US09554107B2
A method and apparatus for recording a composite image from a lens array are disclosed. A first composite image is recorded using a first lens providing imaging data in a first color, a second lens providing imaging data in a second color, and a third lens providing imaging data in a third color, wherein the first, second, and third colors are different colors. A second composite image is recorded using the first lens, a fourth lens providing imaging data in the second color, and a fifth lens providing imaging data in the third color. The first and second composite images are compared to identify color fringed areas. Based on the relative size and location of the color fringed areas in the first and second composite images, a de-fringing algorithm is applied to at least one of the composite images to mitigate the color fringing in the color fringed areas.
US09554100B2
Techniques disclosed herein utilize a vision sensor that integrates a special-purpose camera with dedicated computer vision (CV) computation hardware and a dedicated low-power microprocessor for the purposes of detecting, tracking, recognizing, and/or analyzing subjects, objects, and scenes in the view of the camera. The vision sensor processes the information retrieved from the camera using the included low-power microprocessor and sends “events” (or indications that one or more reference occurrences have occurred, and, possibly, associated data) for the main processor only when needed or as defined and configured by the application. This allows the general-purpose microprocessor (which is typically relatively high-speed and high-power to support a variety of applications) to stay in a low-power (e.g., sleep mode) most of the time as conventional, while becoming active only when events are received from the vision sensor.
US09554097B2
An endoscope image processing device includes an image acquisition section and a boundary region correction section. The image acquisition section acquires image signals that form a front image corresponding to a front field of view and a side image corresponding to a side field of view as a single acquired image. A region within the acquired image that corresponds to the front field of view is referred to as a front region, and a region within the acquired image that corresponds to the side field of view is referred to as a side region. The boundary area correction section performs a process that causes at least one of an image of the front region and an image of the side region to overlap a boundary region that is a region that defines a boundary between the front region and the side region.
US09554096B1
Apparatuses, systems, and methods for implementing a computerized garment photography system are described. A garment is placed on an exterior surface of the mannequin. The mannequin is controllable to assume a series of size combinations via one or more moveable portions of the robotic mannequin. One or more image capture devices capture a plurality of images of the mannequin as the mannequin assumes the size combinations. A fit adjustment mechanism adjusts a placement of the garment on the exterior surface of the mannequin during the automated photography process.
US09554087B2
An information processing device including an image transmission control function includes an image pickup unit that picks up an image including a facial image of a speaker; a transmission unit that transmits a picked-up image; a reception unit that receives an image including a facial image picked up by a communication counterpart device; a display unit that displays a received image; and a transmission control unit that inhibits transmission of the image picked up by the image pickup unit in a case where the facial image is not being picked up by the communication counterpart device.
US09554077B2
One embodiment of the present invention is a channel loading method, comprising: storing channel parameters; generating a channel loading instruction according to a status of an operation menu and a user instruction; acquiring the channel parameters when the channel loading instruction is obtained, and loading the acquired channel parameters into a television service list database. Another embodiment is a display device having a channel parameter storing module and a channel loading method. A non-transient storage medium is also a part of the present invention.
US09554075B2
An image sensor includes a plurality of pixels arranged in matrix, each pixel including a plurality of photoelectric conversion portions, and analog/digital converters configured to convert analog signals from pixels into digital signals provided by column. The analog/digital converter performs a first operation of converting an analog signal corresponding to the reset level into a digital signal, a second operation of converting analog signals obtained from some portions of the plurality of photoelectric conversion portions into digital signals, and a third operation of converting analog signals obtained from all the plurality of photoelectric conversion portions into digital signals.
US09554066B2
A solid-state imaging device includes: pixels arrayed two-dimensionally; pixel common circuits arrayed in a matrix, each shared by adjacent pixels of a certain number among the pixels; column common circuits, each provided for one of columns of the pixel common circuits, and shared by pixel common circuits belonging to a same column; column signal lines each provided for one of the columns of the pixel common circuits; and reset signal lines each provided for one of the columns of the pixel common circuits, in which an electric signal from each of the pixels is detected by a corresponding one of the pixel common circuits and read by a corresponding one of the column common circuits, and the electric signal detected by the corresponding one of the pixel common circuits is reset by a feedback path including one column signal line, one column common circuit, and one reset signal lines.
US09554061B1
An intelligent hub for interfacing with other devices and performing smart audio or video source selection.
US09554052B2
A computer-implemented method for single-action photo and video messaging includes simultaneously displaying both a live feed representing visual data captured by a video recording device and a plurality of contact icons, each contact icon associated with one or more destinations to which media data can be sent. A single action is received from a user selecting one of the plurality of the displayed contact icons. In response to the user's single action and not based on any subsequent input from the user, the following steps are carried out automatically: capturing visual data from the video recording device, and sending, to the one or more destinations associated with the selected contact icon, the captured visual data.
US09554050B2
Images can be used to improve setting reminders and the usefulness of reminders. For example, a mobile device can enable the user to request a reminder that uses one or more images obtained from a camera of the mobile device. The user can set a time period for when the image-based reminder is provided to the user. The image can provide information about the reminder as well as a visual depiction of the location the reminder is intended. A location can be detected in conjunction with capturing an image, and the location can be used to form a reminder message. The image can also be analyzed to provide the content of a message (e.g., text can be identified in the image and inserted into the message or used to access a database of corresponding messages). The derived message and/or the image can be provided for the reminder.
US09554039B2
Various systems and methods for an all-in-focus implementation are described herein. A system to for operating a camera, comprising an image sensor in the camera to capture a sequence of images in different focal planes, at least a portion of the sequence of images occurring before receiving a signal to store an all-in-focus image, a user interface module to receive, from a user, the signal to store an all-in-focus image, and an image processor to fuse at least two images to result in the all-in-focus image, wherein the at least two images have different focal planes.
US09554037B2
An electronic apparatus and a method for making a bokeh image are provided. The electronic apparatus includes an image photographing unit configured to photograph an image, a display configured to display a user interface (UI) to set a bokeh option on the image, and a controller configured to, when the image is divided into a plurality of areas on the UI, and a bokeh pattern is determined for each of the plurality of areas, generate a bokeh image by mapping the bokeh pattern determined for each of the plurality of areas to a light source point included in the respective each of the plurality of areas.
US09554036B1
A portable electronic device equipped with a camera module and a shutter buffer and a control method using the same. The shutter button is switchable between multiple stages and includes a display screen. A control circuit of the portable electronic device operates the camera module and provides display content to the display screen based on the switch between the multiple stages of the shutter button.
US09554023B2
According to one embodiment of the present invention, a camera module includes: a movable element having first magnets which are formed at uniform intervals on the outer circumferential surface of a bobbin fixing a lens and second magnets which are arranged between the first magnets on the outer circumferential surface of the bobbin; a stator having first coil blocks which respectively face the first magnets, second magnets which respectively face the second magnets, and a housing which fixes the first coil blocks and the second magnets; an elastic member elastically supporting the movable element with respect to the stator; a base supporting the stator; and a case covering the housing and coupled to the base.
US09554017B2
There is provided an image processing apparatus which comprises: a receiving unit configured to receive a print job from an information processing apparatus; an obtaining unit configured to obtain at least owner information and domain information from a header of the print job; a generating unit configured to generate user identification information including the owner information and the domain information; a registering unit configured to register the user identification information; and a storage unit configured to store the print job in association with the user identification information. Thus, it is possible to register the appropriate user identification information according to environments of a network system.
US09554014B2
A first document image is scanned from a document in a first orientation, and a second document image is scanned from the document in a second orientation different from the first orientation. A wrinkle area candidate detecting unit rotates the first document image by a rotation angle between the first and second orientations, and detects as a wrinkle area candidate an object in a predetermined density range in the rotated first document image and the second document image. A similarity degree determining unit determines a similarity degree between the wrinkle area candidate of the rotated first document image and the corresponding wrinkle area candidate of the second document image. A wrinkle area removing unit removes the wrinkle area candidate as a wrinkle area if the similarity degree falls into a predetermined range.
US09554011B2
A light irradiator includes a light source and a light guide to guide a light flux from the light source to an illumination area. The light guide has an incident surface, an emission surface and two side surfaces. The emission surface is located apart from a reading optical axis with an inclination relative to the reading optical axis. The following relations are satisfied: S1(x)≧S2(x) S1(L)>S2(L) wherein S1 represents a divided cross-sectional area near the reading optical axis and S2 represents a divided cross-sectional area far from the reading optical axis when a virtual cross-sectional area S parallel to the incident surface of the light guide is divided by a plane passing the center of the incident surface, formed by a direction perpendicular thereto and the incident surface and the main scanning direction; S (x) represents a virtual cross-sectional area distant from the incident surface of the light guide by x; L is a distance from the incident surface to the emission surface; and 0≦x
US09554005B2
An information processing apparatus includes a reception unit and a display controller. The reception unit receives an operation for selecting a destination from a transmission destination list containing a registered mail address of the destination to which an image is to be transmitted. The display controller displays an object image in a predetermined display region. The object image indicates a parameter of an image reading unit that reads the image. When the destination is selected by the operation, the display controller makes the display region display the mail address registered in the transmission destination list in place of the object image. When a preset time period elapses, the display controller sets the display back to the object image.
US09553998B2
A method, computer program product, and apparatus are disclosed. The method includes determining whether a shared balance threshold has been breached, and notifying a member of a sharing group, in response to a determination that the balance threshold has been breached. The shared balance threshold is for the sharing group, which includes a number of members.
US09553990B2
Embodiments of the invention provide systems and methods for facilitating collaboration in a contact center by providing a roster of recommended subject matter experts on a topic related to an ongoing customer contact session. For example, embodiments can use a modification of the skills matching algorithm of the CRM system used to initially select an agent to also evaluate the needs of the service incident, and match those needs with people who would be able to contribute to a conversation and help the agent. The system can then recommend these possible contributors in a ranked order based on how well each collaborator's skills match the requirements of the incident. When the agent requires assistance and creates a conversation, the system can recommend to the agent a list of users that can help, based on the strength of the match to the skill that would equate to the incident.
US09553977B2
A system for automated adaptation and improvement of speaker authentication in a voice biometric system environment, comprising a speech sample collector, a target selector, a voice analyzer, a voice data modifier, and a call flow creator. The speech sample collector retrieves speech samples from a database of enrolled participants in a speaker authentication system. The target selector selects target users that will be used to test the speaker authentication system. The voice analyzer extracts a speech component data set from each of the speech samples. The call flow creator creates a plurality of call flows for testing the speaker authentication system, each call flow being either an impostor call flow or a legitimate call flow. The call flows created by the call flow creator are used to test the speaker authentication system.
US09553976B2
Embodiments of the invention provide a method, system and computer program product for mobile device management during synchronized audio playback in coordination with external video playback. In an embodiment of the invention, a method for mobile device management during synchronized audio playback in coordination with external video playback includes receiving in memory of a mobile device a request to synchronize playback of an audio file through the mobile device with a presentation of video externally to the mobile device and in response to the request, automatically dimming a display of the mobile device and synchronizing playback of the audio file with the external presentation of the video.
US09553974B2
One or more media items can be bound to a voice call using a binding protocol. The binding protocol allows call participants to more easily transfer media items to other call participants using one or more user interfaces. A call participant can initiate a media transfer by selecting the media and a communication modality for transferring the media. The binding protocol can be active or lazy. In lazy binding, the call participant can select the desired media for transfer before the voice call is established, and subsequently mark the media for binding with the voice call. In active binding, the call participant can select and transfer the desired media item during the voice call, and the media item is automatically bound to the voice call. The media item can be transferred using a user-selected communication modality over an independent data communication channel.
US09553963B2
A telecommunication device includes a casing, smart phone components disposed within the casing, two opposed flexible wrist grips having upper and lower surfaces, and a flexible screen disposed on the lower surfaces of the casing and the opposed flexible wrist grips and in communication with the smart phone components.
US09553959B2
A mobile device includes a shell; a first replaceable hardware component received within the shell; and a second replaceable hardware component received within the shell, the second replaceable hardware component configured to receive a wireless power signal from a remote device and convert the power signal into electrical energy usable by the mobile device.
US09553956B2
Embodiments of the invention relate to a self-adaptive network control transmission method and system based on TCP. By creating network coding layer between transmission layer and IP layer on both the sending and receiving nodes, we can add network-coding headers which contains specific variables in the coding packets and ACK packets, transmit and refresh those variables through network-coding packets and ACK packets, and adjust redundancy factor R according to the variables. This method can strengthen the resistance to burst loss and maintain the redundancy factor R at the optimum value, thus raise the network throughputs.
US09553942B2
Various methods for application costing to provide decision making for service provisioning are provided. One example method may comprise connecting to a web based portal environment system. The method may further comprise establishing a hypertext transfer protocol keep-alive connection with the web based portal environment system. The method may further comprise receiving a push command via the hypertext transfer protocol keep-alive connection. The method may additionally comprise executing the push command. Similar and related example methods, example apparatuses, and example computer program products are also provided.
US09553937B2
In order to allow a first presentation application to utilize tracked information collected by a second presentation application, the tracked information being how digital content is presented in user equipment, the information is collected by user equipment into a presentation application independent ratings data file.
US09553932B2
A method and system for providing IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) session continuity to a User Equipment (UE) across a plurality of communication networks is provided. The UE traverses from a first communication network to a second communication network. A public user identity associated with a private user identity of the UE is registered with the first communication network by using a first address. The method includes generating (404) a complimentary private user identity associated with the public user identity. The method also includes obtaining (406) a second address from the second communication network when the UE traverses from the first communication network to the second communication network. Moreover, the method includes registering (408) the public user identity associated with the complimentary private user identity with the first communication network by using the second address.
US09553931B2
A train-information managing apparatus receives a series of control information attached to serial numbers, which are transmitted from a central apparatus, in order of the transmission and carries out control in the order, and even when the central apparatus is changed or the serial numbers are reset, prevents a blank period of control from occurring. Therefore, when a reception serial number n included in received data is a preferential serial number (n≦M) and an old number nprev, which is a serial number included in data received and stored last time, is a cyclic serial number (nprev≧M+1), the train-information managing apparatus stores the received data.
US09553928B2
A data sharing method includes detecting by a first data processing apparatus that is among multiple data processing apparatuses that share data, any one among a shortage of available memory, a change in remaining battery power, a change in a relative positional distance of the first data processing apparatus to a second data processing apparatus that is among the data processing apparatuses, a change in a communication speed of communication with the second data processing apparatus, and an interruption of communication with the second data processing apparatus; and transmitting by the first data processing apparatus to a third data processing apparatus that is among the data processing apparatuses, a shared portion of the data saved in the first data processing apparatus.
US09553927B2
The disclosure relates generally to providing synchronized supplemental content. In one aspect, second user devices may be used to consume supplemental content associated with primary content presented on a first display. The supplemental content may be synchronized with the primary content. Such synchronization may be performed by detecting and reporting triggers within the primary content and transmitting synchronization signals to appropriate second user devices. Another aspect of the disclosure relates to determining which interfaces or applications will report the triggers, and fine-tuning how many interfaces or applications will report the triggers.
US09553920B2
Media content distribution that includes a central server, a plurality of remote display devices in electronic communication therewith. The central server receives and stores a plurality of media content, where each of the media content has one or more attributes associated therewith that relate to characteristics of the media content. The plurality of remote display devices receive via the electronic network the media content from the central server. Each of the remote display devices has one or more target attributes associated with the remote display device for causing the electronic display to display only those of the media content having one or more of the attributes associated therewith that satisfy a predetermined matching criteria with respect to the one or more target attributes.
US09553911B1
A method, system and computer readable medium for managing program switch requests, the method includes: (i) receiving a request from a first user device to switch from a current program to a next program; wherein the first user device filters the current program by using a first user device set of packet identifiers; (ii) associating the first user device set of packet identifiers with multiple streams of the next program; and (iii) transmitting to the user device the multiple streams of the next program; wherein these multiple streams are associated with the first user device set of packet identifiers.
US09553901B2
In at least some embodiments, a system includes at least one server to manage voice over internet protocol (VOIP) services. The managed VOIP services provided by the at least one server include a telephony service to establish a calling phase between an initiator device and a mobile target device in response to a call command received from the initiator device, and a streamline call transfer service to transfer a call from the mobile target device to a transfer target device in response to a one-touch transfer command received from the mobile target device during the calling phase.
US09553896B2
The approved email generation system described is capable of producing email communications between user and customer by using approved email templates and content that have been aligned with customer information regarding access to such content. The approved email template comprises data pulled from a record for a medical inquiry and a window for receiving free text responding to the medical inquiry. Once the approved email has been generated, the content may be verified again for accuracy and validity and the free text may be checked for any unapproved word before being delivered to the customer.
US09553894B2
A system and method for enforcing policy in a computing environment with a plurality of hosts that includes establishing a policy update specified through a namespaced addressing syntax; publishing the policy update to a set of components associated with a referenced component namespace; at a host of the set of components, authenticating the policy update; at the host, locally verifying policy compliance of an operation request by the host directed towards at least a second component; applying results of verifying the policy compliance of the operation request within a communication channel flow, which comprises routing the operational request through the communication channel to the second component if the operational request is permitted and preventing the operational request if the operational request is not permitted.
US09553885B2
A network surveillance system including a deception management server within a network, including a deployment module managing and planting decoy attack vectors in network resources, wherein an attack vector is an object in memory or storage of a first resource that may be used to access a second resource, and decoy servers accessible from resources in the network via decoy attack vectors, each decoy server including a forensic alert module causing a real-time forensic application to be transmitted to a destination resource in the network when the decoy server is being accessed by a specific resource in the network via a decoy attack vector, wherein the forensic application, when launched in the destination resource, identifies a process running within the specific resource that is accessing that decoy server, logs the activities performed by the thus-identified process in a forensic report, and transmits the forensic report to the deception management server.
US09553881B2
Apparatus for an optical communications network has optical paths for optical traffic, and optical ports, one of which is an unused output port. A security monitoring system has a blocking part coupled removably to the unused output port to occupy it to prevent unauthorized access. An optical detector can detect optical signals passing through the unused output port to the blocking part, and there is alarm circuitry configured to output an alarm signal based on the detecting of the optical signals. This monitoring can help make the node more secure from interference or from eavesdropping. By blocking the port, the monitoring can be independent of the type of signals on the optical paths. The system can be passive or active, and does not require a change in the installed node configuration and so can be added easily to existing infrastructure.
US09553874B2
Provided is a programmable display apparatus that can permit access to an application through facial authentication, and can display a screen corresponding to an authenticated user after the access is permitted. The programmable display apparatus stores feature data of faces of a plurality of users and screen data for displaying a plurality of screens. The programmable display apparatus performs facial authentication based on image data of a user obtained through image capture and on the feature data. The programmable display apparatus permits a user to access the application if the user has been authenticated. Upon permitting the access, the programmable display apparatus displays, on a display, a screen corresponding to the authenticated user from among the plurality of screens.
US09553873B2
A token-verifiable proxy uploader is disclosed. A token request may be transmitted from an end-user communication device for requesting an upload token from a hosted services server that is configured to authorize transmission of a first media file to a hosted proxy server. The upload token may be transmitted to the end-user communication device. Validation of the user of the end-user communication device may be conducted without the end-user device providing any credentials to the media sharing site and in which the end-user device is does not transmit any credentials specific to the media sharing site as part of the validation. The token validation call may be in response to the hosted proxy server receiving the upload token and either: (1) the first media file from the end-user communication device; or (2) a request from the end-user communication device to upload the first media file to the hosted proxy server.
US09553871B2
This invention discloses a clock synchronized dynamic password security label validity real-time authentication system and method thereof, which comprises, the electronic label module, the user authentication terminal module, and the authentication service module. The electronic label module is used for generating the dynamic password data and displaying. The user authentication terminal module captures the dynamic password data generated by the electronic label module and the image data of the ID number of the electronic label module. After the analyzing processing, the text data is obtained, and then is sent to the authentication service module through the Internet. After receiving the text data, the authentication service module obtains the result of whether the first dynamic password data generating algorithm of the electronic label module is consistent with the second dynamic password data generating algorithm of the authentication service module. The result is returned to the user authentication terminal module.
US09553862B2
In the present invention, a start request terminal transmits start request information including participation restriction information to a management system. A transmission/reception unit of the management system transmits participation authentication information for authenticating participation in an established session to a middle-of-conference participation terminal. A transmission/reception unit of a participation request terminal transmits, to the management system, participation request information for requesting participation of the participation request terminal in an established session and participation authentication information which is input with the terminal in accordance with the participation authentication information transmitted to the terminal. A participation determination unit of the management system compares the participation request information received from the participation request terminal and the participation authentication information corresponding to the participating terminal in a terminal management table, and determines whether to permit the participation request terminal to participate in the established session.
US09553847B2
In particular embodiments, a method includes intercepting a remote desktop connection request and connecting to a network gateway based on the remote desktop connection request. A first connection with a server is initiated via the network gateway using a first communication protocol. A plurality of cryptographic contexts are exchanged with the server. A token encrypted using one of the plurality of cryptographic contexts is received from the server. The token is sent from a client device to the server or a proxy to authenticate the client device, and a second connection is initiated with the server, via the proxy, using a second communication protocol.
US09553832B2
Techniques to interact with an application via messaging are described. An apparatus may comprise an application support component and a communication component. The application support component may be operative to generate an image representing a state of an application and to update the state of the application according to a text command. The communication component may be operative to transmit the image to a client device via a messaging system as an image attachment to a first message and to receive a second message from the client device via the messaging system, the second message comprising the text command. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US09553831B2
A context-driven publication option is received over a network at an adaptive publish subscribe broker from a publishing network device. The context driven publication options are presented over the network to a subscribing network device. A selection of a context-driven subscription is received over the network at the adaptive publish/subscribe broker from the subscribing network device. A publication configured for network management and operations is received at the adaptive publish/subscribe broker. Publications are filtered at the adaptive publish/subscribe broker for the subscribing network device according to the selection of the context-driven subscription.
US09553823B2
A process migration method comprising executing a computer program on current computing resources, in a current partition of computations to parallel processes, each parallel process carrying out at least one computation; communicating current partition data to intermediate computing resources; using the intermediate computing resources to calculate new partition data including a new allocation of computations to processes for use on changed computing resources; and migrating the process execution to the changed computing resources by communicating the new partition data to the changed computing resources.
US09553822B2
Described herein are various technologies pertaining to a computing system architecture that facilitates construction of virtual motherboards and virtual storage devices. A computing system includes a plurality of computing nodes and a plurality of storage nodes, where the computing nodes are disaggregated from the storage nodes. The computing nodes include respective system on chip modules. The computing nodes and the storage nodes are communicatively coupled by way of a full bisection bandwidth network, where each storage node is allocated network bandwidth that at least matches the maximum input/output speed of the storage node. Responsive to receipt of a client request, computing nodes are allocated to the client and exposed to an application of the client as a motherboard. Likewise, storage nodes are allocated to the client and exposed to the application of the client as a larger storage device.
US09553817B1
Embodiments disclosed herein provide systems and methods for dividing packet content for transmission over diverse wireless links. In a particular embodiment, a method provides generating a packet for transmission to a destination and examining the packet to determine if content within the packet qualifies for transmission over diverse wireless links comprising a first wireless link and a second wireless link. The method further provides, if the content qualifies for transmission over the diverse wireless links, generating a first alternate packet that contains a first portion of the content and a second alternate packet that contains a second portion of the content. The method further provides transferring the first alternate packet over the first wireless link for delivery to the destination and transferring the second alternate packet over the second wireless link for delivery to the destination.
US09553808B1
In one aspect, one or more processors may be coupled to a content-addressable memory, a first memory and a second memory. The one or more processors may be configured to receive a data packet, read a predetermined number of bytes from the data packet, and match the read bytes to patterns corresponding to rows of the content-addressable memory. Further, the one or more processors may determine a number associated with the matched row, and based on the number, determine an initial routing instruction. The one or more processors may then determine which bits of the read bytes to hash using hash information stored in the first memory, hash the bits to generate a hash value, determine whether the value corresponds to routing information in the second memory, and route the data packet based on the routing information.
US09553805B2
A method applicable to a commonest application scenario, the method includes: an AR receives a first packet sent in a unicast manner by a CGN. The first packet includes information for indicating Restart announce, the first packet's source address is the CGN's address, and the first packet's destination address is the AR's address; AR changes the first packet's destination address to an address of a CPE connected to the AR, to obtain a second packet, where the AR and the CPE are connected by using a Layer 2 network, and the CPE's address is a multicast address; and the AR sends the second packet. The method is used for quickly informing, after the CGN restarts or undergoes an active/standby switchover, the CPE that an exception occurs, for example, the CGN restarts or undergoes an active/standby switchover, so that a CGN has relatively small load when recreating NAT mapping.
US09553804B2
A method is provided for content subscription in content network. A content requesting node in the content network receives a first interest packet comprising a content identifier through a first port from a first user device, creates a subscription entry comprising the content identifier and an identifier of the first port, sends the first interest packet to the content providing node, receives a second interest packet through a second port from a second user device; adds an identifier of the second port to the subscription entry, receives multiple data packets provided by the content providing node according to the first interest packet, and sends the multiple data packets through the first port and the second port respectively to the first user device and the second user device according to the subscription entry.
US09553793B2
Techniques for resolving single source shortest path for database processing are provided. Graph data for nodes having weights for edges of a database network are iterated producing a new message table and results table in each iteration. The results table stores the minimum path weight. For each iteration the graph data and message table are joined to produce a state of a node and outgoing edge messages. The message table and results table are co-grouped to generate a new message for a next node to process. When done the single source shortest path for the network is produced.
US09553789B2
A gossiping scheme for sharing node status in a cluster of nodes provides a robust mechanism for determining node status within the cluster. Nodes transmit gossip messages to each other nodes, the gossip messages listing other nodes in the cluster that are operational. When a node does not receive a gossip message from a particular node within a predetermined time period, then the node transmits messages to the other nodes indicating that the particular node is down. However, if another node has received a packet from the particular node within the predetermined time period and receives the node down message, then the other node responds with a node alive message.
US09553778B2
In a content delivery network (CDN a method includes: receiving a request for a CDN service of a particular type, wherein a CDN service of said particular type defines a fixed number of configurable layers of request processing, sequentially from a first layer to a last layer; and processing said request, starting at said first layer, said processing being based on a modifiable runtime environment, said processing continuing conditionally through each of said layers in turn until either said request is terminated by one of said layers or said last layer processes said request. The CDN service may be selected from: delivery services, collector services, reducer services, rendezvous services, configuration services, and control services.
US09553777B2
A framework supporting content delivery includes a plurality of devices, each device configured to run at least one content delivery (CD) service of a plurality of CD services. The plurality of CD services include adaptation services.
US09553770B2
Disclosed are a method for SDN based network management and an apparatus performing the same. A method for network management, performed in a central control apparatus, may comprise receiving a path request message indicating a request to configure a path from a terminal; generating path list information including information about at least one configurable path, and providing the terminal with the path list information; receiving information about a specific path selected in the path list information from the terminal; and transmitting information about at least one detail function included in each of at least one node constituting the selected specific path to the terminal. Therefore, a path optimized for user's requirements may be easily configured, and so service quality may be enhanced.
US09553767B2
A system and a method are disclosed for configuring hosts of virtual machines. The system and method include receiving, by a management server, a network configuration of a first host, wherein the first host is associated with a network identified by a network label, storing the network configuration of the first host in a template record, in response to a request to configure a second host, determining if the second host is to join the network identified by the network label, and configuring the second host using the template record.
US09553766B2
A method, device, system, and computer program product that relate to configuration of an edge component and subcomponents to adapt data from a Device to a readable form and to communicate the adapted data to a Network End Environment. The Network End Environment includes a user interface by which a user requests that the edge component is updated to have a configuration version stored at a source. The system processes the request and updates the edge component configuration. The edge component is updated to a source configuration at a predetermined time interval according to one of a full configuration refresh or a delta configuration. Data received and processed by the edge component can thereafter be pushed to the Network End Environment for storage and/or use in a Network application. The edge component is described as a Connector, and the subcomponents of the edge component are described as Connector components.
US09553761B2
An apparatus includes a discovery component to identify a first application routine within a storage for execution, to identify execution of a remote application routine within a node device as a first requisite for execution of the first application routine from a first application requisites data, and to provide indications of storage of the first application routine and the first requisite to a control master; a start component to restart an earlier started execution of the first application routine in response to receipt of an indication that execution of the remote application routine within the node device has been restarted in accordance with a catalog received from the control master, the catalog including indications of the first and remote application routines and an indication of the first requisite; and a status component to provide an indication to the control master of the restart of execution of the first application routine.
US09553754B1
A method and apparatus for reducing distortion of satellite signals modulated using amplitude phase shift keying (APSK) are disclosed. A receiver such as a user terminal receives, from a satellite, a signal including APSK-modulated symbols mapped to a constellation including a plurality of points arranged in an inner circle and in an outer circle; determines, based on the received APSK-modulated symbols, a ratio between a radius of the inner circle of the constellation and a radius of the outer circle of the constellation; generates a correction signal based, at least in part, on a comparison between the determined ratio and a reference ratio; compensates for distortion of the received signal based, at least in part, on the correction signal; mixes the correction signal with the received signal to generate a distortion-compensated signal; and de-modulates the distortion-compensated signal to recover data transmitted from the satellite.
US09553740B2
A system and apparatus are disclosed for a method and apparatus for equalizing signals. An apparatus that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, an equalizer having a channel estimation calculator for calculating a time domain channel estimation from a baseband signal, a Fast Fourier Transform processor for translating the time domain channel estimation to a frequency domain channel estimation, a tap weight calculator for calculating a frequency domain tap weight according to the frequency domain channel estimation, an inverse Fast Fourier Transform processor for translating the frequency domain tap weight calculation to a time domain tap weight calculation, and a filter for equalizing the baseband signal according to the time domain tap weight calculation.
US09553739B1
An apparatus for controlling a feedback loop includes a digital finite impulse response filter configured to equalize digital samples to yield equalized data, a data detector circuit configured to detect values of the equalized data to yield detected data, a pattern detection circuit configured to detect at least one pattern in the detected data, an expected value comparison circuit configured to compare the digital samples corresponding to the at least one pattern with an expected value, and a feedback loop adaptation circuit configured to control a feedback loop based in part on whether the at least one pattern is detected by the pattern detection circuit and on an output of the expected value comparison circuit.
US09553729B2
A method for authenticating a reader to a radio tag includes the following steps, which are implemented by the tag: receiving a piece of information ciphered by a reversible operation, which is parameterized by an authentication coupon for the reader, and a data item allowing determination of an index for identifying the authentication coupon of the reader; calculating a current authentication coupon for the reader as a function of the index; deciphering the received piece of information ciphered by the reversible operation, which is parameterized by the calculated current authentication coupon; and checking the deciphered piece of information that is intended to verify that the calculated current coupon corresponds to the authentication coupon used by the reader in order to parameterize the reversible operation.
US09553727B2
A portable device receives an encrypted message from an electronic health record database server including a request to perform a biometric authentication to approve a transaction. The device prompts a user to speak a pass phrase. The device creates a set of variables including the pass phrase and at least one more variable characterizing the spoken voice. The authentication module transmits an encrypted message to the health record database server including a session identification information and the set of variables. In response, the device receives an encrypted message from the health record database server determining whether the biometric authentication is successful and the transaction is approved, wherein determination is made by the health record database server and is based on verifying the session identification information, the pass phrase, and the user identity.
US09553723B2
A method of encrypting data is provided. The method includes generating a key and encrypting data using the key. Generating the key includes determining a number of coefficients for a polynomial having a number of variables and selecting a polynomial level from the number of coefficients. Generating the key also includes selecting a first value based on the polynomial level, generating a vector (c) having coefficients based on the polynomial level, and generating a vector (t) based on the polynomial level. Furthermore, generating the key includes generating a vector (t′) based on a product of the vector (c) and the vector (t) and calculating a second value based on the first value, the vector (t), and the product. In addition, generating the key includes comparing the second value with the polynomial level and returning the coefficients of the vector (c) as the number of coefficients for the polynomial.
US09553719B2
Provided is a transmitting terminal capable of sharing an encryption key among a number of specific apparatuses using fewer resources and securely. A transmitting terminal (400) has an inquiry ID generation unit (420) which embeds an encryption key in logical results of an XOR between an ID of a receiving terminal and random blocks according to predetermined key embedding rules in order to generate an inquiry ID. The key embedding rules are stipulations for inverting the values of bit positions corresponding to each bit value of the encryption key, in the block position correspondence relationships between the bit positions of the encryption key and the positions of the blocks into which the logical result of the XOR have been partitioned and the bit position correspondence relationships between the bit values of the encryption key and the bit positions within the blocks, which have been predefined.
US09553712B2
A feed-forward cancellation system includes a transmitting element and a receiving element. The transmitting element is in electrical communication with a transmitting line. The transmitting element is configured output a transmission signal to the transmitting line. The receiving element is in electrical communication with a receiving line. The receiving element is configured to process a response signal that is generated in response to the transmission signal and that is delivered to the receiving line. At least one antenna is configured to transmit the transmission signal, receive the response signal generated based on the transmission signal, and deliver the response signal to the receiving line. The feed-forward cancellation system further includes an electronic cancellation unit configured to generate a cancellation signal based on the transmission signal. The cancellation signal eliminates saturation from at least one of the response signal and the receiving line.
US09553701B2
Methods, systems and apparatuses for operation in long-term evolution (LTE) systems are provided, including a method implemented in a base station. The method may include receiving, from a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) via a first interface, a first message including radio capability information associated with the WTRU, transmitting, to a mobility management entity (MME) via a second interface, a second message including the radio capability information; receiving, from the MME via the second interface, a paging message requesting the WTRU be paged in idle mode, wherein the paging message includes the radio capability information associated with the WTRU; selecting, based on the radio capability information, a set of subframes to use for paging the WTRU in idle mode; and paging the WTRU in idle mode using the selected set of subframes.
US09553699B2
A method of transmitting a frame by a device in a wireless communication network is provided. The device generates a first symbol having a first subcarrier spacing where a symbol duration of the first symbol, excluding a guard interval, has a first length. The device generates a second symbol having a second subcarrier spacing narrower than the first subcarrier spacing wherein a symbol duration of the second symbol, excluding a guard interval, has a second length that is twice the first length. The device transmits a frame including the first symbol and the second symbol.
US09553681B2
Methods and systems for source separation based on determining a number of bases for a nonnegative matrix factorization (NMF) model are disclosed. A method includes receiving, at a computing device, a mixed signal including a combination of first signal data and second signal data. The method also includes generating, by the computing device, a time-frequency representation of the mixed signal. The method further includes determining, by applying a structured stochastic variational inference (SSVI) algorithm to the NMF model, a number of bases for a dictionary of signal-related components of the mixed signal. The method uses the number of bases and the time-frequency representation to construct the dictionary and an activation matrix of weights, the weights indicating how active each one of the signal-related components is at a given time. The method then uses the dictionary and the activation matrix to separate the first signal data from the second signal data.
US09553680B1
A computer-implemented method, system, and computer-readable storage media for mitigating interference in a communication system is described. A user equipment operating near an edge of its base station coverage cell may transmit a strong uplink signal, which can interfere with a nearby base station. When a serving base station recognizes a high downlink signal from a nearby base station, an interference mitigation algorithm is enabled by the serving base station. The interference mitigation algorithm of the serving base station will control the uplink signal from the user equipment, so the user equipment does not interfere with the nearby base station.
US09553679B2
A method and system for processing a signal in the RF environment is disclosed. The method includes using an Analog Radio Frequency Memory (ARFM) to store an analog amplitude representation of the signal in the form of elemental charge packets. The stored signal is played back by converting the elemental charge packets back to their representative voltages to rejuvenate the original signal.
US09553673B1
A single chip dual-channel driver for two independent traveling wave modulators. The driver includes two differential pairs inputs per channel respectively configured to receive two digital differential pair signals. The driver further includes a two-bit DAC per channel coupled to the two differential pairs inputs to produce a single analog differential pair PAM signal at a differential pair output for driving a traveling wave modulator. Additionally, the driver includes a control block having internal voltage/current signal generators respective coupled to each input and the 2-bit DAC for providing a bias voltage, a tail current, a dither signal to assist modulation control per channel. Furthermore, the driver includes an internal I2C communication block coupled to a high-speed clock generator to generate control signals to the control block and coupled to host via an I2C digital communication interface.
US09553672B1
In an example, the present invention includes an integrated system on chip device. The device is configured on a single silicon substrate member. The device has a data input/output interface provided on the substrate member. The device has an input/output block provided on the substrate member and coupled to the data input/output interface. The device has a signal processing block provided on the substrate member and coupled to the input/output block. The device has a driver module provided on the substrate member and coupled to the signal processing block. In an example, the device has a driver interface provided on the substrate member and coupled to the driver module and configured to be coupled to a silicon photonics device. The device also has an interface configured to communicate between the silicon photonics device and the control block.
US09553666B2
A device for measuring optical signal-to-noise ratio (OSNR) of a wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) optical signal including multiple wavelength channels may include a tunable optical filter to select an optical wavelength channel of the plurality of optical wavelength channels. The device may also include a polarization controller to adjust a polarization state of the selected optical wavelength channel, and a control unit to compute the OSNR of the selected wavelength channel based on a target control point.
US09553663B1
A system and method for calibrating an optical module. The optical module including a microprocessor with non-volatile memory is provided at a calibration station for measuring calibrated value of a device parameter against raw values starting from minimum value in each of multiple zones of a primary parameter with one or more secondary parameters at least being set to a basis calibration point to determine coefficients for generating a N-spline function for the multiple zones and multiple multipliers for each zone corresponding to multiple calibration points. The coefficients and multiple multipliers are stored in the non-volatile memory and reused respectively for calculating a basis calibrated value based on any current raw value of the primary parameter a N-spline function in particular zone and for determining a final multiplier by interpolation of the multiple multipliers associated with the one or more secondary parameters, leading to a calibrated value for any condition.
US09553660B2
Provided are a receiver, a transmitter and a radio communication method capable of using non-orthogonal multiple access while suppressing cost increase and processing delay. A mobile station 200A receives non-orthogonal signals, also receives a reference signal to be used for interference cancellation, and extracts the non-orthogonal signal addressed to the mobile station 200A from the received non-orthogonal signals by demodulating and cancelling the radio signal addressed to another mobile station. In addition, the mobile station 200A demodulates the extracted non-orthogonal signal addressed to the mobile station 200A on the basis of the reference signal. The reference signal is multiplexed in the same radio resource block as a resource block allocated to the non-orthogonal signals, and is multiplexed in the radio resource block only when at least one signal is scheduled in the radio resource block.
US09553657B2
A method and system facilitate communication between a constellation of satellites and a mobile platform-mounted mobile communicator. The method and system may include the use of a first antenna suited for operation using a first frequency band in a first geographic region and a second antenna suited for operation using either the first or a second frequency band in a second geographic region. The method and system may use a controller to determine which antenna to activate based on one or more of a geographic indicator or a signal indicator. The system used by the method to facilitate the communication may have one or more enclosures over the antennas and controller for mounting to a mobile platform.
US09553652B2
A communications apparatus and method are provided. The communications method for an apparatus capable of Carrier Aggregation (CA), wherein the apparatus includes a plurality of processing engines and antennas, includes the steps of determining whether the apparatus is configured in a single component carrier for a first group of the antennas; and activating a second group of the antennas if the apparatus is configured in the single component carrier.
US09553651B2
A method is provided for transmitting data between a transmitter having M>=1 transmit antenna(s), and one or more receivers having a total of N>=2 receive antennas. In the method, the data are transmitted using OFDM/OQAM modulation having L>=1 subcarriers. The transmitted data are pre-encoded using a pre-encoding matrix, the size of which is M s N and which is dependent on a zero-forcing matrix and on a spatial multiplexing matrix.
US09553649B2
Distributed signal field for communications within multiple user, multiple access, and/or MIMO wireless communications. In accordance with wireless communications, a signal (SIG) field employed within such packets is distributed or partitioned into at least two separate signal fields (e.g., SIG A and SIG B) that are located in different portions of the packet. A first of the SIG fields includes information that may be processed and decoded by all wireless communication devices, and a second of the SIG fields includes information that is specific to one or more particular wireless communication devices (e.g., a specific wireless communication device or a specific subset of the wireless communication devices). The precise locations of the at least first and second SIG fields within a packet may be varied, including placing a second of the SIG fields (e.g., including user-specific information) adjacent to and preceding a data field in the packet.
US09553644B2
A transmission scheme for transmitting a first modulated signal and a second modulated signal in the same frequency at the same time. According to the transmission scheme, a precoding weight multiplying unit multiplies a precoding weight by a baseband signal after a first mapping and a baseband signal after a second mapping and outputs the first modulated signal and the second modulated signal. In the precoding weight multiplying unit, precoding weights are regularly hopped.
US09553637B2
Described herein are techniques related to near field coupling and proximity sensing operations. For example, a proximity sensor uses a coil antenna that is utilized for near field communications (NFC) functions. The proximity sensor may be integrated into an NFC module to form a single module.
US09553635B1
A method, an apparatus, and a computer program product for data communication over a multi-wire, multi-phase interface are provided. The method may include providing a sequence of symbols to be transmitted on a 3-wire interface, each symbol in the sequence of symbols defining one of three voltage states for each wire of the 3-wire interface, driving all wires of the 3-wire interface to a common voltage state during a transition from a first transmitted symbol to a second transmitted symbol, driving each wire of the 3-wire interface in accordance with the second transmitted symbol after a predetermined delay. Each wire may be in a different voltage state from the other wires of the 3-wire interface during transmission of the each symbol. The common voltage state may lie between two of the three voltage states.
US09553631B2
A navigation signal transmitting apparatus and a location information providing apparatus are provided for reducing time of positioning with a positioning signal from an indoor positioning transmitter. When an information providing server recognizes a transmitter ID of a transmitter from a mobile phone, the server makes reference refers to database associated with the transmitter ID, and reads SVG map information associated with the ID (including information for displaying a map and information of a correspondence relation between the transmitter ID and the location of the transmitter on the map). When the server transmits data of the SVG map information to a base station, the base station wirelessly emits the data of the SVG map information. When the mobile phone detects arrival of the data, the mobile phone can obtain the location of the transmitter from the data in accordance with a browsing operation of a user of the phone.
US09553621B2
Apparatus and methods for signal generation, reception, and calibration involving quadrature modulation and frequency conversion. Embodiments of the present invention provide extremely wide bandwidth, high spectral purity, versatility and adaptability in configuration, and ease of calibration, and are particularly well-adapted for use in integrated circuitry.
US09553614B2
Provided is a technique capable of improving isolation characteristics between a plurality of signal paths through which RF signals pass, without using ground electrodes or the like. Wiring electrodes 10a and 20a through which RF signals do not pass simultaneously are formed so as to be adjacent to each other in a central region of a component mounting surface 2a of a circuit board 2, and wiring electrodes 11a and 21a through which RF signals pass simultaneously are formed so as to be distanced from transmission paths 10 and 20. Accordingly, the RF signals do not simultaneously pass through the transmission paths 10 and 20, which are disposed near each other, and thus there is no risk that the RF signal passing through one of the signal paths will interfere with the RF signal passing through the other signal path.
US09553609B2
A bit interleaver, a bit-interleaved coded modulation (BICM) device and a bit interleaving method are disclosed herein. The bit interleaver includes a first memory, a processor, and a second memory. The first memory stores a low-density parity check (LDPC) codeword having a length of 64800 and a code rate of 2/15. The processor generates an interleaved codeword by interleaving the LDPC codeword on a bit group basis. The size of the bit group corresponds to a parallel factor of the LDPC codeword. The second memory provides the interleaved codeword to a modulator for quadrature phase shift keying (QPSK) modulation.
US09553602B1
Methods and apparatuses are described to convert analog signals to digital signals using a local charge averaging capacitor array (LCACA) in an analog-to-digital converter (ADC.) An apparatus includes a comparator. The comparator is configured with a first high input, a first low input, and is configure to receive a clock signal. A logic/latch block is configured to receive the clock signal and an output from the comparator. The logic/latch block is configured to output a control signal and a digital N-bit output signal. A local charge-averaging capacitor array (LCACA) is configured to receive the control signal and a reference voltage. An output of the LCACA is coupled to the first low input. The first LCACA is divided into a high sub-array and a low sub-array. The high sub-array is pre-charged to a high reference voltage and the low sub-array is pre-charged to a low reference voltage. The high reference voltage is greater than the low reference voltage. In operation, an analog signal is input to the first high input and the digital N-bit output signal is the digital conversion of the analog signal.
US09553598B2
A time-interleaved analog-to-digital converter that samples an analog input signal at a sampling frequency and converts the analog input signal into a digital output signal is enabled to perform correction processing on an error by: converting the analog input signal into the digital output signal by a plurality of analog-to-digital conversion circuits in a time-interleaved manner; and performing gain correction processing and skew correction processing with respect to the analog-to-digital conversion circuit, on the basis of a mixed signal, the mixed signal being obtained by mixing an output signal from the analog-to-digital conversion circuit with a signal made by shifting a phase of the output signal by π/2.
US09553586B2
A Field-Programmable Gate Array device is provided with programmable interconnect points in the form of interconnect circuits comprising one or more pass transistors, wherein at least some components of the interconnect circuits are implemented in the Back-End-Of-Line part of the Field-Programmable Gate Array device's production process. The memory element in an interconnect point is not produced as a Static Random Access Memory cell, but as a Dynamic Random Access Memory cell, requiring only a single select transistor and a storage capacitor for each memory element. The fabrication of at least the select transistor and the pass transistor involves the use of a thin film semiconductor layer, e.g., Indium Gallium Zinc Oxide, enabling production of transistors with low leakage in the Back-End-Of-Line.
US09553582B1
A physical unclonable function (PUF) having magnetic and non-magnetic particles is disclosed. Measuring both magnetic field and image view makes the PUF difficult to counterfeit. PUF may be incorporated into a user-replaceable supply item for an imaging device. A PUF reader may be incorporated into an imaging device to read the PUF. Other systems are disclosed.
US09553570B1
An integrated circuit to remove jitter from a clock signal includes an integrated circuit die. The integrated circuit die includes a signal comparator. The signal comparator is configured to determine a frequency difference between a jittery input clock signal and a correction signal. A digital low pass filter is coupled to receive and filter the frequency difference and to provide a filtered output signal. A free running crystal-less oscillator produces a reference signal. A fractional output divider is coupled to the free running crystal-less oscillator and the digital low pass filter. The fractional output divider utilizes the filtered output signal to establish a value to divide the reference signal by to obtain a clean output clock signal. The clean output clock signal is fed back to the signal comparator and is used as the correction signal.
US09553567B2
Embodiments provide, among other things, a circuit including a frequency generator and a charge pump. In embodiments, the frequency generator may be configured to provide the charge pump with a clock signal at a first frequency for a predefined period of time. Thereafter, the frequency generator may provide the charge pump with a clock signal at one or more other frequencies. In embodiments, the first frequency may enable the charge pump to settle in a reduced period of time when compared with the one or more other frequencies.
US09553549B2
A heterojunction bipolar transistor (HBT) hybrid type RF (radio frequency) power amplifier includes a first device including an input terminal for receiving an RF signal, a pre-driver stage for amplifying the received RF signal, and an output terminal, the input terminal, the pre-driver stage and the output terminal being disposed in or over a first substrate; and a second device having a main stage having an HBT amplifier circuit disposed in or over a second substrate to further amplify the RF signal amplified by the pre-driver stage. The RF signal further amplified by the main stage is output through the output terminal of the first device.
US09553546B2
A differential output stage of an amplification device, for driving a load, comprises a first and a second differential output stage portion. The first differential output stage portion comprises: a first and a second output circuit; a first driving circuit comprising a first biasing circuit; a second driving circuit comprising a second biasing circuit. The first differential output stage portion comprises: a third output circuit connected between a first node of said first biasing circuit and a first differential output terminal, having a third driving terminal connected to a first driving terminal; a fourth output circuit connected between a first node of the second biasing circuit and the first differential output terminal, having a fourth driving terminal connected to a second driving terminal.
US09553545B1
Differential crystal oscillator circuits are disclosed that may provide low-power, low phase noise operation, and prevent latching at low frequency by providing a low impedance DC path using active super diodes.
US09553539B2
At least one example embodiment discloses a method of generating an output variable voltage. The method includes obtaining a selected mode of operation, the selected mode of operation being one of an voltage control mode and a frequency mode, determining an input voltage command based on the selected mode of operation, determining an input frequency command based on the selected mode of operation, adjusting at least one of the input frequency command and the input voltage command based on the selected mode of operation, generating a pulse width modulation reference based on the adjusted at least one of the input frequency command and the input voltage command and generating the output variable voltage based on the pulse width modulation reference.
US09553538B2
A system and method for reliable control of a high rotor pole switched reluctance machine (HRSRM) utilizing a sensorless reliable control system. The method comprising: energizing at least one of the plurality of stator phases; measuring a first current value and time taken by the first current value to reach a first peak value or preset threshold value of current; determining a self-inductance value; storing the self-inductance value and the first current value for each of the stator phases; measuring a second current value and time taken by an adjacent un-energized stator phase to reach a second peak value of current; determining a mutual inductance value; storing the mutual inductance value and the second current value for each of the stator phases;estimating a rotor position utilizing the self-inductance and mutual inductance values; and controlling the HRSRM based on the estimated rotor position.
US09553533B2
Systems and methods are provided for pre-charging the DC bus on a motor drive. Pre-charging techniques involve pre-charge circuitry including a manual switch, an automatic switch, and pre-charge control circuitry to switch the automatic switch between pre-charge and pre-charge bypass modes in response to an initialized pre-charge operation, input voltage sags, and so forth. In some embodiments, the pre-charge operation may be initialized by switching the manual switch closed. In some embodiments, the pre-charge operation may also be initialized by a detected voltage sag on the DC bus. The pre-charge circuitry may also be configured to disconnect to isolate a motor drive from the common DC bus under certain fault conditions.
US09553531B2
A power converter that reduces a ripple of a torque and a ripple of an electric current in a switch period, having a controller including an instruction calculator that calculates a first voltage instruction value and a second voltage instruction value when, in a first period, a first neutral point voltage is shifted below a center-of-output value, and a second neutral point voltage is shifted above the center-of-output value, and, in a second period, the first neutral point voltage is shifted above the center-of-output value, and the second neutral point voltage is shifted below the center-of-output value.
US09553530B2
A power converter a controller that includes an instruction calculator calculating a first voltage instruction value that is applied to a first winding group, for example. An application voltage to the first winding group is controlled, for example, in a first period so that a first neutral point voltage shifts below a center-of-output value of an outputtable range is outputted, and a second neutral point voltage shifts above the center-of-output value of the outputtable range. The instruction calculator calculates the first instruction value for enabling a switching between the periods, after a lapse of a switch period that is variably calculated based on a preset physical quantity. In such manner, a ripple of a torque or an electric current accompanying the switching between the periods is reduced.
US09553519B2
Techniques and devices related to power adapters for mobile devices and, in particular, small form factor power adapters that allow a voltage droop during a power pulse exceeding a maximum output of the power adapter are discussed. For example, a small form factor and low voltage power adapter may include an adapter output power protection control that limits an output of the power adapter in response to a power pulse exceeding a maximum output of the power adapter.
US09553510B2
A high-side variable current source and a high-side transistor are provided in series between a supply power terminal of a control circuit and a gate of a switching transistor. A low-side variable current source and a low-side transistor are provided in series between the gate of the switching transistor and a ground terminal. A slew rate controller controls the current value of at least one of the high-side and low-side variable current sources according to the state of a setting terminal. A switching power supply device has a plurality of output transistors connected in parallel with one another and a controller that generates control signals turning on and off the output transistors at a predetermined frequency so as to generate a desired output voltage from an input voltage and supply the output voltage to a load. The controller determines which output transistor to drive according to the magnitude of the load.
US09553502B2
The control of an inductive load is implemented by a control strategy to generate a control signal for a switching element on the basis of a setpoint datum, with a mechanism defining a maximum permitted value (Imax) of the current in the load as a function of the temperature at the level of the switching element. The mechanism exhibits a temperature threshold (Tshd). The maximum permitted value (Imax) of the current is held constant, equal to an upper limit value (Isup), during a temperature climb phase for all the temperatures which are lower than the threshold. The maximum permitted value of the current is abruptly rendered equal to a lower limit value (Iinf) as soon as the temperature reaches the threshold. Finally, during a temperature descent phase, the maximum permitted value of the current gradually climbs back to the upper limit value as the temperature decreases.
US09553499B2
A high frequency inductor filter cooling apparatus and method of use thereof is described. In one embodiment, an inductor is potted in an epoxy-silica mixture to facilitate thermal transfer from the inductor. The inductor is optionally used to filter/invert/convert power. The inductor comprises a distributed gap core and/or a powdered core material. In one example, the minimum carrier frequency is above that usable by an iron-steel inductor, such as greater than ten kiloHertz at fifty or more amperes. Optionally, the inductor is used in an inverter/converter apparatus, where output power has a carrier frequency, modulated by a fundamental frequency, and a set of harmonic frequencies, in conjunction with a notched low-pass filter, a low pass filter combined with a notch filter and a high frequency roll off filter, and/or one or more of a silicon carbide, gallium arsenide, and/or gallium nitride based transistor.
US09553493B2
Provided is a rotating electric machine the interior of which can be suitably cooled. A coolant supply means of the rotating electric machine supplies a cooling fluid to the bottom of a tubular member from a location closer to one end of a rotary shaft than the bottom, and the bottom of the tubular member is equipped with through-holes that run in the axial direction of the rotary shaft, with the cooling fluid being supplied to the interior of the tubular member through the through-holes.
US09553489B2
The invention relates to an electrical machine for submerged applications and an energy conversion system for conversion of mechanical energy of unidirectional or reciprocating linear or rotational motion into electric energy and vice versa. The electric energy may be in the form of DC or AC current and voltage. The system is totally submerged in pure or salt water. The enabling element of the invention is multi-pole permanent magnet synchronous machine with separately encapsulated stator and rotor, integrated with mechanical system and power electronics.
US09553486B2
A wearable device includes a wearable device structure and an electronic circuitry coupled to one or more sensors. The one or more sensors detect or measure wearable device user information selected from of at least one of, a wearable device user's activities, behaviors and habit information, and a wearable device user's health. A power receiving device is coupled to the electronic circuit and is in communication with a power transmitting device.
US09553478B2
The wireless power transmitter includes a first wireless transmitting unit disposed at a rear surface of the wireless power receiver and having a first charging scheme, and a second wireless transmitting unit disposed on at least one of side surfaces of the wireless power receiver and having a second charging scheme different from the first charging scheme. The wireless power transmitter may more efficiently charge the wireless power receiver.
US09553473B2
A transmitter assembly is useful in optimizing in the delivery of wireless power to a plurality of receivers. Each receiver measures its own battery need for power and transmits that measurement as a request to the transmitter. The transmitter is configured to normalize and compare battery need requests. The transmitter then allocates pulses of wireless power among the requesting receivers according to their battery need.
US09553471B2
An electrical charging system including a storing vessel for storing a diagnostic tool and a wireless charging system integrated with the storing vessel for wirelessly charging the diagnostic tool when the diagnostic tool is placed within the storing vessel.
US09553462B2
Disclosed are a voltage measuring apparatus and a battery management system including the same. The voltage measuring apparatus is connected to a plurality of battery cells connected to each other in series to measure respective voltage of the battery cells. The voltage measuring apparatus includes a first node coupled to one of an positive electrode and a negative electrode of one of a plurality of battery cells as a voltage measuring target, amplifies a voltage difference between the first node and the second node to generate an error voltage, converts the error voltage into a digital signal, and compensates for a polarity of the digital signal.
US09553457B2
A system for power transfer is provided. In one exemplary embodiment, the system includes an inductive power device, such as a device that transmits or receives power over an inductive coupling. For example, an adjustable impedance is coupled to the inductive power device, where the adjustable impedance is used for dynamically controlling the power gain in the inductive power device, such as by damping power generated by circuit impedances, such as inductances, capacitances or resistances, and combinations thereof.
US09553453B2
A method, apparatus, system and computer program is provided for controlling an electric power system, including implementation of a voltage control and conservation (VCC) system used to optimally control the independent voltage and capacitor banks using a linear optimization methodology to minimize the losses in the EEDCS and the EUS. An energy validation process system (EVP) is provided which is used to document the savings of the VCC and an EPP is used to optimize improvements to the EEDCS for continuously improving the energy losses in the EEDS. The EVP system measures the improvement in the EEDS a result of operating the VCC system in the “ON” state determining the level of energy conservation achieved by the VCC system.
US09553452B2
The Hybrid Energy System is a business network with utility company headquarters employing several hybrid energy power generating methods which integrate to work together onsite thus producing substantially more energy power onsite-at businesses, factories, buildings and infrastructure, offshore aqueducts, and vessels. The hybrid utility service vehicles recycle, deliver and consigns surplus power. An assortment of unique electric generating devices include; wind turbine array integrated with PV solar panels sited on a tower, an array of hydroelectric turbine valves, and hydro-piezoelectric pipeline systems. various offshore power producing vessels do business with on shore utility grid companies ship to rent or sell hybrid energy battery containers for consignment locations, as well the grid connected mega ship comprising an off shore grid transmission control system which shunts net electrical energy underground sea to shore via a large scale cable network system which distributes extra power to on shore applications accordingly for profit, and also shunts extra electric energy to other off shore vessels for profit, and vessels can dock inland and dock off coastline to shunt net power to utility grid companies and ship hybrid energy battery containers to consignment locations globally.
US09553450B2
According to another embodiment, a power control apparatus is provided. The power control apparatus includes a grid power inlet configured to receive grid power, a grid power outlet configured to provide grid power, a data transmission input configured to receive low voltage power, and means for actuating a relay to selectively couple the grid power inlet to the grid power outlet in response to receiving the low voltage power from the data transmission input.
US09553448B2
A system is described that turns off a high power, power supply when a device no longer needs high power. A low power, power supply or a rechargeable battery provides power to determine when the device again needs high power. The low power supply consumes a minimum possible power when the device does not need high power and the power rechargeable battery is not charged. That is, the high power and low power, power supplies are turned on or off based on the real time power consumption need of the device and the charged state of the battery. The power need of the device is monitored by a current shunt monitoring circuit and a control signal monitoring circuit.
US09553431B2
A shield conductor that shields an electrical wire includes a shield pipe and a metallic braid part that are connected together by a weld along a circumferential direction. The weld may be made by ultrasonic welding. The welding may be direct welding, or welding in which a welding member is melted and then hardened to connect the shield pipe and the metallic braid part together.
US09553428B2
A power supply module includes a circuit board and a heatsink plate. The circuit board includes a first principal surface, a second principal surface, and side surfaces. Electronic components are mounted on the first principal surface. The heatsink plate includes a plate-shaped body portion that faces the first principal surface, and a plurality of fixing portions that extend at an angle from the body portion to face the side surfaces. The fixing portions are configured to come into contact with the second principal surface to secure the body portion to the circuit board.
US09553419B2
The present invention provides improved laser beam quality with fewer parts than the current method demands and decreasing the transmit aperture, said apparatus comprising: two or more independently pumped gain modules, two or more pump diodes, a polarizing waveplate, non-linear optical crystals, and a passive Q-switch.
US09553416B2
A wire connection structure for vehicle optional part includes a power socket connected to a vehicle power supply, and obtains a power supply for an optional part by cutting in a feeder path supplying electric power to the power socket. In the wire connection structure, a main-side output cord branched from a main harness is preliminarily connected to the back surface side of the power socket by way of couplers. In addition, each optional part harness is provided at an end portion thereof with an option-side output cord and an input cord, which each have a standardized structure. At the time of additionally installing each optional part, the option-side output cord is connected to the power socket, and the main-side output cord or the option-side output cord, which has been detached from the power socket, is bent into a U shape and connected to the input cord.
US09553408B2
Provided is a USB port locking device including: a blocking member having a blocking coupling part to block access of an external device; an external USB port part connected to the blocking member and to which an external USB connection port is insertively coupled; a signal connection part enabling signal transmission between a terminal inside the USB port of the electronic device and the external USB connecting port; a locking member selectively locked to the electronic device so that the blocking member is not forcedly removed; a stopping member selectively blocking an unauthorized external USB connecting port from being inserted into the external USB port part; and a lock member controlling a locking operation of the locking member and a blocking operation of the stopping member by interfering with the locking member and the stopping member when they are inserted into the blocking member.
US09553401B2
A strain relief for an electrical cable includes a longitudinal base portion including curved side portions extending upwardly from opposing longitudinal sides thereof, and first and second opposing strain relief latches extending from opposing lateral sides of the base portion. Each latch includes a curved connecting portion extending from a lateral side of the base portion first curving upwardly and then curving downwardly and terminating at an arm portion that extends downwardly. The arm portion is configured to resiliently deflect outwardly to accommodate secure attachment of the strain relief to an electrical connector.
US09553399B2
A method for underwater installing of a wet mateable connection assembly includes the steps of: providing a submerged case having a seat; connecting one end of a guiding rope to the seat, the other end being kept over the sea level; appending a submersible case to the guiding rope by a guide handle; causing the submersible case to move along the rope until the guide handle engages with the seat; and pivoting the submersible case around the seat up to contact the submerged case.
US09553395B2
A connector is provided and includes a barrel, an end bell, an assembly nut, and a securing mechanism. The end bell includes a spring arm and a seat portion. The assembly nut includes a projection disposed on the seat portion and engaging the spring arm to couple the barrel to the end bell. The securing mechanism secures the barrel and the assembly nut to each other.
US09553393B2
A lever-type connector has tubular fitting (13) with an outer regulating wall (20) on a side opposite to a lever accommodating portion (16) across a terminal accommodating portion (10). A receptacle (41) includes an inner regulating wall (44) arranged along the outer regulating wall (20) and a facing wall (45) arranged along the lever accommodating portion (16) and facing the inner regulating wall (44). Regulating protrusions (48) are formed on an inner surface of the inner regulating wall (44). Posture inclination between a female housing (F) and a male housing (M) is regulated by contact of a tip outer edge (44E) of the inner regulating wall (44) and an inner surface of the outer regulating wall (20) and by the contact of a tip outer edge (10E) of the terminal accommodating portion (10) and the regulating protrusions (48).
US09553380B2
A card connector is disclosed having a base and a plurality of contacts. The plurality of contacts is positioned on the base. Each of the contacts has a contacting portion electrically contacting an electrical card when the electrical card inserted into the card connector. Each contact has an outer facing surface, and a supporting portion having two elastic arms extending from the base and intersecting at the contacting portion. Each of the elastic arms has a guide arm portion extending from the contacting portion at an angle of approximately 0 to 90 degrees with respect to a card insertion direction. Each guide arm portions has a smooth, ridge-shaped convex surface extending to the contacting portion and a smooth transitional surface with the outer facing surface of the contacting portion.
US09553372B2
A locating device includes an LCR antenna apparatus which has an antenna unit having a first polarization direction and is configured to transmit and/or receive a measurement signal having the first polarization direction. The antenna unit has at least one second polarization direction for transmitting and/or receiving the measurement signal.
US09553370B2
First and second conductor layers are formed on a main surface of a base layer. A tapered slot is formed between the first and second conductive layers. A first slit is formed at the first conductor layer, and a second slit is formed at the second conductor layer. Thus, the first conductor layer is divided into a first device connection portion and a first antenna portion, and the second conductor layer is divided into a second device connection portion and a second antenna portion. A semiconductor device is connected to the first and second device connection portions.
US09553361B2
The invention relates to a balanced antenna system comprising a radiator connected via a matching circuit to a balun. In certain embodiments, the radiator comprises a first radiating element and a second radiating element and the matching circuit comprises a first impedance-matching circuit connected to the first radiating element and a second impedance-matching circuit connected to the second radiating element. The first and second matching circuits may be identical and are connected through the balun to a single port. To minimize the component count, the design of the matching circuit and balun is co-optimized.
US09553349B2
To achieve favorable directivity in a directional coupler, even with a low magnetic-field coupling coefficient, the directional coupler includes a main line, a secondary line, and impedance conversion sections. The main line is connected between a signal input port and a signal output port. The secondary line is coupled to the main line through coupling capacitance and mutual inductance. The impedance conversion sections are connected between the secondary line and a coupling port or an isolation port, and the impedance viewed from the secondary line differs from the impedance viewed from a port side while both impedances viewed from the secondary line are equal.
US09553344B2
A battery assembly including an array of battery cells, a conduit system, and an emitter is provided. The conduit system may deliver coolant for thermally communicating with the array and may define a channel with a wall having dielectric or magnetic particles. The emitter may be located proximate the wall and configured to selectively output a magnetic field, an electric field, or a voltage to impart a compression force on the particles to adjust a cross-sectional area of the channel to control a flow of the coolant therethrough. The channel may be a flexible resin-based tube. The assembly may also include a sensor and a controller. The controller may be configured to activate the emitter based on signals from the sensor indicative of conditions of the assembly or system.
US09553340B2
A rechargeable battery module includes a plurality of unit cells including rechargeable batteries and adjacently disposed, at least one bus bar connecting electrode terminals of adjacent unit cells of the plurality of unit cells, and a cover configured to cover the plurality of unit cells, the cover including a coupling part coupled with the at least one bus bar, and a signal detector electrically connected to the bus bar.
US09553337B2
Provided is a sodium secondary battery capable of operating at a low temperature. More particularly, the sodium secondary battery according to the present invention includes: an anode containing sodium; a cathode containing a transition metal and an alkali metal halide; and a sodium ion conductive solid electrolyte provided between the anode and the cathode, wherein the cathode is impregnated in a molten salt electrolyte containing a sodium.metal halogen salt including at least two kinds of halogens.
US09553333B2
Provided are a nonaqueous electrolyte solution having improved durability properties in terms of cycling, storage and the like and improved discharge characteristic at a high current density, and a nonaqueous electrolyte battery that uses that nonaqueous electrolyte solution. The nonaqueous electrolyte solution containing a lithium salt and a nonaqueous solvent that dissolves the lithium salt, wherein the nonaqueous electrolyte solution contains a compound represented by formula (1) and at least one compound selected from the group consisting of a compound having a cyano group, a cyclic ester compound having a sulfur atom and a compound having an isocyanate group.
US09553329B2
The invention relates to an article comprising: a) one or more stacks of battery plates comprising one or more bipolar plates; b) located between each plate is a separator and a liquid electrolyte; further comprising one of more of the features: an integrated valve and an integrated channel communicating with the valve.
US09553327B2
A method for forming a modified solid polymer includes a step of contacting a solid fluorinated polymer with a sodium sodium-naphthalenide solution to form a treated fluorinated solid polymer. The treated fluorinated solid polymer is contacted with carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, or sulfur trioxide to form a solid grafted fluorinated polymer. Characteristically, the grafted fluorinated polymer includes appended CO2H or SO2H or SO3H groups. The solid grafted fluorinated polymer is advantageously incorporated into a fuel cell as part of the ion-conducting membrane or a water transport membrane in a humidifier.
US09553326B2
Provided are an aromatic sulfonic acid derivative and a sulfonic acid group-containing polymer, each of which has excellent proton conductivity even under low humidification conditions, while having excellent mechanical strength and chemical stability, and enables a solid polymer fuel cell to achieve high output and excellent physical durability when used therein. This aromatic sulfonic acid derivative has a specific structure and is characterized in that a sulfonic acid group is introduced into more than 50% of all the phenyl groups. This sulfonic acid group-containing polymer is characterized by being obtained by polymerization using the aromatic sulfonic acid derivative, and is also characterized by having a specific structure.
US09553325B2
Provided are a polymer electrolyte membrane used in fuel cells, and a method for producing the same, the method including a step of filling a crosslinkable ion conductor in the pores of a porous nanoweb support; and a step of crosslinking the ion conductor filled in the pores of the porous nanoweb support. The method for producing a polymer electrolyte membrane uses a relatively smaller amount of an organic solvent, can ameliorate defects of the support caused by solvent evaporation, and can enhance the impregnability of the ion conductor to the support and the convenience of the process.
US09553319B2
The present invention is a hydrophilic polymer, which can be hydrated to form a hydrated hydrophilic polymer having a water content of at least 65%, wherein water content is defined as [(mass of the hydrated hydrophilic polymer−mass of the dry hydrophilic polymer)/mass of the hydrated hydrophilic polymer]×100. The hydrophilic polymer may be hydrated to form a hydrated hydrophilic polymer having a water content of at least 65%. The present invention also 10 provides MEAs and electrochemical cells and methods of forming same.
US09553318B2
A method for removing a surfactant from a palladium nanoparticle includes exposing the palladium nanoparticle to hydrogen and removing the surfactant from the palladium nanoparticle. A method includes synthesizing a palladium nanoparticle using a surfactant. The surfactant influences a geometric property of the palladium nanoparticle and bonds to the palladium nanoparticle. The method also includes exposing the palladium nanoparticle to hydrogen to remove the surfactant from the palladium nanoparticle.
US09553317B2
A ceramic cathode material of a solid oxide fuel cell and a manufacturing method thereof are disclosed. The method includes mixing a lanthanum-containing compound, a cobalt-containing compound, a nickel-containing compound, and a copper-containing compound, for preparing the ceramic cathode material of the solid oxide fuel cell of intermediate/low type. The ceramic cathode material of the solid oxide fuel cell is LaCozNiyCuxO3−δ, in which x ranges from 0.01 to 0.3, y ranges from 0 to 0.89, and z ranges from 0.1 to 0.99. The ceramic cathode material manufactured by mixing the lanthanum-containing compound, the cobalt-containing compound, the nickel-containing compound, and the copper-containing compound when operating within the temperature range from 500 to 800 degrees Celsius is of high electrical conductivity and reduced thermal expansion coefficient.
US09553313B2
Disclosed herein is a 3V class spinel oxide with improved high-rate characteristics which has the composition Li1+x[MyMn(2−y)]O4−zSz (0≦x≦0.1, 0.01≦y≦0.5, 0.01≦z≦0.5, and M is Mn, Ni or Mg). Further disclosed is a method for preparing the 3V class spinel oxide by carbonate coprecipitation of starting materials, addition of sulfur, followed by calcining. The 3V class spinel oxide is spherical and has a uniform size distribution. A lithium secondary battery including the 3V class spinel oxide has a constant plateau at a potential of 3V and shows superior cycle characteristics.
US09553304B2
There is provided a method of forming silicon anode material for rechargeable cells. The method includes providing a metal matrix, comprising no more than 30 wt % silicon, including silicon structures dispersed therein. The method further includes at least partially etching the metal matrix to at least partially isolate the silicon structures.
US09553300B2
The invention offers an electrode material that can accomplish both high capacity and high output and a battery, a nonaqueous-electrolyte battery, and a capacitor all incorporating the electrode material. The electrode material has a sheet-shaped aluminum porous body carrying an active material. The above-described aluminum porous body has a skeleton structure that is formed of an aluminum layer and that has a vacant space at the interior. When observed by performing cutting in a direction parallel to the direction of thickness of the sheet, the above-described vacant space in the skeleton structure has an average area of 500 μm2 or more and 6,000 μm2 or less.
US09553296B1
A magnetic pulse welding process for joining a current collector to a terminal pin in the construction of electrochemical cells is described. The magnetic pulse welding process utilizes a pulsed direct current and an electrically conductive coil to generate an electro-magnetic force that causes two work pieces to collide with each other and form a bond therebetween. Preferably, the method is used to bond the terminal pin to the cathode current collector. This method of attachment is suitable for either primary or secondary cells, particularly those powering implantable biomedical devices.
US09553288B2
A vehicle traction battery assembly is provided which may include a housing, a battery system supported within the housing, and a connector electrically connected with the system and extending through and away from the recessed face into a region normal to the recessed face and adjacent to the ledge such that the ledge limits travel of objects into the region impacting the lateral end. The lateral end may have a step configuration defined by the ledge and the recessed face. The housing may also include a middle face extending between the ledge face and recessed face, opposing side faces, and a lower face. The connector may be a battery control interface connector, an accessory connector, or a high-voltage connector.
US09553282B2
An organic light emitting diode (OLED) according to an embodiment can include an OLED panel; a printed circuit board adhered onto a rear surface of the OLED panel; and a back cover including first and second metal layers, an inorganic substance layer between the first and second metal layers, and a pocket groove in a horizontal surface on which the OLED panel is placed and corresponding to the printed circuit board, wherein the pocket groove is formed by removing the first metal layer corresponding thereto to expose the inorganic substance layer.
US09553276B2
The invention describes electronic devices comprising a metal complex compound having at least one tetradentate ligand having N and/or P donors, in particular a ligand having a PPPP, NNNN, PNNP or NPPN structure, and uses of a complex of this type in the electronic field and for the generation of light.
US09553267B2
A method of manufacturing an organic light-emitting device including a plurality of pixels using an organic solution spray apparatus, where each of the pixels comprises a plurality of sub-pixels having different colors, includes: preparing a substrate on which a plurality of sub-pixel regions is defined; generating a potential difference between a nozzle of the organic solution spray apparatus and the sub-pixel regions; spraying an organic solution from the nozzle of the organic solution spray apparatus to the sub-pixel regions; and forming an organic material layer by selectively depositing the organic solution to the sub-pixel regions using the potential difference between the nozzle and the sub-pixel regions.
US09553264B2
Memory cells (e.g., CBRAM cells) include an ion source material over an active material and an electrode comprising metal silicide over the ion source material. The ion source material may include at least one of a chalcogenide material and a metal. Apparatuses, such as systems and devices, include a plurality of such memory cells. Memory cells include an adhesion material of metal silicide between a ion source material and an electrode of elemental metal. Methods of forming a memory cell include forming a first electrode, forming an active material, forming an ion source material, and forming a second electrode including metal silicide over the metal ion source material. Methods of adhering a material including copper and a material including tungsten include forming a tungsten silicide material over a material including copper and treating the materials.
US09553255B2
A memory element includes a memory layer having magnetization perpendicular to a film face of the memory layer in which a direction of the magnetization configured to be changed. The memory element includes a magnetization-fixed layer having a magnetization perpendicular to the film face. The memory element includes an intermediate layer that is formed of a non-magnetic material and is provided between the memory layer and the magnetization-fixed layer. The memory layer includes a multilayer structure in which a non-magnetic material and an oxide are laminated. The direction of the magnetization of the memory layer is configured to be changed by applying a current in a lamination direction of the layered structure to record information in the memory layer.
US09553244B2
Disclosed herein is a light emitting device, comprising: a lighting element located in a housing, wherein the housing is formed from a plastic composition comprising: a conversion material, and a polycarbonate composition comprising: a flame retardant comprising a sulfonate salt and three polycarbonates. The first polycarbonate has a branching level of greater than or equal to 2%, a weight average molecular weight of 20,000 g/mole to 55,000 g/mole and a peak melt viscosity of greater than or equal to 25,000 poise. The second polycarbonate has a glass transition temperature greater than or equal to 170° C. The third polycarbonate has a branching level of 0 to less than 2% and a molecular weight of 17,000 to 40,000 g/mol.
US09553243B2
This disclosure relates to a light-emitting apparatus comprising a submount, a chip carrier formed on the submount, a light-emitting chip formed on the chip carrier, a reflecting cup formed on the submount and enclosing the light-emitting chip and the chip carrier, and a transparent encapsulating material for encapsulating the light-emitting chip.
US09553242B2
A semiconductor device package assembly which increases production efficiency of semiconductor devices by enabling the number of semiconductor device packages held by a carrier to be increased. A predetermined area of a first housing molded of white-colored resin, which holds a plurality of bent contacts, is covered by a second housing molded of black-colored resin, and a plurality of second housings are supported by a secondary molding carrier in high density. A linking portion of each contact and one or both of the first and second housings are integrated by insert molding.
US09553235B2
A method for manufacturing a semiconductor light emitting device may include steps of forming a mask layer and a mold layer having a plurality of openings exposing portions of a base layer, forming a plurality of first conductivity-type semiconductor cores each including a body portion extending through each of the openings from the base layer and a tip portion disposed on the body portion and having a conical shape, and forming an active layer and a second conductivity-type semiconductor layer on each of the plurality of first conductivity-type semiconductor cores. The step of forming the plurality of first conductivity-type semiconductor cores may include forming a first region such that a vertex of the tip portion is positioned on a central vertical axis of the body portion, removing the mold layer, and forming an additional growth region on the first region such that the body portion has a hexagonal prism shape.
US09553233B2
A light emitting diode includes a substrate, a first semiconductor layer, an active layer, a second semiconductor layer, a first electrode, and a second electrode. The first semiconductor layer, the active layer, and the second semiconductor layer are orderly stacked on the substrate. The first electrode is electrically connected to the first semiconductor layer. The second electrode electrically is connected to the second semiconductor layer. The substrate has a number of three-dimensional nano-structures, and each of the number of three-dimensional nano-structures has a stepped structure.
US09553228B2
A solar cell of the invention includes a collecting electrode on a first principal surface of a photoelectric conversion section. The collecting electrode includes a first electroconductive layer and a second electroconductive layer in this order from the photoelectric conversion section. On the first principal surface of the photoelectric conversion section, an insulating layer is provided in a first electroconductive layer-non-formed region where the first electroconductive layer is not formed. The insulating layer includes a first insulating layer is in contact with the first electroconductive layer on the first principal surface of the photoelectric conversion section, and a second insulating layer that is formed so as to cover at least a part of the first insulating layer.
US09553226B2
A method for manufacturing a solar cell module includes a cell forming operation of forming a plurality of first and second electrodes on a back surface of a semiconductor substrate to form each a plurality of solar cells, and a tabbing operation including at least one of a connection operation of performing a thermal process to respectively connect a first conductive line and a second conductive line to the first electrodes and the second electrodes of each solar cell using a conductive adhesive and an optional string forming operation of performing a thermal process to connect the first conductive line included in one solar cell and the second conductive line included in other solar cell adjacent to the one solar cell to an interconnect. The tabbing operation includes at least two thermal processes each having a different maximum temperature.
US09553225B2
A tapered trunking bus for carrying electricity from a row of solar panel arrays to a safety switch. The trunking bus includes a number of combiner and junction boxes connected in series. Each successive combiner and junction box combines the output of the previous combiner and junction box, received on a conductor of a first cross-sectional area, with electrical current received from a pair of solar panel arrays and outputs a higher current on a conductor of higher cross-sectional area. The cross-sectional area of each conductor is chosen to match the current to be carried and to account for the distance to the next combiner and junction box. For lower current segments of the trunking bus, cables or wires in conduits, of increasing gauges, can be used between combiner and junction boxes. For higher-current segments, metal bus bars of increasing cross-sectional area can be used between combiner and junction boxes.
US09553220B2
A field shaping multi-well avalanche detector and method for fabrication thereof are disclosed. The field shaping multi-well avalanche detector provides stable avalanche multiplication gain in direct conversion amorphous selenium radiation detectors. The detector provides stable avalanche multiplication gain by eliminating field hot-spots using high-density avalanche wells with insulated wells and field-shaping within each well.
US09553218B2
A high transmittance thin film solar panel includes a transparent substrate, a front electrode layer, a light absorption layer and a rear electrode layer. The light absorption layer is formed with opening patterns with the same width at positions aligned correspondingly to form at least one first opening trench, a plurality of second opening trenches with continuously and periodically sinusoidal-wave shape, and a plurality of third opening trenches parallel to, interlace with or superpose the second opening trenches, and extend in a direction orthogonal to the direction of the first opening trench. The high transmittance thin film solar panel of the present invention is mainly used for green buildings. The opening trenches of the high transmittance thin film solar panel are formed in a manner of curve shape by an oscillating laser head, and can enhance the transmittance by more than about 3% in comparison with the conventional one.
US09553217B2
A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device is provided. The method includes forming a passivation film on a substrate including a first element region, a second element region adjacent to the first element region in a first direction, a third element region adjacent to the first region in a second direction, and a first scribe region extending to the first direction between the first element region and the third element region, forming a first trench in the passivation film between the first scribe region and the first element region, forming a second trench in the passivation film between the third element region and the first scribe region, and forming a film on the passivation film where the trenches have been formed by coating. The each of trenches is formed continuously along the first and the second element region.
US09553210B2
High frequency power diode including a semiconductor wafer having first and second main sides, a first layer of a first conductivity type formed on the first main side, a second layer of a second conductivity type formed on the second main side and a third layer of the second conductivity type formed between the first layer and the second layer. The first layer has a dopant concentration decreasing from 1019 cm−3 or more adjacent to the first main side of the wafer to 1.5·1015 cm−3 or less at an interface of the first layer with the third layer. The second layer has a dopant concentration decreasing from 1019 cm−3 or more adjacent to the second main side of the wafer to 1.5·1015 cm−3 at an interface of the second layer with the third layer and the third layer has a dopant concentration of 1.5·1015 cm−3 or less.
US09553206B2
The present invention provides an EEPROM core structure embedded into BCD process and forming method thereof. The EEPROM core structure embedded into BCD process comprises a selection transistor and a storage transistor connected in series, wherein the selection transistor is an LDNMOS transistor. The present invention may embed the procedure for forming the EEPROM core structure into the BCD process, which is favorable to reduce the complexity of the process.
US09553201B2
The inventive concept relates to a thin film transistor and a thin film transistor array panel and, in detail, relates to a thin film transistor including an oxide semiconductor. A thin film transistor according to an exemplary embodiment of the inventive concept includes: a gate electrode; a gate insulating layer positioned on or under the gate electrode; a first semiconductor and a second semiconductor that overlap the gate electrode with the gate insulating layer interposed therebetween, the first semiconductor and the second semiconductor contacting each other; a source electrode connected to the second semiconductor; and a drain electrode connected to the second semiconductor and facing the source electrode, wherein the second semiconductor includes gallium (Ga) that is not included in the first semiconductor, and a content of gallium (Ga) in the second semiconductor is greater than 0 at. % and less than or equal to about 33 at. %.
US09553199B2
Semiconductor devices and methods of forming the same are provided. A source/drain electrode stack is formed over a substrate, wherein the source/drain electrode stack comprises a first source/drain electrode and a second source/drain electrode. A source/channel/drain layer is formed on a sidewall of the source/drain electrode stack, wherein the source/channel/drain layer comprises a 2D material. A gate stack is formed on the source/channel/drain layer.
US09553193B2
A semiconductor device is provided that includes a fin having a first upper gate on a sidewall of the fin in a first trench and a second upper gate formed on the opposite sidewall of the fin. The device also includes a first lower gate on the sidewall and a second lower gate on the opposite sidewall, wherein the first upper gate is formed above the first lower gate and the second upper gate is formed above the second lower gate. Methods of manufacturing and operating the device are also included. A method of operation may include biasing the first upper gate and second upper gate to preselect the transistors of a fin and then biasing the first lower gate and second lower gate to operate the transistors of the fin.
US09553188B1
A high-voltage semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate, a gate structure, a drain, an insulation structure, and a plurality of conductive structures. The insulation structure is disposed in the semiconductor substrate and disposed between the gate structure and the drain. The insulation structure includes a plurality of insulation units disposed separately from one another. Each of the conductive structures is embedded in one of the insulation units.
US09553186B2
Embodiments of a manufacturing process for recessed gate devices on silicon-on-insulator (SOI) substrate with self-aligned lateral isolation are described. This allows the creation of true in-pitch recessed gate devices without requiring an extra isolation dimension. A lateral isolation trench is formed between pairs of recessed gate devices by etching the silicon-on-insulator area down to a buried oxide layer on which the silicon-on-insulator layer is formed. The position of the trench is self-aligned and defined by the gate width and the dimension of spacers disposed on either side of the gate. The isolation trench is filled with a dielectric material and then etched back to the middle of the SOI body and the remaining volume is filled with a doped conductive material. The doped conductor is subject to a thermal cycle to create source and drain regions of the device through out-diffusion of the doped material.
US09553185B2
A mask used to form an n+ source layer (11) is formed by a nitride film on the surface of a substrate before a trench (7) is formed. At this time, a sufficient width of the n+ source layer (11) on the surface of the substrate is secured. Thereby, stable contact between the n+ source layer (11) and a source electrode (15) is obtained. A CVD oxide film (12) that is an interlayer insulating film having a thickness of 0.1 micrometer or more and 0.3 micrometer or less is formed on doped poly-silicon to be used as a gate electrode (10a) embedded in the trench (7), and non-doped poly-silicon (13) that is not oxidized is formed on the CVD oxide film (12). Thereby, generation of void in the CVD oxide film (12) is suppressed and, by not oxidizing the non-doped poly-silicon (13), a semiconductor apparatus is easily manufactured.
US09553184B2
A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor layer disposed at a substrate and a plurality of active cells disposed at the semiconductor layer. Each active cell includes a trench extending into the semiconductor layer and a body region disposed in the semiconductor layer adjacent to a sidewall of the trench and at a first depth below the surface of the semiconductor layer. The semiconductor device further includes a termination cell disposed at the semiconductor layer adjacent to an edge of the plurality of active cells. The termination cell includes a trench extending into the semiconductor layer, and further includes a body region disposed in the semiconductor layer adjacent to a sidewall of the trench of the termination cell and at a second depth less than the first depth. The body regions of the active cells and of the termination cell have a conductivity type different than that of the semiconductor layer.
US09553177B2
Methods, devices, and systems for using and forming vertically base-connected bipolar transistors have been shown. The vertically base-connected bipolar transistors in the embodiments of the present disclosure are formed with a CMOS fabrication technique that decreases the transistor size while maintaining the high performance characteristics of a bipolar transistor.
US09553176B2
A semiconductor device includes a gate, a first electrode, a first insulating layer, an active layer, an etching stop layer, a second insulating layer, a source, a drain and a second electrode. The first insulating layer covers the gate and the first electrode. The active layer and the etching stop layer are disposed on the first insulating layer above the gate and the first electrode respectively. The second insulating layer covers the active layer and the etching stop layer and has a first opening and a second opening exposing the active layer and a third opening exposing the etching stop layer. The source and the drain are disposed on the second insulating layer and contact with the active layer through the first opening and the second opening respectively. The second electrode is located on the second insulating layer and contacts with the etching stop layer through the third opening.
US09553175B2
A method includes forming a first oxide layer. The method further includes etching a portion of the first oxide layer using a first decoupled plasma nitridation process. The method includes forming, subsequent to the etching, a charge-trapping layer on the first oxide layer.
US09553165B2
In one embodiment, an IGBT is formed to include a plurality of termination trenches in a termination region of the IGBT. An embodiment may include that one end of one or more termination trenches may be exposed on one surface of the semiconductor device.
US09553163B2
In one aspect, a diode comprises: a semiconductor layer having a first side and a second side opposite the first side, the semiconductor layer having a thickness between the first side and the second side, the thickness of the semiconductor layer being based on a mean free path of a charge carrier emitted into the semiconductor layer; a first metal layer deposited on the first side of the semiconductor layer; and a second metal layer deposited on the second side of the semiconductor layer.
US09553159B2
A semiconductor device including a gate insulation pattern on a substrate, and a semiconductor gate pattern including an amorphous silicon pattern and a polycrystalline silicon pattern stacked on a side of the gate insulation pattern opposite to the substrate. The amorphous silicon pattern includes anti-diffusion impurities that suppress diffusion of impurity ions in the semiconductor gate pattern.
US09553143B2
A semiconductor device includes: a semiconductor substrate; a semiconductor layer disposed over the semiconductor layer; a first well region disposed in the semiconductor layer and the semiconductor substrate; a second well region disposed in the semiconductor layer; a first isolation element disposed in the first well region; a second isolation element disposed in the second well region; a gate structure disposed in the semiconductor layer between the first isolation element and the second isolation element; a first doped region disposed in the first well region; and a second doped region disposed in the second well region. The bottom surface of the gate structure is above, below or substantially level with a bottom surface of the first isolation structure.
US09553135B2
Disclosed is a flexible display substrate and a method for manufacturing the same which can avoid break and peeling of film layers disposed on a flexible base and further reduce degree of a warpage occurred in the flexible base when separating the support substrate from the flexible base located above the support substrate. The flexible display substrate comprises the flexible base, a first buffer layer and a second buffer layer disposed on an upper surface and a lower surface of the flexible base, respectively, and a plurality of display modules disposed on the first buffer layer, each display module includes at least one thin film transistor and at least one electrode corresponding to the thin film transistor.
US09553134B2
Provided is a display device, including: a first substrate including a display area and a non-display area adjacent to the display area; a display unit on the first substrate at the display area and configured to display an image; a display wiring on the first substrate at the non-display area and coupled to the display unit; a second substrate on the first substrate with the display unit and the display wiring therebetween; a touch unit on the second substrate, corresponding to the display unit, and configured to recognize a touch; a touch wiring on the second substrate at the non-display area and coupled to the touch unit; and an anti-noise electrode between the display wiring and the touch wiring at the non-display area.
US09553129B2
Device and methods of forming a device are disclosed. The method includes providing a substrate defined with a memory cell region. A first upper dielectric layer is provided over the substrate. The first upper dielectric layer includes a first upper interconnect level with one or more metal lines in the memory cell region. A second upper dielectric layer is provided over the first upper dielectric layer. The second upper dielectric layer includes a via plug coupled to the metal line of the first upper interconnect level. An alignment trench which extends from a top surface of the second upper dielectric layer to a portion of the second upper dielectric layer is formed. Various layers of a MTJ stack are formed over the second upper dielectric layer. Profile of the alignment trench is transferred to surfaces of the various layers of the MTJ stack to form a topography feature which serves as an alignment mark. The various layers of the MTJ stack are patterned to form a MTJ element using the alignment mark visible in top surface of the various layers of the MTJ stack to align the memory element to the underlying via plug.
US09553127B2
A light-emitting diode structure comprises a first epitaxial unit; a second epitaxial unit separated from the first epitaxial unit; a crossover metal layer comprising a first protruding portion entering the first epitaxial unit; a conductive layer separated from the crossover metal layer and comprising a second protruding portion entering the second epitaxial unit; a conductive connecting layer surrounding the first protruding portion; and an electrode arranged on the conductive connecting layer.
US09553125B2
Disclosed is a solid-state imaging device including: a solid-state imaging element which outputs an image signal according to an amount of light sensed on a light sensing surface; a semiconductor element which performs signal processing with respect to the image signal output from the solid-state imaging element; and a substrate which is electrically connected to the solid-state imaging element and the semiconductor element, in which the semiconductor element is sealed by a molding resin in a state of being accommodated in an accommodation area which is provided on the substrate, and in which the solid-state imaging element is layered on the semiconductor element via the molding resin.
US09553118B2
A semiconductor image sensor includes a substrate having a first side and a second side that is opposite the first side. An interconnect structure is disposed over the first side of the substrate. A plurality of radiation-sensing regions is located in the substrate. The radiation-sensing regions are configured to sense radiation that enters the substrate from the second side. A buffer layer is disposed over the second side of the substrate. A plurality of elements is disposed over the buffer layer. The elements and the buffer layer have different material compositions. A plurality of light-blocking structures is disposed over the plurality of elements, respectively. The radiation-sensing regions are respectively aligned with a plurality of openings defined by the light-blocking structures, the elements, and the buffer layer.
US09553115B1
The present invention provides a manufacturing method of a TFT substrate structure, which includes sequentially forming a first passivation layer, a planarization layer, and a first transparent conductive film and then first subjecting the first transparent conductive film to patterning to form a first pixel electrode and thereafter, a photolithographic process is applied to the planarization layer for exposure and thus forming a first via located above and corresponding to a drain terminal, followed by using the planarization layer as a self-aligning mask to apply dry etching to the first passivation layer for etching to form a second via that corresponds to the first via, whereby residues of the first transparent conductive film in the first and second vias can be effectively prevented and product yield is enhanced. Further, on mask can be saved to prevent reduction of aperture ratio caused by misalignment thereby improving the production efficiency, reducing production cost, and increasing cost-related competition power of products.
US09553113B1
A pixel unit includes a scan line, data lines, first and second pixel structures, first and second common electrode lines, and a common connecting portion. The first pixel structure includes a first switching element, a first main pixel electrode, a first sub pixel electrode, and a first active element. The second pixel structure includes a second switching element, a second main pixel electrode, a second sub pixel electrode, and a second active element. The first main and sub pixel electrodes and the first active element are electrically connected to the first switching element. The second main and sub pixel electrodes and the second active element are electrically connected to the second switching element. The first and second common electrode lines are separated at a position where the scan line passes. The common connecting portion electrically connects the first common electrode line and the second common electrode line.
US09553111B2
A pixel electrode of an array substrate is connected with a drain electrode of a TFT via a first aperture formed on a second interlayer insulating film, a second aperture that includes a bottom portion of the first aperture and is formed on a common electrode, a third aperture that includes at least a part of the bottom portion of the first aperture, is included in a second aperture and is formed on a third interlayer insulating film, and a fourth aperture that is formed on the first interlayer insulating film in a region where the third aperture overlaps with the bottom portion of the first aperture.
US09553104B2
Provided is a fabricating method of a semiconductor device, including the following. Fin structures are formed on a substrate, and the adjacent fin structures have an opening therebetween. A conductive material layer is formed to cover the fin structures and fill the opening. The conductive material layer and the fin structures are patterned to form a mesh structure. The mesh structure includes first strips extending in a first direction and second strips extending in a second direction. The first strips and the second strips intersect each other, and the mesh structure has holes. The first strips are located on the substrate at positions corresponding to the fin structures. The second strips are located on the substrate, and the conductive material layer in the second strips spans the fin structures. The hole is formed in the opening and surrounded by the first strips and the second strips.
US09553086B2
A Reverse-conducting semiconductor device which comprises a freewheeling diode and an insulated gate bipolar transistor on a common wafer, part of which wafer forms a base layer of a first conductivity type with a first doping concentration and a base layer thickness. The insulated gate bipolar transistor comprises a collector side and an emitter side opposite the collector side of the wafer. A cathode layer of a first conductivity type with at least one first region and a anode layer of a second conductivity type with at least one second and pilot region are alternately arranged on the collector side. Each region has a region area with a region width surrounded by a region border. The Reverse-conducting-IGBT of the present application satisfies a number of specific geometrical rules.
US09553085B2
A three terminal high voltage Darlington bipolar transistor power switching device includes two high voltage bipolar transistors, with collectors connected together serving as the collector terminal. The base of the first high voltage bipolar transistor serves as the base terminal. The emitter of the first high voltage bipolar transistor connects to the base of the second high voltage bipolar transistor (inner base), and the emitter of the second high voltage bipolar transistor serves as the emitter terminal. A diode has its anode connected to the inner base (emitter of the first high voltage bipolar transistor, or base of the second high voltage bipolar transistor), and its cathode connected to the base terminal. Similarly, a three terminal hybrid MOSFET/bipolar high voltage switching device can be formed by replacing the first high voltage bipolar transistor of the previous switching device by a high voltage MOSFET.
US09553071B1
A microelectronic package includes a first microelectronic element comprising logic circuitry which is flip-chip mounted to a substrate, the substrate having terminals for connection with a circuit panel or other external component. A second microelectronic element overlies a rear surface of the first microelectronic element and has contacts electrically coupled with the substrate through electrically conductive interconnects extending through a region of the first microelectronic element. A heat spreader is thermally coupled with the rear surface of the substrate, either directly or through an additional element overlying the rear surface. Additional contacts of the second microelectronic element may be coupled with contacts of the substrate through electrically conductive structure disposed beyond an edge surface of the first microelectronic element.
US09553061B1
The present disclosure relates to semiconductor structures and, more particularly, to wire bond pad structures and methods of manufacture. The structure includes: bond pads in an active region of a chip; test pad structures in a kerf region of the chip; and hardmask material in the kerf region between the test pad structures and the bond pads. The surfaces of the test pad structures and the bond pads are devoid of the hardmask material.
US09553042B2
A wiring structure thereof includes a first interlayer insulating film, a first wiring and a first electrode for the capacitive element embedded in the first interlayer insulating film, a barrier insulating film formed over the first interlayer insulating film to cover the wiring and the electrode, a second interlayer insulating film formed over the barrier insulating film, and a second wiring and a second electrode for the capacitive element embedded in the second interlayer insulating film. The lower surface of the second wiring is positioned in the middle of the thickness of the second interlayer layer film, and the lower surface of the second electrode is in contact with the barrier insulating film. The barrier insulating film of a portion interposed between both electrodes functions as a capacitance insulating film of the capacitive element and is thicker than the barrier insulating film of a portion covering the first wiring.
US09553031B1
A method for making an integrated circuit includes a) providing a substrate including n-type metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistors (NMOSFETs) and p-type metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistors (PMOSFETs), wherein channel regions of the NMOSFETs and the PMOSFETs include germanium; b) depositing and patterning a mask layer to mask the channel regions of the PMOSFETs and to not mask the channel regions of the NMOSFETs; c) passivating an exposed surface of the substrate; d) removing the mask layer; and e) depositing a metal contact layer on both the NMOSFETs and the PMOSFETs.
US09553030B2
A method of forming a semiconductor device is provided including providing a semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) wafer comprising a first semiconductor layer comprising a first material component and formed on a buried oxide (BOX) layer, and forming a channel region of a P-channel transistor device, including forming a second semiconductor layer only over a first portion of the first semiconductor layer, wherein the second semiconductor layer comprises the first material component and a second material component different from the first material component, forming an opening in the first semiconductor layer outside the first portion and subsequently performing a thermal anneal to push the second material component from the second semiconductor layer into the first semiconductor layer.
US09553026B1
A method for fabricating semiconductor device is disclosed. First, a substrate is provided, and a first mandrel, a second mandrel, a third mandrel, and a fourth mandrel are formed on the substrate. Preferably, the first mandrel and the second mandrel include a first gap therebetween, the second mandrel and the third mandrel include a second gap therebetween, and the third mandrel and the fourth mandrel include a third gap therebetween, in which the first gap is equivalent to the third gap but different from the second gap. Next, spacers are formed adjacent to the first mandrel, the second mandrel, the third mandrel, and the fourth mandrel, and the spacers in the first gap and the third gap are removed.
US09553022B1
In one embodiment, a wafer includes a number of die areas each including a semiconductor device and dedicated to become a separate die. The die areas are disposed on a first face of the wafer and wherein adjacent die areas are distanced from one another. A first trench and a second trench are formed on the first face between adjacent die areas. The first trench and the second trench are spaced apart from one another by a ridge. A third trench is disposed above the ridge on a second face of the wafer.
US09553012B2
The present disclosure provides a FinFET. The FinFET includes a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) with an insulator; a plurality of fin structures on the insulator; an isolation on the insulator, and between two adjacent fin structures in the plurality of fin structures; and an oxide layer between each of the plurality of fin structures and the insulator, wherein the insulator comprises silicon germanium oxide. A method for manufacturing the FinFET includes forming a plurality of fin structures on a layer having a larger lattice constant than that of the fin structure by a patterning operation; oxidizing the fin structure and the layer to transform the layer into a first oxide layer; filling insulating material between adjacent fin structures; and etching the insulating material to expose a top surface and at least a portion of a sidewall of the fin structure.
US09553005B2
In certain embodiments the metal liftoff tool comprises an immersion tank for receiving a wafer cassette with wafers therein, the immersion tank including an inner weir, a lifting and lowering mechanism capable of raising and lowering the wafer cassette while submerged in fluid in the immersion tank, low pressure high velocity primary spray jets for stripping the metal, the primary spray jets positioned at opposing sides of the immersion tank parallel to the wafer surfaces planes, and secondary spray jets for pressure equalization force, positioned at the bottom of the immersion tank. A wafer lift insert is positioned at the bottom of the immersion tank to receive and periodically lift the wafers within the cassette.
US09553003B2
In a substrate processing device 10 having a heating and drying unit 103 for drying a surface of a substrate W, the heating and drying unit 103 heats upward a vertically downward surface of the substrate W to dry the surface of the substrate by dropping and removing, by gravity, the droplets of the volatile solvent formed on the surface of the substrate W by the heating operation.
US09552998B2
A thin film transistor (TFT), method of manufacturing the TFT and a flat panel display having the TFT are disclosed. In one aspect, the TFT comprises a substrate and an active layer formed over the substrate, wherein the active layer is formed of oxide semiconductor, and wherein the active layer includes two opposing sides. The TFT also comprises source and drain regions formed at the opposing sides of the active layer, a first insulating layer formed over the active layer, a gate electrode formed over the active layer, a second insulating layer formed covering the first insulation layer and the gate electrode, and a first conductive layer formed on the source and drain regions and contacting the second insulating layer.
US09552984B2
There are provided a processing method of a substrate in which in forming a trench on the substrate by etching, a side wall surrounding the trench is surely protected, and a manufacturing method of a liquid ejection head. The methods include: repeating sequentially a plurality of cycles of a trench forming step of forming the trench on a printing element substrate, a first protection layer forming step of forming a passivation layer, and a first protection layer removing step of removing a portion at which the trench is excavated in the passivation layer. A second protection layer forming step and a second protection layer removing step are performed between the trench forming step through the first protection layer removing step repeated in a plurality of cycles and the trench forming step through the first protection layer removing step repeated next.
US09552982B2
Disclosed herein are methods of forming SiC/SiCN film layers on surfaces of semiconductor substrates. The methods may include introducing a silicon-containing film-precursor and an organometallic ligand transfer reagent into a processing chamber, adsorbing the silicon-containing film-precursor, the organometallic ligand transfer reagent, or both onto a surface of a semiconductor substrate under conditions whereby either or both form an adsorption-limited layer, and reacting the silicon-containing film-precursor with the organometallic ligand transfer reagent, after either or both have formed the adsorption-limited layer. The reaction results in the forming of the film layer. In some embodiments, a byproduct is also formed which contains substantially all of the metal of the organometallic ligand transfer reagent, and the methods may further include removing the byproduct from the processing chamber. Also disclosed herein are semiconductor processing apparatuses for forming SiC/SiCN film layers.
US09552974B2
An ion mobility separator or spectrometer is disclosed comprising an inner cylinder and an outer cylinder defining an annular volume through which ions are transmitted. Spiral electrodes a-f are arranged on a surface of the inner cylinder and/or on a surface of the outer cylinder. A first device is arranged and adapted to maintain a DC electric field and/or a pseudo-potential force which acts to urge ions from a first end of the ion mobility separator or spectrometer to a second end of the ion mobility separator or spectrometer. A second device is arranged and adapted to apply transient DC voltages to the one or more spiral electrodes in order to urge ions towards the first end of the ion mobility separator or spectrometer. The net effect is to extend the effective path length of the ion mobility separator.
US09552973B2
An ionizing system includes a channel having an inlet disposed in a first pressure region and an outlet disposed in a second pressure region, a pressure of the first pressure region being greater than a pressure of the second pressure region. A heater is coupled to the channel and configured to heat the channel. A device is configured to introduce an analyte into the channel where the analyte is ionized.
US09552968B2
Embodiments of the present invention generally include an apparatus for plasma cleaning and a method for plasma cleaning. The apparatus can include a lid body having a first surface for facing a pedestal during cleaning and a second surface opposite the first surface and substantially parallel to the first surface, the second surface having a first indentation sized to receive a magnet assembly, one or more handles coupled to the second surface of the lid body, and the magnet assembly resting in the first indentation. The method can include removing a sputtering target from the processing chamber, sealing the processing chamber, introducing a gas into the processing chamber, applying an RF bias to a pedestal within the processing chamber, maintaining the pedestal at a substantially constant temperature, and removing material from the pedestal to clean the pedestal.
US09552967B2
Embodiments disclosed herein include an abatement system for abating compounds produced in semiconductor processes. The abatement system includes a plasma source that has a first plate and a second plate parallel to the first plate. An electrode is disposed between the first and second plates and an outer wall is disposed between the first and second plates surrounding the electrode. The plasma source has a first plurality of magnets disposed on the first plate and a second plurality of magnets disposed on the second plate. The magnetic field created by the first and second plurality of magnets is substantially perpendicular to the electric field created between the electrode and the outer wall. In this configuration, a dense plasma is created.
US09552955B2
An electron source includes a plurality of electron emission cathodes and at least one control electrode. A gate current regulator is provided for regulation of current flowing through the at least one control electrode.
US09552951B2
A compact fusible disconnect switch device includes a magnetic arc deflection assembly including at least a pair of magnets disposed about a switch contact assembly. The magnetic arc deflection assembly facilitates reliable connection and disconnection of DC voltage circuitry well above 125 VDC with reduced arcing intensity and duration. Multiple pairs of magnets may apply magnetic fields in directions opposing one another to deflect electrical arcs in different directions at more than one location in the switch contact assembly to facilitate high voltage DC operation.
US09552950B2
A moveable contact arm assembly includes a moveable contact arm having a moveable contact thereon. Also included is a carrier assembly operatively coupled to the moveable contact arm. Further included is a first end plate operatively coupled to the carrier assembly and a bottom bracket operatively coupled to the first end plate. Yet further included is a first latch member coupled to the bottom bracket, the first latch member comprising a first guiding surface and defining a first recess portion. Also included is a guide pin extending from the carrier assembly and in contact with the first guiding surface of the first latch member during movement of the moveable contact arm assembly. Also included is a first stop pin extending from the carrier assembly and disposed in the first recess portion of the first latch member in the blow open condition of the circuit breaker.
US09552946B2
The present disclosure relates to a vacuum interrupter, and particularly, to a vacuum interrupter having enhanced performance of discharging air from the interior of a bellows in a breaking operation.
US09552943B2
A switching device suitable for DC operation includes at least a pair of contacts having a first and second contact, wherein at least one of the two contacts is mobile and the two contacts are in contact with one another in a switched-on state and are not in contact with one another in a switched-off state, having an arc driver arrangement which generates a magnetic field at least in the region of the pair of contacts, and comprising a first arc guiding arrangement by which an arc which is produced between the contacts is guided in a first current direction to a quenching device for quenching the arc, wherein a second arc guiding arrangement is provided, by means of which an arc which is produced between the contacts is guided in a second current direction, which is opposite the first current direction, to said quenching device for quenching the arc.
US09552942B2
A gas circuit breaker includes contact rings formed of an elastically deformable material, a movable contact that moves reciprocally along an axis line direction between a current supply position where the movable contact bridges the contact rings and a current cutoff position where the movable contact is separated from both the contact rings, holding tools formed in an annular shape and respectively attached to the contact rings, a covering member having electrically insulating property, slidably attached to a distal end portion of the holding tool in the axis line direction, and configured to be brought into contact with the contact ring, and a covering member having electrically insulating property, slidably attached to a distal end portion of the holding tool in the axis line direction, and configured to be brought into contact with the contact ring.
US09552933B2
A storage module includes a plurality of stacked cell units, in which each of the cell units has a storage cell that has a pair of electrode tabs, and a frame body where the electrode tab of the storage cell that is adjacent in a stacking direction of the cell units is fixed, and each of the frame bodies has an elastic portion that presses the electrode tab to the other frame body other than one of the frame bodies.
US09552923B2
A multilayer ceramic capacitor includes flat inner electrodes that are laminated on each other. An interposer includes a substrate that is larger than the multilayer ceramic capacitor. A first mounting electrode to mount the multilayer ceramic capacitor is located on a first principal surface of the substrate, and a first external connection electrode for connection to an external circuit board is located on a second principal surface. A recess is located in a side surface of the interposer. A connecting conductor is located in the wall surface of the recess. The connecting conductor is located at a position spaced apart by a predetermined distance from the side surface of the interposer.
US09552921B2
An automatic tuning assist circuit is coupled in series with a transmission antenna. A first switch and a second switch are arranged in series between a first terminal and a second terminal of the automatic tuning assist circuit. Furthermore, a third switch and a fourth switch are arranged in series between the first terminal and the second terminal. A first auxiliary capacitor is arranged between a connection node that connects the first switch and the second switch and a connection node that connects the third switch and the fourth switch. A first control unit switches on and off the first switch through the fourth switch with the same frequency as that of the driving voltage, and with a given phase difference with respect to the driving voltage.
US09552908B2
A chip resistor having terminal electrodes is provided. In the chip resistor, a first protector layer has a size different from that of a first resistor layer. Thus, two ends of the first resistor layer are exposed to form new current conduction path. Original current conduction path having the same size of the protective layer and the resistor layer is thus replaced. Hence, resistance variation of the chip resistor is solved; yield of the chip resistor is increased; and, the material cost of the front terminal electrode is greatly reduced.
US09552903B2
A polymer film, polymer gel, and polymer foam each contain an electrically conductive polymer and an ionic liquid and are each useful as a component of an electronic device.
US09552900B2
A composite conductive material includes at least graphene-like exfoliated from a graphite-based graphite carbon material and a conductive material dispersed in a base material. The graphite-based carbon material has a rhombohedral graphite layer (3R) and a hexagonal graphite layer (2H), wherein a Rate (3R) of the rhombohedral graphite layer (3R) and the hexagonal graphite layer (2H), based on an X-ray diffraction method, which is defined by following Equation 1 is 31% or more: Rate(3R)=P3/(P3+P4)×100 (Equation 1) wherein P3 is a peak intensity of a (101) plane of the rhombohedral graphite layer (3R) based on the X-ray diffraction method, and P4 is a peak intensity of a (101) plane of the hexagonal graphite layer (2H) based on the X-ray diffraction method.
US09552896B2
Provided are a nonvolatile memory and a data reading method of reading data from a nonvolatile memory by the memory controller. The data reading method includes reading data from memory cells of the nonvolatile memory, storing the read data in the internal memory, overwriting some of the read data stored in the internal memory with backup data, performing an error correction operation using the backup data stored in the internal memory, and overwriting the backup data stored in the internal memory with data corrected by the error correction operation.
US09552893B2
A sample-and-hold circuit is provided. The sample-and-hold circuit includes an input one or more dedicated capacitive elements, one or more parasitic capacitive elements connected to said one or more dedicated capacitive elements, an output, a group of switches, and a control unit. The control unit controls said switches so as to interconnect said input, said one or more dedicated capacitive elements, and said output in a cyclic manner in accordance with a sample-and-hold cycle.
US09552892B1
A sampling circuit uses an input stage to sample an input signal and a secondary evaluation stage to maintain the output state of the input stage. Once the input stage transitions at a clock transition, the secondary evaluation stage uses regenerative feedback devices to hold the state to help ensure the sampling circuit only switches once during an evaluation.
US09552885B2
A non-volatile memory system mitigates the effects of open block reading by analyzing the un-programmed region of a block before programming to determine a potential for read disturbance. The system may determine a read count value associated with open block reading of the memory block and/or perform partial block erase verification. To mitigate the effects of open block read disturbance, the system performs partial block erase for the un-programmed region of the memory block and/or limits programming in the un-programmed region.
US09552882B2
A non-volatile memory includes an data latch structure for programming bit lines using at least three programming levels. A sense amplifier includes a first data latch for controlling the voltage of a corresponding bit line, and a second static data latch with scan circuitry for performing logic operations on the program data and sense results. The sense amplifier scans low verify sense results with program data to generate reduced programming data. The reduced programming data is transferred out of the first data latch after sensing for all states and the program data is scanned to generate program enable/inhibit data which is stored in the first data latch. After setting the bit line to a program inhibit or program enable level, the reduced programming data is transferred back to the first data latch. The bit lines for reduced programming are then adjusted to the reduced programming level.
US09552881B2
A search system is obtained by combining a TCAM and a search engine not using the TCAM. The search engine not using the TCAM is constructed using a general-purpose memory cell structure, and includes a different-sized memory spaces each corresponding to an effective bit length of search target data.
US09552878B2
A method of operating a memory device includes; applying a pre-write voltage to a selected memory cell by applying a first voltage to a first signal line connected to the selected memory cell and a second voltage to a second signal line connected to the selected memory cell during a first set writing interval, wherein a level of the first voltage is higher than a level of the second voltage, and thereafter, applying a write voltage to the selected memory cell by applying a third voltage having a level lower than the level of the first voltage and higher than the level of the second voltage to the first signal line during a second set writing interval.
US09552865B2
A system that calibrates timing relationships between signals involved in performing write operations is described. This system includes a memory controller which is coupled to a set of memory chips, wherein each memory chip includes a phase detector configured to calibrate a phase relationship between a data-strobe signal and a clock signal received at the memory chip from the memory controller during a write operation. Furthermore, the memory controller is configured to perform one or more write-read-validate operations to calibrate a clock-cycle relationship between the data-strobe signal and the clock signal, wherein the write-read-validate operations involve varying a delay on the data-strobe signal relative to the clock signal by a multiple of a clock period.
US09552863B1
A memory device is configured to identify a set of bit cells to be changed from a first state to a second state. In some examples, the memory device may apply a first voltage to the set of bit cells to change a least a first portion of the set of bit cells to the second state. In some cases, the memory device may also identify a second portion of the bit cells that remained in the first state following the application of the first voltage. In these cases, the memory device may apply a second voltage having a greater magnitude, duration, or both to the second portion of the set of bit cells in order to set the second portion of bit cells to the second state.
US09552857B1
An address generation circuit includes: a first address control clock generation unit suitable for generating a first address control clock signal in response to an internal clock signal; a second address control clock generation unit suitable for generating a second address control clock signal in response to one of an address initialization signal and the first address control clock signal; an address counting unit suitable for counting the second address control clock signal and generating a counting address; and a repair control unit suitable for latching the counting address in response to the second address control clock signal, comparing the latched counting address with a repair address, and generating a redundancy address based on the comparison result.
US09552855B2
A removable non-volatile memory device durably stores a serial number or identifier, which is used to mark multimedia content legally stored on the removable non-volatile memory device. In order to retrieve the serial number, a host electronic system coupled to the removable non-volatile memory device sends a sequence of multiple file access commands to access a predefined target file stored on the removable non-volatile memory device. In accordance with the executed predefined sequence of multiple file access commands, a corresponding sequence of data access commands are received at the removable non-volatile memory device and are interpreted as a request by the host electronic device to read the serial number. The removable non-volatile memory device outputs the serial number in response to the sequence of data access commands.
US09552845B2
Metadata comprising a set of gain values for creating a dominance effect is automatically generated. Automatically generating the metadata includes receiving multiple audio streams and a dominance criterion for at least one of the audio streams. A set of gains is computed for one or more audio streams based on the dominance criterion for the at least one audio stream and metadata is generated with the set of gains.
US09552841B2
In one general embodiment, a magnetic recording tape includes a plurality of servo tracks, each servo track comprising a series of magnetically defined bars, wherein an average stripe width of the bars is between about 1.0 micron and about 2.2 microns, where an average servo frame length of groups of the bars comprising a servo frame is between about 120 microns and about 180 microns. In another general embodiment, a system includes a head having at least one servo reader and an array of data transducers of a type selected from a group consisting of readers and writers; and a controller operative to selectively enable every other transducer of a particular type in the array in a first mode of operation, and operative to selectively enable every transducer of the particular type in the array in a second mode of operation.
US09552830B2
A language setting system, for use by a driver having a preferred language and a smartphone, when entering a vehicle to set an active language of the vehicle for vehicle communications with the driver. The vehicle connects with and scans the smartphone. When the smartphone has a user selected language setting, the user selected language setting is used to set the active language of the vehicle. When scan of the smartphone detects examples of language usage in text and email communications, and such examples meet a threshold usage, the active language may be set to the language of the usage examples. When examples of multiple languages are detected on the smartphone, the driver may be prompted to select the preferred language from a list of the detected examples.
US09552822B2
An apparatus for processing an audio signal is provided. The apparatus has a signal processor and a configurator. The configurator is adapted to configure the signal processor based on configuration information such that a configurable upsampling factor is equal to a first upsampling value when a first ratio of the second configurable number of samples to a first configurable number of samples has a first ratio value. Moreover, the configurator is adapted to configure the signal processor such that the configurable upsampling factor is equal to a different second upsampling value, when a different second ratio of the second configurable number of samples to the first configurable number of samples has a different second ratio value. The first or the second ratio value is not an integer value.
US09552818B2
A decoding system reconstructs an n-channel audio signal on the basis of an input signal representing the audio signal, in different time frames, either by parametric coding or as n discretely coded channels. Parametric decoding uses a core signal and mixing parameters controlling a spatial synthesis stage, to which a downmix signal is supplied from a downmix stage. The downmix stage realizes a projection on the downmix signal based on an n-channel input signal, either a discretely coded signal or a core signal padded with neutral-valued channels. The padding may take place either on the decoding side (reduced parametric coding) or the encoding side. In an embodiment, an audio decoder (110) in the decoding system pads the core signal during an initial portion of each reduced parametrically coded time frame directly succeeding a discretely coded time frame and during a final portion of each reduced parametrically coded time frame directly preceding a discretely coded time frame.
US09552811B2
A computer-implemented method for speech recognition, comprising the steps of: registering (201) by means of an input device (102A), electrical signal representing speech and converting the signal to frequency or time-frequency domain (202), analyzing the signal in an analysis module based on Dynamic Bayesian Network (205) configured to generate hypotheses of words (W) and their probabilities on the basis of observed signal features (OA, OV), recognizing (209) a text corresponding to the electrical signal representing speech on the basis of certain word (W) hypotheses and their probabilities. The method is characterized by inputting to the analysis module (205), observed signal features (308-312), which are determined for the signal in frequency or time-frequency domain (202) in at least two parallel signal processing lines (204a, 204b, 204c, 204d, 201a) for time segments distinct for each line, and analyzing in the analysis module (205) relations between observed signal features (308-312) for at least two distinct time segments in the analysis module (205).
US09552805B2
A method for cancelling ambient audio sounds in the proximity of a transducer may include receiving an error microphone signal indicative of the output of the transducer and ambient audio sounds at the transducer. The method may also include generating an anti-noise signal for countering the effects of ambient audio sounds at an acoustic output of the transducer, wherein generating the anti-noise signal comprises applying a feedback filter having a response that generates a feedback anti-noise signal based on the error microphone signal and applying a variable gain element in series with the feedback filter. The method may further include monitoring whether an ambient audio event is occurring that could cause the feedback filter to generate an undesirable component in the anti-noise signal and controlling the gain of the variable gain element to reduce the undesirable component.
US09552797B2
An object of the present invention is to provide a map display device and a map display method that facilitate comprehension of relevance between drawing objects in a plurality of map drawing pictures and improve user operability. The map display device according to the present invention includes: a controller that controls an overlapping state between the first and second drawing pictures in accordance with the input of user operation and outputting, to a display unit, a picture in which one of the first and second drawing objects masks the other in a portion in which the first and second drawing pictures overlap each other. The controller controls the overlapping state to prevent the priority drawing object in the first drawing picture from becoming invisible in the drawing picture display.
US09552794B2
A system includes an output driver circuit configured to operate a light emitting diode (LED) display having a plurality of columns of LED devices. The output driver circuit is configured to drive a given column output for the plurality of columns of LED devices in response to being activated based on data and an driver on signal supplied to the output driver circuit. A pre-discharge circuit includes a separate discharge circuit connected to each of the column outputs. The pre-discharge circuit is configured to discharge the given column output for a predetermined period of time before the output driver circuit is activated.
US09552793B2
A data processing device includes a first reference value generator which generates a first reference value corresponding to a ratio of a chromatic color using image signals or first image signals obtained by gamma-compensating the image signals, a white generator which generates a white image signal and second image signals using the first image signals and a second reference value corresponding to an amount of a white data in use, a third reference value generator which generates a third reference value using a first color coordinate corresponding to a color coordinate of the second image signals, a second color coordinate corresponding to a color coordinate of the white image signal, the first reference value, and the second reference value, and a gamut mapper which maps the second image signals to a color coordinate corresponding to the third reference value to generate third image signals.
US09552792B2
An apparatus includes a selection unit configured to select an image group from a plurality of image groups based on image information related to image data, and a display control unit configured to control a display to display images based on the plurality of pieces of image data. The display control unit controls the display to display a plurality of images such that images based on the plurality of pieces of image data are arranged in a predetermined order. When the selected image group is displayed, the display control unit controls the display to display images such that images are displayed in a displaying state in which at least one image included in the image group selected by the selection unit is displayed in a manner distinguishable from at least one image that is not included in the selected image group.
US09552785B2
Provided is a liquid crystal display device in which both a vertical electric field and a horizontal electric field are used and flickering is hardly recognized. The liquid crystal display device includes a liquid crystal panel and a control unit. The control unit includes a horizontal electric field control unit and a vertical electric field control unit. The horizontal electric field control unit controls the potentials of pairs of drive electrodes included in the liquid crystal panel, and thereby controls a horizontal electric field that is generated between each pair of drive electrodes. The vertical electric field control unit controls the potentials of a common electrode and an opposite electrode included in the liquid crystal panel, and thereby controls a vertical electric field that is generated between the common electrode and the opposite electrode. The horizontal electric field control unit controls the intensity and the polarity of the horizontal electric field when the vertical electric field control unit is causing the vertical electric field to be generated. The vertical electric field control unit inverts the polarity of the vertical electric field when the horizontal electric field control unit is maintaining the polarity of the horizontal electric field.
US09552767B2
A light-emitting device in which variation in luminance among pixels is suppressed. The light-emitting device includes a pixel; a first circuit configured to generate a signal containing information on a value of current extracted from the pixel; and a second circuit configured to correct an image signal in accordance with the signal. The pixel includes a light-emitting element; a transistor for controlling supply of the current to the light-emitting element in accordance with the image signal; a first switch configured to control connection between a gate and a drain of the transistor or between the gate of the transistor and a wiring; and a second switch configured to control extraction of the current from the pixel.
US09552766B2
An electroluminescence display device includes a controller which generates signals for controlling at least one pixel circuit during a first period and a second period. The controller controls current to a light-emitting element of the at least one pixel circuit based on a data voltage in the first period. The controller controls a supplying period of current to the light-emitting element based on a duty control voltage in the second period. The supplying period when the pixel circuit is driven at a first gray scale value is longer than that when the pixel circuit is driven at a second gray scale. The first gray scale value is greater than the second gray scale value.
US09552762B2
There is provided a self-luminous display device including a deterioration amount acquisition section configured to acquire a cumulative deterioration amount for each of a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix shape on a screen, each of the pixels including a light emitting element which emits light by itself in accordance with a current amount, a deterioration amount calculation section configured to calculate a deterioration amount when an image is displayed based on a supplied video signal in each of the pixels by using a deterioration characteristic determined in accordance with a luminance of the video signal, and a cumulative information update section configured to reflect the cumulative deterioration amount acquired by the deterioration amount acquisition section in the deterioration amount calculated by the deterioration amount calculation section, and to update the reflected cumulative deterioration amount as a new cumulative deterioration amount.
US09552758B2
A display device includes an image processing unit that performs image processing on image data input from the outside, and performs display output corresponding to the image data on which image processing is performed by the image processing unit. The image processing unit includes a first processing circuit that simply replaces colors of an image to limit the number of colors used for the image to a predetermined number equal to or smaller than 16, a second processing circuit that performs image processing including arithmetic processing for improving luminance of a plurality of pixels constituting the image displayed on the display device corresponding to the image data; and a switching unit that causes the second processing circuit to perform image processing, and causes the first processing circuit to perform image processing when performing the image processing while saving more power than the second processing circuit.
US09552752B1
A dynamic message sign includes a front housing defining a viewing window and an interior. A LED assembly is in the interior for displaying a message within a cone of vision. A louver assembly limits the cone of vision. The dynamic message sign may also include a back frame for supporting the front housing and a bracket for setting the front assembly at an angle with respect to the back frame. The LED assembly can include a plurality of LED pixels arranged in rows and columns. The louver assembly can include a plurality of louver racks, each louver rack extending adjacent to a column of LED pixels.
US09552750B2
An overhead sign display system is provided for facilitating the hanging of overhead retail signs, banners and the like upon a line stretched across opposing horizontal supports suspended from the ceiling or affixed to an upright support from the floor or other fixture in a safe, efficient and sturdy manner and to provide an efficient way of maintaining tension on the line. The system includes a free floating reel constructed of a rod around which is coiled a line held in place by a spacer, washers and nuts and which is then inserted into a first end of a horizontal support housing such that the line can be stretched taut across and fastened to the opposing support or fixture then tightened by turning the reel in an opposite direction and securing the reel in place inside the housing. Opposing bolts are threaded through the horizontal support or an optional locking sleeve to engage the reel assembly so as to affix the reel assembly in place and maintain tautness of the line.
US09552749B2
A badge for displaying indicia. The badge includes a base plate that defines a landing area that has a recessed portion. The badge also includes a top panel coupled to the base plate. The top panel defines an at least partially transparent portion. A strip is disposed between the base plate and the top panel and at least partially disposed underneath the at least partially transparent portion such that a portion of the strip is viewable through the at least partially transparent portion. The strip is removable from between the base plate and the top panel without removing the top panel from the base plate.
US09552746B2
The present disclosure relates to a defibrillating simulator comprising an apparatus for adapting a defibrillator for training. The apparatus for adapting a defibrillator for training comprises a pair of electrode covers to be mounted on electrodes of the defibrillator for receiving an electrical discharge generated by the defibrillator. The apparatus further comprises an impedance connected to the pair of electrode covers, the impedance absorbing some of the received electrical discharge and generates an electrically reduced electrical discharge. The apparatus comprises an analyzer for analyzing the electrically reduced electrical discharge and providing analysis data representative of the electrical discharge. The defibrillating simulator further comprises a scenario unit providing a training scenario comprising physiological data. The defibrillating simulator further comprises a processing unit for correlating the analysis data with the training scenario to generate training results.
US09552745B1
A tracking system and method for tracking a medical attachment device relative to a subject including at least a first reflector defining a first tracking region. The tracking system includes a medical attachment device having at least one reflector sensor operable to integrate the first reflector. A processor is communicatively coupled to the medical attachment device. The processor is operable to determine a distance between the medical attachment device and the first tracking region to determine a location of the medical attachment device relative to a subject.
US09552743B2
The invention relates to a toothbrushing monitoring device (18). In order to obtain an efficient monitoring device, the monitoring device comprises: an input device (21), an acceleration sensor, a signal conditioner, a memory, a comparator which compares the numbers of brushing cycles registered by each teeth surface specific counter during brushing with corresponding reference values maintained in said memory, and an output device (27) which indicates that the brushing of the teeth region (L-U) in question is accepted.
US09552741B2
A system and method that quantifies a sound into dynamic pitch-based graphs that correlate to the pitch frequencies of the sound. The system records a sound, such as musical notes. A pitch detection algorithm identifies and quantifies the pitch frequencies of the notes. The algorithm analyzes the pitch frequencies, and graphically displays the pitch frequency and notes in real time as fluctuating circles, rectangular bars, and lines that represent variances in pitch. The algorithm comprises a modified Type 2 Normalized Square Difference Function that transforms the musical notes into the pitch frequencies. The Type 2 Normalized Square Difference Function analyzes the peaks of the pitch frequency to arrive at a precise pitch frequency, such as 440 Hertz. A Lagrangian interpolation enables comparative analysis and teaching of the pitches and notes. The algorithm also performs transformations and heuristic comparisons to generate the real time graphical representation of the pitch frequency.
US09552737B1
A system, device, and method for generating a landing distance indicator (LDI) are disclosed. The LDI generating system may include one or more sources of navigation data, one or more sources of landing distance (LD) factor data, published LD data source, an image generator (IG), and a presentation system. The IG may be configured to navigation data; acquire LD factor data; define LD data; and generate image data as a function of the navigation data and the LD data. The navigation data could include a runway reference point, and the LD data could an LD. The image data could be representative of at least an image of an LDI comprised of a first boundary is based upon a location of the runway reference point, and a second boundary is based upon the runway reference point and the landing distance.
US09552731B2
A mobile communication apparatus includes an abnormality detecting unit that detects whether or not there is an abnormality on a route; and a communication unit. When second abnormality detection information which differs from first abnormality detection information that indicates the detected abnormality has been received, it is determined that whether or not the abnormalities indicated by both information items coincide with each other. If it is determined that both abnormalities coincide with each other, then whether or not it is necessary to transmit the first abnormality detection information is determined based on a positional relationship between a position of the own apparatus and an occurrence point of the abnormality at the time when the abnormality indicated by the second abnormality detection information was detected.
US09552718B2
A hazard detector may include a light sensor that senses a brightness level in an ambient environment. The hazard detector can have a processing system that receives an indication of the brightness level in the ambient environment from the light sensor. The processing system may then determine whether illumination in the ambient environment has been dimmed. Responsive to the dimming, the processing system may access information representative of a status of one or more components of the hazard detector. An illumination state may then be selected from a plurality of illumination states based on the accessed information representative of the status of the one or more components of the hazard detector. A light may then be illuminated based on the selected illumination state.
US09552716B1
The sinkhole detector detects the formation of sinkholes in the immediate vicinity of the sinkhole detector and generates an alarm when a sinkhole is detected. The sinkhole detector is partially buried in the ground such that if a sinkhole forms underneath the sinkhole detector a weight is released into the void created by the sinkhole. The release of the weight initiates an alarm signal that a sinkhole has appeared. The sinkhole detector comprises a weight, a cable, a housing, and a control circuit.
US09552715B2
A filter condition indicator system is described herein. A pressure differential switch monitors air pressure across a filter, and a transmitter coupled to the pressure differential switch sends a signal to a networked device. If the pressure differential near the filter triggers the switch, then a “dirty” signal is sent to or retrieved by a mobile device which indicates that the filter is dirty and should be replaced. The filter condition indicator is able to be used by bypassing a thermostat and sending an alert to a computer or mobile device wirelessly. Alternatively, the filter condition indicator system described herein is able to be used in conjunction with a previously installed furnace/thermostat system by utilizing the pre-existing thermostat wiring. The filter condition indicator system is able to be used with HVAC systems, air conditioning systems, other heating/cooling systems, or other systems or devices.
US09552711B2
Systems and methods for using state machines to manage alarming states and pre-alarming states of a hazard detection system are described herein. The state machines can include one or more sensor state machines that can control the alarming states and one or more system state machines that can control the pre-alarming states. Each state machine can transition among any one of its states based on raw sensor data values, filtered sensor data values, and transition conditions. Filters may be used to transform raw sensor values into filtered values that can be used by one or more state machines. Such filters may improve accuracy of data interpretation by filtering out readings that may distort data interpretation or cause false positives. For example, smoke sensor readings may be filtered by a smoke alarm filter to mitigate presence of steam.
US09552709B2
Examples of the present disclosure provide a method, apparatus and computer program configured to cause performance of the following: detecting movement of a device; detecting at least one ambient condition of the device; and determining whether to trigger an alert in dependence upon the detected movement and the detected at least one ambient condition.
US09552701B2
A no skill, automatic play blackjack game and apparatus enables fully automated play of a blackjack machine with no skill required and the player enabled to wager one or more of three player hands against the dealer hand and/or on a dealer hand against one or more of three player hands. All play is automatic with ability to exercise choices in any hit, stand, double down or split decisions.
US09552696B2
The invention relates to systems and methods of providing an integrated wagering and interactive media platform. The system may allow various types of third party interactive media providers such as video game publishers (including smartphone and tablet game publishers, console game publishers, etc.), video and other multimedia download or streaming services, and others to access outcomes of real-world wagers associated with users so that the outcomes may be revealed in association with interactive media. Other types of systems may also access the reveal mechanisms to reveal outcomes of real-world wagers such as, for example, retail systems, kiosks, vending machines, and/or other user touch points that can identify a user, obtain wager outcomes from the system, and provide the wager outcomes to the user. Furthermore, in-house developed games and other interactive media may use the reveal mechanisms described herein to reveal outcomes of real-world wagers associated with the user.
US09552688B2
A gaming system including a cascading symbol game which utilizes a plurality of adjacent symbol display position grids arranged at different depths. The multiple symbol display position grids at different depths provides that one or more of the symbols of at least a first symbol display position grid at a first depth are displayed to a player while one or more of the symbols of at least a second symbol display position grid at a second depth are not displayed to the player. When one or more symbols are removed from the first symbol display position grid at the first depth, before and/or after shifting the remaining displayed symbols from the first symbol display position grid into created empty symbol display positions of the first symbol display position grid, one or more symbols from the second symbol display position grid at the second depth become exposed.
US09552682B2
A network of collection, charging and distribution machines collect, charge and distribute portable electrical energy storage devices. To charge, the machines employ electrical current from an external source. As demand at individual collection, charging and distribution machines increases or decreases relative to other collection, charging and distribution machines, a distribution management system initiates redistribution of portable electrical energy storage devices from one collection, charging and distribution machine to another collection, charging and distribution machine in an expeditious manner. Also, redeemable incentives are offered to users to return or exchange their portable electrical energy storage devices at selected collection, charging and distribution machines within the network to effect the redistribution.
US09552678B2
A method of estimating distance to empty (DTE) for a vehicle includes, in response to detecting an energy loss condition expected to be present during an initial portion of a drive cycle for a period of time needed for a current temperature or pressure associated with the vehicle to achieve a steady state, outputting a DTE. The DTE is based on an amount of drive energy available and an energy loss factor associated with the energy loss condition that accounts for conversion of some of the drive energy to heat as the current temperature or pressure increases to the steady state.
US09552668B2
Described herein are technologies pertaining to generating a relatively accurate virtual three-dimensional model of a head/face of a user. Depth frames are received from a depth sensor and color frames are received from a camera, wherein such frames capture a head of a user. Based upon the depth frames and the color frames, the three-dimensional model of the head of the user is generated.
US09552660B2
In some embodiments, an imaging system displays a multidimensional visualization of a surgical site. In some embodiments, the imaging system receives a selection corresponding to a portion of the displayed multidimensional visualization of the surgical site. At the selected portion of the multidimensional visualization, the imaging system displays a portion of a multidimensional reconstructed image which corresponds to the selected multidimensional visualization such that the displayed portion of the multidimensional reconstructed image is fused with the displayed multidimensional visualization.
US09552658B2
A compressive sensing system for dynamic video acquisition. The system includes a video signal interface including a compressive imager configured to acquire compressive sensed video frame data from an object, a video processing unit including a processor and memory. The video processing unit is configured to receive the compressive sensed video frame data from the video signal interface. The memory comprises computer readable instructions that when executed by the processor cause the processor to generate a motion estimate from the compressive sensed video frame data and generate dynamical video frame data from the motion estimate and the compressive sensed video frame data. The dynamical video frame data may be output.
US09552646B2
An image processing device has a first image input unit that inputs a visible light image of a target area imaged by a first camera, a second image input unit that inputs a temperature distribution image of the target area imaged by a second camera, a first image processing section that processes the visible light image input to the first image input unit, and detects an object imaged in the visible light image, a second image processing section that processes the temperature distribution image input to the second image input unit and detects an object imaged in the temperature distribution image, and an image region extracting unit that extracts an image region not suited for the detection of the object in the first image processing section for the visible light image of the target area input to the first image input unit.
US09552642B2
An apparatus and method for tracking an object using a feature descriptor and an apparatus and method for removing a garbage feature are disclosed. A feature descriptor generation unit generates a plurality of features descriptors indicating information of a plurality of features extracted from an input image from which an object of interest is desired to be detected. A matching unit matches the feature descriptors with feature descriptors of a target object stored in advance, and determines the feature descriptors of the object of interest corresponding to the target object. A feature point removal unit removes feature descriptors that do not meet a geometric comparison condition from among the feature descriptors of the object of interest, and establishes final feature descriptors of the object of interest.
US09552637B2
Embodiments include methods for predicting one or more characteristics of an individual, such as a human or non-human animal, by applying computational methods to image(s) of the individual to generate one or more metrics indicative of the characteristics. Embodiments determine predictors of characteristics by creating a sample library of individuals, determining facial measurements for each individual, determining relationships between facial measurements and additional library data, and selecting predictors from these relationships. Embodiments include methods for predicting characteristics of individuals not in the library. Embodiments include methods for predicting characteristics of groups using predicted characteristics of individuals. Embodiments determine suitability of a pair of individuals (from the same or different species) for a particular purpose, task, or relationship based on characteristics of individuals. Other embodiments determine the compatibility of an individual with a group of other individuals. Embodiments include systems, devices, and computer-readable media comprising one or more of these methods.
US09552636B2
Methods and systems for detecting defects on a wafer using defect-specific and multi-channel information are provided. One method includes acquiring information for a target on a wafer. The target includes a pattern of interest (POI) formed on the wafer and a known defect of interest (DOI) occurring proximate to or in the POI. The method also includes detecting the known DOI in target candidates by identifying potential DOI locations based on images of the target candidates acquired by a first channel of an inspection system and applying one or more detection parameters to images of the potential DOI locations acquired by a second channel of the inspection system. Therefore, the image(s) used for locating potential DOI locations and the image(s) used for detecting defects can be different.
US09552634B2
Automated systems, methods and tools that automatically extract and select portions of an image to automatically generate a premium finish mask specific to the image which require little or no human intervention are presented. Graphical user interface tools allowing a user to provide an image and to indicate regions of the image for application of premium finish are also presented.
US09552630B2
Motion de-blurring systems and methods are described herein. One motion de-blurring system includes an image sensing element, one or more motion sensors in an imaging device, a lens element that undergoes motion during a capture of an image by the sensing element, and a de-blurring element to de-blur the image captured by the sensing element via de-convolving a Point Spread Function (PSF).
US09552624B2
The invention relates to an image processing device for processing image data from a digital camera comprising an image sensor with a regular pixel arrangement and an associated color filter with a predetermined color pattern. Said image processing device is designed to carry out all image processing operations with respect to a pixel of interest using image data from a single predetermined environment comprising several pixels.
US09552618B2
A method for domain shading may include analyzing graphics state data, and generating all first primitives through a single-pass domain shading or generating only second primitives which are visible among the first primitives through a two-pass domain shading based on a result of the analysis.
US09552612B2
A system and method to manage, report and collect property tax information and data in real time, which may provide a means to transmit and communicate information from a plurality of tax information sources to a plurality of tax information targets.
US09552610B1
A computer-implemented method for initiating online collections that includes determining a current status of an account held by an account holder, determining a real-time financial profile of the account holder using information on the banking institution computer systems and third party information providers and displaying a customized status message based on the account holder's financial profile. The method provides remediation options to the account holder.
US09552606B2
In various example embodiments, systems and methods to mine product recommendations from query reformulation is provided. In example embodiments, a search query is mapped to a particular product. Transition data for the particular product is accessed. The transition data includes values reflecting a number of search transitions between the particular product and other products in session sets of previous queries. One or more recommendations based on the transition data is determined and provided to the user.
US09552604B2
A method for generating a customized travel itinerary is disclosed. The method may comprise associating an individual with a travel sign based upon the results of a travel quiz; associating the individual with a travel location based upon the travel sign and a travel date; and associating the individual with an activity item based upon the travel sign. The method may additionally comprise receiving, by a mobile communication device, a travel itinerary comprising a plurality of travel locations; displaying, by the mobile communication device, a first travel location from the plurality of travel locations prior to a scheduled departure time for the first travel location; and displaying, by the mobile communication device, a second travel location from the plurality of travel locations prior to a scheduled departure time for the second travel location.
US09552602B2
A product information communication system comprising a product, a product identification device retained relative to the product, product identifying information retained in electronic memory regarding the product, and a communication network permitting electronic access to the product details including the retained product identifying information. Identifying information can be accessed by wireless communication and rendered available by a central server with electronic access to product identifying information. Product details can include product characteristics, functions, construction, maintenance, performance, usage, warranty information, and instructions. Electronic tracking, analysis, and recommendation regarding product usage by sensors can be selectively induced.
US09552597B2
In various example embodiments, a system and method for an electronic commerce file system are provided. In example embodiments, a selection of an item contained in a folder of an electronic commerce file system is received. The item is offered for sale by an electronic commerce provider, and the electronic commerce file system resides locally on a client device. Based on a type of the folder, a set of actions are provided for selection, with the set of actions to be performed with respect to the item. A selection of an action to be performed with respect to the item is received. The action is performed with respect to the item, with the action being performed between the electronic commerce file system and the electronic commerce provider via a network.
US09552594B2
A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a media processor having a controller that receives media content from a subscriber of a media communication system, receive marketing content from a marketing information source, and present the media content and the marketing content in a personal TV channel. The media content is presented in a first region of a two-dimensional, segmented display configuration, with the media content presented in a first region and the marketing content presented in a second region of the segmented display configuration. Other embodiments are disclosed.
US09552588B2
In an embodiment, a method comprises causing, to be displayed to a user through a web page of a social network provider that provides a social network, contest data that indicates an online contest; receiving, at a particular entity, input that indicates an intention by the user to participate in the online contest; sending, from the particular entity, request data that indicates a request, by the particular entity, for one or more permissions that allows the particular entity to access information from the social network provider about the user; after sending the request data, receiving, at the particular entity, acceptance data that indicates that the user accepts the request; in response to receiving the acceptance data, causing the user to be entered in the online contest; wherein the method is performed by one or more computing devices.
US09552587B2
System and methods are provided to create representations of geographic areas. Such representations enable users to search for items and services of interest and to quickly locate and utilize such items and services. Representations are created using user preferences thus reducing the amount of information presented to a user, i.e., user preferences control the contents of a representation. Control APIs contained within a representation may be used to control devices represented in a representation or to manufacture them using 3-D printing technologies. Methods to learn user preferences via his movements and other actions and impose a user's preferences upon an environment are shown. Some details of the invention are described by applying the invention to problems in retail marketing and figures depicting an implementation illustrate certain aspects of the invention.
US09552580B2
A modular device payment module includes a chassis. A modular device connector is located on the chassis. A payment module database in the chassis stores funding source information and security information. A payment module engine in the chassis determines that the modular device connector has been connected to a modular device frame of a modular device, and retrieves modular device identifying information from the modular device. The payment module then determines that the modular device identifying information matches an authorized modular device identified by the security information in the payment module database and, in response, enables the transmission of at least some of the funding source information from the payment module database to conduct a payment transaction.
US09552573B2
A method and system provide interoperable electronic financial services using mobile communications devices and without the need for traditional banking systems like plastic cards, POS machines, branches and ATMs. A consumer can deposit and/or withdraw money from his account using his mobile device and with the help of a local agent without ever stepping inside a branch of a bank where the consumer has an account. The system uses the consumers ID and his mobile number to generate a PAN for the consumer, which is then used to route the transactions. The system uses indicators in the transaction to identify transaction purpose and thus enable appropriate interchange, clearing and settlement between participating entities. The system provides real-time feedback on the transactions and reduces costs by enabling an agent to service consumers of multiple banks and payment service providers.
US09552565B2
Methods and systems for providing information relating to specialized handling of a package, and articles contained within the package. Data relating to a package containing an article that requires specialized handling is associated with a unique identifier and stored in a database. The unique identifier is also included in a machine readable code affixed to the package. A recipient of the package scans the machine readable code using an application downloaded into a computing device, which extracts the unique identifier from the machine readable code and transmits a request to the database. The database may then identify data stored in the database that relates to the article based on the unique identifier, and transmit the data to the computing device for display to the recipient. The data may include a packing list, instructions for how to unpack the package, and how to store or use articles contained within the package.
US09552560B1
Methods and apparatus related to identifying an event task of a user, identifying one or more other attendees of the event, determining user arrival information for the user, and determining a notification to provide to at least one of the other attendees based on the user arrival information. The event task includes a starting time for an event and an event location, and the user arrival information is based on location information of the user and information associated with the event task. In some implementations, the user and/or the at least one of the other attendees may provide authorization for a notification to determined and/or sent. The notification may include information regarding the likelihood of the user arriving at the event before and/or after the starting time of the event.
US09552558B2
A system is provided for implementing, managing or running a communication or workflow management system having multiple role agents representing roles, person agents representing users and device agents representing devices. The system combines a plurality of the role agents and their associated person agents and device agents into at least one mission, links the role agents to the person agents with a policy chain, and links the person agents to the device agents with a policy chain within a mission. Selected communications may be linked to at least one of the missions with a policy chain, such as a policy chain that links selected communications to at least one of the role agents in a mission.
US09552557B2
Techniques for visual representation of chart scaling are described. In implementations, a chart is employed to display data associated with a resource. Examples of such a resource include a computer hardware resource, a network resource, a financial resource, a commodity (e.g., a manufactured commodity), and so on. In implementations, a chart is associated with a scale that corresponds to a set of data values represented in the chart. Further, a chart can be rescaled to display data values in a variety of different scales, e.g., that correspond to different sets of data values. In at least some embodiments, a scale mark is provided which provides a visual indication of a scale represented in a chart. When the chart is rescaled, the scale mark is repositioned to indicate a change in scale. Thus, a scale mark can be dynamically repositioned to visually indicate different chart scales.
US09552556B2
In an example embodiment, for each of a plurality of possible presented actions corresponding to a particular flow of actions in a computer network, and for each of one or more possible performed actions for each possible presented action, a likelihood that a user will perform the possible performed action is determined. Then, a first presented action is identified by determining a presented action having a maximum determined likelihood, based on the determined likelihood, wherein the identifying a first presented action includes utilizing a machine learning model having one or more user covariates and one or more performed action covariates, and interactions between the one or more user covariates and the one or more performed action covariates, the user covariates including information specific to the user, the one or more performed action covariates including information specific to one or more of the possible performed actions.
US09552552B1
A system and method for managing online map information determines map records that represent more than one map feature by identifying map feature records where at least one attribute of the map feature record has more than value wherein each of the values has a probability of being correct that exceeds a threshold.
US09552549B1
Systems and techniques are provided for a ranking approach to train deep neural nets for multilabel image annotation. Label scores may be received for labels determined by a neural network for training examples. Each label may be a positive label or a negative label for the training example. An error of the neural network may be determined based on a comparison, for each of the training examples, of the label scores for positive labels and negative labels for the training example and a semantic distance between each positive label and each negative label for the training example. Updated weights may be determined for the neural network based on a gradient of the determined error of the neural network. The updated weights may be applied to the neural network to train the neural network.
US09552542B2
An article of manufacture includes a substrate, a first patterned layer deposited on the substrate in a first region, and a second patterned layer deposited on the substrate in a second region. The first patterned layer encodes first information in first symbols that are detectable by an optical sensor. The second patterned layer encodes second information in second symbols that are detectable by a non-optical sensor. The second information is distinct from the first information and the second region at least partially overlaps the first region.
US09552539B2
A method of selectively addressing one or more transponders in a set (17) of transponders (21, 22, 23, 24, 25) is described. The method comprise transmitting a first set of one or more commands (25; 251, 252) selected to be not executable by a first subset (24; 242) of transponders or to be executable in a shorter time by the first subset of transponders than by a second subset of transponders (23; 231, 232) in the set, and transmitting a second set of one or more commands (26; 253) such that the second set of commands are received by the transponders while the second subset of transponders are still executing the first set of commands.
US09552525B2
A system can include a processing device and a biometric sensing device operatively connected to the processing device. The processing device can be configured to remove noise from a biometric image captured by the biometric sensing device using at least two different calibration images. One calibration image characterizes noise of the biometric sensing device at a first signal level while another calibration image characterizes the noise of the biometric sensing device at a second signal level.
US09552522B2
Video is often used to count and identify people entering and exiting an area, such as a store. This information may be used to determine the number and amount of time people are in the area, and other statistics and characteristics. These variables may be skewed by the associates employed or working in the area, instead of patrons or others. The present disclosure is directed to method for eliminating associates from video by facial analysis and the application of analytics.
US09552517B2
A method and system for tracking eye recovery. The method includes: receiving eye data from an eyewear, wherein the eye data includes images acquired by an image capturing device in the eyewear; analyzing the eye data to determine an eye recovery status, wherein the analyzing is carried out by comparing the eye data to an initial set of eye conditions; and providing a notification of the eye recovery status.
US09552514B2
A moving object detection method includes acquiring two depth image frames including depth information, which are obtained by continuously taking images of a moving object, the two depth image frames including a present depth image frame and at least one past depth image frame; dividing each of the two depth image frames into a plurality of blocks; calculating differences between numbers of pixels positioned in respective different depth areas in each of the plurality of blocks in the present depth image frame, and numbers of pixels positioned in respective different depth areas in each of the corresponding plurality of blocks in each of the at least one past depth image frame, which correspond to the plurality of blocks in the present depth image frame; and detecting a moving block in the present depth image frame based on the calculated difference and constituting the detected moving object.
US09552512B2
Methods, systems, and computer program products for creating a personalized, automated, receptionist are provided herein. A method for providing an automated receptionist for a host user includes obtaining one or more images of a work environment of the host user; processing the one or more images to determine if a visitor is present in the work environment; and if the visitor is determined to be present in the work environment, notifying the host user that the visitor is present in the work environment, wherein at least one of the steps are performed by at least one hardware device. The method may be initiated, for example, when the host user is not present in the work environment. The automated receptionist can optionally (i) provide a greeting to the visitor; (ii) enable communication between the visitor and the host user; and/or (iii) provide one or more information items to the visitor when the host user is not present.
US09552506B1
The invention provides methods and apparatus for analysis of images of direct part mark identification codes to measure and assess a print quality. Methods to assess the quality of a direct part mark identification code are presented that provide diagnostic information of a code that cannot be assessed using verification methods that require the results of a valid decoding step.
US09552502B1
A calibration circuit includes a single-wire memory and a transmission line. The single-wire memory includes a power/interrogation terminal and a ground terminal. The single-wire memory is configured to store calibration data for a sensor. The transmission line is configured to be coupled between the sensor and a sensor reader. The transmission line includes first and second conductors. The first conductor is coupled to the power/interrogation terminal and is configured to provide the calibration data and a sensor output signal to the sensor reader. The second conductor is coupled to the ground terminal and is configured to provide a ground reference for the first conductor, the single-wire memory, and the sensor.
US09552497B2
A method in one example implementation includes selecting at least one criterion for controlling data transmission from within a virtual machine. At least one application is included within the virtual machine, which includes a policy module. The selected criterion corresponds to at least one policy associated with the policy module. The method also includes evaluating the selected criterion of the policy to permit an attempt to transmit the data from within the virtual machine. In more specific embodiments, the policy may include a plurality of criteria with a first selected criterion permitting transmission of the data to a first application and a second selected criterion prohibiting transmission of the data to a second application. In another specific embodiment, the method may include updating the policy module through an administration module to modify the selected criterion.
US09552496B2
A virtual storage system in data communication with a user computing device via a communication network and methods of selectively or automatically copying electronic documents to a virtual storage system where the virtual storage system includes at least one processor configured to process, encrypt and copy electronic documents retrieved from an external system, and a plurality of redundant physical storage devices in data communication with the at least one processor and each configured to store the electronic documents retrieved from the external system.
US09552495B2
A checkpointing method for creating a file representing a restorable state of a virtual machine in a computing system, comprising identifying processes executing within the virtual machine that may store confidential data, and marking memory pages and files that potentially contain data stored by the identified processes; or providing an application programming interface for marking memory regions and files within the virtual machine that contain confidential data stored by processes; and creating a checkpoint file, by capturing memory pages and files representing a current state of the computing system, which excludes information from all of the marked memory pages and files.
US09552491B1
Systems and methods for securing data are disclosed. An administrative system may create a secure configuration. The secure configuration may disable functionality of a managed node that compromises sensitive data. However, the secure configuration may not prevent all user access to the managed node. The administrative system may deploy the secure configuration to at least one managed node. The administrative system may cause the secure configuration to be applied to the at least one managed node.
US09552485B1
A method and apparatus for renewing cryptographic material are disclosed. In the method and apparatus a cryptographic material renewal entity of a computing resource service provider detects that cryptographic material stored by a secure module is to be renewed. Renewing the cryptographic material may include rekeying a private key associated with a certificate. Further, a digital certificate may be renewed, and the renewed certificate may be provided for use by the computing resource. The cryptographic material is used to fulfill requests made by a computing resource provisioned by the computing resource service provider for a customer. The renewed cryptographic material is provided to the secure module, whereby the renewed cryptographic material is used by the secure module to fulfill further requests made by the computing resource.
US09552483B2
A captured digital image is stored in memory together with metadata derived from a location signal only if the location metadata is determined not to be within one or more predefined exclusion zones. A GPS receiver module can be implemented to obtain the location signal.
US09552482B2
By comparing a chip unique password, certification for activating a debug function can be established on the chip unique password. Thus, even when the chip unique password is lost due to negligence, not only certification for activating debugging on other motherboards of the same model number can remain unaffected, but also risks caused by replacing a chip or by a private key leakage from a system manufacturer are eliminated.
US09552478B2
A portable information device (PID) having a security module that conducts security-related functionality. At least some of the security-related functionality for the benefit of the PID is provided by a security team of at least one other PID. In one type of arrangement, when configured in a team processing mode, certain ones of the security functions or components operating for the benefit of the PID can be processed on one or more of the security team member devices. In another type of arrangement, the team of devices exchanges security-related information determined as a result of a single team member device's processing of one or more security-related tasks.
US09552466B2
The present invention is generally directed toward a mobile device that can be used in a secure access system. More specifically, the mobile device can have credential data loaded thereon remotely updated, enabled, disabled, revoked, or otherwise altered with a message sent from, for example, a control panel and/or controller in the system.
US09552462B2
A method for predicting petroleum expulsion. A chemical structure of a kerogen is defined and a plurality of reaction products of the kerogen under geologic heating rates are identified. The plurality of reaction products are grouped into a plurality of product lumps based on their chemical composition and predicting petroleum expulsion for each of the plurality of product lumps based on secondary cracking reactions.
US09552461B2
A system and method for preparing food, involving a nutritional information module for aggregating nutritional and portion information of an entire menu to adjust serving weight by preferred caloric value. The system involves a scheduler module which compiles task information for any individual recipe. The scheduler module has a passive task time and/or an active task time and stamps the preparation time for a recipe. The system compiles and stores a cook's information for analyzing an individual cooking: style time. Moreover, the system involves a feedback module for predicting preparation time of any particular menu choice. Additionally, the system involves recipe data, an organizer, a shopping assistant, and a recommendation module to facilitate menu pairings as well as sourcing and purchasing, required ingredients, required cookware, and utensils for a recipe.
US09552459B2
A method, computing device and computer program product are provided in order to implement a test plan in an efficient manner. In the context of a method, a plurality of test messages from each of a plurality of different source systems are stored. The plurality of test messages may include test messages to be captured in an electronic health record. The method constructs a test plan. The test plan identifies an end point. The test plan also includes one or more test messages that have been previously stored and respective anticipated outcomes at the end point following transmission of the test messages. The method also includes transmitting the test messages of the test plan and receiving feedback regarding the outcome following transmission of the test messages of the test plan to the end point. The method also includes determining whether the test plan was successfully executed based upon the feedback.
US09552441B2
Embodiments of the present invention provide a method, system and computer program product for mapping models to relational databases for reporting tools. In an embodiment of the invention, a model mapping method for models of a model driven development (MDD) environment can include initializing a database table and selecting a data source storing a modeling framework representation of a model. A first query can be executed against an application programming interface (API) of the data source supporting a modeling framework query language to retrieve selected elements of the model. Likewise, a second query can be executed against the API of the data source to retrieve selected attributes of the selected elements of the model. Finally, rows of the database table can be populated with the retrieved selected elements of the model and corresponding columns of the database table can be populated with the retrieved selected attributes of the selected elements of the model. Consequently, a report can be generated for the model based upon the rows and columns of the database table.
US09552440B1
A web page may be rendered for display on a client device. The rendered web page may include a non-scrollable portion and a scrollable portion. The non-scrollable portion may contain a first advertisement in a particular position specified by an advertisement placeholder. The first advertisement and the scrollable portion may be based on a first document. A first scroll position of the scrollable portion may be determined to have a first characteristic. The web page may be re-rendered for display on the client device. The re-rendered web page may include the non-scrollable portion containing a second advertisement in the particular position, and the scrollable portion. The second advertisement may be different from the first advertisement. The second advertisement and the scrollable portion may be based on a second document.
US09552435B2
The present application discloses methods and systems for incrementally collecting replies in a forum and belongs to the technical field of collecting network information. The method comprises periodically determining whether there is a newly-established post and a post having new replies in all forum list pages needed to be collected: if yes, extracting a main post and reply information from the newly-established post, and extracting the information of the new replies from the post having new replies. The system comprises a determining device (11) for periodically determining whether there is a newly-established post and a post having new replies in all forum list pages needed to be collected; and an extracting device (12) for extracting a main post and reply information from the newly-established post, and extracting the information of the new replies from the post having new replies. The present application can quickly, accurately and completely collect all main post/replies of a post, so that the drawback that the information of turned pages of a post are missed to be searched or cannot be searched through a general search engine may be overcome.
US09552434B2
Virtual items may be unlocked in a virtual space responsive to physical token detection. A common virtual item repository may be provided in the virtual space. Once unlocked, a given virtual item may be accessible to multiple characters in the virtual space via the virtual item repository. Customization of a virtual space may be facilitated. The customization may be based on the virtual items accessible via the virtual item repository.
US09552433B2
The invention generally relates to a universal, generic content collection method and system for collecting, storing, and sharing content on the Internet using computers, mobile and/or electronic devices. In one aspect, the invention relates to methods and systems for collecting multiple types of content using a user interface. The method includes activating the user interface associated with the content, wherein the user interface is configurable to be associated with at least two types of content; optionally, providing a list of one or more content collections services, wherein a first content collection service is configured to collect a first type of content and a second content collection service is configured to collect a second type of content; and directing the content to one or more content collection services. The user interface may be a virtual button on a webpage, browser or other screen device, or a physical button on a piece of hardware such as a PDA, mobile phone, watch, etc.
US09552429B1
A system, method and program product that provides product evaluations. A system is disclosed that includes: a system for identifying a set of products based on an inputted query; a system for collecting structured and unstructured data associated with the set of products; a system for generating a composite feature list from the structured and unstructured data; a system for generating a matrix for each identified product, wherein the matrix provides a set of features and any known limitations and benefits determined from the structured and unstructured data for each of the features; and a rating system that analyzes a usage context in view of the known limitations and benefits to evaluate each product at a feature level.
US09552428B2
A method for generating a media recommendation is disclosed. The method comprises receiving information about a user associated with a requesting device, identifying profile information based on the information about the user, receiving a media recommendation request from the requesting device, the media recommendation request comprising seed information comprising information identifying a media item, determining at least one related media item based on at least the information identifying the media item and the profile information, and providing information identifying the at least one related media item to the requesting device.
US09552427B2
A method and/or system for suggesting media content based on an image capture may include receiving, from an electronic device, a request for recommendations based on an image capture, wherein the request comprises data associated with the image capture. One or more search objects may be determined based on an analysis of the request. A particular user associated with the electronic device and one or more search interest associated with the particular user may be determined. One or more custom recommendations for the particular user may be determined based on the one or more search objects and/or based on the one or more search interests. Recommendation data comprising the one or more custom recommendations may be sent to the electronic device.
US09552421B2
Simplified collaborative searching is provided by pattern recognition such as facial recognition, motion recognition, and the like to provide handsfree functionality. Users join a collaborative search by placing themselves within the field of view of a camera communicationally coupled to a computing device that performs facial recognition and identifies the users, thereby adding them to the collaboration. Users also join by performing simple movements with a portable computing device, such as the ubiquitous mobile phone. A collaboration component tracks the users in the collaboration and identifies them to a search engine, thereby enabling the search engine to perform a collaborative search. The collaboration component also disseminates the collaborative recommendations, either automatically or based upon explicit requests triggered by pattern recognition, including motion recognition and touch recognition. The collaboration component can utilize heuristics to identify individual collaborative sessions, or can utilize existing collaborative infrastructure.
US09552418B2
Systems and methods are provided for distributing a playlist of a user. The systems and methods receive an indication from the user of a song to add to the playlist and adds the song to the playlist. In aspects, the systems and methods analyze the playlist to determine whether an attribute of the playlist meets a specified parameter. In some cases, the specified parameter can be met if a musical attribute of the song is similar to a music profile of one of the users, or if an amount of songs on the playlist meets or exceeds a specified threshold. The systems and methods can enable the user to distribute the playlist either publicly or to a specified set of users if the specified parameter of the playlist is met.
US09552408B2
Embodiments are described for determining and/or estimating a nearest neighbor to a data vector in a dataset are presented. Some embodiments redistribute data vectors between clusters based upon the character of the clusters to more evenly balance the computational load. Some embodiments employ Locality Sensitive Hashing (LSH) functions as part of the clustering and remove redundant data vectors from the data set to mitigate unbalanced computation. The disclosed embodiments may facilitate the analysis of very large and/or very high dimensional datasets with reasonable runtimes.
US09552403B2
Data sets are analyzed to discover trends and determine predictive data models. A data model is determined based on analyzing the data set with a specific algorithm from a set of different analytical algorithms. The data model is stored in a structural file format. The data model is converted into an instantiated object model with the use of a predefined object model. The instantiated object model is converted into an in-database analysis model to score new data within a database system. The scoring is based on the logic in the data model. The in-database analysis model is stored on a database server part of a database system to provide analytical functionality defined in the data model. The new data can be scored with the in-database analysis model. The new data is not extracted from the database system and the scoring is accomplished in-memory.
US09552401B2
Embodiments of the present invention disclose a method for remote job submission. A computer receives a first job of a job stream. If the first job accesses a mainframe operating system, then the computer retrieves at least a return code threshold for the first job from a data store. If an option to build job control language is selected for the first job, then the computer generates job control language for the first job. The computer submits the first job to a job reader on the mainframe operating system using a file transfer protocol. The computer parses a retrieved output file to determine a return code for the first job.
US09552397B2
A social media network is monitored for postings of a control group. The control group is a group of one or more individuals that posts on a particular topic. The postings of the control group may cover all the postings of each member of the control group for a period of time. A first relative social media score is calculated for the postings of the control group on the social media network. A social media score is calculated for a social media posting of a user or entity on the social media network. The relative social media score for the control group is compared to the social media score for the user or entity to see if there is a significant difference. If there is a significant difference, an agent in a contact center to is identified respond to the social media posting of the user or entity.
US09552383B2
A distributed database management system provides a central database resident on a server that contains database objects. Objects, e.g., program guide data, to be replicated are gathered together into distribution packages called “slices,” that are transmitted to client devices. A slice is a subset of the central database which is relevant to clients within a specific domain, such as a geographic region, or under the footprint of a satellite transmitter. The viewer selects television programs and Web content from displayed sections of the program guide data which are recorded to a storage device. The program guide data are used to determine when to start and end recordings. Client devices periodically connect to the server using a phone line and upload information of interest which is combined with information uploaded from other client devices for statistical, operational, or viewing models.
US09552372B2
A system or computer usable program product for mapping infrastructure layout between non-corresponding datasets including accessing from a memory a set of long links with points that trace the curvature of a set of linestrings, accessing from the memory a set of short links that are short enough for analytical purposes wherein each short link represents a straight line, and from the set of long links and the set of short links, using a processor to create a set of hybrid links for storage in the memory, each hybrid link corresponding to one short link for analytic purposes, a plurality of the hybrid links including at least one of the points for tracing the curvature of the set of linestrings.
US09552370B1
In one embodiment, a method of informing a mainframe that a filesystem storing a plurality of virtual tapes is filled relative to a particular threshold includes returning, responsive to a write request to a virtual tape in the filesystem, a message indicating that the filesystem is filled relative to the particular threshold. The method can also include monitoring a plurality of filesystems for free space remaining on each of the plurality of filesystems. The method can additionally include indicating, in a data structure stored in a memory, a particular filesystem that is filled above the particular threshold. The data structure can be at least one of a table and a list. The method can further include mounting, responsive to a request to mount a particular virtual tape that is on a filesystem indicated in the data structure as being above the particular threshold, the particular virtual tape as read-only.
US09552368B1
A cloud storage system receives information associating a user's cloud storage account with a network service account associated with a service provider. The cloud storage system identifies files associated with the network service account, retrieves metadata associated with the files, and provides a list of the files and their associated metadata to the user. The metadata stored by the cloud storage system may indicate the context of the identified files within the network service account. In response to a user command, the cloud storage system may store one of the identified files in the cloud storage account, and may continue to provide the content of the stored file within the network service account even if the stored file is deleted from the network service account.
US09552365B2
A secure synchronization apparatus, method, and non-transitory computer readable storage medium thereof are provided. The secure synchronization apparatus of the present invention includes a storage unit, an interface, and a processing unit. The interface is electrically connected to a storage server via a network. The processing unit is electrically connected to the storage unit and the interface. The processing unit is configured to execute an operating system and execute an agent program installed on the operating system. The agent program configures an isolated space, manages an extended space within the storage unit, and synchronizes an object between the isolated space, extended space, and the storage server through the interface. The isolated space and the extended space are only recognized by the agent program installed on the operating system and the object in the two spaces is accessible only via the agent program.
US09552362B2
A system, method, and computer program product for storing back-up files using file identicality properties are provided. A system is provided that intercepts file information from files while they are being stored to a back-up system. The files are intercepted with a file gathering interface that is in communication with one or more information source clients. The system includes an indexing engine to index file data contents of the intercepted file, a metadata engine to manage metadata concerning the intercepted file, and a triage engine to manage the file gathering interface, the indexing engine, and the metadata engine. Methods are provided for the interception of files being sent to a back-up system that take advantage of file identicality properties.
US09552348B2
The present invention provides a method for operating a computer application with spreadsheet functionality. The method comprising receiving one or more inputs in one or more cells by the spreadsheet application, parsing the received inputs for the one or more cells of the spreadsheet, constructing a dependency graph for the one or more parsed input cells, evaluating at least one of the one or more parsed input cells based on one or more criteria in the dependency graph, reconstructing the dependency graph until all of the one or more input cells are evaluated, and returning an output to the spreadsheet application.
US09552343B2
A computing device includes a processor that carries out actions comprising: storing a causal tree structure corresponding to a document, where the causal tree structure includes a sequence of editing instructions and each editing instruction is assigned an identifier unique to such editing instruction. The method further includes receiving a user editing instruction for the document, where the user editing instruction is assigned an identifier unique to the user editing instruction. The method includes storing the user editing instruction and the identifier assigned to the user editing instruction as an additional node to the causal tree structure. The method further includes broadcasting, to a plurality of client devices, the user editing instruction and the identifier assigned to the user editing instruction.
US09552333B2
One or more processors determine whether a metadata is included in a body of content. In response to a determination that the metadata is included in a body of content, one or more processors determine whether the metadata indicates that multimedia content is included in the body of content. In response a determination that the metadata indicates multimedia content is included in the body of content, one or more processors associate an indicator with a page of the body of content that includes that multimedia content, which indicates that the page includes that multimedia content.
US09552332B2
There is provided a non-transitory computer-readable medium having a computer program stored thereon and readable by a computer that is installed in an information processing apparatus, the computer program, when executed by the computer, causes the information processing apparatus to operate as: a preview data generation unit configured to acquire image data of a print job using a RAW spool type and to generate preview data from the image data, wherein the preview data is image data for preview; and a display unit configured to start up a previewer when the preview data of at least one page is generated and to display the preview data on the previewer.
US09552331B2
A method and apparatus that allows a user to specify whether his web page has primarily row or column layout. Web page editor software designed in accordance with the present invention generates the internal representation of a page (such as HTML) differently depending on how the user specifies the web page. A preferred embodiment of the present invention defaults to a primarily row layout, but allows the user to specify a primarily columnar layout by checking a box displayed by the editor. The editor generates an HTML table representing the page (or each frame of the page). Within the main HTML table, the editor generates HTML subtables, depending on whether the page is laid out using primarily row or column layout. The subtables are defined in such a way that the various elements of the page lined up in either a row or column direction, thus minimizing the problems. In addition, an editor in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention allows the user to define whether the height of text is locked or whether it can be changed when viewed by a browser.
US09552324B2
An approach is provided that collects data from a multi-function adapter that is used by multiple functions. In the approach, a master function is dynamically selected from the group of functions. The approach further allows the master function to perform a disruptive adapter data collection while inhibiting performance of disruptive adapter data collection processes by the other (non-master) functions.
US09552319B2
A communications technique using spare bit-lanes to communicate changes in interface physical link layer bandwidth and/or active width provides for dynamic adjustment of power consumption of interface links without requiring a separate control path for exchanging the change information. One or more spare bit-lanes are used to communicate an indication of the operating frequency/active width change to the physical link layer of the remote side of the interface and an acknowledgement is sent back to provide complete handshaking of the operating characteristic change. The method can determine whether or not a spare bit-lane is available and prevent making the change if a spare bit-lane is not available until the interface is repaired and a spare bit-lane can then be used for communicating operating changes in operating frequency/active width.
US09552314B2
A memory system includes first and second memory devices, a memory controller configured to control the second memory device, to store a request signal to access the first memory device, and to generate an interrupt signal, and a host configured to receive the request signal in response to the interrupt signal.
US09552307B2
According to an embodiment, an information processing apparatus includes a secure OS, a non-secure OS, and a monitor. The monitor is configured to switch between the OSs. The secure OS includes a memory protection setting controller, a processing determination controller, and a secure device access controller. The memory protection setting controller is configured to set a protection address in a memory for each certain processing. The processing determination controller is configured to receive an access type, a physical address of an access destination, and data to be written, acquire a list of processing, and determine a type of processing to be performed. The secure device access controller is configured to receive the access type, the physical address of an access destination, and data to be written, and access a peripheral identified by the physical address.
US09552301B2
A cache includes a cache array and a cache controller. The cache array has a plurality of entries. The cache controller is coupled to the cache array. The cache controller evicts entries from the cache array according to a cache replacement policy. The cache controller evicts a first cache line from the cache array by generating a writeback request for modified data from the first cache line, and subsequently generates a writeback request for modified data from a second cache line if the second cache line is about to satisfy the cache replacement policy and stores data from a common locality as the first cache line.
US09552290B2
An apparatus includes a non-volatile memory and a controller. The non-volatile memory includes a plurality of R-blocks. The controller is coupled to the non-volatile memory. The controller is configured to (i) write data using the R-blocks as a unit of allocation and (ii) perform recycling operations selectively on either an entire one of the R-blocks or a portion less than all of one of the R-blocks.
US09552287B2
A data management method, a memory controller and an embedded memory storage apparatus are provided. The embedded memory storage apparatus has a plurality of physical blocks and each of the physical blocks has fast physical pages and slow physical pages. The method includes detecting a status of a state indication unit. The method further includes automatically reading data stored in the embedded memory storage apparatus, using the fast and slow physical pages of the embedded memory storage apparatus to re-store the data and marking status of the state indication unit as a second status when the status of the state indication unit is a first status. Accordingly, the storage space of the embedded memory storage apparatus can be efficiently used.
US09552275B2
Embodiments are directed towards mobile application development in a cloud-based architecture. Mobile applications may be designed to communicate with a cloud platform over a network. Mobile application developers may be enabled to submit cloud code to cloud platforms for use by mobile applications. If cloud code is provided to a cloud platform, the cloud platform may perform one or more actions to authenticate the cloud code, such as, ensuring that that the user providing the cloud code is authorized to provide the cloud code. If the cloud code is authenticated the cloud platform may perform one or more actions to validate the cloud code. If validated, the cloud code may be activated for use by mobile applications and/or mobile application developers. Activation of the cloud code may include associating the cloud code with one or more function calls and/or with one or more trigger points.
US09552274B2
Techniques are described for providing recommendations to enhance the logging code in a computer program. In particular, the methods described herein can identify source code locations which lack log printing statements or contain noisy log printing statements. The methods analyze static call graph of the source code, the corresponding commit and bug history, and propose recommendations to enhance logging. The logging behavior in methods whose log printing statements have been significantly modified can be considered to be ideal. The analysis discovers such methods and quantifies their logging behavior. It then compares this logging behavior with the logging behavior of highly critical and/or less critical methods to generate logging enhancement recommendations.
US09552271B1
A system and method for enhanced dispatch of an operationally critical system is disclosed. The method receives a minimum equipment list associated with the system including a plurality of dispatch critical applications with at least one dispatch critical application instance. A rules set determines a plurality of schedules of the dispatch critical application instances in compliance with the minimum equipment list, each schedule associates a specific processing resource with a specific dispatch critical application instance. A monitor tracks the availability of each dispatch critical application instance and, should one or more instanced become unavailable, the method implements an alternate schedule of dispatch critical application instances in accordance with the rules set and the minimum equipment list.
US09552264B1
Virtual Network Interface Connection (VNIC) is a client-server protocol that virtualizes access to a single physical Ethernet network adapter. “Dedicated VNIC” describes a configuration where a VNIC server is connected to a single VNIC client via a command/response queue (CRQ), allowing minimal overhead when communicating between the client and the Ethernet network adapter. A VNIC server failover mechanism includes multiple VNIC servers on a prioritized list. The top VNIC server on the prioritized list is selected to serve a VNIC client when a CRQ is opened by the client. When the selected VNIC server stops working, the VNIC server failover mechanism selects the next VNIC client in the prioritized list as the active VNIC server, and establishes a connection to the VNIC client's CRQ. In this manner, recovery of a failure in a VNIC server is done in a way that does not require any changes to the VNIC client.
US09552263B2
A method for dynamically changing system recovery actions based on system load. The method includes measuring a value of a workload characteristic of a computer system over a period of time, detecting an error in the computer system, determining a workload level of the computer system, and selecting a set of error recovery actions in response to the system workload analysis module determining the workload level of the computer system. A workload characteristic defines a type of work performed by the computer system. A workload level can be based on user defined parameters or a measurement of the value of one or more workload characteristics.
US09552262B2
The present invention provides a method, system and program product for deploying, allocating and providing backup for an autonomic sensor network ecosystem. Under the present invention, the autonomic sensor network ecosystem includes: (1) a set (e.g., one or more) of sensor networks for storing data components; (2) a set of sensor collector information gateways in communication with the sensor networks; and (3) a set of enterprise gateways and storage hubs (hereinafter enterprise gateways). Each sensor network includes a set of sensor peers and at least one super peer. The super peer manages the sensor network and communicates with the set of sensor collector information gateways. The autonomic sensor network ecosystem of the present invention is deployed and allocated in such a manner that backup and resiliency is provided.
US09552254B1
Erasure encoded fragments are originally generated by applying an erasure encoding scheme to a data file. An erasure encoded fragment is subsequently generated directly from previously generated erasure encoded fragments or by reconstructing the original data file and then erasure encoding the reconstructed data file. The integrity or fidelity of such a subsequently generated erasure encoded fragment is verified by newly generating an error detection code, such as but not limited to a checksum, for the subsequently generated erasure encoded fragment, and comparing that subsequently error detection code against an error detection code previously generated for a previous or original version of the erasure encoded fragment. Each error detection code is preferably stored in association with its corresponding erasure encoded fragment and with one or more other erasure encoded fragments. Thus, each error detection code is saved in at least two locations.
US09552252B2
Certain exemplary aspects of the present disclosure are directed towards methods and apparatuses in which logic circuitry generates an error detection code based on user data received from a host, and further generates a first set of check bits, to be written to the non-volatile memory circuit in conjunction with the user data, by combining the error detection code with a hashed data address of the user data. In some embodiments, the check bits associated with the user data providing verification that the user data was written in the appropriate physical block address of the non-volatile memory circuit.
US09552242B1
A distributed database system may implement log-structured distributed storage using a single log sequence number space. A log for a data volume may be maintained in a log-structured distributed storage system. The log may be segmented across multiple protection groups according to a partitioning of user data for the data volume. Updates to the log may be assigned a log sequence number from a log sequence number space for the data volume. A protection group may be determined for an update according to which partition of user data space the update pertains. Metadata to be included with the log record may indicate a previous log sequence number of a log record maintained at the protection group. The log record may be sent to the protection group and identified as committed based on acknowledgments received from storage nodes implementing the protection group.
US09552239B2
A system and method for facilitating reuse of a portion of process logic by different processes. An example method includes providing a subprocess that is adapted to perform the process logic in a file accessible to a composite system, wherein the subprocess is adapted to be called by a first parent process via a subprocess extension to a business process language employed to encode the first parent process; using a call activity defined as part of the subprocess extension, and included in a scope of the first parent process to facilitate access to functionality of the subprocess by the parent process; and employing a business process engine to facilitate instantiating the subprocess, resulting in an instantiated subprocess in response thereto; and using a second parent process to share use of the instantiated subprocess with the first parent process.
US09552238B2
Information processing apparatus, information processing method and computer-readable storage medium
It is determined whether a data source can handle an event that an application that operates on an OS (Operating System) receives via a predetermined API. If it is determined that the data source cannot handle the event, the event necessary for the operation of the data source is acquired from the OS.
US09552231B2
Methods and apparatus for classification-based dynamic allocation of computing resources are described. A method comprises determining usage data sources corresponding to one or more clients of a computing infrastructure, and assigning values to client classification categories associated with a particular client based on metrics obtained from the particular client's usage data sources. The method includes generating a recommendation mapping between values of the client classification categories, and one or more resources of the infrastructure, based at least in part on resource classification information. The method further includes allocating at least a portion of the one or more resources to the particular client based at least in part on the recommendation mapping.
US09552226B1
A predictive order status system includes one or more processors to receive a request for a current order status of an order for a computing environment, the order having at least one task representing a segment of an order process for completing the order and the request associated with a unique order identifier, determine the current order status for the order for the computing environment, the current order status comprising a simulated percentage value that is based on an amount of elapsed time since the order was placed divided by a total order process time to complete the order, determine an exception status for the order for the computing environment, the exception status being one of on track to be completed within the total order process time to complete the order, possibly at risk for being completed within the total order process time to complete the order, and at risk for being completed within the total order process time, and send a graphical user interface representation of the current order status and the exception status.
US09552225B2
A data processing system with data transmit capability comprising an operating system for supporting processes, such that the process are associated with one or more resources and the operating system being arranged to police the accessing by processes of resources so as to inhibit a process from accessing resources with which it is not associated. Part of this system is an interface for interfacing between each process and the operating system and a memory for storing state information for at least one process. The interface may be arranged to analyze instructions from the processes to the operating system, and upon detecting an instruction to re-initialize a process cause state information corresponding to that pre-existing state information to be stored in the memory as state information for the re-initialized process and to be associated with the resource.
US09552221B1
A system and method for analyzing application execution of multi-threaded applications is disclosed. An exemplary system includes a portable inter-thread communication mechanism; a profiling module; and an external interpretation application. A communication mechanism may be used to implement communication among a plurality of application threads. Responsive to an indication that an application should be monitored, a profiling module may profile at least one of a plurality of application threads to monitor and measure the thread's communications. Profiling information may be logged and the log may be provided to the external interpretation application. The external interpretation application may then parse the log and produce a graphic representation of execution metrics based on the information parsed from the log. The graphic representation may allow an end-user to acquire information and determine several statistics regarding the application's execution.
US09552210B2
A method is provided for operating a volatile memory device. The method includes performing a first initialization operation for the volatile memory device based on a boot code received from an external memory controller, storing the boot code in an internal register, reading the boot code stored in the internal register based on a first signal received from the external memory controller when the first initialization operation is not normally performed, and performing a second initialization operation for the volatile memory device based on the boot code read from the internal register.
US09552205B2
A processor including a decode unit to receive a vector indexed load plus arithmetic and/or logical (A/L) operation plus store instruction. The instruction is to indicate a source packed memory indices operand that is to have a plurality of packed memory indices. The instruction is also to indicate a source packed data operand that is to have a plurality of packed data elements. The processor also includes an execution unit coupled with the decode unit. The execution unit, in response to the instruction, is to load a plurality of data elements from memory locations corresponding to the plurality of packed memory indices, perform A/L operations on the plurality of packed data elements of the source packed data operand and the loaded plurality of data elements, and store a plurality of result data elements in the memory locations corresponding to the plurality of packed memory indices.
US09552204B2
Dynamic ontological working sets support the automatic identification of a context-specific working set (or a visualization of a tree in a hierarchical data structure) that displays those tree nodes that are most relevant to an identified context. Pre-defined rules are used to determine a level of relevance to be applied when identifying the context-specific working set. Context-specific working sets may be displayed automatically when identified.
US09552197B2
A non-transitory computer-readable recording medium stores therein a program for causing an information processing apparatus to execute a process including analyzing a source program with respect to the information processing apparatus that starts hardware prefetching upon detecting an access to a consecutive area on a main storage device and stops the hardware prefetching upon detecting an end of the access to the consecutive area, specifying an array structure in a loop process as a hardware prefetching target, and generating, from the source program, a machine language program in which the array structure is changed so that a second access occurring next to a first access to the array structure refers to an area being consecutive from the area being referred to by the first access.
US09552181B1
A document printing system may include a print engine, a controller coupled to the print engine and a communication port in electrical communication with the controller. The communication port can read a portable memory device, which stores an electronic secure file for authorizing the print engine. The portable memory device may store data such as the device identification code, the vendor identification code, the creation date for the electronic secure file. The electronic secure file may also store the device identification code, the vendor identification code, the creation date for the file itself, as well as a balance amount. The system may authorize a print engine by comparing the data in the electronic secure file and data stored on the portable memory device. If the comparison of data finds a mismatch, the system may determine that the print engine is not authorized; or that the service is authorized if otherwise.
US09552177B2
When an image formation instruction for created document data is received, image data for a preview image corresponding to the document data is generated, the preview image based on the image data is displayed on a display, and an image is formed using data for image formation based on the image data for the preview image.
US09552162B2
In one general aspect, a method can include receiving initial content including a total number of data units for storage, identifying a number of data chunks, identifying a size for each of the data chunks, the size for each data chunk indicative of a number of data units for inclusion in the respective data chunk. The method can further include splitting the initial content into the number of data chunks, each data chunk including a portion of the total number of data units included in the initial content, the portion of the total number of data units based on the size of the data chunk, storing each of the data chunks in memory, and compressing the data chunks included in the memory.
US09552159B2
According to one configuration, a memory system includes a configuration manager and multiple memory devices. The configuration manager includes status detection logic, retrieval logic, and configuration management logic. The status detection logic receives notification of a failed attempt by a first memory device to be initialized with custom configuration settings stored in the first memory device. In response to the notification, the retrieval logic retrieves a backup copy of configuration settings information from a second memory device in the memory system. The configuration management logic utilizes the backup copy of the configuration settings information retrieved from the second memory device to initialize the first memory device.
US09552156B2
A method for operating a soft keyboard of a touch device is disclosed, the touch device including a touch screen and a processor, the touch screen being coupled to the processor, and the method including: the processor determining a touch signal generated from a single touch point applied onto a trigger region for the soft keyboard; the processor determining a drag signal generated through move of the single touch point from inside of the trigger region to outside of the trigger region; the processor determining a starting point and an end point of the drag signal, to generate a soft keyboard display signal; and displaying the soft keyboard on the touch screen according to the soft keyboard display signal.
US09552147B2
In one embodiment, one or more components of a user interface are arranged in a hierarchy of layers. The user interface is presented according to the structure of the hierarchy, with one or more first components from a first layer floating on top of a second component from a second layer beneath the first layer. The first components are children of the second components. A user may interact with components uniformly, meaning that each specific user interaction applied to each component results in similar response from each component.
US09552145B2
A method for planning a task based on a graphical representation of time is provided. The method includes (i) displaying at a display unit a first graphical representation of time at a first magnification level, (ii) processing a first input including a gesture on the first graphical representation of time, and (iii) displaying, at the display unit, a second graphical representation of time of a different shape at a second magnification level based on the gesture, (iv) processing a second input including a gesture on the second graphical representation of time to select a third duration from the second graphical representation of time, (v) processing a third input including content associated with the task, and (vi) generating the task associated with the third duration. The first graphical representation of time represents a first duration, and the second graphical representation of time represents a second duration.
US09552142B2
A system for displaying the listings of files and/or folders in one of a plurality of different views (e.g., gallery view or list view). In particular embodiments, the system determines which of the views to display in the listings in based on: (1) the types of files to be displayed; (2) a specified preference of a content sharer; and/or (3) a specified preference of a content recipient. Various embodiments are particularly useful for displaying lists of files that a content sharer shares with a content recipient via a URL within the context of a synched file sharing system.
US09552139B2
Provided are a display method and device for a menu key of a touchscreen mobile terminal, which relate to the technical field of mobile terminals. The method comprises: obtaining relative states of the left side and the right side of the screen of a touchscreen mobile terminal; and when the left side of the screen is higher than the right side thereof, displaying a menu key at the higher side of the screen.
US09552137B2
A system and method for managing informational objects on a mobile device. A user-selectable option is displayed to a user of the mobile device. The option is associated with an action to be performed on informational objects sharing at least one specified characteristic (e.g., storing all e-mail messages that are part of the same thread in a folder, generating a distribution list of contacts belonging to a specified group). After the user has selected the option, the application identifies informational objects having the at least one specified characteristic and performs the action on the identified objects.
US09552135B2
A security system, system user interface, and method for displaying status information from security devices in a networked security system using a multistate alert user interface. The security system supports different features in icons associated with the security devices, displayed on a graphical user interface. This provides operators with the ability to display status information from security devices, such as alert information comprising one or more alerts, by displaying the icons on a topology map of the graphical user interface. In this way, the operator can determine at a glance the number and type of alert information from the topology map without the need to perform additional selection and navigation steps within the graphical user interface.
US09552132B2
An operation method for application program preview interface which is stored in a storage unit and executed in a computer system. The operation method includes the steps of: displaying a plurality of operation modes on a first display area; selecting one of the operation modes in accordance with a first indicating signal; and displaying at least one selectable object on a second display area, wherein the selectable object is an application program opened or executed in the selected operation mode.
US09552128B2
A navigation interface display system generates a navigation element that organizes television programming data in an easy-to-use manner. The navigation element employs a hierarchical display protocol for a plurality of selection items that represent the various television programs, channels, and/or networks. The hierarchical display scheme displays a limited number of active selection items at a first magnification level and additional active selection items at a second magnification level. In addition, the selection items are displayed on distinctive areas or features of the navigation element, where such features represent different content genres or categories. Subcategories can also be displayed in a hierarchical manner, thus providing additional information related to the content as the magnification level of the navigation element changes.
US09552119B2
A touch window includes a cover substrate including a first area for the display of a screen image and a second area at an edge of the first area, a sensing electrode to sense a touch position in the first area, a printing layer in the second area, an instruction icon in the second area with a step difference from the printing layer, and an instruction sensing electrode to recognize a touch position of the instruction icon. The instruction sensing electrode includes a first instruction sensing electrode, and a second instruction sensing electrode to form a capacitor with the first instruction sensing electrode. The first instruction sensing electrode includes a first sub-electrode and a second sub-electrode spaced apart from the first sub-electrode while forming a space part therebetween, and the first and second sub-electrodes are connected with each other at an outer portion of the instruction icon.
US09552117B2
A system includes a first group of transmit electrodes configured to be driven from a first side of a capacitive touch panel and a second group of transmit electrodes configured to be driven from a second side of the panel. The system also includes receive electrodes and a controller operatively coupled with the transmit electrodes and the receive electrodes. The controller is operable to dynamically configure the transmit electrodes and the receive electrodes to compensate for phase delays introduced by driving the transmit electrodes from different sides of the panel. A method includes driving a first group of transmit electrodes from a first side of a capacitive touch panel, driving a second group of transmit electrodes from a second side of the panel, and dynamically configuring the transmit electrodes and receive electrodes to compensate for phase delays introduced by driving the transmit electrodes from different sides of the panel.
US09552115B2
Multi-touch touch-sensing devices and methods are described herein. The touch sensing devices can include multiple sense points, each located at a crossing of a drive line and a sense line. In some embodiments, multiple drive lines may be simultaneously or nearly simultaneously stimulated with drive signals having unique characteristics, such as phase or frequency. A sense signal can occur on each sense line that can be related to the drive signals by an amount of touch present at sense points corresponding to the stimulated drive lines and the sense line. By using processing techniques based on the unique drive signals, an amount of touch corresponding to each sense point can be extracted from the sense signal. The touch sensing methods and devices can be incorporated into interfaces for a variety of electronic devices such as a desktop, tablet, notebook, and handheld computers, personal digital assistants, media players, and mobile telephones.
US09552111B2
In a touch sensing device of a capacitive type, touch coordinates are obtained according to a detected signal corresponding to a variation in a mutual capacitance between an X-electrode and a Y-electrode due to a finger touch in each combination of a plurality of X-electrodes and a plurality of Y-electrodes within a sensing area. The theoretical value of the detected signal in each combination of the X-electrodes an the Y-electrodes approximately expressed by a two-dimensional Gaussian function. The touch coordinates are identified correctly by finding the optimal solution of the object function which expresses the sum of squared differences between each of the theoretical signal value and the detected signal value.
US09552110B2
An inputting fingertip sleeve includes a sleeve and an inputting end. The sleeve includes at least one opening configured to receive a finger. The inputting end is fixed on the sleeve. The inputting end is a carbon nanotube structure. The carbon nanotube structure is a substantially pure structure of carbon nanotubes and comprises a plurality of carbon nanotubes.
US09552104B2
An optical touch-sensitive device is able to determine the locations of multiple simultaneous touch events. The optical touch-sensitive device includes multiple emitters and detectors. Each emitter produces optical beams which are received by the detectors. Touch events disturb the optical beams. Touch event templates are used to determine the actual touch events based on which optical beams have been disturbed.
US09552102B2
A touch panel sensor system that can dynamically measure noise and automatically switch to a frequency with minimal noise is described. The touch panel sensor system includes a sensor configured to detect a change in capacitance associated with a touch upon a touch panel. The system also includes a drive module configured to generate a drive signal having a first waveform characteristic (e.g., signal having a periodic waveform characteristic) during a first phase (e.g., sensor phase) and a second drive signal having a second waveform characteristic (e.g., constant voltage signal) during a second phase (e.g., noise detection phase). The first and second drive signals are configured to drive the sensor. The system also includes a measuring module coupled to the sensor that is configured to measure noise having the first waveform characteristic (e.g., periodic waveform characteristic) during the second phase.
US09552095B2
A touch panel control device may be provided that includes: a touch panel which generates at least one touch signal in response to a touch of an object; a displayer; and a controller which performs a first touch action mode in which the change of the touch position of the object is displayed on the displayer by a line in response to the object which has touched the touch panel, and performs a second touch action mode in which, in response to the position change of the object which corresponds to the position of the line displayed on the displayer, it is to carry out at least one of the removal of at least a portion of the line displayed on the displayer and the change of the color coordinate of the line. Also, a method for controlling the touch panel may be also provided.
US09552093B2
An apparatus and method are presented for selecting a surface for user input. The apparatus includes an information handling device having at least two surfaces and at least two sensors, as least one of the sensors being associated with one or more of the surfaces, a determination module, and a selection module. The determination module determines a current surface that is likely facing a user. The selection module selects one or more sensors associated with the current surface for user input.
US09552090B2
A touch panel includes a substrate; a sensing electrode provided on the substrate to sense a position. A wire is electrically connected to the sensing electrode and a ground wire is provided adjacent to the wire. The ground wire includes a first dummy part which extends in one direction.
US09552089B2
An electrode matrix that is used for capacitive sensing may be integrated into a display panel of an input device. In one embodiment, source drivers may be mounted on the display panel which drive the display signals and capacitive sensing signals into the display panel. In one embodiment, the capacitive sensing signals may be routed on traces or lines that are interleaved on the same layer as the source lines used for setting a voltage on the pixels in the display panel during display updating. Using the interleaved traces, the source drivers may drive the capacitive sensing signals in parallel to a plurality of the electrodes in the matrix in a predefined pattern that spans one or more sensing cycles.
US09552086B2
An image processing device may include a display control module, an input module and a communication module. The display control module may be configured to cause a display unit to display a character string input screen. The input module may be configured to input a character string to the input item corresponding to the character string input screen displayed on the display unit. The communication module may be configured to communicate with an information processing terminal. The communication module may send item identification information to the information processing terminal and receive character string information from the information processing terminal. The display control module may display a character string based on the character string information in the character string input screen that corresponds to the input item identified by the item identification information, in a case where the communication module receives the item identification information and the character string information.
US09552085B2
A window panel for a display apparatus is provided comprising a first reinforced layer formed at a first predetermined depth from entire upper and lower surfaces, a second reinforced layer formed at a second predetermined depth from a side surface connecting an edge of the upper surface and an edge of the lower surface, and a non-reinforced portion formed at least a portion of the side surface.
US09552072B2
In an image projection device in which a projected image can be controlled or operated by gesture, the responsiveness (operability) and/or the usability are improved. The image projection device includes a sensor element to detect a gesture and a control section to generated an operation signal to control (for example, to scroll images or to feed image frames) a projected image projected according to a gesture detected by the sensor element, wherein the control section generates the operation signal when the sensor element detects a gesture in a first direction parallel to the projection surface of the projected image, and when the sensor element detects a gesture in a second direction perpendicular to the projection surface, the control section suspends generation of the operation signal.
US09552068B2
A gesture detection system according to embodiments includes an input device including a touch sensitive surface and a contact-free detection system; and a controller configured to determine characteristic parameters for the position in three-dimensional space of a user input object and select an operational mode of the input device based on the position of the user input object.
US09552065B2
A dynamic tactile interface including a tactile layer defining a first region and a deformable region adjacent the first region; a substrate coupled to the tactile layer at the first region, defining a variable volume adjacent the deformable region and defining a fluid channel fluidly coupled to the variable volume; a set of rigid structures distributed across the tactile layer defining an anti-reflective coating over the tactile layer; and a displacement device fluidly coupled to the fluid channel, the displacement device displacing fluid into the fluid channel to transition the deformable region from a retracted setting to an expanded setting, the deformable region tactilely distinguishable from the first region in the expanded setting, the set of rigid structures conforming to the tactile layer, each rigid structure in the set of rigid structures shifting relative to an adjacent rigid structure in the set of rigid structures.
US09552061B2
The subject disclosure is generally directed towards eye gaze detection based upon both eyes being fixated on the same gaze location. In one aspect, an image including a subject's left and right eyes is captured, from which left and right glint and pupil center information are extracted. The left and right glint data and the left and right pupil data are used with left and right bias correction matrices to jointly determine a gaze location.
US09552058B2
With a vehicle-mounted equipment operating device, upon receipt of an input from an operator by an operation input unit, and when any one of a plurality of vehicle-mounted instruments, for example, an air conditioner, exists on a line of sight of the operator, a control unit sets the vehicle-mounted instrument that exists on the line of sight as an operation target device, and thereafter, the control unit controls the operation target device based on the input of the operator that has been received by the operation input unit.
US09552052B2
Methods and articles of manufacture for hosting a safety critical application on an uncontrolled data processing device are provided. Various combinations of installation, functional, host integrity, coexistence, interoperability, power management, and environment checks are performed at various times to determine if the safety critical application operates properly on the device. The operation of the SCA on the UDPD may be controlled accordingly.
US09552044B2
An information processing apparatus includes a specifying unit, an identification information obtaining unit, a state information obtaining unit, a display setting obtaining unit, and a processing unit. The specifying unit specifies data displayed on a display screen. The identification information obtaining unit obtains identification information identifying an operator who performs an operation on the data on the display screen. The state information obtaining unit obtains state information representing a display state of an operation unit, which is used for performing an operation on the data on the display screen. The display setting obtaining unit obtains setting about display of the operation unit. The processing unit performs, when a predetermined storage operation of storing a display state of the operation unit is performed by the operator, a process of storing the state information in association with the specified data and the identification information.
US09552042B2
A method includes determining a first output voltage of a battery of an electronic device. Based on the first output voltage, a first configuration file is identified. Touches on the touch-sensitive display are detected utilizing at least one parameter from the first configuration file.
US09552036B2
A dual-mode, dual-display shared resource computing (SRC) device is usable to stream SRC content from a host SRC device while in an on-line mode and maintain functionality with the content during an off-line mode. Such remote SRC devices can be used to maintain multiple user-specific caches and to back-up cached content for multi-device systems.
US09552034B2
Systems and methods for providing local hardware limit management and enforcement are described. One embodiment includes a system for managing and enforcing hardware limits on a system on chip (SoC). The system includes a plurality of chip components provided on a system on chip (SoC). A network of local limit manager (LLM) components is distributed on the SoC. Each LLM component is in communication with a corresponding sensor module that monitors one or more of the chip components. Each LLM component comprises a generic hardware structure for enforcing one or more hardware limits associated with the corresponding sensor module.
US09552030B2
A power controller includes an inductor coupled to an input terminal to which an input voltage is input, a first switch coupled between the inductor and a first power source voltage output terminal, a second switch coupled between the inductor and a ground, a switch controller controlling a voltage output to the first power source voltage output terminal by controlling duties of the first and second switches according to a feedback voltage input to a feedback terminal corresponding to a voltage output to the first power source voltage output terminal, and a diode coupled between the first power source voltage output terminal and the feedback terminal, and preventing a voltage of the first power source voltage output terminal from increasing higher than a breakdown voltage of the first and second switches.
US09552024B2
A fixing bracket for a computer accessory and a computer case thereof are discloses. The fixing bracket is for the installation of the computer accessory. The interior of the computer case is used for the assembly of the fixing bracket. The fixing bracket includes a carrier, a clamping part, and a limiting part. The carrier plate has a surface for stacking the computer accessory, and a first side edge and a second side edge opposite to one another. The clamping part is disposed on the first side edge. The limiting part is disposed on the second side edge. The computer accessory is stacked on the carrier plate. The clamping part clamps one end portion of the computer accessory and the limiting part tightly presses against the other end portion of the computer accessory such that the computer accessory is attached against to the carrier plate.
US09552023B2
A mobile terminal includes a main body case, a user input unit configured to detect an input of a control command in a manner that one side of the user input unit is arranged to a side of the main body case and a controller configured to control according to the control command detected by the user input unit. The user input unit includes a rotatable input unit housing combined with the side of the main body case, a rotation detection unit configured to detect a rotation of the input unit housing and deliver a rotation input to the controller and a camera module mounted on the input unit housing. The mobile terminal can expand an input function using a stem button.
US09552020B2
According to one embodiment, an electronic apparatus includes a first unit and circuitry. The first unit includes first and second sensors and a wireless device. The first sensor detects approach of an object. The second sensor detects whether the first unit is open or closed. The circuitry reduces transmission power of the wireless device when the first sensor detects approach of the object, and not to reduce transmission power when the second sensor detects a change from an open state to a closed state and the first sensor detects approach of the object.
US09552019B2
A portable terminal including: a controller receiving signals corresponding to a plurality of input buttons and outputting image data to be displayed on the plurality of input buttons using the received signals; and a plurality of buttons for inputting a key from a user and outputting a signal corresponding to the key pressed, and for receiving the image data from the controller and displaying the received image data. By using the display buttons for displaying variable images corresponding to specific functions as well as an essential function of inputting keys from a user when a specific function is input in the portable terminal, a plurality of functions can be input with only a few buttons, providing speed and convenience to the user for function input.
US09552015B2
An electronic device with a display and a touch-sensitive surface stores a document having primary content, supplementary content, and user-generated content. The device displays a representation of the document in a segmented user interface on the display. Primary content of the document is displayed in a first segment of the segmented user interface and supplementary content of the document is concurrently displayed in a second segment of the segmented user interface distinct from the first segment. The device receives a request to view user-generated content of the document. In response to the request, the device maintains display of the previously displayed primary content, ceases to display at least a portion of the previously displayed supplementary content, and displays user-generated content of the document in a third segment of the segmented user interface distinct from the first segment and the second segment.
US09552008B1
A voltage regulator circuit includes: an output transistor that controls an output voltage by making an output current flow between first and second electrodes in accordance with a first differential voltage, which is a difference between first and second voltages of the first and third electrodes; an operational amplifier that controls the second voltage such that the output voltage comes to be at a target level; an initiation circuit that maintains the second voltage at the third voltage such that the output transistor is off before initiation of the voltage regulator circuit and that allows the second voltage to be controlled by the operational amplifier after initiation of the voltage regulator circuit; and a current output circuit that outputs an adjustment current from the third electrode or to the third electrode such that the first differential voltage becomes larger when the output voltage is less than a prescribed level.
US09552000B2
A bioreactor control system comprises a batch server for controlling a bioreactor system in response to a recipe, a batch software system for generating a control sequence for the bioreactor system via the batch server for implementing the recipe, and a recipe conversion system that inputs the recipe into the batch software system. Preferably, the recipe conversion system reads a word processor file containing the recipe and interprets styles applied to text in the word processor file as indicating equipment and phases of the recipe to the recipe conversion system. Generally, the bioreactor system includes one or more bioreactors and additional hardware to perform the upstream and downstream processing. The document properties of the word processor file containing the recipe are applied as header information for the recipe input into the batch software system. This system solves a problem associated with traditional batching software systems, in which the authoring of recipes on the systems can be relatively arcane. Here, the recipe can be authored on a common word processor.
US09551996B2
An ultrasonic aerosol generation apparatus preferably includes an aerosol generation case, a case cover, at least one outlet pipe, an air feed manifold, at least one, transducer, transducer power supply, and microprocessor based controller. The aerosol generation case preferably includes a fluid reservoir and a transducer chamber. The case cover is attached to a top of the aerosol generation case. Each outlet pipe preferably includes an outer base tube, an inner tube and an exhaust tube. The at least one outlet pipe is attached to the case cover over the at least one transducer. The air feed manifold includes an inlet tube, a supply tube and at least one exhaust pipe tube. The supply tube communicates with the transducer chamber and the at least one exhaust pipe communicates with the at least one outlet pipe. The microprocessor based controller is used to monitor, power, and/or control, the above mentioned components.
US09551993B2
An apparatus includes a logistics manager that includes a processor. The logistics manager is communicably coupled to at least one of a first wireless communication module onboard a first vehicle and a second wireless communication module onboard a second vehicle. The logistics manager is configured to: receive, via the first wireless communication module, first data regarding the first vehicle, where the first data is provided by a first sensor module onboard the first vehicle; receive, via the second wireless communication module, second data regarding the second vehicle, where the second data is provided by a second sensor module onboard the second vehicle; and provide navigational commands to at least one of the first vehicle and the second vehicle based on a cost and benefit analysis in response to at least one the first data and the second data.
US09551986B2
Real-time data and event management (RDEM) is implemented on a separate component in supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA). To assist in upgrades or changes to the SCADA system without compromising RDEM, the RDEM function is performed on a separate card or physical component. When the computer running the SCADA system is upgraded, the RDEM on the separate card and corresponding persistence store is maintained.
US09551985B2
An apparatus for positioning a geometric model comprises a machine tool, a control unit electrically coupled to the machine tool, a storage unit electrically coupled to the control unit, a positioning module electrically coupled to the storage unit, a virtual target geometry module electrically coupled to the positioning module, and a virtual machine tool module electrically and respectively coupled to the virtual target geometry module and the positioning module. A method for positioning the geometric model includes using components of the apparatus.
US09551984B2
A system, method and control unit for determining an order of a plurality of stacked electronic devices randomly ordered in a stack, for taking inventory of the devices, and for programming the devices according to the determined order. Each of the electronic devices is assigned a unique serial number, and the electronic devices are configured to report their serial numbers to the control unit in sequence, either upward or downward, in the stack. The control unit is configured to determine an order of the plurality of electronic devices in the stack based on the sequence in which the identifiers are received, to compare the sequence numbers to a known list to determine if any devices are missing, and to program the devices according to the determined order.
US09551974B1
An image forming device according to one example embodiment includes a first electrical connector mounted on a frame of the image forming device. The first electrical connector is movable between a home position retracted against the frame and an operative position of the first electrical connector. A replaceable unit is removably installable in the image forming device along a direction of insertion of the replaceable unit into the image forming device. The replaceable unit includes a second electrical connector that is matable with the first electrical connector. The replaceable unit includes a guide on an exterior of the replaceable unit. Insertion of the replaceable unit into the image forming device along the direction of insertion causes the guide to move the first electrical connector from the home position to the operative position of the first electrical connector aligned with the second electrical connector of the replaceable unit.
US09551956B2
An image forming apparatus is provided. The image forming apparatus includes a photoconductor, an irradiator, a developing device including a developing roller, a development bias applying device, a toner supplying roller and a supply bias applying device, and a controller. The controller changes supply bias offset by reference to at least one of five parameters including photoconductor travel distance, operation temperature of the developing device, operation humidity of the developing device, continuous operating time of the developing device, and color information of image to be produced. After changing the supply bias offset, the controller forms plural toner patterns for image density adjustment on the photoconductor by changing the development bias, and sets the development bias to a certain bias based on the image densities of the plural toner patterns so that the image produced by the developing device has a targeted image density.
US09551942B2
An exposure method for exposing a mask pattern, which includes plural types of patterns, with a high throughput and optimal illumination conditions for each type of pattern. The method includes guiding light from a first spatial light modulator illuminated with pulse lights of illumination light to a second spatial light modulator and exposing a wafer with light from the second spatial light modulator, accompanied by: controlling a conversion state of the second spatial light modulator including a plurality of second mirror elements; and controlling a conversion state of the first spatial light modulator including a plurality of first mirror elements to control intensity distribution of the illumination light on a predetermined plane between the first spatial light modulator and the second spatial light modulator.
US09551932B2
A resist composition comprising a polymer comprising recurring units having an acid labile group of cyclopentyl with tert-butyl or tert-amyl pendant is coated onto a substrate, baked, exposed to high-energy radiation, PEB and developed in an organic solvent to form a negative pattern. A fine hole pattern can be formed from the resist composition with advantages including high dissolution contrast, good size control and wide depth of focus.
US09551928B2
According to one embodiment, An actinic-ray- or radiation-sensitive resin composition comprises a basic compound (C) having n basic groups and m groups that when exposed to actinic rays or radiation, generate an acid, provided that n and m satisfy the relationships n≧1, m≧2 and n
US09551923B2
Some embodiments relate to a method of designing an integrated circuit layout. In this method, a plurality of design shapes are provided on different design layers over an active area within a graphical representation of the layout. A connection extends perpendicularly between a first design shape formed on a first design layer and a second design shape formed on the first design layer. First and second cut mask shapes on first and second cut mask design layers, respectively, are generated. The first cut shape removes portions of the first design layer and the second cut shape removes portions of the second design layer.
US09551922B1
Techniques are described for projecting content onto a display surface and for analyzing the hand of a user that is placed over the display surface, such as when the user is making a command gesture. Based on the location and known shape of the display surface, a surface depth map is calculated corresponding to the display surface. Points of the calculated surface depth map are then subtracted from respective points an observed depth map to produce a foreground depth map corresponding to the user hand. The hand may be further characterized and tracked based on the foreground depth map.
US09551912B2
The present invention provides a high quality liquid crystal display pixel circuit, and a plurality of sub pixels arranged in array, and each sub pixel is divided into a main area (Main) and a sub area (Sub), and one data signal line, a voltage dividing unit (10) and a routing are provided in accordance with sub pixels of each column; a Nth data line (D(N)) is electrically coupled to the main areas (Main) of the sub pixels of Nth column and provides a main data signal voltage to the same, and the corresponding Nth routing (L(N)) is led out from the voltage dividing unit (10), and is electrically coupled to the sub areas (Sub) of the sub pixels of the next column, N+1 column and provides a sub data signal voltage acquired by performing voltage dividing to the main data signal voltage with the voltage dividing unit (10) to the same; polarities of the main data signal voltage provided by the Nth data signal line (D(N)) and the main data signal voltage provided by the next N+1th data signal line (D(N+1)) are opposite. The pixel circuit can diminish the color shift to reduce the flicker of the liquid crystal display panel and promote the display quality.
US09551908B2
A liquid crystal display device in which smear error is suppressed and transmittance is uniform is provided.In a liquid crystal display device which includes a plurality of pixels and uses comb-teeth-shaped transparent conductive films 110 as common wirings, the common wirings include mesh-shaped common metal wirings 101v and 101h extending in a vertical direction and a horizontal direction and the comb-teeth-shaped transparent conductive films 110 are connected between adjacent pixels.
US09551899B2
A lighting device including a circuit substrate; a plurality of light sources disposed on the circuit substrate; a reflection layer disposed on the circuit substrate, the reflection layer comprising a plurality of openings where respective light sources are located; a plurality of light regulating patterns disposed at an edge of the reflection layer and at an inclination with respect to the reflection layer, wherein corresponding light regulating patterns are disposed closer to the edge of the reflection layer at first areas aligned with the respective light sources than light regulating patterns at second areas between the first areas; and an optical sheet disposed on the light sources.
US09551896B2
A liquid crystal device includes a first substrate that is arranged on a light input side; a second substrate that is arranged on a light output side; a liquid crystal layer that is arranged between the first and second substrates; a first microlens that is provided on the first substrate such that an optical axis is tilted to a normal line direction of the first substrate; and a second microlens that is provided on the second substrate such that an optical axis is tilted to a normal line direction of the second substrate, in which a focal point of the first microlens is located on a curved surface of the second microlens, or on the light output side rather than the curved surface.
US09551895B2
A liquid crystal display is provided. The liquid crystal display includes: a substrate; a thin film transistor; a pixel electrode; a roof layer; a plurality of microcavities; and a partition wall. The thin film transistor is disposed on the substrate. The pixel electrode is disposed on the thin film transistor. The roof layer faces the pixel electrode. The microcavities are between the pixel electrode and the roof layer, the microcavities include a liquid crystal material. The partition wall is between the microcavities, and the partition wall is perpendicular to the roof layer.
US09551890B2
Provided is an electronic apparatus having the waterproof structure. The electronic apparatus includes: a housing; a transparent panel which has an image display area; and a plurality of strip-shaped waterproof spacers fixed adherently between the housing and the transparent panel, and fixed adherently to an outer periphery of the image display area at the transparent panel side. A clearance between the waterproof spacers adjacent to each other is filled with a filler. In the electronic apparatus, a hole is formed in the housing such that the hole overlaps with the clearance and a portion of the waterproof spacer, and the hole is filled with the filler.
US09551882B2
A head treatment device comprises a frame mountable on the head of a user, wherein the frame has at least one treatment area that will generally not obstruct the vision of the user when wearing the frame. The frame defines a vision area around at least one eye of the user when the user is wearing the device such that the user can see through the vision area. The device further comprises a treatment mechanism attachable to the treatment area of the frame, wherein the treatment mechanism extends between the face of the user of the device and the frame. A mounting device is associated with the treatment mechanism to connect the treatment mechanism to the treatment area of the frame, wherein the head treatment device is used to treat the head of the user through association of the head of the user with the treatment mechanism.
US09551875B2
Provided is a headup display device which is not liable to generate abnormal sound. The headup display device comprises: a liquid crystal display for emitting display light; a concave mirror for reflecting the display light; and a motor device for rotating the concave mirror. The motor device includes: a motor having a motor shaft projecting from a motor body; a worm connected to the motor shaft and having a spiral groove formed on the outer peripheral surface; and a worm wheel provided with teeth engaging with the spiral groove and transmitting a driving force from the motor to the concave mirror. A hole is formed inside the worm extending in the axial direction of the worm from the end face of the worm near the motor body. A compression coil spring is arranged in the hole for biasing the worm in the direction opposite the motor body and biasing the motor shaft toward the motor body.
US09551871B2
A head-mounted display system includes a see-through display that is configured to visually augment an appearance of a physical environment to a user viewing the physical environment through the see-through display. Graphical content presented via the see-through display is created by modeling the ambient lighting conditions of the physical environment.
US09551869B2
A composite display device is provided with an optical combiner, a first display unit which displays a virtual image by projecting an image including certain display information to a front surface of the optical combiner, a second display unit which is disposed on a position of a rear surface side of the optical combiner and displays a real image, and a composite display control unit.
US09551855B2
The lens barrel includes a base barrel, a movable barrel including first and second hole portions, a circumferentially rotatable barrel and first guide members. The base barrel includes straight guide portions guiding the movable barrel along an optical axis, the rotatable barrel includes cam portions moving the movable barrel with rotation of the rotatable barrel, the first guide members engage with the cam and straight guide portions. The cam portions, straight guide portions and first guide members are respectively provided at multiple circumferential phases, a guide member among the first guide members provided at a first phase engages with the first hole portion, each of other guide members among the first guide members provided at two or more second phases engages with each of the second hole portions. A circumferential width of each second hole portion is larger than that of the first hole portion.
US09551840B2
An optical rotating joint installation; comprising: a drive shaft for a rotating interface, the drive shaft comprising a hollow central bore; and an optical rotating joint located in the hollow central bore. The proportion of the cross-sectional area of the material retained in the annular section of the drive shaft is preferably greater than or equal to 50%, more preferably 60%, yet more preferably 75%. The diameter of the hollow central bore is preferably less than or equal to 20 mm, more preferably 16 mm. The optical rotating joint installation may be provided as a retro-fit to replace an existing solid drive shaft that does not have an optical rotating joint, for example by hollowing out the existing solid drive shaft or by replacing the existing solid drive shaft with a drive shaft with a hollow central bore.
US09551836B2
An optical switch fabric includes horizontal optical waveguides including a first set and a second set, the first set is configured to receive a first plurality of wavelengths from the one or more external switches and the second set is configured to send a second plurality of wavelengths to the one or more external switches; wavelength-selective drop optical switches associated with the first set, wherein the wavelength-selective drop optical switches are each configured to drop a selected wavelength from a horizontal optical waveguide of the first set to an associated vertical optical waveguide of vertical optical waveguides; and controllable optical switches associated with the vertical optical waveguides, wherein the controllable optical switches are each configured to direct a selected wavelength from a vertical optical waveguide to a horizontal optical waveguide of the second set.
US09551831B1
A pluggable LC adaptor comprises a LC adaptor housing and an assembly, wherein the assembly is disposed in the LC adaptor housing. The assembly comprises: a first fiber collimator having a first lens; a first LC ferrule; a first fiber, where the first fiber is partially disposed inside the first LC ferrule and partially disposed inside the first fiber collimator; a second fiber collimator having a second lens; a second LC ferrule; a second fiber, where the second fiber is partially disposed inside the second LC ferrule and partially disposed inside the second fiber collimator; and an optical passive element disposed between the first collimator and the second collimator. The optical passive element may be a thin film filter or an isolator core.
US09551829B2
A photoacoustic detection device including a nanophotonic circuit including a first chip on which is formed at least one optical waveguide and in which is formed a set of cavities defining a Helmholtz resonator; at least one optical source capable of emitting an optical signal in a given wavelength range, capable of being modulated at an acoustic modulation frequency, this source being attached to the first chip; a second chip forming a cap for said cavities and including acoustic sensors; and electronic circuits for processing the output of the acoustic sensors formed in the first or the second chip.
US09551826B2
The backlight module includes a front frame, a backboard, a heat sink, a light source and a light guide plate. A quantum dot unit is arranged between the light guide plate and the light source. The heat sink, light source and light guide plate are arranged on the backboard, with the heat sink fixing the quantum dot unit to the backboard. The backlight module further includes a middle frame arranged between the backboard and the front frame, and coupled to the heat sink.
US09551816B2
Retroreflecting optical constructions are disclosed. A disclosed retroreflecting optical construction includes a retroreflecting layer that has a retroreflecting structured major surface, and an optical film that is disposed on the retroreflecting structured major surface of the retroreflecting layer. The optical film has an optical haze that is not less than about 30%. Substantial portions of each two neighboring major surfaces in the retroreflecting optical construction are in physical contact with each other.
US09551812B2
An adhesive composition, an adhesive layer, an optical member, and an adhesive sheet, the adhesive composition including 100 parts by weight of a (meth)acrylic copolymer, the (meth)acrylic copolymer having a weight average molecular weight of about 100,000 to about 2,000,000 g/mol; about 0.05 to about 5 parts by weight of a carbodiimide crosslinker; and about 0.01 to about 0.3 parts by weight of an organic group-containing compound, the organic group-containing compound including at least one selected from the group of titanium, zirconium, and hafnium.
US09551809B2
Arrayed wave division multiplexing to improve spatial resolution of IOFDR fiber Bragg sensing system
A downhole property measurement apparatus includes an optical fiber having a series fiber Bragg gratings with interleaved resonant wavelengths such that adjacent fiber Bragg gratings have different resonant wavelengths and a difference between adjacent resonant wavelengths is greater than a dynamic wavelength range of each of the adjacent fiber Bragg gratings. An optical interrogator is in optical communication with the optical fiber and configured to emit a frequency domain light signal having a swept wavelength for a first time duration and a chirp having a modulation of amplitude with a varying of wavelength for a second time duration that is less than the first time duration. A return light signal is transformed by the optical interrogator into a time domain to determine a resonant wavelength shift and corresponding location of each of the gratings. A processor converts the resonant wavelength shifts into the downhole property.
US09551804B1
The present disclosure relates to a wearable motion detection device (12) configured for detecting body-to-ground proximity, and to a related method. The motion detection device (12) comprising a capacitance detection unit (70) arranged to detect body-to-ground capacitance, the capacitance detection unit (70) comprising a first electrode (30) arranged to contact a body portion (16) of a monitored subject, when the device (12) is worn, a second electrode (32) that is arranged separately from but operatively connected with the first electrode (30), a shield electrode (34) that is arranged to shield the second electrode (32) from the first electrode (30), the device (12) further comprising a control unit (74) arranged to determine, under consideration of a body-to-ground capacitance signal provided by the capacitance detection unit (70), whether a fall event occurs. The present disclosure further relates to a corresponding computer program for implementing a motion detection method.
US09551799B2
A method for detecting hydrocarbons including obtaining seismic trace data for a region of interest; processing, using a processor, the seismic trace data to calculate a signal spectrum for each of a plurality of locations in the region of interest; calculating a dominant frequency of the signal spectrum; calculating at least one measure of energy decay above the dominant frequency, calculating at least one measure of energy decay below the dominant frequency, and calculating at least one measure spectral shape of the signal spectrum, and locating a hydrocarbon reservoir in the region of interest using the at least one measure of energy decay below the dominant frequency, the at least one measure of energy decay above dominant frequency and the dominant frequency; or locating a hydrocarbon reservoir in the region of interest using the at least one measure of energy decay below the dominant frequency and the at least one measure of energy decay above dominant frequency; or and locating a hydrocarbon reservoir in the region of interest using the at least one measure of energy decay below the dominant frequency and the dominant frequency; or locating a hydrocarbon reservoir in the region of interest using the at least one measure of spectral shape and the dominant frequency.
US09551795B2
A position-sensitive ionizing-radiation counting detector includes a radiation detector gas chamber having at least one ultra-thin chamber window and an ultra-thin first substrate contained within the gas chamber. The detector further includes a second substrate generally parallel to and coupled to the first substrate and defining a gas gap between the first substrate and the second substrate. The detector further includes a discharge gas between the substrates and contained within the gas chamber, where the discharge gas is free to circulate within the gas chamber and between the first and second substrates at a given gas pressure. The detector further includes a first electrode coupled to one of the substrates and a second electrode electrically coupled to the first electrode. The detector further includes a first discharge event detector coupled to at least one of the electrodes for detecting a gas discharge counting event in the electrode.
US09551791B2
A system for detecting the profile of an object. The system having a radiation source for generating a radiation pattern. The system also having a detector which has a plurality of pixels and a processor for processing data from the detector when radiation from the radiation source is reflected by an object and detected by the detector. The system also has a synchronization device for interfacing between the detector and the radiation source. The radiation source is designed for operating in pulsed mode and the synchronization device can synchronize the pulses of the radiation source with the sampling of the detector.
US09551786B2
A ranging and positioning system comprising transmitters and receiver nodes communicating together by chirp-modulated radio signals, that have a ranging mode in which ranging exchange of signals takes place between a master device and a slave device that leads to the evaluation of the range between them. The slave is arranged for recognizing a ranging request and transmit back a ranging response containing chirps that precisely aligned in time and frequency with the chirps in the ranging requests, whereupon the master can receive the ranging response, analyze the time and frequency the chirps contained therein with respect to his own time reference, and estimate a range to the slave.
US09551781B2
Systems and methods can support determining a physical position of a radio transmitter. A physical model for electromagnetic signal propagation within the electromagnetic environment may be established. Radio frequency signal power levels associated with the radio transmitter may be received from one or more radio frequency sensors. Parameters associated with the physical model may be estimated for one or more test locations within the electromagnetic environment. An error metric between the received radio frequency signal power levels and the physical model may be computed for the one or more test locations. Bounds on the parameters associated with the physical model may be established to prune away physically impossible solutions. The parameters associated with the physical model may be optimized across the one or more test locations to establish a preferred location estimate for the radio transmitter.
US09551768B2
A method is disclosed for measuring the properties of protein and lipoprotein elements in a sample. The method includes the of placing a small volume of a sample into a NMR instrument tuned to measure a particular nucleus, applying a series of radiofrequency pulses with intermittent delays in order to measure spin-spin and/or spin-lattice relaxation time constants from the time-domain decay of the signal, without the use of chemical shifts and without converting data into the frequency domain by Fourier transform or other means, at least partially suppressing the water signal prior to the beginning of a sequence used to record relaxation time constants in the time domain, optionally utilizing relaxation contrast agents or other chemical additives to perturb the solvent water or other elements of the sample, analyzing the exponentially decaying NMR signal in the time domain using multi-exponential analysis, and comparing differences in the relaxation time constants for lipoprotein- or protein-specific elements within a single human subject, or between subjects, to assess normal and abnormal metabolism reflective of increased disease risk or active disease.
US09551765B2
According to a method for operating a Hall sensor assembly, at least two values (I1, I2) of an input signal (I) of a Hall sensor (11) of the Hall sensor assembly (10) having different magnitudes are set and the associated values (V1, V2) of an output signal (V) of the Hall sensor (11) are determined. Furthermore, a residual offset value (k, VOFF) of the output signal (V) is determined according to the values (V1, V2) of the output signal (V) that were determined at the at least two values (I1, I2) of the input signal (I).
US09551763B1
Systems and apparatuses are disclosed for providing a uniform RF field and magnetic bias field to a nitrogen vacancy center diamond.
US09551747B2
A method and apparatus are provided to test an integrated circuit by identifying first and second components of an integrated circuit. The first and second components may share a relationship that causes the first and second components to generate a matching binary output in response to an input to the integrated circuit. A tap point may be selected within the integrated circuit. The tap point may be located at a point in the integrated circuit where an insertion of a bypass structure would affect the relationship. The bypass structure may be inserted at the tap point, and the bypass structure may be used to conduct a test of the integrated circuit.
US09551746B2
A backplane testing system includes a test backplane coupled to a test device chassis and including a first connector system, a second connector system, and channels that connect the first connector system and the second connector system. A first test device in a first test device slot on the test device chassis engages the first connector system and provides a loop back circuit for the first connector system. A second test device in a second test device slot on the test device chassis engages the second connector system. The second test device sends a test signal through a channel on the test backplane such that the test signal is provided to the loop back circuit on the first test device and received back through the channel. The second test device analyzes the test signal that is received to determine a testing compliance of the channel on the test backplane.
US09551740B2
A parallel concurrent test (PCT) system is provided for performing the parallel concurrent testing of semiconductor devices. The PCT system includes a pick and place (PnP) handler for engaging and transporting the semiconductor devices along a testing plane, the PnP handler including at least one manipulator. The PCT system also includes a device under test interface board (DIB), the DIB including a broadside test socket for broadside (BS) testing of the semiconductor devices, the broadside testing using at least half of a total number of a semiconductor device pins, and a plurality of design-for-test (DFT) test sockets for DFT testing, the DFT testing using less than half of the total number of the semiconductor device pins, and a tester in electrical contact with the DIB for testing the semiconductor devices in accordance with a stepping pattern test protocol.
US09551738B2
A capacitive sensing circuit is disclosed, wherein the mixer is directly connected to the sense electrode. The AC transimpedance amplifier in front of the mixer in prior art is removed and replaced by a differential DC transimpedance amplifier respectively integrator.The mixer DC offset voltage or current together with the large amplification factor required after the mixer now would result in an inacceptable DC offset at the output of the signal chain. In order to eliminate the effect of the mixer offset, the amplifying stages after the mixer are AC coupled to the mixer output and one of the signals entering the mixer is phase modulated or amplitude modulated with a known low frequency signal. An additional mixer after the AC coupled amplifying stages is driven with the same low frequency modulating signal, resulting in the wanted DC output signal responsive to the capacitance to be measured.
US09551731B2
The present invention discloses methods, gantry, and room's infrastructure for maneuvering a portable open-bore magnetic resonance device with no fringing of its magnetic field (MRD) from at least one first location towards at least one static patient placed at at least one second remote location. The gantry comprises a transporting mechanism; and, an open-bore MRD, interconnected to the gantry by at least one maneuverable member. The MRD, by means of the gantry, is transportable from the first location to the second remote location adjacent the static patient. The aperture of the MRD's open-bore, by means of said maneuverable member, is directable towards a defined spatially orientation facing the static patient.
US09551720B2
This invention is related to the field of the prevention and treatment of kidney disease. The treatment of kidney disease may be tailored depending upon the need for, or expectation of, renal recovery. For example, renal recovery can be determined by monitoring urine biomarkers related to the development of chronic kidney disease. For example, a normalized time course of approximately fourteen Days measuring urinary proteins can be used to establish the risk of recovery versus non-recovery in patient's having suffered an acute kidney injury. Alternatively, the invention describes signature protein expression profiles to establish the probability of renal recovery and/or renal non-recovery.
US09551719B2
Specific peptides, and derived ionization characteristics of those peptides, from the Bcl-2-like protein 11 (BIM) are provided that are particularly advantageous for quantifying the BIM protein directly in biological samples that have been fixed in formalin by the method of Selected Reaction Monitoring (SRM) mass spectrometry, or what can also be termed as Multiple Reaction Monitoring (MRM). Such biological samples are chemically preserved and fixed where the biological sample is selected from tissues and cells treated with formaldehyde containing agents/fixatives including formalin-fixed tissue/cells, formalin-fixed/paraffin embedded (FFPE) tissue/cells, FFPE tissue blocks and cells from those blocks, and tissue culture cells that have been formalin fixed and or paraffin embedded. A protein sample is prepared from the biological sample using the Liquid Tissue™ reagents and protocol, and the BIM protein is quantitated in the Liquid Tissue™ sample by the method of SRM/MRM mass spectrometry by quantitating in the protein sample at least one or more of the peptides described. These peptides can be quantitated if they reside in a modified or an unmodified form. An example of a modified form of a BIM peptide is phosphorylation of a tyrosine, threonine, serine, and/or other amino acid residues within the peptide sequence.
US09551714B2
A polypeptide comprising the contiguous amino acids 1-198 of SEQ ID NO: 2; a polypeptide, which comprises a contiguous amino acid sequence that is at least about 95% identical to the contiguous amino acids 1-198 of SEQ ID NO: 2, an epitope that is immunoreactive with an antibody that specifically binds to the core protein of hepatitis C virus (HCV), and an epitope that is immunoreactive with an antibody that specifically binds to the NS4 region of HCV; a nucleic acid encoding such a polypeptide; a host cell comprising such a nucleic acid; an immunodiagnostic reagent comprising such a polypeptide; a kit comprising such an immunodiagnostic reagent; and a method of determining the presence, amount, or concentration of anti-HCV antibodies in a test sample.
US09551711B2
Antibodies for detecting nitration of nitrotyrosine 247 PKG-1α and antibodies for detecting nitrotyrosine 425 of PKG-1α are disclosed. Methods of detecting nitrotyrosine 247 PKG-1α and nitrotyrosine 425 of PKG-1α, and uses thereof are also disclosed for identification and diagnosis or phenotypes, pathologies, diseases and disorders associated with protein nitration of PKG-1α are also disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, one or more of the disclosed antibodies is used in the disclosed methods.
US09551710B2
The present invention includes a method of detecting ultraviolet radiation (UVR)-induced skin damage in a mammal. The present invention also includes a method of identifying a mammal at risk of developing UVR-induced skin damage, photoaging, or photocarcinogenesis. The present invention further includes a method of inhibiting UVR-induced skin damage in a mammal at risk of developing UVR-induced skin damage. The present invention also includes a method of reducing the level of Syk kinase in the skin of a mammal. The present invention further includes methods of treating or diagnosing a disease associated with a change of Syk kinase expression in the skin in a mammal.
US09551706B2
The ability to levitate, to separate, and to detect changes in density using diamagnetic particles suspended in solutions containing paramagnetic cations using an inhomogeneous magnetic field is described. The major advantages of this separation device are that: i) it is a simple apparatus that does not require electric power (a set of permanent magnets and gravity are sufficient for the diamagnetic separation and collection system to work); ii) it is compatible with simple optical detection (provided that transparent materials are used to fabricate the containers/channels where separation occurs; iii) it is simple to collect the separated particles for further processing; iv) it does not require magnetic labeling of the particles/materials; and v) it is small, portable. The method and kits provided provide for separation and collection of materials of different densities, diagnostics for detection of analytes of interest, monitoring of solid-supported chemical reactions and determination of densities of solid and liquid mixtures.
US09551705B2
The present invention provides compositions and methods for capture and identification of the cellular targets of a bioactive agent. In particular, provided herein are bioactive agents tethered to capture ligand, cellular targets (optionally tagged with a reporter), capture proteins (optionally present as capture fusions), surfaces (e.g., displaying, capture ligands, capture proteins, or capture fusions), and methods of capturing and identifying the cellular targets of a bioactive agent therewith.
US09551701B2
A method for detecting an analyte in a bodily fluid includes placing the detector in contact with at least one metabolite resulting from the metabolism or degradation of the analyte. The contact between the detector and the metabolite produces an optically detectable signal. The detection method includes the detection of the metabolite only in gas form, said metabolite in gas form coming from the evaporation of at least a part of said metabolite. The detection is also carried out without contact between the bodily fluid and the detector. A dressing for implementing the detection method is also described.
US09551698B2
The electronic device for sensing and/or actuating comprises a device surface to which an biological cell (40) is applied, further comprising a sensor and/or an actuator (25), and an access channel (20) with a channel port (21), said channel port being located in said surface. The access channel (20) is designed such that the biological cell (40) can enter the access channel (20) to thereby provide access to the sensor (25). Particularly the cell (40) forms a protruding portion (41) by entering the access channel (20), which portion is sensed. The access channel (20) may be provided with a specific sensor port at which the sensor (25) is present. The device may be used for sensing or actuating biological cells, such as neurons, for instance in electroporation treatments.
US09551691B2
An L-mode guided wave sensor 10 for inspecting an inspection target by using an L-mode guided wave. The L-mode guided wave sensor 10 is provided with a vibrator 3 which is attached to an inspection target 1, and a coil 5 which is wound around the vibrator 3 and to which an AC voltage is applied. The vibrator 3 is made of a ferromagnetic material.
US09551690B2
A phased array ultrasonic probe may be mounted to a component to be inspected for wall thickness on an apparatus that includes a split ring adapted to be magnetically held in place on the component. In particular, the probe may be mounted to a carriage connected to the split ring in a manner that allows the carriage to rotate around the split ring while the probe is in operation. Between the probe and the component, a transducer shoe defining, by a flexible membrane, a cavity and an aperture. Conveniently, the construction of the flexible membrane allows wall thickness measurements to be acquired in portions of the component that have complex topography, such as welds. The apparatus is installed on an adaptor assembly for inspection of straight section of pipes. This adaptor assembly is not used in absence of straight section. By acquiring data from multiple output pulse transmitted at multiple incidence angles, processing software may conveniently produce an accurate wall thickness map of the area of interest on the component.
US09551689B2
An example inspection probe device includes a sensor assembly configured to induce an eddy current in a component. A probe body houses at least a portion of the sensor assembly such that the portion of the sensor assembly is spaced from a target surface of the component when the probe body is in contact with the component. A controller is used to calculate the location of the target surface relative to the probe body using an eddy current parameter sensed by the sensor assembly.
US09551687B2
A device includes a sensor surface and a pair of electrodes. The sensor surface includes a first conductive layer separated from a second conductive layer by an intermediary layer, a magnetization direction of the first conductive layer and a magnetization direction of the second conductive layer having a ground state orientation of approximately 0 degrees. An electrical resistance between the pair of electrodes is determined by a magnetic field proximate the sensor surface.
US09551678B2
A display device includes a first substrate provided with a pixel circuit in a display region, a second substrate provided facing the first substrate, a dam agent bonding the first substrate and the second substrate and sealing the display region, and a moisture detection part provided between a first region provided with the dam agent and the display region.
US09551673B2
A method of searching for a threat includes determining a characteristic of a target, determining an allowable dosage based on the characteristic, determining a parameter of a scanning beam based on the allowable dosage with a processing circuit, transmitting the scanning beam toward the target with a scanner, and creating a representation of the target with the processing circuit.
US09551670B2
A defect inspection apparatus including: a first illumination optical system which is configured to illuminate the inspection area on a sample surface from a normal line direction or a direction near thereof with respect to said sample surface; a second illumination optical system which is configured to illuminate said inspection area from a slant direction with respect to said sample surface; a detection optical system having a plurality of first detectors which are located, in front of, on the sides of, and behind said inspection area, respectively, with respect to the illumination direction of said second illumination optical system, and where the regular reflected light component, from said sample surface, by illumination light of said second illumination optical system, is not converged; and a signal processing system which is configured to inspect a defect, upon basis of signals obtained from said plurality of first detectors.
US09551659B2
An optical apparatus comprises an ultraviolet light source (100) configured to transmit the ultraviolet light to a sample (102), one or more wavelength dependent beam splitters (104) and at least two separate detectors (106, 108). Each beam splitter (104) receives, from the sample (102), a band of excitating ultraviolet light and at least one band of fluorescence associated with an interaction between the excitating ultraviolet light and the sample (102) in the optical path through the sample (102), directs the band of excitating ultraviolet light passed through the sample (102) towards a first detector (106), and directs the at least one band of the fluorescence towards at least one separate detector (108). The first detector (106) and the at least one separate detector (108) are simultaneously configured to form electrical signals carrying information on powers of the bands of the ultraviolet light and the fluorescence, respectively. The signal processing unit (110) configured to measure the at least one property of the sample (102) on the basis of a signal from the first detector (106) and each signal from the at least one separate detector (108).
US09551658B2
In a STED fluorescence light microscope pulses of excitation light (3) are applied to a sample, which excite fluorescent entities contained in the sample for fluorescence, and which are focused on at least one focal area. Further, de-excitation light (12) is applied to the sample, which de-excites the excited fluorescent entities and which comprises an intensity zero point in the at least one focal area, as a continuous wave. Fluorescence light emitted by the excited fluorescent entities in the sample is registered after each pulse of the excitation light (3) and overlapping with applying the de-excitation light (13) with high temporal resolution between consecutive pulses of the excitation light (3).
US09551657B2
Disclosed is a sample analyzer which comprises: a sample preparing section configured to prepare a measurement sample by mixing a sample and a nucleic acid staining reagent; an optical detector configured to irradiate light on cells contained in the measurement sample, receive fluorescent light given off by the irradiated cells, and output fluorescent light signals; a signal processing section which obtains fluorescent light intensity and fluorescence pulse area of the cells from the fluorescent light signals output by the optical detector; and an information processing section configured to detect white blood cells contained in the measurement sample based on the fluorescence pulse area, and detect bacteria contained in the measurement sample based on the fluorescent light intensity.
US09551654B2
A rapid method for characterizing and identifying microorganisms using Focal-Plane Array (FPA)-Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy is disclosed. Multi-pixels spectral images of unknown microorganisms spectra are analyzed and compared to spectra of reference microorganisms in databases. The method allows rapid and highly reliable identification of unknown microorganisms for the purpose of medical diagnosis, food and environmental control.
US09551647B2
The disclosure relates to a tunable optical light source spanning the UV-range and possible also the visible and near-IR wavelengths. The tunable optical light source includes an input light source, a focusing element, a non-linear crystal arranged to convert the frequency of at least part of the output spectrum of the super continuum source, and a holding unit for the non-linear crystal. The input light source is a super continuum light source with a spectral bandwidth of at least about 300 nm and the holding unit is adjustable for changing the frequency converted output wavelength of the non-linear crystal wfc such that the lowest obtainable output wavelength wUV of said tunable light source is ultraviolet. The disclosure further relates to an illumination source and an optical measurement system.
US09551639B2
Device and method for measuring true triaxial creep of a geotechnical engineering test block, including a supporting structure; the device includes four confining pressure-plates and upper-and-lower compression-plates forming an enclosed cavity for the test block; confining pressure-plates include two long confining pressure-plates and two short-confining pressure-plates, upper-and-lower compression-plates are rectangular top and bottom steel-plates, two L-shaped long confining pressure-plates bent towards the outer side lapped on two adjacent side faces of the bottom steel-plate, two L-shaped short-confining pressure-plates bent towards the outer side lapped on remaining two-side faces of the bottom steel-plate, and bottom ends of the short-confining pressure-plates are placed on the bottom steel-plate; top ends of long confining pressure-plates lapped on the top steel-plate, and top steel-plate leans against inner side faces of two short-confining pressure-plates; vertically pressure sensors corresponds to four confining pressure-plates and upper-and-lower compression-plates in the supporting structure, and grating shortrulers on pressure sensors.
US09551633B2
A system for improved reliability operations of a system with a heat recovery steam generator (HRSG) are presented. The system includes a processor configured to execute a model library to model a safety system. The model library includes a plurality of subsystem models each configured to derive a reliability measure. The system also includes the HRSG and an HRSG advisory system. The HRSG advisory system may be executed by the processor and is configured to receive one or more condition monitoring algorithm results, receive one or more measurements; and determine a probability of failure for the HRSG based at least in part on the one or more condition monitoring algorithm results, the one or more measurements, the model library, or a combination thereof. Moreover, determining the probability of failure includes determining a most likely state of a plurality of states of the HRSG.
US09551628B2
An automation cell incorporating elements for performing secondary operations on a machined part is adapted to be disposed adjacent to a machining center for performing the primary operations on the part. The cell incorporates a robotic arm capable of being moved into position with respect to the machining center so as to load machined parts into the machining center and unload primarily machined parts for the performance of secondary operations in the cell. In a preferred embodiment the automation cell performs roll check operations on the primarily machined gear by bringing it into meshed engagement with a master gear and rotating the meshed gears and employing a sensor to monitor the roll-out of the machined gear.
US09551626B2
Provided is a leak testing method of a workpiece including spaces which are three partitioned void portions, the leak testing method being capable of separately learning an amount of leakage from each of the spaces, and precisely determining whether the workpiece is normal or defective. The leak testing method includes steps of obtaining total leakage amounts, and a step of calculating, based on the obtained total leakage amounts, a first leakage amount, a second leakage amount, a third leakage amount, a fourth leakage amount, a fifth leakage amount and a sixth leakage amount which are amounts of leakage from respective routes when gas is injected to a workpiece at a predetermined pressure.
US09551624B2
The invention relates to a device for measuring the tensile force of a long object, in which the sensor (1) and the display unit (6) can be separated from one another and, if that is the case, communicate in a wireless manner.
US09551623B2
The invention relates to an apparatus for measuring and determining the force, the torque and the power on a crank, in particular the pedal crank of a bicycle, comprising an evaluation device, in particular a bicycle computer, and at least one pedal, wherein the force and angular speed variables are converted into electrical signals and supplied to the evaluation device, the pedal comprises a pedal body, a deformation element, a pedal shaft and an angle transmitter, and wherein the force variable is determined by measuring the deformation of the deformation element using strain gauges, preferably by measuring the individual normal strains of the strain gauges, and wherein four pairs of strain gauges assigned to each other are arranged at different angles, preferably +/−45, with respect to the pedal shaft.
US09551616B2
An approach to noninvasively and remotely detect the presence, location, and/or quantity of a target substance in a scene via a spectral imaging system comprising a spectral filter array and image capture array. For a chosen target substance, a spectral filter array is provided that is sensitive to selected wavelengths characterizing the electromagnetic spectrum of the target substance. Elements of the image capture array are optically aligned with elements of the spectral filter array to simultaneously capture spectrally filtered images. These filtered images identify the spectrum of the target substance. Program instructions analyze the acquired images to compute information about the target substance throughout the scene. A color-coded output image may be displayed on a smartphone or computing device to indicate spatial and quantitative information about the detected target substance. The system desirably includes a library of interchangeable spectral filter arrays, each sensitive to one or more target substances.
US09551613B2
A portable spectroscopic device for acquiring single-frame spatial, spectral, and polarization information of an object. The device includes a modular dispersion element assembly that is coupled to a mobile computing device and disperses light into a plurality of different wavelengths. The mobile computing device includes a sensor and is configured to receive and analyze the plurality of wavelengths. The mobile computing device is also configured to perform automatic calibrations to determine the absolute wavelength axis and make stray-light corrections with minimal user intervention, thus making it amenable for untrained users not familiar with the state of the art. The mobile computing device is also configured to extend dynamic range.
US09551607B2
Disclosed is a method of measuring the level of a liquid in a vessel, such as a chemical reactor, by radar. The method particularly pertains to situations wherein a supercritical fluid is present above the liquid. More particularly, the method serves to cope with the typical vigorous circumstances of a chemical reaction, such as urea synthesis. The invention foresees the use of a tube extending into the liquid, so as to guide the radar waves to the surface level of the liquid.
US09551599B2
A sensing system includes a filter construction module that constructs a high pass filter for filtering sensor values indicative of a process variable, the filter construction module setting values for parameters of the filter based on a temperature value indicative of a temperature of the sensor that produced the sensor values.
US09551584B2
Provided is an apparatus and method for switching a navigation mode between a vehicle navigation mode and a personal navigation mode in a navigation device supporting vehicle navigation and personal navigation. Switching between the vehicle navigation mode and the personal navigation mode is performed according to whether the navigation device is mounted in a navigation device holder, whether a GPS speed provided by a GPS receiver is higher than a predetermined speed, and whether a step is detected using an output of an accelerometer. Since mode switching between the vehicle navigation mode and the personal navigation mode is automatically performed, a user does not need to manually perform mode switching.
US09551579B1
Aspects of the disclosure relate generating navigation paths between images. A first image taken from a first location and a second image taken from a second location may be selected. A position of the first location in relation to the second location may be determined. First and second frames for the first and second images may be selected based on the position. First and second sets of visual features for each of the first and second image frames may be identified. Matching visual features between the first set of visual features and the second set of visual features may be determined. A confidence level for a line-of-sight between the first and second images may be determined by evaluating one or more positions of the matching visual features. Based on at least the confidence level, a navigation path from the first image to the second image is generated.
US09551578B1
Systems and methods for a ring laser gyroscope with electrically isolated dither motor are provided. In one embodiment, a ring laser gyroscope, the gyroscope comprises: a laser block comprising a discharge gas filled chamber ring, a cathode, an anode and at least one other electrode; a dither motor mechanically coupled to the laser block and to a sensor chassis, wherein the laser block is secured to the sensor chassis by the dither motor; and an electrical isolator positioned between the dither motor and the laser block, wherein the electrical isolator electrically isolates the dither motor from the sensor chassis.
US09551576B2
The invention comprises an inertial sensor comprising a frame, a proof mass, a first resonant element, the first resonant element being fixed to the frame and electrostatically coupled to the proof mass, and a second resonant element, the second resonant element being fixed to the frame, adjacent to the first resonant element such that there is substantially no electrostatic coupling between the second resonant element and the proof mass. A coupling is provided between the first resonant element and the second resonant element. A drive means is coupled to the first and second resonant elements for vibrating the first and second resonant elements and a sensor assembly is provided for detecting the amplitude of vibration of at least one of the resonant elements.
US09551572B2
Provided is a sensor device including a sensor configured to output a vibration datum by detecting a change in a state of a vibration in a first object when a second object touches the first object, a holding section configured to hold, at a portion of the first object which is different from a portion where the second object touches, the sensor in a state where the vibration in the first object is transmitted, and a communication section configured to transmit the single vibration datum detected by the sensor to an analyzing device which identifies a touch position where the second object touches the first object by analyzing the vibration datum.
US09551564B2
An OCT apparatus includes a wavelength selector provided on an optical path between a light source unit and a pair of optical detection units, and having a wavelength selectivity with equal wavenumber intervals. A differential detection unit detects a differential between two interference lights detected by the two optical detection units, and an information acquisition unit obtains peak values in the temporal waveform of the intensity of the interference lights and acquires information about an object on the basis of the obtained peak values.
US09551563B2
The invention relates to a multi-axis differential interferometer (1) for measuring a displacement and/or rotation between a first reflective surface (21, 321) and a second reflective surface (81, 381), wherein said measuring is carried out using at least two pairs of beams, wherein each pair is formed by a measurement beam (Mb) to be emitted onto a first one (21, 321) of said reflective surfaces, and a reference beam (Rb) to be emitted onto another one (81, 381) of said reflective surfaces, said interferometer (1) comprising: a first optical module (20) and a second optical module (40), wherein each optical module (20, 40) is configured for receiving a respective coherent beam and for creating one of said pairs therefrom. The invention further relates to a lithography system comprising such an interferometer and to a method for assembling such a multi-axis differential interferometer.
US09551560B2
The disclosure relates to an extensometer wherein the actuation of the contact arms is performed by a separate rotating bar so as to avoid or minimize placing active mechanics onto the arms. The rotating bar includes a spool about which a metal belt is wound. Rotating the bar, and hence the spool, in the desired direction pulls the metal belt which pulls a spring-loaded wedge with internal camming slots which urges the contact arms apart.
US09551559B2
The 3D contact measuring device senses work pieces in machine tools for adjusting the zero point of a numerically controlled machine tool or for positioning tasks. The device comprises a preferably elongated housing, a sensing arm projecting from the housing and bearing a sensing tip. The sensing arm being movable in the direction of a measuring axis and pivotable in all directions about the measuring axis. A sensing lever is connected to the sensing arm and forms the first universal joint, and a measuring device for detecting a parameter, which characterizes the displacement and/or the pivoting of the sensing arm. A further control surface forms a second universal joint. An elongated toothed rack of a gear transmission is aligned along the measuring axis and is movably supported and is coupled to the sensing lever via the second universal joint.
US09551552B2
Embodiments include active protection systems and methods for an aerial platform. An onboard system includes radar modules, detects aerial vehicles within a threat range of the aerial platform, and determines if any of the aerial vehicles are an aerial threat. The onboard system also determines an intercept vector to the aerial threat, communicates the intercept vector to an eject vehicle, and causes the eject vehicle to be ejected from the aerial platform to intercept the aerial threat. The eject vehicle includes alignment thrusters to rotate a longitudinal axis of the eject vehicle to substantially align with the intercept vector, a rocket motor to accelerate the eject vehicle along an intercept vector, divert thrusters to divert the eject vehicle in a direction substantially perpendicular to the intercept vector, and attitude control thrusters to make adjustments to the attitude of the eject vehicle.
