion (9″) arranged to at least partially compensate for the variation in the rate of the movement in dependence upon the oscillation amplitude of the balance caused by the escapement. The hairspring further includes at least one of the following features: a) a distance (R′) between the inner end of the hairspring and the centre of rotation of the hairspring lower than 400 μm, b) a Grossmann curve (10) defined by the inner turn of the hairspring, c) a stiffened portion defined by the inner turn of the hairspring.
US09323210B2
An image forming apparatus includes a casing including a first side frame, a second side frame, and an opening, a cartridge configured to be attached to and removed from the casing through the opening, and an openable member configured to open and close the opening. A first side and a second side of the cartridge are supported by the first side frame and the second side frame, respectively, when the cartridge is attached to the casing. A part of the cartridge attached to the casing protrudes in a removal direction of the cartridge relative to an end of each of the first side frame and the second side frame in the removal direction. The openable member includes a wall portion. When the openable member closes the opening, the wall portion of the openable member is spaced apart in the removal direction from the part of the cartridge attached to the casing.
US09323209B1
An image forming apparatus includes a unit, a main high-voltage board, a sub high-voltage board and a connecting mechanism. The connecting mechanism is configured to electrically connect the main high-voltage board and the sub high-voltage board with the unit. The connecting mechanism includes a first connecting member and a second connecting member. The first connecting member includes a main-side terminal configured to be connectable with the main high-voltage board, a unit-side terminal configured to be connectable with the unit and a first conductive wire configured to connect the main-side terminal with the unit-side terminal. The second connecting member includes a sub-side terminal configured to be connectable with the sub high-voltage board, a relay terminal configured to be connectable with the first conductive wire and a second conductive wire configured to connect the sub-side terminal with the relay terminal.
US09323207B2
An image forming apparatus includes a fixing unit, a housing having a sheet ejection opening, a plurality of sheet ejection rollers disposed in the sheet ejection opening and configured to eject the sheet fed from the fixing unit to the outside of the housing, a heat generating member spaced apart from the fixing unit and configured to generate heat, and a first guide member. The first guide member is disposed above the heat generating member, and configured to guide the sheet fed from the fixing unit to the ejection rollers. The first guide member includes a base portion having a plurality of outlet ports, and a plurality of ribs protruding upward from the base portion. The outlet ports are disposed between each pair of adjacent ones of the ribs and positioned closer to a downstream end of the first guide member than to an upstream end thereof.
US09323205B2
The sheet binding apparatus comprises a movable stapler for binding a sheet bundle formed of a plurality of sheets; a movable stapler movement motor for moving the movable stapler between a first position and a second position, the first position, at which sheet conveyance from the image forming apparatus connected so as to be capable of feeding a sheet, and the second position, at which the sheet conveyance is not hampered and a sheet bundle which is manually provided without using the image forming apparatus is bound; and CPU for controlling the movable stapler movement motor to cause, when the image forming apparatus is in a state of not forming the image, the movable stapler to stand by at the second position.
US09323202B2
A printing apparatus notifies a user of a message that jamming may be attributed to a protective member yet to be removed, without providing any sensor for detecting the protective member. A method for controlling a printing apparatus that conveys a sheet includes detecting sheet jamming, determining a number of discharged sheets, and notifying the user to remove the protective member present on a conveyance path if the sheet jamming is detected and the number of discharged sheets is determined to be less than a predetermined number, and notifying the user of the sheet jamming if the sheet jamming is detected and the number of discharged sheets is determined to be equal to or greater than the predetermined number.
US09323198B2
A motor control apparatus including a motor control unit and a signal output unit that outputs a signal corresponding to rotation of the motor to displace an object to be driven to a target stop position, the motor control unit includes: a first control unit that estimates a current upper limit and determines a first control input; a second control unit that determines a second control input and controls the motor to stop the object to be driven at the target stop position; a first calculation unit calculates a necessary amount for stop, a second calculation unit that calculates a remaining displacement amount, a switching unit, enable the first control unit or the second control unit to control the motor with switching; based on the necessary amount for stop and the remaining displacement amount.
US09323184B2
A fixing device for thermally fixing a developer image transferred onto a recording sheet, includes: a flexible fusing member which is flexibly deformable; a heating element; a nip member disposed in such a manner as to contact with a surface of the flexible fusing member and to allow the flexible fusing member to slide along the nip member; a reflecting plate configured to reflect radiant heat from the heating element in a direction toward the nip member; a backup member configured to nip the flexible fusing member with the nip member to thereby form a nip portion for the recording sheet between the flexible fusing member and the backup member; and a stay configured to support both end portions of the nip member. The reflecting plate has at least one flange portion, and the flange portion is held and supported between the nip member and the stay.
US09323168B2
A yellow toner is provided which is superior in dispersibility of C. I. pigment yellow 185, has a high color development property, and is superior in light resistance. The yellow toner has toner particles containing at least a binder resin, a wax, and a colorant, wherein the yellow toner contains C.I. pigment yellow 185 and a compound represented by the general formula (1) as the colorant:
US09323154B2
In a first aspect, methods are provided that comprise: (a) applying a curable composition on a substrate; (b) applying a hardmask composition above the curable composition; (c) applying a photoresist composition layer above the hard mask composition, wherein one or more of the compositions are removed in an ash-free process. In a second aspect, methods are provided that comprise (a) applying an organic composition on a substrate; (b) applying a photoresist composition layer above the organic composition, wherein the organic composition comprises a material that produce an alkaline-soluble group upon thermal and/or radiation treatment. Related compositions also are provided.
US09323151B2
A photosensitive oligomer for photosensitive resist comprising unsaturated double-bond group and flexible group. The monomers or compounds for synthesizing the photosensitive oligomer include unsaturated double-bond containing organic acid-based monomers, unsaturated double-bond containing organic ester-based monomers, unsaturated double-bond containing organic acid chloride/ethylene-based monomers, unsaturated double-bond containing alcohol-based compounds, and flexible group-containing silane/ether-based compounds. The present invention further provides a negative photosensitive resist resin composition comprising the photosensitive oligomer.
US09323149B2
The present disclosure relates to novel methanofullerene derivatives, negative-type photoresist compositions prepared therefrom and methods of using them. The derivatives, their photoresist compositions and the methods are ideal for fine pattern processing using, for example, ultraviolet radiation, beyond extreme ultraviolet radiation, extreme ultraviolet radiation, X-rays and charged particle rays. Negative photosensitive compositions are also disclosed.
US09323143B2
A nano-imprint lithography process includes forming a multiplicity of hydroxyl groups on a surface of a substantially inorganic nano-imprint lithography template, heating the template, and reacting a pre-selected percentage of the hydroxyl groups on the surface of the template with a mono-functional, non-fluorinated compound to form a monolayer coating on the surface of the nano-imprint lithography template. The coated template may be contacted with a polymerizable composition disposed on a nano-imprint lithography substrate, and the polymerizable composition solidified to form a patterned layer. The coated template is separated from the patterned layer.
US09323134B2
A small, lightweight assembly that enables document camera functionality, along with other features and functionalities is disclosed. Examples of additional functionality provided with some embodiments include split-screen viewing, high quality screen shots, and digital zoom.
US09323131B2
A focal-plane shutter includes: first, second, and third boards each including an opening and arranged in an optical axis direction passing through the openings; a first blade arranged between the first and second boards and capable of opening and closing the openings; a second blade arranged between the second and third boards and capable of opening and closing the openings; first and second arms arranged between the second and third boards, connected to the second blade, made of synthetic resins, and capable of rotating about respective different fulcrums; and a drive member connected to the first arm and driving the first arm.
US09323123B2
The present invention provides a structure of a pixel, which has a simple structure and employs an arrangement where a terminal of the storage capacitor Cst is of the same potential as the gate line. In other words, under a condition of not reducing aperture ratio, an arrangement of two (or three) gate lines is used, of which one is used to early set the voltage of the pixel electrode to a reference voltage by one period of line scanning time and, also, which is set to partly overlap the pixel electrode of a structure of another pixel to provide a storage capacitor, so as to shorten the charging time of the pixel unit and increase the charging speed of the pixel unit.
US09323122B2
Embodiments provide an array substrate and a liquid crystal display panel. The array substrate comprises: a substrate, data lines and gate lines which are provided on the substrate and intersect with each other, and sub-pixel units which are defined by surrounding of the data lines and the gate lines and are arranged in an array form. Two gate lines for respectively driving the sub-pixel units in two adjacent rows are located between the sub-pixel units in the two adjacent rows; each sub-pixel unit comprises a thin film transistor (TFT) and a pixel electrode, and a connection area of the TFT and the pixel electrode is located between the two gate lines adjacent to the sub-pixel unit and has no overlapping area with a projection of the two gate lines in a perpendicular direction of the array substrate.
US09323120B2
A liquid crystal panel includes a plurality of main pixels, which may include main pixels having bright spot defects to be repaired. Each of the main pixels is of a charge-share pixel structure and the main pixel includes first and second voltage-division capacitors, which are connected in series. The first voltage-division capacitor includes first and second metal layers that are opposite to each other. The second voltage-division capacitor includes third and fourth metal layers that are opposite to each other. The first metal layer and the second metal layer of the first voltage-division capacitor of the main pixels to be repaired are additionally soldered together and the third metal layer and the fourth metal layer of the second voltage-division capacitor of the main pixels to be repaired are additionally soldered together thereby shorting the first and second voltage-division capacitors to achieve an effect of dark spot repair.
US09323117B2
Flexible substrates are drawn from two terminals provided on a TFT substrate, respectively, and IC chips are mounted on both flexible substrates. Both flexible substrates are placed so that positions of the IC chips provided on both flexible substrates overlap with each other.
US09323102B2
There are provided a resin composition and an optical film using the same. The resin composition includes a copolymer (A) formed by polymerizing a (meth)acryloyl morpholine-based monomer (a), a maleimide-based monomer (b), and an alkyl(meth)acrylate-based monomer (c), and the optical film is manufactured using the same. The resin composition may provide a film having excellent optical properties and optical transparency, reduced haze, excellent mechanical strength, a relatively low level of thermal expansion coefficient leading to a relatively small change in a dimension, and a relatively low level of alteration in a retardation value due to external stress.
US09323101B2
A spectacle lens is disclosed. The disclosed lens provides a vision correcting area for the correction of a wearer's refractive error. The viewing correction area provides correction for non-conventional refractive error to provide at least a part of the wearer's vision correction. The lens has a prescription based on a wave front analysis of the wearer's eye and the lens can further be modified to fit within an eyeglass frame.
US09323093B2
A display device for displaying information to a user in correspondence with a display signal. The display device includes an LCD receiving the display signal and displaying information in accordance with the display signal. The display device additionally includes a capacitive touch panel having an electrically conductive surface. The capacitive touch panel provides a signal corresponding to the location of an object touching or placed in close proximity to the surface of the capacitive touch panel for providing user input. A chassis supports the LCD and capacitive touch panel in the device. A capacitor capacitively connects the electrically conductive surface of the capacitive touch panel to the chassis.
US09323089B1
A thin LCD device includes an LCD panel with fixing holes; a fixed plate with two opposite sides covering two opposite sides of the LCD panel and having through holes corresponsive to the fixing holes of the LCD panel respectively; a main board fixed to the fixed plate and the fixed plate being installed between the main board and the LCD panel; a housing shielding the main board and covering sides of the LCD panel and the fixed plate and having through holes corresponsive to the through holes of the fixed plate and the fixing holes of the LCD panel; and a fixing element passing through the respective through hole of the housing, the respective through hole of the fixed plate and the respective fixing hole of the LCD panel to fix the housing, the fixed plate and the LCD panel, so as to facilitate assembling and reduce thickness.
US09323073B2
An emitter-detector pair sensor may be incorporated into a powered or electronic ophthalmic lens. The emitter-detector pair sensor may be configured to determine the distance from the sensor to an object in its path. Based upon this information, a system controller of the ophthalmic lens may output a signal to an actuator of the ophthalmic lens to control a variable power optic of the ophthalmic lens.
US09323068B2
Embodiments of the invention relate to a spatial stereoscopic display device and an operating method thereof. The spatial stereoscopic display device comprises: a laser source; a two-dimensional scanning unit, receiving and projecting the laser light onto a variable isoclinic transflective unit; the variable isoclinic transflective unit, receiving and dividing the laser light into a first and second splitting lights intersecting in an imaging space, by transmission and reflection; a power source and position sensor unit, connected with the variable isoclinic transflective unit to control an intersection of the first and second splitting lights in the imaging space; the imaging space, provided with an up-conversion material inside, and the up-conversion material at the intersection of the first and second splitting lights is excited to form a light-emitting point; and the 3D modulator, connected with the laser source, the two-dimensional scanning unit, the power source and position sensor unit.
US09323065B2
Known semiconductor wafer process technologies are used to manufacture an optical MUX/DeMUX with very precise dimensional control. The manufacturing process eliminates the need to polish optical surfaces of the MUX/DeMUX, which reduces the overall manufacturing costs and the amount of time that is required to manufacture the MUX/DeMUX.
US09323064B2
Methods and systems for splitting an initiated signal are disclosed. An exemplary system may include a transmitter configured to selectively transmit an initiated signal, and a signal splitter in communication with the transmitter. The signal splitter may be configured to selectively split the initiated signal into a plurality of recipient signals for a plurality of recipient lines in communication with the transmitter. The signal splitter may be configured to selectively modify a number of recipient signals, e.g., by adjusting a spot size of the initiated signal on the signal splitter.
US09323054B2
A heads-up-display assembly includes a display module and a circuit board. The display module is configured to display an image on a display surface, remote to the display module. The display module includes a housing, a visual display, and one or more retention members. The circuit board controls the visual display and is coupled to the display module by a first wire. The circuit board is movable between a first configuration in which the circuit board is free to hang from the display module by the first wire, and a second configuration in which the circuit board is removably retained to the housing by the one or more retention members and not free to hang by the first wire.
US09323047B2
According to the present invention there is provided a method of manufacturing a MEMS micro mirror assembly (250), comprising the step of mounting a PCB board (205) on a metallic plate (206), mounting a MEMS device (240) on the PCB board (205), wherein the MEMS device (240) comprises a MEMS die (241) and a magnet (230).
US09323045B2
An illumination device includes: a light source device adapted to emit an excitation light beam; and a rotating fluorescent plate having a single fluorescent layer adapted to convert a part or whole of the excitation light beam into a fluorescent light beam. The fluorescent light beam includes two or more colored light beams, and the single fluorescent layer is formed on a circular disk, which can be rotated by a motor, continuously along a circumferential direction of the circular disk.
US09323034B2
Optical imaging systems and methods providing having variable lateral zoom. In one example, an optical imaging system with variable lateral zoom includes primary optics configured to receive and direct incident electromagnetic radiation from a viewed scene onto a focal plane to form a substantially planar intermediate image at the focal plane, the intermediate image having substantially uniform lateral magnification, an eyepiece optically coupled to the primary optics and configured to reimage the intermediate image onto an image plane to produce an output image having variable lateral magnification, and a photo-sensitive detector positioned at the image plane.
US09323033B2
The zoom lens consists essentially of a positive first lens group, a negative second lens group, an aperture stop, a third lens group, a positive fourth lens group and a fifth lens group in this order from the object side. The first, third, and fifth lens groups are fixed while the second and the fourth lens groups move when changing magnification from the wide angle end to the telephoto end, and the fourth lens group moves when focusing is performed. The fifth lens group consists essentially only of a single cemented lens having a meniscus shape with a convex surface toward the image side, and conditional formulas (1), (2) are satisfied when the maximum image height is Y, the air equivalent back focus is Bf and the distance along the optical axis from the aperture stop to the peak of the most-image-side lens surface is Lsr: 0.05
US09323031B2
An imaging lens consists essentially of a front-group consisting of a first lens having a negative meniscus shape with its convex surface facing an object side, a second lens having negative refractive power, a third lens having positive refractive power, a fourth lens having a negative meniscus shape with its concave surface facing an image side and a fifth lens having positive refractive power, and the front-group having positive refractive power as a whole, a stop, and a rear-group consisting of a sixth lens having positive refractive power and a seventh lens having a negative meniscus shape with its concave surface facing the object side, and the rear-group having positive refractive power as a whole, in this order from the object side. A predetermined conditional formula about a combined focal length of the first lens and the second lens, and a focal length of an entire system is satisfied.
US09323027B2
An optical lens system includes sequentially from an object side to an image plane side: a first lens having a negative refractive power and an object side surface that is convex; a second lens having a positive refractive power and an image side surface that is convex toward the image side; a third lens having a positive refractive power and an image side surface that is convex toward the image side; a fourth lens having a positive refractive power and a biconvex shape; and a fifth lens having a negative refractive power and an object side surface that is concave toward the object side.
US09323016B2
The instant disclosure relates to bi-direction data transmission method, high-frequency connector and an optical connector using the same. The optical connector includes a first circuit board, a second circuit board, a high-frequency connector and an optical fiber cable. One optical engine is set on the first circuit board. The high-frequency connector is set between the first circuit board and the second circuit board for connecting both two circuit boards. The high-frequency connector includes an insulation base. The insulation base has at least one terminal-accommodating region. Pluralities of connection terminals are inserted into the terminal-accommodating regions of the insulation base. The optical fiber cable connects to the one optical engine.
US09323015B2
A method to assemble an optical assembly is disclosed. The method includes steps of rough and fine alignment between the sleeve member and the J-sleeve, and the alignment of the J-sleeve with the optical device. The rough alignment slides the sleeve member on the J-sleeve as tracing closed loops concentric to each other by alternating a direction of the slide in clockwise and counter clockwise in respective loops.
US09323014B2
An apparatus includes a base substrate, a light rotation module and a flexible printed circuit board (PCB). The light rotation module has a bottom surface mounted on the base substrate and a top surface coupled to one or more optoelectronic transducers, and is configured to direct optical signals between the respective optoelectronic transducers and optical ports on a side perpendicular to the top surface. The flexible printed circuit board (PCB) includes a first end that is attached to the top surface of the light rotation module and has the optoelectronic transducers mounted thereon, a second end attached to the base substrate, and conductive traces disposed between the first and second ends to direct electrical signals between the optoelectronic transducers and the base substrate.
US09323010B2
To fabricate an interposer for interfacing waveguides (e.g. optical fiber cables) to transducers, a cavity (410) is formed in a top surface of a substrate. A first layer (520) is formed over the cavity's bottom surface, with one or more gaps in the first layer's top surface. A second layer (3410) is formed in the one or more gaps. The second layer overlaps the first layer. At least part of the first layer is removed to form channels separated from each other by portions of the second layer that are located in the one or more gaps; at least part of the first layer is removed from under the second layer. The second layer portions in the one or more gaps provide one or more spacers in the cavity; these one or more spacers at least partially cover the channels. Waveguides can be placed into the channels.
US09323000B2
Provided is a waveguide-type polarization beam splitter in which deterioration of a polarization extinction ratio due to temperature change and wavelength change is suppressed. The waveguide-type polarization beam splitter includes: input optical waveguides; a first multimode interference optical coupler; a pair of optical waveguide arms; a second multimode interference optical coupler; and output optical waveguides. A quarter wavelength delay is provided in one of the pair of optical waveguide arms, a groove is formed to extend across both of the pair of optical waveguide arms, and two quarter wave plates are provided in the groove to extend respectively across the arms. Polarization axes of the respective quarter wave plates are orthogonal to each other.
US09322990B2
An optical fiber preform has a core portion having a first core portion including a central axis, a second core portion disposed around the first core portion, and a third core portion disposed around the second core portion. The first core portion contains 10 atomic ppm or more of an alkali metal and 10 to 600 atomic ppm of chlorine, the second core portion contains 10 atomic ppm or less of the alkali metal and 10 to 600 atomic ppm of chlorine, and the third core portion contains 10 atomic ppm or less of the alkali metal and 2,000 atomic ppm or more of chlorine. An optical fiber has a core region doped with an alkali metal and chlorine, wherein the minimum concentration of chlorine in the core region is 1,000 atomic ppm or more, and the average concentration of the alkali metal therein is 0.2 atomic ppm or more.
US09322973B2
A device according to embodiments of the invention includes a waveguide, typically formed from a first section of transparent material. A light source is disposed proximate a bottom surface of the waveguide. The light source comprises a semiconductor light emitting diode and a second section of transparent material disposed between the semiconductor light emitting diode and the waveguide. Sidewalls of the second section of transparent material are reflective. A surface to be illuminated is disposed proximate a top surface of the waveguide. In some embodiments, an edge of the waveguide is curved.
US09322960B2
A method of making a contact lens comprising the steps of reacting in a mold a polymerizable formulation comprising at least one fluorine-containing silicone monomer at least one non-fluorine-containing silicone monomer and at least one hydrophilic monomer to form a contact lens, subjecting the contact lens to one or more solvent extraction steps to remove impurities, oligomers and unreacted monomers and hydrate the contact lens, wherein all of the solvent extraction steps are undertaken using an aqueous solvent.
US09322958B2
Silicone hydrogel contact lenses are provided which have reduced modulus and contact angle properties, and which have acceptable wettabilities for use in daily wear and extended or continuous wear applications.
US09322954B2
A fluorite with excellent laser durability is provided by devising a heat-treatment method for CaF2 crystal. A fluorite production method is proposed, wherein heat-treatment is carried out by providing, through compartment walls in the periphery of a fluorite crystal, a fluoride gas trap layer containing a fluoride gas-adsorbing material.
US09322948B2
A method of measuring a formation parameter in the process of drilling a well penetrating the rock formation is disclosed. A section of the well is provided with a drill string comprising a drilling bit at its distal end; a first fluid is circulated through the drilling bit and invades the rock formation; a formation evaluation tool mounted onto the drill string is used to measure the formation parameter; the formation parameter is used to select the time at which a second fluid is circulated through the drilling bit; such that the second fluid alters the response of the rock formation to the formation evaluation tool; the second fluid is circulated through the drilling bit to start invading the formation; and the formation evaluation tool is used to repeat the measure of the formation parameter while circulating the second fluid.
US09322940B2
A detector module (50) for a positron emission tomography (PET) system (10) includes an optical transceiver (66) receiving an optical data stream from a PET processing system (48). The data stream includes a pulse train carrying a command to generate sync/reset pulses. The system (10) further includes synchronization circuitry (70) configured to simultaneously jitter clean the pulse train and one of: 1) count the pulses of the pulse train; and 2) monitor the pulse train for a missing pulse. The synchronization circuitry (70) is further configured to, in response to counting a predetermined number of pulses or detecting the missing pulse, extract a jitter clean pulse from the pulse train to generate a jitter clean sync/reset pulse. The system (10) further includes an internal clock (64) which receives the jitter clean sync/reset pulse.
US09322936B2
An X-ray line detector includes a housing having an upper part a lower part and a linear inlet slot for X-ray radiation to be detected. At least one detector element including a plurality of linearly arranged photodiodes is disposed opposite the inlet slot. Each photodiode is arranged on a printed circuit board mounted on a base carrier disposed in the housing. Each photodiode has a multiplicity of pixels including respective active areas of equal width arranged equidistantly in relation to each other with distances between the active areas being equidistant. Adjacent printed circuit boards are spaced apart from each other at a distance such that edge pixels on the respective adjacent printed circuit boards are disposed at a distance from one another corresponding to a sum of the width of the active area of a pixel and twice the distance between adjacent pixels of a photodiode.
US09322925B2
GPS navigation devices or GPS receivers can consume less power by using a temperature recorder circuit and/or a power manager in calculating the accuracies of the GPS system time and reference frequency to improve battery life. A representative receiver includes a time reference device that generates data associated with a GPS system time, and a temperature recorder circuit that operates using the generated data from the time reference device and monitors the temperature of the time reference device while the receiver hibernates. The receiver further includes memory including a power manager that has instructions, which are processed by a processing device after the receiver wakes up. The instructions associated with the power manager include determining if the temperature recorder circuit sent a wake-up signal, reading data from the temperature recorder circuit, and adjusting parameters associated with at least one of the following: the time reference device and the temperature recorder circuit.
US09322923B2
An electronic apparatus with power saving functionality is provided. The electronic apparatus includes a signal processing device configured for performing a predetermined signal processing operation; a wireless communication device coupled to the signal processing circuit for communicating with an external wireless communication device through a wireless connection; and a controller coupled to the signal processing device and the wireless communication device for switching the signal processing device between a first mode and a second mode according to a connection status of the wireless connection. The signal processing device operating in the second mode has less power consumption than the signal processing device operating in the first mode.
US09322921B2
A communications device includes a housing, an antenna carried by the housing, an oscillator carried by the housing to generate a reference signal, and an RF receiver carried by the housing, and coupled to the antenna and the oscillator, the RF receiver demodulating a received signal from the antenna based upon the reference signal. The communications device also includes a GPS receiver carried by the housing to generate a calibration signal, a temperature sensor carried by the housing to generate a sensed temperature value, and a processor carried by the housing and coupled to the oscillator, the RF receiver, the GPS receiver, and the temperature sensor. The processor may enter an oscillator calibration mode based upon the sensed temperature value for selectively calibrating the oscillator based upon the calibration signal.
US09322909B2
A negative obstacle detection system for a vehicle comprises a stereo camera mountable to the vehicle to provide a forward facing image and a long range radar mountable to the vehicle to emit a signal in a forward direction from the vehicle. An electronic control unit receives data from the stereo camera and the long range radar to determine if a negative obstacle may be located in a forward proximity to the vehicle.
US09322895B2
The present invention provides a novel lactate difference imaging (LDI) technique, allowing assessment of the metabolic responses of tissue over a period of time. This approach utilizes lactate change over a time period as an indicator of viable tissue, and offers benefits in the management and treatment of the effects of many common diseases, in particular stroke.
US09322890B2
A gradient amplifier for driving a gradient coil is disclosed. The gradient amplifier includes a direct current (DC) bus for receiving DC voltage generated from a series resonant converter, an inverter coupled to the DC bus configured to receive the DC voltage at the DC bus and convert the DC voltage to generate an output voltage to be applied to the gradient coil, and an inverter controller coupled to the inverter. The inverter controller is configured to generate control signals to control operation of the inverter based at least on a DC voltage feedback signal measured at the DC bus, an output voltage feedback signal measured at the output of the inverter, and a reference output voltage signal indicative of a desired voltage to be achieved at the output of the inverter.
US09322878B2
A semiconductor device includes a digital circuit having a scan test mode. The digital circuit includes a first flip-flop forming a part of a scan chain when in the scan test mode, and a first selector provided on an input side of the first flip-flop. The first selector is capable of selecting a first signal when not in the scan test mode, and selecting a second signal that is different from the first signal when in the scan test mode.
US09322876B2
A scan chain of an integrated circuit is disclosed, including a plurality of scannable storage elements and a control test point having a scan latch and an integrated clock gate (ICG) with clock, functional enable (FE) and scan enable (SE) inputs, and a gated clock output. The ICG may respond to an SE input active state, in a serial scan mode allowing the gated clock output to change. The ICG may also be operated in a scan capture mode, responding to an SE input inactive state, in which the gated clock output is inhibited from changing in response to a low FE input level. The ICG's gated clock output may be coupled to the scan latch clock input, which may hold its data output at a fixed level in response to ICG's gated clock output being inhibited from changing during the scan capture operation.
US09322868B2
A test circuit of a semiconductor integrated circuit includes a through via, a voltage driving unit, and a determination unit. The through via is charged by receiving an input voltage. The voltage driving unit generates a test voltage by charging or discharging the through via in response to a test control signal. The determination unit compares levels of the input voltage and the test voltage and outputs a resultant signal.
US09322865B2
A method of digital sampling of a current or group of currents in an electrical system including using in the sampling, sufficient bandwidth to reconstruct the amplitude and phase of a synthesized power frequency and its harmonics and a fundamental carrier frequency of switching electronics and modulation sidebands.
US09322861B2
A method for the detection of a gripping of a hand-held device with one hand, using a capacitive sensor device, uses at least one transmitting electrode, at least one compensating electrode and at least one receiving electrode. An electrical signal is tapped at the receiving electrode and the sensor device can be operated in a first operating mode and in a second operating mode. In the first operating mode, a first alternating electrical signal is applied to the transmitting electrode and a second alternating electrical signal is applied to the compensating electrode. In the second operating mode, the second alternating signal is only applied to the compensating electrode. Furthermore, a sensor device can be provided which is configured to perform the method as described above.
US09322857B2
A method for determining an energy yield loss of a first wind turbine of a wind farm that includes a plurality of wind turbines. The first wind turbine is operated in a reduced energy yield mode that is outside an energy-optimized normal operating mode and a reduced energy yield of the first wind turbine is determined. At least one second wind turbine is selected according to a pre-determinable criterion. The energy yield of the at least one second wind turbine is determined and depending upon the energy yield of the at least one second wind turbine, an energy yield potential of the first wind turbine is determined. The difference between the energy yield potential of the first wind turbine and the determined reduced energy yield is formed.
US09322856B2
A circuit and method are provided for detecting a power of a signal amplified in a power amplifier. A diode and a voltage bias source are used to shift a voltage of the signal taken at a base of an amplifying transistor of the power amplifier, to generate a positive signal. The positive signal is provided to a base input of an emitter follower exhibiting high input impedance to generate a power detector output which follows the positive signal.
US09322855B2
A detachable current and voltage sensor provides an isolated and convenient device to measure current passing through a conductor such as an AC branch circuit wire, as well as providing an indication of an electrostatic potential on the wire, which can be used to indicate the phase of the voltage on the wire, and optionally a magnitude of the voltage. The device includes a housing formed from two portions that mechanically close around the wire and that contain the current and voltage sensors. The current sensor is a ferrite cylinder formed from at least three portions that form the cylinder when the sensor is closed around the wire with a hall effect sensor disposed in a gap between two of the ferrite portions along the circumference to measure current. A capacitive plate or wire is disposed adjacent to, or within, the ferrite cylinder to provide the indication of the voltage.
US09322854B2
A method of measurement using a detachable current and voltage sensor provides an isolated and convenient technique for to measuring current passing through a conductor such as an AC branch circuit wire, as well as providing an indication of an electrostatic potential on the wire, which can be used to indicate the phase of the voltage on the wire, and optionally a magnitude of the voltage. The device includes a housing that contains the current and voltage sensors, which may be a ferrite cylinder with a hall effect sensor disposed in a gap along the circumference to measure current, or alternative a winding provided through the cylinder along its axis and a capacitive plate or wire disposed adjacent to, or within, the ferrite cylinder to provide the indication of the voltage.
US09322849B2
A method of cleaning needles of a probe card in a test system includes mounting the probe card, which has a plurality of device under tests (DUTs) and needles, in a card mounting part. The DUTs and needles are scanned using a camera positioned in the test system to provide a scan result. A laser beam is focused on at least one of the needles based on the scan result and the laser beam is irradiated on the at least one of the needles to clean the at least one of the needles.
US09322844B2
A probe card 10 includes a first probe 11 configured to come into electric contact with an emitter electrode of a power device D; a block-shaped first connecting terminal 12 to which the first probe 11 is connected; a second probe 13 configured to come into electric contact with a gate electrode of the power device D; a block-shaped second connecting terminal 14 to which the second probe 13 is connected; a contact plate 15 configured to come into electric contact with a collector electrode of the power device D; and a block-shaped third connecting terminal 16 fixed to the contact plate 15. Further, the first connecting terminal 12, the second connecting terminal 14 and the third connecting terminal 16 electrically come into direct contact with corresponding connection terminals of a tester, respectively.
US09322843B1
A “Theta” angle adjustment tool is made of a solid parallelepiped and adjusting screw, that allows the wafer probes to be fastened to the auxiliary equipment under correcting “Theta” angles. The procedure consists of loosening the probe and pressing hard on the tool to force the probe to adjust to the intended slope (“Theta”) and then fastening the probe under pressure against the tool and chuck surface. Following that the marks left when the probe tips touch the wafer are assessed and corrective action is taken regarding “Theta misalignment”.
US09322836B2
A batch chemical analyzer is disclosed, the analyzer including a reaction tank (100) in which sample and reagent are mixed, a detector (200), a switching valve (300), a multi-port valve (400), a pump (500) and an air suction/discharge hole (600), and particularly, the switching valve (300) includes a plurality of holes (301˜310) configured to receive sample and reagent and to send the same to the reaction tank (100) and the detector (200) for discharge to the outside, and the rotor (320) formed with a plurality of inlets (321˜325) simultaneously communicating with two adjacent holes of the plurality of holes (301˜310), whereby the two adjacent holes are differently paired to be communicated in two ways by the rotation of the rotor (320).
US09322835B2
A biologic fluid sample analysis method and system is provided that includes a reagent depository, and analysis chamber, a biologic fluid transfer system, and a programmable analyzer. The reagent depository has a plurality of reagent deposits, and each reagent deposit located at a position within the depository independent of the other reagent deposits. The analysis chamber is adapted to quiescently hold a biologic fluid sample and one or more reagents during analysis. The biologic fluid transfer system has at least one fluid transfer device. The programmable analyzer is adapted to control the biologic fluid transfer system to acquire a volume of sample from a sample reservoir, dispense a volume of the sample into the reagent depository, acquire a volume of sample and reagent from the reagent depository, and to transfer the sample and reagent to the analysis chamber, and to analyze the combined sample and reagent.
