us专利 2019-02-05 第4页,专利查询,专利分析-国家发明专利查询检索分析平台

US10199542B2

A light-emitting device comprises a semiconductor stack; a pad electrode comprising a periphery disposed on the semiconductor stack; and a finger electrode connected to the pad electrode, wherein the finger electrode comprises a first portion extended from the periphery of the pad electrode and a second portion away from the pad electrode, the first portion comprises a first side and a second side, the first side is opposite to the second side, the first side comprises a first arc having a first curvature radius, and the first curvature radius is larger than 10 μm.

US10199540B2

Light emitting diode, light emitting diode package including same, and lighting system including same

A light emitting diode according to one embodiment comprises: a substrate; a light emitting structure including a first conductive semiconductor layer, an active layer, and a second conductive semiconductor layer, which are on the substrate; a first pad electrode part on the first conductive semiconductor layer; a current blocking layer on the second conductive semiconductor layer; a second electrode on the first conductive semiconductor layer and the current blocking layer; and a second pad electrode part on the second electrode, wherein the width of the current blocking layer can become thicker as the current blocking layer becomes closer to the first pad electrode part from the second pad electrode part.

US10199536B2

Patterned layer design for group III nitride layer growth

A method of fabricating a device using a layer with a patterned surface for improving the growth of semiconductor layers, such as group III nitride-based semiconductor layers with a high concentration of aluminum, is provided. The patterned surface can include a substantially flat top surface and a plurality of stress reducing regions, such as openings. The substantially flat top surface can have a root mean square roughness less than approximately 0.5 nanometers, and the stress reducing regions can have a characteristic size between approximately 0.1 microns and approximately five microns and a depth of at least 0.2 microns. A layer of group-III nitride material can be grown on the first layer and have a thickness at least twice the characteristic size of the stress reducing regions. A device including one or more of these features also is provided.

US10199533B2

Method of manufacturing light emitting device

A method for manufacturing a light emitting device includes providing an intermediate member including: at least one light emitting element that includes a plurality of electrodes arranged at a same surface side thereof, and a covering member covering the at least on light emitting element such that at least a portion of a surface of each of the plurality of electrodes is exposed; forming a metal layer that continuously covers the exposed portion of each of the electrodes and the covering member; and removing a portion of the metal layer by irradiating the metal layer with laser light to form a plurality of external connection electrodes that are spaced apart from each other, each of the plurality of external connection electrodes having an area larger than an area of respective one of the plurality of electrodes.

US10199532B1

Light-emitting diode and method for manufacturing the same

A light-emitting diode (LED) includes a first type semiconductor layer, a second type semiconductor layer, and an active layer. The first type semiconductor layer includes a low resistance portion and a high resistance portion. The low resistance portion is separated from at least one edge of the first type semiconductor layer by the high resistance portion, and the resistivity of the first type semiconductor layer is increased from the low resistance portion toward the high resistance portion. The active layer is disposed between the first type semiconductor layer and the second type semiconductor layer. The active layer has a first region and a second region, in which the first region has a threading dislocation density greater than that of the second region, and a vertical projection of the low resistance portion on the active layer at least partially overlaps with the second region.

US10199531B2

Semiconductor heterostructure with stress management

A heterostructure for use in fabricating an optoelectronic device is provided. The heterostructure includes a layer, such as an n-type contact or cladding layer, that includes thin sub-layers inserted therein. The thin sub-layers can be spaced throughout the layer and separated by intervening sub-layers fabricated of the material for the layer. The thin sub-layers can have a distinct composition from the intervening sub-layers, which alters stresses present during growth of the heterostructure.

US10199527B2

Solar concentrator and illumination apparatus

Device for harvesting direct sunlight, transmitting diffuse sunlight and for scattering light from a light source to provide illumination, including: a receiving layer including at least one solar energy collector and at least one light source; at least one optical component disposed on a first side of the receiving layer, the optical component including at least one plano-convex refracting element; a second optical component disposed on a second side of the receiving layer, the second optical component comprising at least one optical element; wherein the at least one plano-convex element is positioned to receive direct light and refract it towards the at least one optical element of the second optical component, and wherein the optical element is positioned to reflect light towards the solar energy collector; wherein the at least one optical element is positioned to refract and emit indirect light impinging thereon towards the exterior of the apparatus.

US10199522B2

Solar cell interconnector and manufacturing method thereof

A high electrical conductive, high temperature stable foil material, a process for the preparation of such a high electrical conductive, high temperature stable foil material, a solar cell interconnector including the high electrical conductive, high temperature stable foil material as well as the use of the high electrical conductive, high temperature stable foil material and/or the solar cell interconnector in solar power, aircraft or space applications. The high electrical conductive, high temperature stable foil material includes an aluminum alloy that has at least two elements selected from the group of scandium (Sc), magnesium (Mg), zirconium (Zr), ytterbium (Yb) and manganese (Mn).

US10199514B2

Methods for manufacturing a semiconductor device having a non-ohmic contact formed between a semiconductor material and an electrically conductive contact layer

An embodiment of a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes providing a semiconductor material that comprises SiC and forming an electrically conductive contact layer on the semiconductor material. A non-ohmic contact is formed between the semiconductor material and the electrically conductive contact layer. The electrically conductive contact layer comprises a metal nitride with a nitrogen content between 10 to 50 atomic %. Additional embodiments of manufacturing a semiconductor device are described.

US10199511B1

Semiconductor memory device

A semiconductor memory device includes a semiconductor substrate, a stacked body including a plurality of electrode films stacked on the substrate and spaced from each other in a first direction, an end portion in a second direction has a staircase shape, a conductive member adjacent to the stacked body and connected to the semiconductor substrate, a first semiconductor pillar connected to the substrate and extending through a central portion of the stacked body, a second semiconductor pillar connected to the substrate and extending through the end portion of the stacked body, a charge storage member between the first semiconductor pillar and the electrode films, an insulating member between the second semiconductor pillar and an electrode film in the end portion of the stacked body, and an insulating layer between the semiconductor substrate and the second portion of the stacked body.

US10199510B2

Thin film transistor, thin film transistor manufacturing method and array substrate

The present disclosure relates to a thin film transistor, a method for manufacturing a thin film transistor and an array substrate. The thin film transistor comprises an active layer, a source and a drain, the source comprising a source first conductive layer and a source first buffer layer, the drain comprising a drain first conductive layer and a drain first buffer layer; at least a part of an upper surface of the source first buffer layer and at least a part of an upper surface of the drain first buffer layer being in contact with a lower surface of the active layer, at least a part of a side wall of the source first conductive layer and at least a part of a side wall of the drain first conductive layer being in contact with the active layer, the side wall of the source first conductive layer and the side wall of the drain first conductive layer in contact with the active layer being formed with an oxide layer. The composition of the active layer of the above thin film transistor would not be damaged by the source first conductive layer and the drain first conductive layer, in which way higher electron mobility can be guaranteed for the thin film transistor, and the thin film transistor is maintained in a good electric property and stability.

US10199509B2

Semiconductor device

A high-performance semiconductor device with high reliability is provided. The semiconductor device includes a first transistor, a second transistor, a first metal oxide covering at least part of the first transistor, an insulating film over the first transistor and the second transistor, and a second metal oxide over the insulating film. The first transistor includes a first gate electrode, a first gate insulating film, a first oxide, a first source electrode, a first drain electrode, a second gate insulating film, and a second gate electrode. The second transistor includes a third gate electrode, a third gate insulating film, a second oxide, a second source electrode, a second drain electrode, a fourth gate insulating film, and a fourth gate electrode. The first gate insulating film and the second gate insulating film are in contact with the first metal oxide.

US10199503B2

Under-channel gate transistors

Transistors and methods of forming the same include forming a semiconductor fin from a first material on dielectric layer. Material is etched away from the dielectric layer directly underneath a channel region of the semiconductor fin, with the semiconductor fin still being supported by the dielectric layer in a source and drain region. A gate stack is formed around the channel region of the semiconductor fin, with a portion of the gate stack underneath the semiconductor fin being larger than a portion of the gate stack above the semiconductor fin.

US10199502B2

Structure of S/D contact and method of making same

A semiconductor device includes a fin feature in a substrate, a stack of semiconductor layers over the fin feature. Each of the semiconductor layers does not contact each other. The device also includes a semiconductor oxide layer interposed between the fin feature and the stack of the semiconductor layers. A surface of the semiconductor oxide layer contacts the fin feature and an opposite surface of the semiconductor oxide layer contacts a bottom layer of the stack of semiconductor layers. The device also includes a conductive material layer encircling each of the semiconductor layers and filling in spaces between each of two semiconductor layers.

US10199499B2

Semiconductor device including active fin

A semiconductor device includes first through fourth active fins, which extend alongside one another in a first direction; and a field insulating film that covers lower portions of the first through fourth active fins, the first and second active fins protrude from the field insulating film at a first height, the third active fin protrudes from the field insulating film at a second height different from the first height, and an interval between the first and second active fins is different from an interval between the third and fourth active fins.

US10199495B2

Laterally diffused metal-oxide semiconductor field-effect transistor

A laterally diffused metal-oxide semiconductor field-effect transistor, comprising a substrate, a first conductivity type well region, a second conductivity type well region, a drain electrode in the first conductivity type well region, a source electrode and a body region in the second conductivity type well region, and a gate electrode arranged across surfaces of the first conductivity type well region and the second conductivity type well region, and also comprising a floating layer ring arranged on the top of the first conductivity type well region and located between the gate electrode and the drain electrode and a plurality of groove polysilicon electrodes running through the floating layer ring and stretching into the first conductivity type well region.

US10199494B2

Laterally diffused metal-oxide-semiconductor devices and fabrication methods thereof

The present disclosure provides a laterally diffused metal-oxide-semiconductor (LDMOS) device. The LDMOS device includes a plurality of fin structures formed on a substrate including a first device region, a second device region, and an isolation region sandwiched between the two regions. An opening is formed in the fin structures in the isolation region. The LDMOS device further includes an isolation layer formed in the opening and covering the sidewall of the opening formed by a portion of each fin structure in the first device region. The isolation layer exposes top surfaces of the plurality of fin structures. Moreover, the LDMOS device also includes a gate structure formed across each fin structure in the first device region. The gate structure covers a portion of the sidewall and the top surfaces of the fin structure formed in the first device region and also covers the top surface of the isolation layer.

US10199493B2

Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing semiconductor device

In a first main surface side of a silicon carbide semiconductor base, a trench is formed. A second base region of a second conductivity type is arranged at a position facing the trench in a depth direction. An end (toward a drain electrode) of the second base region of the second conductivity type, and an end (toward the drain electrode) of a first base region of the second conductivity type reach a position deeper than an end (toward the drain electrode) of a region of a first conductivity type. Thus, the electric field at a gate insulating film at the trench bottom is mitigated, suppressing the breakdown voltage of the active region and enabling breakdown voltage design of the edge termination region to be facilitated. Further, such a semiconductor device may be formed by an easy method of manufacturing.

US10199490B2

Semiconductor device with a guard structure and corresponding methods of manufacture

A semiconductor device includes a guard structure located laterally between a first active area of a semiconductor substrate and a second active area of the semiconductor substrate. The guard structure includes a first doping region located at a front side surface of the semiconductor substrate, and a wiring structure electrically connecting the first doping region to a highly doped portion of a common doping region. The common doping region extends from a backside surface of the semiconductor substrate to at least a part of the front side surface of the semiconductor substrate in contact with the wiring structure of the guard structure. Corresponding methods for forming the semiconductor device are also described.

US10199489B2

Compound semiconductor device and method of manufacturing compound semiconductor device

A compound semiconductor device disclosed herein includes: a GaN carrier transit layer formed on a substrate; a barrier layer formed on the carrier transit layer; a first recess and a second recess formed in the barrier layer; a first InAlN layer and a second InAlN layer formed in the first recess and the second recess respectively, a composition ratio of In in the InAlN layers being equal to or more than 17% and equal to or less than 18%; a source electrode formed on the first InAlN layer; a drain electrode formed on the second InAlN layer; and a gate electrode formed on the barrier layer.

US10199483B2

Semiconductor device

In a semiconductor device according to an embodiment, ends of conductor portions are electrically connected to an overvoltage protection diode so that depletion occurs in a diffusion layer in a portion near an insulating film in a reverse bias application state, and/or ends of conductor portions are electrically connected to the overvoltage protection diode so that depletion occurs in a peripheral semiconductor region in a portion near the insulating film in the reverse bias application state.

US10199479B2

Methods of forming a gate cap layer above a replacement gate structure

A method includes performing a first chemical mechanical polishing process to define a polished replacement gate structure having a dished upper surface, wherein the polished dished upper surface of the polished replacement gate structure has a substantially curved concave configuration. A gate cap layer is formed above the polished replacement gate structure, wherein a bottom surface of the gate cap layer corresponds to the polished dished upper surface of the polished replacement gate structure.

US10199478B2

Transistor and method for forming the same

The present disclosure provides a method for forming a transistor, including: forming a base structure, containing a first gate structure, an active layer covering the first gate structure, and an insulating structure in the active layer; forming a second gate structure on the active layer; forming a source-drain region, including a source region and a drain region in the active layer each on a different side of the second gate structure; and forming a first interlayer dielectric layer covering the base structure and the second gate structure. The method also includes: forming a first contact hole that exposes the first gate structure by etching the first interlayer dielectric layer and the insulating structure; and forming a second contact hole that exposes the second gate structure and a third contact hole that exposes the drain region by etching the first interlayer dielectric layer.

US10199475B2

LDMOS transistors and associated systems and methods

A lateral double-diffused metal-oxide-semiconductor field effect (LDMOS) transistor includes a silicon semiconductor structure, a dielectric layer at least partially disposed in a trench of the silicon semiconductor structure in a thickness direction, and a gate conductor embedded in the dielectric layer and extending into the trench in the thickness direction. The dielectric layer and the gate conductor are at least substantially symmetric with respect to a center axis of the trench extending in the thickness direction, as seen when the LDMOS transistor is viewed cross-sectionally in a direction orthogonal to the lateral and thickness directions.

US10199468B2

Methods for forming semiconductor devices, semiconductor devices and power semiconductor devices

A method for forming a semiconductor device includes forming a first insulation layer on a semiconductor substrate and forming a structured etch stop layer. Further, the method includes depositing a second insulation layer after forming the structured etch stop layer and forming a structured mask layer on the second insulation layer. Additionally, the method includes etching portions of the second insulation layer uncovered by the structured mask layer and portions of the first insulation layer uncovered by the structured etch stop layer to uncover at least one of a portion of the semiconductor substrate and an electrode located within a trench. Further, the method includes depositing electrically conductive material to form an electrical contact to at least one of the uncovered electrode and the uncovered portion of the semiconductor substrate.

US10199464B2

Techniques for VFET top source/drain epitaxy

Techniques for VFET top source and drain epitaxy are provided. In one aspect, a method of forming a VFET includes: patterning a fin to form a bottom source/drain region and a fin channel of the VFET; forming bottom spacers on the bottom source/drain region; depositing a high-κ gate dielectric onto the bottom spacers and along sidewalls of the fin channel; forming gates over the bottom spacers; forming top spacers on the gates; partially recessing the fin channel to create a trench between the top spacers; forming a nitride liner along sidewalls of the trench; fully recessing the fin channel through the trench such that side portions of the fin channel remain intact; and forming a doped epitaxial top source and drain region over the fin channel. Methods not requiring a nitride liner and VFET formed using the present techniques are also provided.

US10199459B2

Superjunction with surrounding lightly doped drain region

A semiconductor device has a substrate and a lightly doped drain (LDD) region formed in the substrate. A superjunction is formed in the LDD region.

US10199445B2

Flexible display device with reinforced area

There is provided a flexible display having a plurality of innovations configured to allow bending of a portion or portions to reduce apparent border size and/or utilize the side surface of an assembled flexible display.

US10199439B2

Integrated touch screen

In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a display stack for a touch-sensitive screen. The display stack comprises a plurality of layers in which a top layer comprises a substantially transparent cover layer. The display stack is configured to display a color image. The apparatus also includes a touch sensor provided within the display stack. The touch sensor comprises a plurality of first conductive electrodes contacting a layer of a subset of the plurality of layers of the display stack. The subset of the plurality of layers is below the substantially transparent cover layer. The touch sensor also includes a plurality of second conductive electrodes contacting a layer of the subset of the plurality of layers.

US10199436B2

Light-emitting device and electronic device

Provided is a light-emitting device that can display an image with a wide color gamut or a novel light-emitting element. The light-emitting device includes a plurality of light-emitting elements each of which includes an EL layer between a pair of electrodes. Light obtained from a first light-emitting element through a first color filter has, on chromaticity coordinates (x, y), a chromaticity x of greater than 0.680 and less than or equal to 0.720 and a chromaticity y of greater than or equal to 0.260 and less than or equal to 0.320. Light obtained from a second light-emitting element through a second color filter has, on chromaticity coordinates (x, y), a chromaticity x of greater than or equal to 0.130 and less than or equal to 0.250 and a chromaticity y of greater than 0.710 and less than or equal to 0.810. Light obtained from a third light-emitting element through a third color filter has, on chromaticity coordinates (x, y), a chromaticity x of greater than or equal to 0.120 and less than or equal to 0.170 and a chromaticity y of greater than or equal to 0.020 and less than 0.060.

US10199432B2

Manufacturing methods of MOSFET-type compact three-dimensional memory

Manufacturing methods of MOSFET-type compact three-dimensional memory (3D-MC) are disclosed. In a memory level stacked above the substrate, an x-line extends from a memory array to an above-substrate decoding stage. A MOSFET-type transistor is formed on the x-line as a decoding device for the above-substrate decoding stage, where the overlap portion of the x-line with the control-line (c-line) is semi-conductive.

US10199420B2

Image-capturing unit and image-capturing apparatus

Provided is an image-capturing unit including an image-capturing chip that includes a first surface having a pixel and a second surface that is on an opposite side of the first surface and has provided thereon an output section that outputs a pixel signal read from the pixel; a transparent substrate that is arranged facing the first surface and includes a wire pattern; a mounting substrate that is arranged facing the second surface and supports the image-capturing chip; and a relay section that is arranged on the mounting substrate and relays, to the wire pattern, the pixel signal output from the output section. Also provided is an image-capturing apparatus including the image-capturing unit described above.

US10199410B2

Method and system for pixel-wise imaging

There is provided a method and system for pixel-wise imaging of a scene. The method including: receiving a pixel-wise pattern, the pixel-wise pattern including a masking value for each pixel in an array of pixels of an image sensor; producing an electronic signal at each pixel when such pixel is exposed to light received from the scene; and directing the electronic signal at each pixel to one or more collection nodes associated with such pixel based on the respective masking value, the one or more collection nodes each capable of integrating the received electronic signal.

US10199408B2

Imaging device including first and second pixels

An imaging device includes: a first pixel cell including a first photoelectric conversion film having a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface, a first electrode on the first surface, a second electrode on the first surface, surrounding the first electrode, and a first counter electrode on the second surface, facing the first electrode and the second electrode; and a second pixel cell including a second photoelectric conversion film having a third surface and a fourth surface opposite to the third surface, a third electrode on the third surface, a fourth electrode on the third surface, surrounding the third electrode, and a second counter electrode on the fourth surface, facing the third electrode and the fourth electrode, wherein the second electrode and the fourth electrode are electrically separated from each other.

US10199406B2

Array substrate and manufacturing method thereof, display panel and display device

An array substrate and a manufacturing method thereof, a display panel and a display device are provided. The array substrate manufacturing method comprises: forming a source electrode and a drain electrode on a gate insulating layer; forming photoresist above the gate insulating layer and the source electrode and the drain electrode; etching the photoresist to form an opening region so as to expose the gate insulating layer between the source electrode and the drain electrode, and a part of the source electrode and a part of the drain electrode; and forming an active layer in the opening region, the active layer covering the exposed gate insulating layer, the part of the source electrode and the part of the drain electrode.

US10199405B2

Transistor display panel and manufacturing method thereof

A method of manufacturing a transistor display panel and a transistor display panel, the method including forming a polycrystalline silicon layer on a substrate; forming an active layer by patterning the polycrystalline silicon layer; forming a first insulating layer covering the substrate and the active layer; exposing the active layer by polishing the first insulating layer using a polishing apparatus; and forming a second insulating layer that contacts the first insulating layer and the active layer, wherein exposing the active layer by polishing the first insulating layer includes coating a first slurry on a surface of the first insulating layer, the first slurry reducing a polishing rate of the active layer.

US10199402B2

Display device and manufacturing method thereof

A display device and a manufacturing method thereof are provided, and the display device includes a color filter substrate and an array substrate which are cell-assembled, the array substrate includes a first base substrate, an organic insulating layer is formed on the first base substrate, and a via hole is formed in the organic insulating layer; the color filter substrate includes a second base substrate, a main spacer and a secondary spacer is formed on the second base substrate, an orthogonal projection of the secondary spacer is located in an orthogonal projection area of the via hole on the first base substrate, and an orthogonal projection of the main spacer is located outside of the orthogonal projection area of the via hole on the first base substrate.

US10199398B2

Display device with different circuit groups

A display device that includes a substrate having a display region and an adjacent peripheral region is provided, including; a plurality of sub-pixels provided within the display region; a plurality of data lines electrically connected to the sub-pixels; and a first electronic circuit group and a second electronic circuit group provided in the peripheral region, connected to the corresponding data lines. The first electronic circuit group includes a plurality of first electronic circuits, and the second electronic circuit group includes a plurality of second electronic circuits. Two adjacent first electronic circuits are arranged with a first interval therebetween, and the first interval has a first width. Two adjacent second electronic circuits are arranged with a second interval therebetween, and the second interval has a second width. The first width and the second width are different.

US10199394B2

Display device

Provided is a display device with high display quality. The display device includes a transistor over a substrate, an inorganic insulating film over the transistor, an organic insulating film over the inorganic insulating film, a capacitor electrically connected to the transistor, and a pixel electrode over the organic insulating film. The transistor includes a gate electrode over the substrate, an oxide semiconductor film overlapping with the gate electrode, a gate insulating film in contact with one surface of the oxide semiconductor film, and a pair of conductive films in contact with the oxide semiconductor film. The capacitor includes a metal oxide film over the gate insulating film, the inorganic insulating film, and a first light-transmitting conductive film over the inorganic insulating film. The pixel electrode is formed of a second light-transmitting conductive film and in contact with one of the pair of conductive films and the first light-transmitting conductive film.

US10199393B2

Display device and method for manufacturing display device

A highly flexible display device and a method for manufacturing the display device are provided. A transistor including a light-transmitting semiconductor film, a capacitor including a first electrode, a second electrode, and a dielectric film between the first electrode and the second electrode, and a first insulating film covering the semiconductor film are formed over a flexible substrate. The capacitor includes a region where the first electrode and the dielectric film are in contact with each other, and the first insulating film does not cover the region.

US10199392B2

FinFET device having a partially dielectric isolated fin structure

A semiconductor material is patterned to define elongated fins insulated from an underlying substrate. A polysilicon semiconductor material is deposited over and in between the elongated fins, and is patterned to define elongated gates extending to perpendicularly cross over the elongated fins at a transistor channel. Sidewall spacers are formed on side walls of the elongated gates. Portions of the elongated fins located between the elongated gates are removed, along with the underlying insulation, to expose the underlying substrate. One or more semiconductor material layers are then epitaxially grown from the underlying substrate at locations between the elongated gates. The one or more semiconductor material layers may include an undoped epi-layer and an overlying doped epi-layer. The epitaxial material defines a source or drain of the transistor.

US10199389B2

Non-volatile memory device

A non-volatile memory device is provided. The non-volatile memory device includes a channel structure that is located on a substrate and extends perpendicularly to the substrate, a conductive pattern that extends perpendicularly to the substrate and is spaced apart from the channel structure, an electrode structure that is located between the channel structure and the conductive pattern, and comprises a plurality of gate patterns and a plurality of insulation patterns that are alternately laminated. An insulating layer that contacts with a top surface of the conductive pattern is formed along side surfaces of the electrode structure. The top surface of the conductive pattern is formed to be lower than the top surface of the channel structure.

US10199378B2

Special construct for continuous non-uniform active region FinFET standard cells

Methods for abutting two cells with different sized diffusion regions and the resulting devices are provided. Embodiments include abutting a first cell having first drain and source diffusion regions and a second cell having second drain and source diffusion regions, larger than the first diffusion regions, by: forming a dummy gate at a boundary between the two cells; forming a continuous drain diffusion region having an upper portion crossing the dummy gate and encompassing the entire first drain diffusion region and part of the second drain diffusion region and having a lower portion beginning over the dummy gate and encompassing a remainder of the second drain diffusion region; forming a continuous source diffusion region that is the mirror image of the continuous drain diffusion region; and forming a poly-cut mask over the dummy gate between, but separated from, the continuous drain and source diffusion regions.

US10199376B2

Monolithic cell for an integrated circuit and especially a monolithic switching cell

A cell includes at least two semiconductor structures of the same nature, these two structures both employing voltages and currents that are unidirectional, each structure having an anode (10), a cathode (14) and optionally a gate (16). The structures are integrated into the volume of one and the same semiconductor substrate (4). The cathodes (14), and possibly the gates (16), are arranged on a first side of the semiconductor substrate (4). The anodes (10) are each arranged on a second side of the semiconductor substrate (4), which side is opposite the first side, facing the cathodes and possibly the corresponding gates. Two electrodes, anodes or cathodes, of two separate structures, are electrically connected to each other.

US10199375B2

Storage device and capacitor

A capacitor includes a plurality of first electrode layers stacked in a first direction, a first conductor extending in the first direction through the plurality of first electrode layers, and a first insulating layer extending in the first direction along the first conductor and located between the first conductor and the plurality of first electrode layers. The capacitor includes a first capacitance provided between the first conductor and the plurality of first electrode layers.

US10199372B2

Monolithically integrated chip including active electrical components and passive electrical components with chip edge stabilization structures

An integrated circuit device including a chip die having a first area with a first thickness surrounding a second area with a second thickness, the first thickness is greater than the second thickness, the chip die having a front-side and a back-side, at least one passive electrical component provided at least one of in or over the chip die in the first area on the front-side, and at least one active electrical component provided at least one of in or over the chip die in the second area on the front-side.

US10199366B2

Methods of manufacturing semiconductor packages

A method of manufacturing a semiconductor package, the method including forming a hole that penetrates an interconnect substrate; providing a first carrier substrate below the interconnect substrate; providing a semiconductor chip in the hole; forming a molding layer by coating a molding composition on the semiconductor chip and the interconnect substrate; adhering a second carrier substrate onto the molding layer with an adhesive layer; removing the first carrier substrate to expose a bottom surface of the semiconductor chip and a bottom surface of the interconnect substrate; forming a redistribution substrate below the semiconductor chip and the interconnect substrate; detaching the second carrier substrate from the adhesive layer; and removing the adhesive layer.

US10199355B2

Semiconductor devices including stacked semiconductor chips

A semiconductor device includes a chip stack structure including a first semiconductor chip and a second semiconductor chip stacked on the first semiconductor chip. The first semiconductor chip includes a first substrate, a first circuit layer on a front surface of the first substrate, and a first connecting layer disposed on the first circuit layer and including a first metal pad electrically connected to the first circuit layer. The second semiconductor chip includes a second substrate, a second circuit layer on a front surface of the second substrate, and a second connecting layer disposed on the second circuit layer and including a second metal pad electrically connected to the second circuit layer. The first connecting layer faces the second connecting layer. The first and second metal pads are in contact with each other to couple the first and second semiconductor chips to each other.

US10199344B2

Side ported MEMS sensor device package and method of manufacturing thereof

A MEMS sensor device package comprises a sensor assembly comprising a sensor device and a sensor circuit communicating coupled to the sensor device, The MEMS sensor device package further comprises an assembly package housing having a top member and a bottom member attached to the top member for encapsulating the sensor assembly. A passageway fluidly coupled the sensor device to attributes outside the package housing the passageway is embedded into the package housing, wherein the top member comprising a top wall and side walls, the side walls are attached to the bottom member, and the passageway is embedded into at least one of the side walls.

US10199340B2

Signal transmission insulative device and power semiconductor module

A signal transmission insulating device includes: a first coil; a second coil opposing the first coil to form a transformer together with the first coil; a first insulating film provided between the opposing first coil and second coil and made of a first dielectric material; a second insulating film surrounding the first coil and made of a second dielectric material having a lower resistivity or a higher permittivity than the first dielectric material; and a third insulating film surrounding the second coil and made of a third dielectric material having a lower resistivity or a higher permittivity than the first dielectric material.

US10199324B1

Low cost metallization during fabrication of an integrated circuit (IC)

A method for metallization during fabrication of an Integrated Circuit (IC). The IC includes a semiconductor wafer having a back surface and a front surface. The method includes etching a via hole through the semiconductor wafer. After this, a seed metal layer is deposited on the back surface of the semiconductor wafer. Thereafter, a photoresist layer is deposited on the back surface of the semiconductor wafer such that the via hole remains uncovered. After depositing the photoresist layer, a metal layer is formed along the walls of the via hole to electrically connect the back surface and the front surface of the semiconductor wafer. Finally, the photoresist layer is removed subsequent to forming the metal layer.

US10199322B2

Semiconductor device with redistribution layers on partial encapsulation and non-photosensitive passivation layers

A semiconductor device with a redistribution structure on partial encapsulation is disclosed and may include an electronic device having a top surface, a bottom surface, and side surfaces between the top and bottom surfaces of the electronic device. An encapsulant may encapsulate the side surfaces of the electronic device, a contact pad may be on the top surface of the electronic device, and a redistribution structure may be coupled to the contact pad. The redistribution structure may include a linear portion and a bump pad, and a conductive bump on the bump pad may include a main bump and a protruding part extending toward the linear portion, where the protruding part may be smaller than the main bump.

US10199319B2

Printed circuit board and semiconductor package including the same

A printed circuit board (PCB) includes a substrate base including at least two chip attach regions spaced apart from one another, a plurality of upper pads disposed in the at least two chip attach regions of the substrate base, an accommodation cavity overlapping a part of each of the at least two chip attach regions and recessed in an upper surface of the substrate base, and at least one spacing groove recessed in the upper surface of the substrate base. The at least one spacing groove is connected to the accommodation cavity, and extends in a region between the at least two chip attach regions.

US10199311B2

Leadless semiconductor packages, leadframes therefor, and methods of making

A leadframe includes a frame, a die pad, a contact including a flank adjacent to the frame, a first tie bar between the frame and die pad, and a second tie bar between the die pad and contact. The leadframe is disposed over a carrier. A semiconductor die is disposed over the die pad. An encapsulant is deposited over the leadframe and semiconductor die including between the carrier and half-etched portions of the leadframe. A first trench is formed in the encapsulant to remove a portion of the frame and expose the flank of the contact. A conductive layer is formed over the flank by electroplating. A second trench is formed in the encapsulant through the second tie bar after forming the conductive layer.

US10199309B2

Distribution and stabilization of fluid flow for interlayer chip cooling

A method of forming metallic pillars between a fluid inlet and outlet for two-phase fluid cooling. The method may include; forming an arrangement of metallic pillars between two structures, the metallic pillars are electrically connected to metallic connecting lines that run through each of the two structures, the arrangement of metallic pillars located between a fluid inlet and a fluid channel, the fluid channel having channel walls running between arrangements of the metallic pillars and a fluid outlet, whereby a fluid passes through the arrangement of metallic pillars to flow into the fluid channel.

US10199304B2

Thermally enhanced semiconductor package having field effect transistors with back-gate feature

The present disclosure relates to a thermally enhanced semiconductor package having field effect transistors (FETs) with a back-gate feature. The thermally enhanced semiconductor package includes a first buried oxide (BOX) layer, a first epitaxial layer over the first BOX layer, a second BOX layer over the first epitaxial layer, a second epitaxial layer over the second BOX layer and having a source, a drain, and a channel between the source and the drain, a gate dielectric aligned over the channel, and a front-gate structure over the gate dielectric. Herein, a back-gate structure is formed in the first epitaxial layer and has a back-gate region aligned below the channel. A FET is formed by the front-gate structure, the source, the drain, the channel, and the back-gate structure.

US10199301B2

Methods of manufacturing a printed circuit module having a semiconductor device with a protective layer in place of a low-resistivity handle layer

A printed circuit module having a protective layer in place of a low-resistivity handle layer and methods for manufacturing the same are disclosed. The printed circuit module includes a printed circuit substrate with a thinned integrated passive die (IPD) attached to the printed circuit substrate. A protective layer is disposed over the thinned IPD to protect passive devices integrated within the thinned IPD, wherein the protective layer has a thermal conductivity greater than 2 watts per meter Kelvin (W/mK) and an electrical resistivity of greater than 103 Ohm-cm.

US10199290B1

Method for processing a semiconductor wafer using non-contact electrical measurements indicative of at least one tip-to-tip short or leakage, at least one tip-to-side short or leakage, and at least one side-to-side short or leakage, where such measurements are obtained from cells with respective tip-to-tip short, tip-to-side short, and side-to-side short test areas, using a charged particle-beam inspector with beam deflection to account for motion of the stage

A method for processing a semiconductor wafer uses non-contact electrical measurements indicative of at least one tip-to-tip short or leakage, at least one tip-to-side short or leakage, and at least one side-to-side short or leakage, where such measurements are obtained from cells with respective tip-to-tip short, tip-to-side short, and side-to-side short test areas, using a charged particle-beam inspector with a moving stage and beam deflection to account for motion of the stage.

US10199288B1

Method for processing a semiconductor wafer using non-contact electrical measurements indicative of at least one side-to-side short or leakage, at least one corner short or leakage, and at least one via open or resistance, where such measurements are obtained from non-contact pads associated with respective side-to-side short, corner short, and via open test areas

A method for processing a semiconductor wafer uses non-contact electrical measurements indicative of at least one side-to-side short or leakage, at least one corner short or leakage, and at least one via open or resistance, where such measurements are obtained from non-contact pads associated with respective side-to-side short, corner short, and via open test areas.

US10199267B2

Tungsten nitride barrier layer deposition

Provided herein are methods of tungsten nitride (WN) deposition. Also provided are stacks for tungsten (W) contacts to silicon germanium (SiGe) layers and methods for forming them. The stacks include SiGe/tungsten silicide (WSix)/WN/W layers, with WSix providing an ohmic contact between the SiGe and WN layers. Also provided are methods for reducing fluorine (F) attack of underlying layers in deposition of W-containing films using tungsten hexafluoride (WF6). Apparatuses to perform the methods are also provided.

US10199262B2

MEMS grid for manipulating structural parameters of MEMS devices

A system and method for manipulating the structural characteristics of a MEMS device include etching a plurality of holes into the surface of a MEMS device, wherein the plurality of holes comprise one or more geometric shapes determined to provide specific structural characteristics desired in the MEMS device.

US10199260B1

Contact hole structure and method of fabricating the same

A method of fabricating a contact hole structure includes providing a substrate with an epitaxial layer embedded therein. Next, an interlayer dielectric is formed to cover the substrate. After that, a first hole is formed in the interlayer dielectric and the epitaxial layer. Later, a mask layer is formed to cover a sidewall of the first hole and expose a bottom of the first hole. Subsequently, a second hole is formed by etching the epitaxial layer at the bottom of the first hole and taking the mask layer and the interlayer dielectric as a mask, wherein the first hole and the second hole form a contact hole. Then, the mask layer is removed. Finally, a silicide layer is formed to cover the contact hole.

US10199257B2

Fixed position mask for workpiece edge treatment

Embodiments of the disclosure include a fixed position mask for workpiece edge treatment. In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a roplat having a rotatable assembly, and a platen coupled to the rotatable assembly, wherein the platen is configured to hold a workpiece. The apparatus further includes a bracket affixed to the rotatable assembly, and a mask directly coupled to the bracket, wherein the mask is positioned adjacent the workpiece. The mask covers an inner portion of the platen and the workpiece, leaving just an outer circumferential edge of the workpiece exposed to an ion treatment. In some embodiments, the platen is permitted to rotate relative to the bracket during an ion treatment. In some embodiments, the mask includes a solid plate section devoid of any openings, and a mounting portion extending from the plate section, wherein the mounting portion is directly coupled to an extension arm of the bracket.

US10199246B2

Temperature control mechanism, temperature control method and substrate processing apparatus

There is provided a temperature control mechanism comprising: a plurality of combinations of a heater and a thyristor, wherein at least one combination of the heater and the thyristor is provided on a zone-by-zone basis, and wherein an area of an electrostatic chuck for mounting a substrate is divided into a plurality of zones; a power supply configured to supply current to heaters of the plurality of combinations respectively through the thyristors of the plurality of combinations; a pair of filters disposed at a power supply line for supplying electric power from the power supply to the heaters and configured to eliminate high frequency power applied to the power supply.

US10199245B2

Ceramic heater, heater electrode, and method for manufacturing ceramic heater

The electrostatic chuck includes a discoidal alumina ceramic substrate and a heater electrode and an electrostatic electrode embedded in the alumina ceramic substrate. The top surface of the alumina ceramic substrate is a wafer-mounting face. The heater electrode has a pattern, for example, of a single continuous line so as to realize electric wiring over the entire surface of the alumina ceramic substrate. Upon the application of a voltage, the heater electrode generates heat and heats the wafer W. The heater electrode is made of a complex oxide of titanium, aluminum, and magnesium (Ti—Al—Mg—O) dispersed in molybdenum.

US10199244B2

Imprint apparatus, and method of manufacturing article

An imprint apparatus includes a substrate holder including a plurality of chucking regions for chucking a substrate, and a controller that controls chucking forces of the chucking regions. The chucking regions include a first chucking region for chucking a periphery of a first substrate having a first diameter, a second chucking region for chucking a periphery of a second substrate having a second diameter larger than the first diameter, a third chucking region group divided into a plurality of regions inside the first chucking region, and a fourth chucking region group divided into a plurality of regions between the first chucking region and the second chucking region. The controller controls the chucking forces of each of the chucking regions.

US10199238B2

Semiconductor module cooling system

A cooling apparatus includes a discrete module and a plastic housing. The discrete module includes a semiconductor die encapsulated by a mold compound, a plurality of leads electrically connected to the semiconductor die and protruding out of the mold compound and a first cooling plate at least partly uncovered by the mold compound. The plastic housing surrounds the periphery of the discrete module. The plastic housing includes a first singular plastic part which receives the discrete module and a second singular plastic part attached to a periphery of the first plastic part. The second plastic part has a cutout which exposes at least part of the first cooling plate and a sealing structure containing a sealing material which forms a water-tight seal around the periphery of the discrete module at a side of the discrete module with the first cooling plate.

US10199235B2

Liner and barrier applications for subtractive metal integration

Methods and techniques for fabricating metal interconnects, lines, or vias by subtractive etching and liner deposition methods are provided. Methods involve depositing a blanket copper layer, removing regions of the blanket copper layer to form a pattern, treating the patterned metal, depositing a copper-dielectric interface material such that the copper-dielectric interface material adheres only to the patterned copper, depositing a dielectric barrier layer on the substrate, and depositing a dielectric bulk layer on the substrate.

US10199228B2

Manufacturing method of metal gate structure

A manufacturing method of a metal gate structure includes the following steps. First, a substrate covered by an interlayer dielectric is provided. A gate trench is formed in the interlayer dielectric, wherein a gate dielectric layer is formed in the gate trench. A silicon-containing work function layer is formed on the gate dielectric layer in the gate trench. The silicon-containing work function layer includes a vertical portion and a horizontal portion. Finally, the gate trench is filled up with a conductive metal layer.

US10199222B2

Semiconductor device structure and methods of its production

The present document discloses a semiconductor device structure (1) comprising a SiC substrate (11), an Inx1Aly1Ga1-x1-y1N buffer layer (13), wherein x1=0-1, y1=0-1 and x1+y1=1, and an Inx2Aly2Ga1-x2-y2N nucleation layer (12), wherein x2=0-1, y2=0-1 and x2+y2=1, sandwiched between the SiC substrate (11) and the buffer layer (13). The buffer layer (13) presents a rocking curve with a (102) peak having a FWHM below 250 arcsec, and the nucleation layer (12) presents a rocking curve with a (105) peak having a FWHM below 200 arcsec, as determined by X-ray Diffraction (XRD).Methods of making such a semiconductor device structure are disclosed.

US10199219B2

Method of manufacturing semiconductor device, substrate processing apparatus, and recording medium

There is provided a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, which includes: forming a first seed layer containing silicon and germanium on a substrate by performing, a predetermined number of times, a cycle which includes supplying a first process gas containing silicon or germanium and containing a halogen element to the substrate, supplying a second process gas containing silicon and not containing a halogen element to the substrate, and supplying a third process gas containing germanium and not containing a halogen element to the substrate; and forming a germanium-containing film on the first seed layer by supplying a fourth process gas containing germanium and not containing a halogen element to the substrate.

US10199217B2

Methods of forming reverse side engineered III-nitride devices

Group III-nitride devices are described that include a stack of III-nitride layers, passivation layers, and conductive contacts. The stack includes a channel layer with a 2DEG channel, a barrier layer and a spacer layer. One passivation layer directly contacts a surface of the spacer layer on a side opposite to the channel layer and is an electrical insulator. The stack of III-nitride layers and the first passivation layer form a structure with a reverse side proximate to the first passivation layer and an obverse side proximate to the barrier layer. Another passivation layer is on the obverse side of the structure. Defected nucleation and stress management layers that form a buffer layer during the formation process can be partially or entirely removed.

US10199216B2

Semiconductor wafer and method

In an embodiment, a method includes treating an edge region of a wafer including a substrate having an upper surface and one or more epitaxial Group III nitride layers arranged on the upper surface of the substrate, so as to remove material including at least one Group III element from the edge region.

US10199209B2

Substrate treatment apparatus and substrate treatment method

In one embodiment, a substrate treatment apparatus includes cleaning and rinse modules configured to clean and rinse a surface of a substrate provided with a pattern, and a solidifying agent containing liquid supplying module configured to supply a solidifying agent containing liquid that contains a solidifying agent to the cleaned and rinsed surface of the substrate. The apparatus further includes a precipitation module configured to precipitate the solidifying agent as solid on the surface of the substrate, and a decomposition module configured to decompose and gasify the solid to remove the solid from the surface of the substrate. The solidifying agent contains an ammonium salt, and the ammonium salt contains an ammonium ion or an ion having a structure in which at least one of four hydrogen atoms of an ammonium ion is substituted with another atom or atom group.

US10199204B2

Target retaining apparatus

Embodiments of target retaining apparatus and substrate processing chambers incorporating same are provided herein. In some embodiments, a target retaining apparatus includes a housing including a first slot and a second slot; a cam movably disposed in the housing, wherein movement of the cam is constrained along the first slot; a retaining arm movably coupled to the cam, wherein movement of the retaining arm is constrained along the second slot; a linking member including a first end rotatably coupled to the cam and a second end rotatably coupled to the retaining arm; and a biasing element biasing the cam towards a first position in which the retaining arm extends away from the housing.

US10199198B2

Electron microscope and method for transmission electron microscopy imaging of sample arrays

A method of electron microscopy imaging of samples, using an electron microscope (100) having a microscope column (10) and a transfer device (11) with a grid carriage (12), comprises the steps of preparing multiple samples (1) on a single electron microscopy grid (2), including dispensing the samples (1) with a dispenser device (30) on distinct positions on the grid (2), introducing the grid (1) with the transfer device (11) into the microscope column (10), and electron microscopy imaging of the samples (1), wherein the preparing step includes holding the grid (2) on the grid carriage (12) of the transfer device (11) or on a grid holder device (20) provided at the electron microscope (100) and dispensing the samples (1) on the grid (2) while holding it on the grid carriage (12) or on the grid holder device (20). Furthermore, an electron microscope (100) for electron microscopy imaging of samples is described.

US10199195B2

Circuit breaker and method

A circuit breaker includes at least one coil for measuring electric current of an electrical conductor of an electrical circuit, connected to a control unit which compares the measured current or its equivalent with a first current limit value. Upon the first current limit value being exceeded, the control unit initiates an interruption of the electrical circuit. The two terminals of the coil are connected via a series circuit which has a first switch opened in its basic state, a voltage source and a voltage indicator. The control unit is designed such that, when a second current limit value is undercut and a first period of time is exceeded, the first switch is closed for a second period of time, the voltage indicator compares the voltage present with a first voltage value and, when the latter is exceeded, delivers information on the absence of faults of the coil.

US10199192B2

Bi-stable electrical solenoid switch

An improved bi-stable electrical solenoid switch comprising a solenoid being wound with coil windings. The solenoid having a central aperture defined therein, and the coil windings, which when engaged by a power source, generates a magnetic field. A magnetic coupling member mounted on the solenoid. A plunger partially disposed in the central aperture for movement into and out of the central aperture. A conductive plate coupled to the plunger and provided with contacts on each end of the conductive plate. The conductive plate configured to electrically engage and disengage the solenoid upon respective application of power to the solenoid. The magnetic coupling member configured to reduce the force needed by the solenoid to remain in an open position when selectively energized for moving and retaining the conductive plate of the plunger against the solenoid for allowing wide operating voltage and reduced operating power.

US10199190B2

Active electrical component

An active electrical component is disclosed. The active electrical component comprises a contact extending away from an outer side of the component in an insertion direction, and a force transmission structure extending to the contact in a continuous manner from a side of the component opposite the contact.

US10199182B1

Switch, in particular low-voltage circuit breaker, in plug-in technology with automatic unloading of the force store during withdrawal

A switch, in particular a low-voltage circuit breaker, in plug-in technology includes a withdrawal shaft to move the switch from an operating position into a removal position; a force store including a storage spring unloaded during withdrawal; and an unlatching shaft which, as the circuit breaker is withdrawn, is configured to rotate into an unlatching position, unloading of the storage spring taking place when the unlatching shaft is in the unlatching position. To permit unloading of the force store during the withdrawal, the unlatching shaft includes a driver element, spaced radially apart from its axis of rotation and configured to rest in a sliding manner on an outer contour of a rotatably mounted cam disk. The withdrawal shaft and the cam disk are connected via a connecting element which transforms the rotation of the withdrawal shaft into a corresponding rotation of the cam disk and therefore, of the unlatching shaft.

US10199180B2

Fabric supercapacitor

Fabric supercapacitors are disclosed herein. The fabric supercapacitor can include an ion permeable separator layer having two opposed surfaces; two electrode layers disposed on the opposed surfaces of the ion permeable separator layer; and two conducting layers disposed on outer surfaces of the two electrode layers and opposite the ion permeable separator layer. The electrode layers can comprise an activated carbon fiber fabric. The activated carbon fiber fabric can be derived from a precursor fabric which has been carbonized, activated, and coated with an electrolyte. The electrolyte can include a polymer gel. The conducting layers can include a non-activated carbon fiber fabric. The fabric supercapacitors disclosed herein exhibit great flexibility which allows the supercapacitors to find use in applications such as apparel products, outdoor activity products, sports wears, and other industrial end uses. Methods of making fabric supercapacitors are also disclosed.

US10199174B2

Tantalum capacitor

There is provided a tantalum capacitor including: a tantalum capacitor body; a plurality of tantalum wires and an adhesive layer on a lower surface of the tantalum capacitor body; and a molding part enclosing the tantalum capacitor body, wherein the tantalum wire and the adhesive layer are connected to an anode lead frame and a cathode lead frame, respectively.

US10199166B2

Capacitor

A capacitor includes: a substrate including a plurality of trenches and a capacitance formation portion, and a margin portion disposed around the capacitance formation portion; dielectric layers disposed on one surface of the substrate and filling the trenches; a plurality of first electrode layers each disposed on one surface of the dielectric layer and each including a first lead portion led out from the capacitance formation portion to the margin portion; and a plurality of second electrode layers each disposed on one surface of the dielectric layer to face the first electrode layer with each of the dielectric layers interposed therebetween, and each including a second lead portion led out from the capacitance formation portion to the margin portion, wherein the first and second lead portions of the plurality of first and second electrode layers are stacked in a stepped shape inclined in a direction from the margin portion to the capacitance formation portion.

US10199159B2

Insulation type step-down coverter

An insulation type step-down converter includes first and second step-down transformers each of which includes an input-side coil and an output-side coil. First, second, third, and fourth rectifier elements are connected in series with first, second, third, and fourth series coils, respectively, the first, second, third, and fourth series coils each having the output-side coil of the first step-down transformer and the output-side coil of the second step-down transformer connected in series. The first to fourth series coils are connected to smoothing coils. The connection is such that electric currents flow simultaneously only in one of the first and second series coils and one of the third and fourth series coils in an alternate manner, and electric currents flowing simultaneously in one of the first and second series coils and one of the third and fourth series coils are opposite in direction to each other.

US10199144B2

Data cable and stranded conductor

A data cable has a specially formed stranded conductor, as a result of which the transmission properties of the data cable are significantly improved. The stranded conductor is surrounded by insulation and has an unpressed assembly composed of a plurality of individual wires which are of a same type and being embodied as external wires and being disposed around a center. The external wires are embodied with a non-round cross section, with a result that when viewed in cross section an extent of the external wires increases radially outward from the center.

US10199142B2

Insulated wire

An insulated wire that has a stranded wire conductor, and an insulator that covers an outer circumference of the stranded wire conductor. The stranded wire conductor is made up of at least a plurality of copper-based element wires twisted together, and has been heat-treated after circular compression. The copper-based element wire(s) has (have) an Ni-based plated layer on the surface. The Ni-based plated later has been compressed by the circular compression. The insulator is composed of a cross-linked ethylene-tetrafluoroethylene based copolymer, and has a heating deformation rate in the range of 65% or more, as determined under predetermined conditions using predetermined formulae in conformity with ISO6722.

US10199138B2

Insulated winding wire

Insulated winding wires and associated methods for forming winding wires are described. A winding wire may include a conductor and insulation formed around the conductor. The insulation may provide a partial discharge inception voltage greater than approximately 1,000 volts and a dielectric strength greater than approximately 10,000 volts. Additionally, the insulation may be capable of withstanding a continuous operating temperature of approximately 220° C. without degradation. The insulation may include at least one base layer formed around an outer periphery of the conductor, and an extruded thermoplastic layer formed around the base layer. The extruded layer may include at least one of polyetheretherketone (PEEK) or polyaryletherketone (PAEK).

US10199135B2

Stable compositions of carbon nanotubes-electrolytic polymers

The invention relates to stable compositions of carbon nanotubes and of electrolytic polymers, these electrolytic polymers being characterized by the presence of phosphonyl imide or sulfonyl imide functions or alternatively phosphoric acid functions. The invention also relates to the manufacture of transparent electrodes comprising these compositions of carbon nanotubes and of electrolytic polymers.

US10199131B2

Automatic transfer system

A sample transfer system for nuclear irradiation and a method of automatically irradiating sample containers is disclosed. The sample transfer system includes a conduit which may define a passage for transferring a plurality of sample containers, an input assembly which may be configured to allow the plurality of sample containers to pass through the conduit in a predefined order, and an exposure assembly which may be configured to receive the sample containers via the conduit and rotate the sample containers in front of a radiation source.

US10199128B2

Nuclear reactor core having moderator blocks with fissile material fuel rods and hydrogen-containing glass microspheres coated with burnable poison

Methods, processes, and systems of nuclear reactor cores are provided. In one embodiment, the reactor core may comprise a nuclear fuel rod inserted into each of a plurality of moderator blocks in the reactor core; e.g., wherein the fuel comprises plutonium, carbon, hydrogen, zirconium and thorium. In some embodiments, the fuel may comprise hydrogen-containing glass microspheres, wherein the glass microspheres may be coated with a burnable poison, and other coating materials that may aid in keeping the hydrogen within the microsphere glass at relatively high temperature. The disclosed methods, processes and systems may aid in providing energy to remote areas.

US10199125B2

Technique for linking electrodes together during programming of neurostimulation system

An external control device for use with a neurostimulator coupled to a plurality of electrodes capable of conveying electrical stimulation energy into tissue in which the electrodes are implanted. The external control device comprises a user interface including at least one control element, a processor configured for independently assigning stimulation amplitude values to a first set of the electrodes, for linking the first set of electrodes together in response to the actuation of the at least one control element, and for preventing the stimulation amplitude values of the first linked set of electrodes from being varied relative to each other, and output circuitry configured for transmitting the stimulation amplitude values to the neurostimulator.

US10199120B2

Shift register and driving method thereof, driving circuit, array substrate and display device

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a shift register and a driving method thereof, a driving circuit, an array substrate, and a display device. The shift register comprises: a pull-up control sub-circuit, a pull-up sub-circuit, a pull-down control sub-circuit, a pull-down sub-circuit, a reset sub-circuit, a reverse sub-circuit and an output terminal. The pull-up control sub-circuit controls the pull-up for the electric level of the output terminal by the pull-up sub-circuit. The pull-down control sub-circuit controls the pull-down for the electric level of the output terminal by the pull-down sub-circuit. The reset sub-circuit resets the electric level of the output terminal. The reverse sub-circuit reverses the phase of the clock signal inputted to the pull-up sub-circuit. The circuit structure is simplified and can be applied to a narrow bezel or a screen with ultra-high resolution.

US10199119B2

Shift register unit, shift register, gate driving circuit and display device

A shift register unit, a shift register, a gate driving circuit and a display device are discloses. The shift register unit has an output node Out(n) of a current stage, a pull-up node PU and a pull-down node PD, and the shift register unit includes a first capacitor module C1, a pull-down module and a pull-down control module, and the pull-down control module is configured to output one of a high level signal and a low level signal to the pull-down node (PD) in accordance with a current operating phase.

US10199113B2

Non-volatile semiconductor memory having multiple external power supplies

A memory device includes core memory such as flash memory for storing data. The memory device includes a first power input to receive a first voltage used to power the flash memory. Additionally, the memory device includes a second power input to receive a second voltage. The memory device includes power management circuitry configured to receive the second voltage and derive one or more internal voltages. The power management circuitry supplies or conveys the internal voltages to the flash memory. The different internal voltages generated by the power management circuitry (e.g., voltage converter circuit) and supplied to the core memory enable operations such as read/program/erase with respect to cells in the core memory.

US10199110B2

Method for reading data stored in a flash memory according to a voltage characteristic and memory controller thereof

A method for reading data stored in a flash memory. The flash memory comprises a plurality of memory cells and each memory cell has a particular threshold voltage. The method includes: obtaining a first threshold voltage distribution representing threshold voltages of a first group of the memory cells; obtaining a second threshold voltage distribution representing threshold voltages of a second group of the memory cells, wherein the second threshold voltage distribution is different from the first threshold voltage distribution, and the first group of the memory cells comprises at least a part of the second group of the memory cells; and controlling the flash memory to perform at least one read operation upon the first group of the memory cells according to the second threshold voltage distribution.

US10199108B2

Methods for read retries and apparatuses using the same

The invention introduces a method for read retries, performed by a processing unit, including at least the following steps: in boot time, generating and storing microcodes of a retry-read operation in an instruction buffer; and after a successful boot, receiving a retry-read command from a host device through a first access interface; and starting a state machine to execute the microcodes of the retry-read operation of the instruction buffer.

US10199106B2

Reducing errors caused by inter-cell interference in a memory device

A method includes, in one aspect, performing a read operation on a wordline of a memory device, wherein the wordline comprises a plurality of cells that are expected to be in a first state; based on the read operation, identifying one or more of the plurality of cells that are determined to be in a second state that differs from the first state; encoding data using information pertaining to the identified cells to generate a codeword comprising a plurality of bits to be written to the wordline, with at least one of the plurality of bits, which are to be written to at least one of the identified cells, having a value corresponding to the second state; and writing the generated codeword to the wordline.

US10199101B2

Method for controlling resistive memory device

A method for controlling a resistive memory device is described. The resistive memory device including a memory cell provided between a first interconnection and a second interconnection crossing the first interconnection, and the memory cell transitions reversibly between a first resistance state and a second resistance state. The method includes detecting a first current flowing through a memory cell by applying a first voltage between the first interconnection and the second interconnection; comparing a value of the first current with a first criteria value; and determining whether the memory cell is in the first resistance state or the second resistance state. The method further includes comparing the value of the first current with a second criteria value greater than the first criteria value; and setting a first flag for the memory cell when the value of the first current is greater than the second criteria value.

US10199094B2

Write operation scheme for SRAM

A circuit includes a memory cell with a bitline. A pulldown nMOSFET has a gate terminal connected to an output port of a logic gate, and a drain terminal connected to the first bitline. A write select line is connected to a second input port of the logic gate. A pullup pMOSFET has a gate terminal connected to the write select line, and a drain terminal connected to the bitline.

US10199092B2

Boost circuit for memory

Various implementations described herein are directed to a device having a memory cell coupled to complementary bitlines. The memory cell may store at least one data bit value associated with complementary bitline signals received via the complementary bitlines. The device may include a pair of write drivers coupled to the memory cell via the complementary bitlines. The pair of write drivers may be arranged to provide the complementary bitline signals to the memory cell based on complementary boost signals. The device may include a pair of complementary boost generators coupled to corresponding gates of the pair of write drivers. The pair of complementary boost generators may be arranged to selectively provide the complementary boost signals to the corresponding gates of the pair of write drivers based on the at least one data bit value.

US10199083B1

Three-terminal MRAM with ac write-assist for low read disturb

Methods and structures useful for magnetoresistive random-access memory (MRAM) are disclosed. The MRAM device has a magnetic tunnel junction stack having a significantly improved performance of the free layer in the magnetic tunnel junction structure. The MRAM device also utilizes a three-terminal structure, thereby allowing efficient writing of the bit without a concomitant increase in read disturb.

US10199078B2

Sense amplifier with offset compensation

An amplifier circuit is disclosed having an amplifier with first and second input terminals. The amplifier circuit includes a first compensation capacitor coupled to the first input terminal and having a first capacitance, a second compensation capacitor coupled to the second input terminal and having a second capacitance, a first transistor coupled between the first compensation capacitor and a reference voltage and having a gate terminal that receives a first control signal, and a second transistor coupled between the second compensation capacitor and the reference voltage and having a gate terminal for receiving a second control signal. The amplifier circuit includes a programmable latch circuit arranged to provide the first and second control signals, wherein the first and second transistors are of the same conductivity type, and the first control signal and the second control signal are complementary signals with respect to each other.

US10199075B2

Method and playback device for controlling working state of mobile terminal, and storage medium

A method and playback device for controlling a working state of a mobile terminal, and a storage medium are provided. The mobile terminal is communicated with a playback device, and the playback device includes a sensor, a detector and a transmitter. The method includes: determining, by the sensor, that a current state of the playback device is in an inactive state; detecting, by the detector, whether the mobile terminal is in a working state; and sending, by the transmitter, to the mobile terminal an instruction for instructing the mobile terminal to shift into a standby state when the mobile terminal is in the working state.

US10199061B2

Balanced delay and resolution for high density servo systems

A tape drive-implemented method, according to one embodiment, includes: determining a length of a window of a servo pattern to use for calculating a lateral position estimate, and determining a number of the windows of the servo pattern to use for calculating a lateral position value. A lateral position estimate is calculated for each of the number of the windows of the servo pattern. Moreover, the lateral position value is calculated by using the lateral position estimates. The lateral position value is used to control a tape head actuator. Other systems, methods, and computer program products are described in additional embodiments.

US10199058B2

Method of forming magnetic recording head having protected reader sensors and near zero recession writer poles

A method according to one embodiment includes recessing a portion of a media facing side of a module, the module having first and second transducers of different magnetic transducer types positioned towards the media facing side of the module, wherein the different transducer types are selected from a group consisting of data reader transducers, servo reader transducers, write transducers, piggyback read-write transducers and merged read-write transducers; wherein the recess is positioned towards one of the first transducers, wherein the recess forms a first protection structure for protecting the first transducer; and wherein the second transducer has either no protection or is protected by a second protection structure that is different than the first protection structure.

US10199052B2

Method of providing dynamic speech processing services during variable network connectivity

Systems, computer-implemented methods, and tangible computer-readable media are presented to provide dynamic speech processing services during variable network connectivity. The method includes monitoring, via a processor, a level of network connectivity between a device and a network server. When the level of network connectivity between the device and the network server is below a threshold, the method includes performing speech processing using a speech processor of the device. When the level of network connectivity between the device and the network server is at or above the threshold, the method includes performing speech processing using a speech processor at the network server.

US10199044B2

Audio signal encoder comprising a multi-channel parameter selector

An apparatus comprising: a channel analyzer configured to determine for a first frame of at least one audio signal a set of first frame audio signal multi-channel parameters; a multichannel parameter selector configured to select for the first frame a sub-set of the set of first frame audio signal multi-channel parameters based on a value associated with the first frame; and a multichannel parameter encoder configured to generate an encoded first frame audio signal multi-channel parameter based on the selected sub-set of the set of first frame audio signal multi-channel parameters.

US10199039B2

Library of existing spoken dialog data for use in generating new natural language spoken dialog systems

A machine-readable medium may include a group of reusable components for building a spoken dialog system. The reusable components may include a group of previously collected audible utterances. A machine-implemented method to build a library of reusable components for use in building a natural language spoken dialog system may include storing a dataset in a database. The dataset may include a group of reusable components for building a spoken dialog system. The reusable components may further include a group of previously collected audible utterances. A second method may include storing at least one set of data. Each one of the at least one set of data may include ones of the reusable components associated with audible data collected during a different collection phase.

US10199035B2

Multi-channel speech recognition

Systems, methods, and computer-readable storage devices for performing per-channel automatic speech recognition. An example system configured to practice the method combines a first audio signal of a first speaker in a communication session and a second audio signal from a second speaker in the communication session as a first audio channel and a second audio channel. The system can recognize speech in the first audio channel of the recording using a first model specific to the first speaker, and recognize speech in the second audio channel of the recording using a second model specific to the second speaker, wherein the first model is different from the second model. The system can generate recognized speech as an output from the communication session. The system can identify the models based on identifiers of the speakers, such as a telephone number, an IP address, a customer number, or account number.

US10199021B2

Musical instrument sound generating system with feedback

A system for remotely generating sound from a musical instrument includes a calibration system to improve the quality of the sound produced by the musical instrument. In one embodiment, the system includes an input configured to receive a signal representative of the sound of a first musical instrument, an exciter for converting the signal to mechanical vibrations, a coupling interface for coupling the mechanical vibrations into a second musical instrument, and a calibration system for altering the signal sent to the exciter.

US10199020B1

Drum practice apparatus

A drum practice apparatus is provided, including: a main body, including a base and a striking portion, the striking portion disposed on a side of the base; at least one sounding assembly, each sounding assembly including a connection member and at least one sounding member, the connection member being connected with the at least one sounding member and another side of the base opposite to the striking portion, at least one said sounding member being freely movable relative to the connection member.

US10199019B2

Acoustic drum shell including inserts

A metal shell and metal inserts of an acoustic drum. In some examples, an acoustic drum having a metal shell can include one or more metal inserts configured to control the tone of the drum. In some configurations, the one or more inserts can form a portion of a bearing edge at one or more openings of the shell. Moreover, in some examples the inserts can be fitted to be in contact with the shell. The shape and configuration of the metal inserts can therefore control and refine the tone of the drum, allowing, for example, a drum with a metal shell to have a tone resembling that of a wooden drum with the sensitivity and power of a metal drum.

US10199017B2

Wind instrument

A wind instrument includes: a tube body; and a plurality of tone hole tubes each having an outer open end formed at the outer periphery of the tube body and an inner open end formed through the outer opening end and opening to the inside of the tube body, wherein at least one of the tube body and the tone hole tube is curved such that the plurality of outer open ends of the plurality of tone hole tubes are disposed so as to be in positions corresponding to respective fingers of the performer, and the plurality of inner open ends are connected at positions that cause the tube body to produce a predetermined pitch.

US10199014B2

Method and apparatus for managing image data for presentation on a display

An apparatus may include a memory and graphics logic operative to render a set of one or more data frames for storage in the memory using a received set of data of a digital medium, and output one or more control signals at a first interval. The apparatus may also include a display engine operative to receive the one or more control signals from the graphics logic, retrieve the set of one or more data frames from the memory, and send the one or more data frames to a display device for visual presentation. The one or more data frames may be sent periodically in succession at a second interval corresponding to a native frame rate of the digital medium.

US10199007B2

Output circuit and data driver of liquid crystal display device

A differential amplifier circuit includes a differential input stage, a first current mirror, a second current mirror, a first current source circuit, and a second current source circuit. The first current source circuit has a first transistor of a first conductivity type with a control terminal supplied with a first bias voltage, and a second transistor of a second conductivity type with a control terminal supplied with a second bias voltage. An output amplifier circuit includes a third transistor of the first conductivity type and a fourth transistor of the second conductivity type. A control circuit has a fifth transistor of the first conductivity type with a first terminal connected to a connection point between the other end of the second current source circuit and the control terminal of the fourth transistor in the output amplifier circuit, with a second terminal connected to an output node of the second current mirror, and with a control terminal receiving the first bias voltage.

US10199000B2

Source driver IC chip

A source driver IC chip, designed to prevent flicker in images displayed on a display panel while suppressing power consumption and heat generation, includes: a reference gradation voltage generating part (220) configured to generate a reference gradation voltage based on a first or second gamma characteristic of the display panel, using first and second power supply voltages (VH) and (VL) inputted through first and second external terminals (PA2, PA3); and a third external terminal (PA4) for externally outputting said reference gradation voltage. The source driver IC chip further includes first and second gradation voltage generating parts configured to generate first and second gradation voltages respectively, using a reference gradation voltage based on a first gamma characteristic inputted through a fourth external terminal and a reference gradation voltage having a second gamma characteristic inputted through a fifth external terminal respectively.

US10198999B2

Organic light emitting display device and method of compensating for image quality of organic light emitting display device

Disclosed is an organic light emitting display device. In a sensing mode of sensing a threshold voltage of a driving transistor, when ripple occurs in a driving voltage applied to a drain of the driving transistor, an error may occur in the sensed threshold voltage. Therefore, when sensing a threshold voltage of a driving transistor, the display device corrects a threshold voltage of a driving transistor of each pixel included in a horizontal line having an error caused by a ripple of a driving voltage, to a threshold voltage of each pixel included in another horizontal line.

US10198998B2

Gate driver shift register and mask circuit and display device using the same

There is provided a gate driver including a plurality of gate sub-drivers electrically connected to a plurality of gate lines, wherein an (n)th gate sub-driver, of the gate sub-drivers includes a shift register configured to receive an (n−1)th carry signal from an (n−1)th gate sub-driver of the gate sub-drivers adjacent to the (n)th gate sub-driver, to synchronize the (n−1)th carry signal with a first clock signal, and to output an (n)th carry signal based on the synchronized (n−1)th carry signal, and a mask configured to output a gate signal based on the synchronized (n−1)th carry signal and a mask signal, wherein n is an integer greater than or equal to 2.

US10198997B2

Scan driver circuit and driving method for the scan driver circuit

A scan driving circuit includes a plurality of stages, each having a shift register and a scan signal output unit. The shift register has a first node to receive a first driving voltage according to a control signal and a second node to receive the first driving voltage according to a reset signal. The scan signal output unit outputs scan signals to respective scan lines. The scan signal output unit has a plurality of clock switches controlled according to a voltage of the first node and a plurality of switches controlled according to a voltage of the second node. The clock switches sequentially output clock signals to respective third nodes, which are connected to respective scan lines. The switches output a second driving voltage to the third nodes.

US10198993B2

EL display apparatus

An electroluminescent (EL) display apparatus and method of control are provided. A display screen includes gate signal lines which intersect source signal lines. A pixel provided with an EL device corresponds to each intersection of the gate and source signal lines. A driving transistor is provided for each pixel to supply a current to the EL device. A first switch transistor is provided on a current path through which the current is supplied to the EL device. A gate driver circuit is connected to the gate signal lines. The gate driver circuit includes a shift register circuit, and outputs a select or non-select signal for the gate signal lines. The gate driver circuit turns the first switch transistor on and off to control a duty ratio of the display screen. The duty ratio is controlled by a start pulse fed to the shift register circuit.

US10198991B2

Compression techniques for burn-in statistics of organic light emitting diode (OLED) displays

Disclosed herein are techniques for pre-processing image data for compression, e.g., image data that represents burn-in statistics for a display device. The techniques can involve receiving the image data, where the image data comprises a plurality of pixels, and each pixel of the plurality of pixels comprises at least two sub-pixel values. Next, each pixel of the plurality of pixels is quantized to produce a plurality of modified pixels. Subsequently, a series of operations are performed against each modified pixel of the plurality of modified pixels, including (1) applying an invertible transformation against the modified pixel, (2) applying a predictive coding against the modified pixel, and (3) applying an encoding of the modified pixel into a buffer as a data stream. The buffer is then compressed (as the modified pixels are serially encoded into the buffer) to produce compressed outputs that are joined together to produce a compressed image.

US10198990B2

Device for temperature detection and device for compensating for temperature of display panel

A device and method for temperature detection, a device and method for compensating for temperature of display panel, and a display device are disclosed. The device for temperature detection includes: a first inverter, inverting a voltage signal at an input terminal thereof to output an inverted signal; a delay assembly, delaying the inverted signal and outputting a delayed inverted signal as an output signal; a switching transistor, applying a first voltage signal to the input terminal of the first inverter from a first voltage signal terminal based on the output signal; a first capacitor, including a first terminal coupled to a first electrode of the switching transistor and a second terminal coupled to the input terminal of the first inverter; and a temperature sensing transistor, configured so that a channel current of the temperature sensing transistor is proportional to a temperature at the sub-threshold bias voltage.

US10198989B2

Display device, electronic apparatus, and method of driving display device

A display device includes an image display panel and a control unit that outputs an output signal to the image display panel and causes an image to be displayed. The control unit includes an input signal acquisition unit that acquires a correction input signal including a control input signal in which a part of data is input signal data including information of an input signal value for causing a pixel to display a predetermined color, and another part of data is a display control code, a processing content determination unit that determine processing content for processing the input signal data to generate an output signal value of the output signal based on the display control code, and an output signal generation unit that generates the output signal based on the processing content determined by the processing content determination unit and the input signal data.

US10198987B2

Gate driving circuit

The gate driving circuit includes a shift register including a plurality of stages. An n-th stage among the plurality of stages includes: a pull-up switching element outputting a first clock to an output node in accordance with a voltage in a Q node, a pull-down switching element outputting a gate low voltage VGL to the output node in accordance with a voltage in a QB node, and a logic unit inverting and outputting a voltage in the Q node and a voltage in the QB node. The logic unit includes a first switching element including a gate to which a fourth clock is input and being between a start voltage line which supplies a start voltage and the Q node, a second switching element including a gate connected to the Q node and being connected to the QB node, a third switching element being between the second switching element and a gate low voltage line which supplies the gate low voltage, a fourth switching element including a gate to which a third clock is input and being between a gate high voltage line which supplies a gate high voltage and the QB node, a fifth switching element including a gate connected to the QB node and being between the Q node and the gate low voltage line, a first capacitor between the Q node and the output node, and a second capacitor between the gate low voltage line and the gate of the pull-down switching element.

US10198983B2

Apparatus for driving displays

An apparatus (100) for use in driving a display, especially a color electrophoretic display comprising frame generating means generating a succession of frame pulses at regular intervals; frame blanking generating means generating a succession of frame blanking pulses at the same intervals; a plurality of input lines each arranged to receive one of a plurality of differing input voltages (Vin1, . . . VinN), all of the same polarity; an output line capable of being connected to a device driver (106); and switching means (102A, . . . 102N) connecting the output line to one of the input lines when no frame blanking pulse is present, the switching means (102A, . . . 102N) being capable of changing the input line to which the output line is connected during successive frame periods, the switching means (102A, . . . 102N) being arranged to drain charge from the output line when a frame blanking pulse is present.

US10198982B2

Image processing apparatus, method thereof, and image display apparatus

A plurality of sub-frame images are generated from an input frame image. Lightness of one or more sub-frame image included in the plurality of sub-frame images is adjusted to generate a light image and a dark image. Color-non-uniformity correction processing is performed on the light image and the dark image to reduce color non-uniformity of a display device using a correction value in accordance with an adjustment degree of the lightness.

US10198967B1

Enabling a dynamic intelligent training functionality of an automated external defibrillator with an integrated medical kit

A portable medical kit can be identified. The portable medical kit can include one or more medical consumables including bandages, an automated external defibrillator (AED), a sensor for monitoring a quantity of the consumables present in the portable medical kit and for monitoring a charge state and power level of the AED, and a wireless transceiver for communicating the quantity of consumables present in the kit, the charge state, and power level of the AED to a remotely located computing device. A proximate medical training equipment can be detected. The equipment can facilitate the training of a user with the AED or the medical training equipment. A training functionality of the portable medical kit can be activated to enable safe practice with the kit and the equipment. The training functionality can include selectable training content that specifically instructs the user on the use of the kit and the equipment.

US10198965B2

Simulated stapling and energy based ligation for surgical training

An inexpensive and practical surgical training system to train practitioners in the use of surgical stapling and energy-based ligation instruments and procedures is provided. The system comprises a modified or simulated surgical instrument such as linear surgical stapling device having a fixed anvil and an opposed, movable jaw sized and configured to be closed upon a simulated tissue structure. A marking or inking element is associated with the jaw and anvil of the stapling device and configured to impose a visible pattern on the surfaces of simulated tissue placed between the anvil and jaw. A pressure sensitive adhesive or other adhesive is associated with the inner surfaces of the simulated tissue that is activated upon compression between the anvil and jaw to simulate surgical occlusion.

US10198961B2

Bayesian regression techniques for determining true measurements

Techniques for estimating a true measurement from a Bayesian regression on an observed measurement of received responses.

US10198953B2

Obstruction detection in air traffic control systems for unmanned aerial vehicles

Obstruction detection and management systems and methods are performed through an Air Traffic Control (ATC) system for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). The obstruction detection and management method includes receiving UAV data from a plurality of UAVs, wherein the UAV data includes operational data for the plurality of UAVs and obstruction data from one or more UAVs; updating an obstruction database based on the obstruction data; monitoring a flight plan for the plurality of UAVs based on the operational data; and transmitting obstruction instructions to the plurality of UAVs based on analyzing the obstruction database with their flight plan.

US10198952B2

Operator alertness monitor

In one example embodiment, an operator alertness monitoring system may include a proximate condition monitor that is configured to issue an alert to direct an operator's attention to a detected hazardous condition, and an operator alertness monitor that is configured to detect the operator's physical reaction to the issued alert and instruct the proximate condition monitor to respond to the operator's detected physical reaction to the issued alert.

US10198946B2

Traffic monitoring

The present application relates to road traffic monitoring to detect the number, speed and/or type of vehicles travelling on a road. Noise features (104) are deployed on, or formed in, the surface of a road (101). The noise feature (104) is arranged to generate a characteristic acoustic signature when traversed by the wheels of a vehicle (105) travelling within a lane of the road. A distributed acoustic sensor (102, 103) is deployed to detect occurrences of the characteristic acoustic signature. In some embodiments the noise element may comprise at least two distinct elements (104a, 104b), for instance rumble strips arranged transversely to the road, which are a known distance apart along the road. The acoustic signals from a wheel crossing both elements can be detected and used to determine the vehicle speed. The number of vehicle axles and axle separation can also be determined to categorize the type of vehicle. A plurality of noise features may be located in different lanes of a multi-lane road with noise features in different lanes arranged to generate different characteristic acoustic signatures.

US10198945B2

Camera system

A traffic monitoring system is provided. The traffic monitoring system comprises: a camera system configured to capture images of vehicles, the camera system comprising a first wireless time receiver configured to receive a wirelessly transmitted time signal; and a light system configured to selectively illuminate the vehicles, the light system being spaced apart from the camera system, wherein the light system comprises a second wireless time receiver configured to receive the wirelessly transmitted time signal such that the image capture by the camera system and the illumination by the light system is synchronized.

US10198940B2

Method and system for using intersecting electronic horizons

A method and system for using data associated with a first vehicle and a given road segment defined for a road network and using data associated with a second vehicle and the given road segment to determine a multi-vehicle probability value that indicates a probability that the first vehicle and the second vehicle will arrive at a common position of the given road segment simultaneously. The multi-vehicle probability value can be compared to a threshold probability value to determine whether the first vehicle and/or the second vehicle should take a responsive measure to avoid those vehicles arriving at the common position of the given road segment simultaneously. The data associated the first vehicle and the data associated with the second vehicle can each include a respective electronic horizon for that vehicle, and time parameters and probability values associated with those vehicles being on the given road segment.

US10198938B2

Wireless trainable transceiver device with integrated interface and GPS modules

A trainable transceiver is provided having an integrated interface connections with various vehicle modules for use with various remote electronic devices and a method of programming and using the same. The wireless trainable transceiver is in a vehicle with an integrated interface allowing connection to a human-to-machine interface and vehicle position determination device, such a navigation system and compass and the wireless trainable transceiver has the ability to change functions associated with preset buttons on the trainable transceiver, depending upon the location of the vehicle.

US10198936B2

Control of electronic components

A central control box utilizes a receiving element configured to receive an input command, a processor configured to receive a first data signal from a first component, receive state information regarding a second component, and process the received input command based on the state information regarding the second component. The central control box further utilizes a transmitter configured to transmit the first data signal, and a storage device connected to the processor. The storage device is configured to store the state information regarding the second component. Other embodiments include a system and a method for routing a first data signal between a first component and a second component.

US10198930B2

Systems and methods for improved monitor attachment

The present invention is related to monitoring movement, and in particular to systems and methods for securing a monitoring device to a monitor target.

US10198906B2

Method and apparatus for influencing cash outs from a gaming device

A gaming device is described that provides a number of different methods for cashing out credit balances from a gaming device. These methods include providing incentives, such as benefits, to a player for selecting particular monetary forms in which to receive the cash out. Non-preferred cash out forms may be associated with disincentives, such as penalties, to dissuade players from selecting these types of monetary transfers. In certain embodiments, incentives and disincentives may be associated with a variety of available monetary forms for cash out.

US10198903B2

Wagering on event outcomes during the event

Methods and systems are provided for managing a wagering system. In one exemplary embodiment, state information of a live event such as a sports game may be received in real time. During the event, a plurality of possible future states of the event and their associated probabilities (and odds) may be determined based on the state information, historical information, and current in-game information. A betting market is created for betting on the possible future states at determined odds. The betting market is closed, and winning and losing bets are resolved based on updated state information.

US10198901B1

Systems and methods for facilitating group gameplay in an online game

A system and method for facilitating group gameplay in an online game may include executing an game instance of an online game. User selected criteria may define values of one or more parameters associated with the users that may be eligible to receive benefit offers to participate in cooperative gameplay with groups towards common objectives. The benefit offers may include reward enhancements. Synchronous gameplay by the users with the groups towards one or more objectives may be facilitated. Rewards for individual ones of the users may be determined based on one or more of: whether the common objectives are successfully achieved, individual performances of the users, wager information, reward enhancements, and/or other information.

US10198898B2

Gaming center allowing switching between games based upon historical results

A gaming system comprising a plurality of betting terminals and a computer server comprising: a plurality of betting terminals for selecting and playing one or more live casino game(s) being played at a plurality of tables; each of the plurality of betting terminals has at least one first portion of a first screen for displaying the one or more live-casino game(s) to said player wherein the one or more live casino game(s) is a game offered in at least one casino resort, wherein a results history for each table is displayed in at least one first portion of a first screen to provide a results history display, and a switching mechanism for selecting, switching and playing one or more casino slot machine game(s) adapted to allow the player to switch between the live casino games according to at least the results history display for each table.

US10198897B2

Gaming machine, control method for machine, and program for gaming machine

A gaming machine that provides an operation unit, a display unit, and a control unit. The operation unit is configured to receive an operation of the player. The display unit is operably coupled to the operation unit and is configured to display a symbol display area. The symbol display area includes a plurality of cells arranged in a grid. The control unit is operably coupled to the operation unit and the display unit and being configured to initiate a game in response to player operation and to establish an outcome of the game. During the game, the control unit, in response to a trigger condition, is further configured to establish a set of replacement symbols and to divide the set of replacements symbols into two groups and to display the replacement groups using features or feature animations.

US10198887B2

Parking lockers

Methods and systems for retrieving or depositing a package using a beacon are described. A locker and parking space are assigned to a user or selected by the user, and the user is able to access the locker using a mobile device. The mobile device transmits identification information to a beacon associated with the locker. This information is passed to a service provider, who identifies the user or the locker and causes the locker to open.

US10198886B2

Electronic location identification and tracking system with beacon clustering

A system and method for determining the presence of an individual at a particular spot within a location preferably based on the strength of signals received from beacons assigned to the particular spot by a software application (“App”) running on an electronic device of the individual. In one embodiment, certain presence calculations are performed by the App. In another embodiment, the App forwards information regarding the received beacon signals to an electronic identification and location tracking system and the presence calculations are performed by the system.

US10198877B1

Providing a communications channel between instances of automated assistants

Implementations relate to interactions, over a wireless communication modality, between an automated assistant of an automobile computer system, and separate client device(s). In some of those implementations, the client device(s) can be paired with the automobile computer system, and the client device(s) and the automobile computer system can include separate instances of an automated assistant, which can be associated with different user accounts. In some additional or alternative implementations, particular actions to be performed by a local application of a client device can be advanced via user interaction with the automobile automated assistant, despite a counterpart to the local application not being installed directly on automobile computer system. For example, despite an automobile computer system not having a third-party messaging application installed, the automobile automated assistant can access requested actions to be performed by the third-party messaging application in order to further a requested action. The automobile computer system can transmit, via the wireless communication modality, content to cause the third-party application to further the requested action.

US10198871B1

Systems and methods for generating and facilitating access to a personalized augmented rendering of a user

Systems and methods for generating and facilitating access to a personalized augmented rendering of a user to be presented in an augmented reality environment are discussed herein. The augmented rendering of a user may be personalized by the user to comprise a desired representation of the user in an augmented reality environment. When a second user is detected within the field of view of a first user, the second user may be identified and virtual content (e.g., an augmented rendering) for the second user may be obtained. The virtual content obtained may differ based on one or more subscriptions of the first user and/or permissions associated with the virtual content of the second user. The virtual content obtained may be rendered and appear superimposed over or in conjunction with a view of the second in the augmented reality environment.

US10198869B2

Remote expert system

A remote expert application identifies a manipulation of virtual objects displayed in a first wearable device. The virtual objects are rendered based a physical object viewed with a second wearable device. A manipulation of the virtual objects is received from the first wearable device. A visualization of the manipulation of the virtual objects is generated for a display of the second wearable device. The visualization of the manipulation of the virtual objects is communicated to the second wearable device.

US10198866B2

Head-mountable apparatus and systems

A head mountable display (HMD) includes a camera operable to capture images of a peripheral and/or control device in use by a wearer of the HMD. A detector of the HMD is configured to detect occlusions in a captured image of the peripheral and/or control device. And an image renderer of the HMD is configured to render a virtual version of the peripheral and/or control device for display to the HMD wearer and to render a representation of a user's hand at a position of a detected occlusion.

US10198864B2

Running object recognizers in a passable world model for augmented or virtual reality

An augmented reality system comprises one or more databases storing a passable world model data comprising a set of points pertaining to real objects of the physical world, and one or more object recognizers configured for running on the passable world model data. Each of the object recognizer(s) is programmed to recognize a predetermined object of the real world based on a known geometry of a corresponding set of points. The augmented reality system further comprises a head-worn augmented reality display system configured for displaying virtual content to a user based at least in part on the recognized object.

US10198860B1

Automated three dimensional (3D) mesh UV coordinate transfer process

An apparatus and related methods for applying two-dimensional (2D) texture maps onto three-dimensional (3D) objects are described. A computing device can receive differing first and second meshes representing respective first and second 3D objects and a 2D texture associated with the first 3D object. The computing device can determine correspondence points between the first and second meshes and can align the first and second meshes using an alignment transformation based on the correspondence points. The computing device can determine texture portions of the 2D texture associated with first corresponding portions of the first mesh. The computing device can assign the texture portions to second corresponding portions of the aligned second mesh. For each texture portion, the computing device can: project the texture portion onto a 2D plane related to a particular second corresponding portion and fit the projected texture portion to the particular second corresponding portion.

US10198859B2

Automated three dimensional model generation

In various example embodiments, a system and methods are presented for generation and manipulation of three dimensional (3D) models. The system and methods cause presentation of an interface frame encompassing a field of view of an image capture device. The systems and methods detect an object of interest within the interface frame, generate a movement instruction with respect to the object of interest, and detect a first change in position and a second change in position of the object of interest. The systems and methods generate a 3D model of the object of interest based on the first change in position and the second change in position.

US10198855B2

Method of providing virtual space, method of providing virtual experience, system and medium for implementing the methods

A method of providing a virtual experience to a user includes identifying a plurality of virtual objects. The method further includes detecting a position of a part of the user's body other than the user's head. The method further includes detecting a reference line of sight of the user. The method further includes setting an extension direction for a first virtual object of the plurality of virtual objects based on a direction of the reference line of sight. The method further includes setting a region for a first virtual object of the plurality of virtual objects, wherein the region comprises a part extending in the extension direction. The method further includes determining whether the first virtual object and a virtual representation of the part of the body have touched based on a positional relationship between the region and a position of the virtual representation of the part of the body.

US10198852B2

Digital pore alteration methods and systems

A method includes receiving images of a rock sample. The method also includes modifying a set of voxels related to one or more of the received images by applying a digital pore growing operation that changes non-pore voxels surrounding a pore space to pore voxels, wherein the digital pore growing operation is based at least in part on a predetermined dead oil estimate. The method also includes estimating a property of the rock sample based at least in part on the modified set of voxels.

US10198849B1

Preloading translation and data caches using on-chip DMA engine with fast data discard

Systems, apparatuses, and methods for preloading caches using a direct memory access (DMA) engine with a fast discard mode are disclosed. In one embodiment, a processor includes one or more compute units, a DMA engine, and one or more caches. When a shader program is detected in a sequence of instructions, the DMA engine is programmed to utilize a fast discard mode to prefetch the shader program from memory. By prefetching the shader program from memory, the one or more caches are populated with address translations and the shader program. Then, the DMA engine discards the shader program rather than writing the shader program to another location. Accordingly, when the shader program is invoked on the compute unit(s), the shader program and its translations are already preloaded in the cache(s).

US10198848B2

Apparatus and method of image rendering

A method of image rendering includes representing a height map of terrain elevation data as a virtual texture; sampling a portion of the height map terrain elevation data on a uniform grid corresponding to render nodes used for rendering a terrain mesh, where a correspondence of the grid to the render nodes results in the sampled terrain elevation data for a render node being entirely contained within one physical page of memory, and where the equivalent position of a heightmap virtual co-ordinate in a page of physical memory is obtained based upon an offset to a physical page co-ordinate, rather than by reference to an indirection texture; and rendering terrain mesh for a render node according to terrain elevation data obtained from a single physical page of memory corresponding to respective virtual co-ordinates.

US10198839B2

Style transfer-based image content correction

Techniques are disclosed herein for applying an artistic style extracted from one or more source images, e.g., paintings, to one or more target images. The extracted artistic style may then be stored as a plurality of layers in a neural network. In some embodiments, two or more stylized target images may be combined and stored as a stylized video sequence. The artistic style may be applied to the target images in the stylized video sequence using various optimization methods and/or pixel- and feature-based regularization techniques in a way that prevents excessive content pixel fluctuations between images and preserves smoothness in the assembled stylized video sequence. In other embodiments, a user may be able to semantically annotate locations of undesired artifacts in a target image, as well as portion(s) of a source image from which a style may be extracted and used to replace the undesired artifacts in the target image.

US10198837B2

Network graphing selector

A method of displaying a network graph with a computing system includes accessing data defining a network and including a plurality of vertices and a plurality of edges. If a number of vertices included in the network graph is below a first threshold, the network graph is locally rendering with a scalable vector graphics rendering engine of the computing system. If a number of vertices included in the network graph is between the first threshold and a second, higher, threshold, the network graph is locally rendered with a raster rendering engine of the computing system. If a number of vertices included in the network graph is above the second threshold, a remotely-rendered network graph rendered by a remote rendering engine is received at the computing system. The method further includes displaying the rendered network graph via a web browser of the computing system.

US10198834B2

Graph partitioning for massive scale graphs

Graph partitioning for massive scale graphs is described, such as for graphs having vertices representing people and edges representing connections between people in a social networking system; or for graphs where the vertices represent other items and the edges represent relationships between the items. In various embodiments a graph data allocator receives a graph vertex and its edges and allocates the vertex to one of a plurality of clusters each associated with one or more computing devices. In various embodiments the allocation is made by optimizing an objective function which takes into account both a cost of edges between clusters and a cost related to sizes of the clusters. In some examples the cost related to sizes of the clusters comprises a convex function applied to each of the cluster sizes. In examples, computations on the graph data are carried out with reduced runtimes and communications cost.

US10198832B2

Generalizable medical image analysis using segmentation and classification neural networks

Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for generating a final classification output for an image of eye tissue. The image is provided as input to each of one or more segmentation neural networks to obtain one or more segmentation maps of the eye tissue in the image. A respective classification input is generated from each of the segmentation maps. For each of the segmentation maps, the classification input for the segmentation map is provided as input to each of one or more classification neural networks to obtain, for each segmentation map, a respective classification output from each classification neural network. A final classification output for the image is generated from the respective classification outputs for each of the segmentation maps.

US10198820B1

Object oriented image editing

Implementations generally relate to object based image editing. In some implementations, a method includes segmenting an image into object data by identifying one or more object classifications in the image and storing at least one locator for one or more regions of the image corresponding to each instance of the object classification. The method further includes receiving a selection of a representative portion of the segmented image from a user, and matching the representative portion with the object data to determine at least one matched object classification associated with the representative portion. The method further includes presenting the user with one or more of the matched object classifications for the user to instruct one or more edit operations to be applied to at least one object represented by the matched object classification.

US10198819B2

Image segmentation and modification of a video stream

Systems, devices, media, and methods are presented for segmenting an image of a video stream with a client device, identifying an area of interest, generating a modified area of interest within one or more image, identifying a first set of pixels and a second set of pixels, and modifying a color value for the first set of pixels.

US10198811B2

Image processing apparatus, image processing method, and computer-readable recording medium

An image processing apparatus includes: a detecting unit that detects regions of interest that are estimated as an object to be detected, from a group of a series of images acquired by sequentially imaging a lumen of a living body, and to extract images of interest including the regions of interest; a neighborhood range setting unit that sets, as a time-series neighborhood range, a neighborhood range of the images of interest in the group of the series of images arranged in time series so as to be wider than an interval between images that are continuous in time series in the group of the series of images; an image-of-interest group extracting unit that extracts an image-of-interest group including identical regions of interest from the extracted images of interest, based on the time-series neighborhood range; and a representative-image extracting unit that extracts a representative image from the image-of-interest group.

US10198806B2

Methods and systems for inspecting plants for contamination

A method of inspecting plants for contamination includes generating a first series of images of a plant using a camera mounted to a frame being moved along a planting bed by a harvester, identifying a region of interest displayed in the first series of images as a region of contamination on the plant based on a color criterion and a morphological criterion applied to the region of interest, and transmitting data including an instruction to increase a vertical distance between the plant and a cutter of the harvester to avoid harvesting the plant in response to identifying the region of interest as the region of contamination. The method further includes generating a second series of images of an additional plant as the frame continues to be moved along the planting bed by the harvester while the vertical distance between the plant and the cutter is being increased.

US10198805B2

Method for detecting objects in a warehouse and/or for spatial orientation in a warehouse

A method for detecting objects in a warehouse and/or for spatial orientation in a warehouse includes: acquiring image data with a 3-D camera which is fastened to an industrial truck so that a viewing direction of the 3-D camera has a defined horizontal angle, wherein the 3-D camera has an image sensor with sensor elements arranged matrix-like and the image data comprises a plurality of pixels, wherein distance information is assigned to each pixel, calculating angle information for a plurality of image elements, which each specify an angle between a surface represented by the image element and a vertical reference plane, determining a predominant direction based on the frequency of the calculated angle information, calculating the positions of the of the acquired pixels along the predominant direction, detecting at least one main plane of the warehouse based on a frequency distribution of the calculated positions.

US10198800B2

Representing a structure of a body region by digital subtraction angiography

A method is provided for representing a first structure of a body region by digital subtraction angiography. The method includes: receiving a filler image of the body region created by an angiography apparatus, which represents a second structure of the body region and the first structure with a first contrast medium concentration in the first structure; determining a mask image of the body region representing the second structure; determining a subtraction image by editing out of the second structure from the filler image by the mask image; determining a guidance image representing the first structure based on the subtraction image; reducing image noise of the subtraction image by the guidance image; and representing the first structure based on the noise-reduced subtraction image.

US10198788B2

Method and system of temporally asynchronous shading decoupled from rasterization

A method and system for rendering a graphic object that decouples shading from rasterization is disclosed. The method includes selecting a set of points of a graphic object for shading. At least one shading parameter is determined for application to the selected set of points of the graphic object. The selected points are shaded using the shading parameter image to produce a shaded graphic object image via a graphic processor at a first frequency relative to the frame rate. The shaded graphic object image is rasterized into a frame image in parallel at a second frequency relative to the frame rate. Multiple processors may be used for the shading and rasterization.

US10198784B2

Capturing commands in a multi-engine graphics processing unit

The techniques and systems described herein are directed to capturing commands in a multi-engine graphics processing unit (GPU). Captured commands can be played back by a developer to optimize software, hardware, and drivers. To accurately capture commands and memory associated with the commands during execution, dependencies between command buffer segments associated with the various GPU engines may be determined and used to divide a command buffer segment into atomic elements (which may also be referred to as seglets). Command buffer segments are analyzed to identify synchronization commands, which may represent a point in a command buffer segment that relies on an operation to be completed in another command buffer segment. The command buffer segment can be recursively divided into seglets based on the synchronization commands. The resulting seglets represent command segments that, upon execution, operate without synchronization interference from other command buffer segments.

US10198765B2

Multiple interaction auction

Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for distributing content items. In one aspect, a method includes identifying a content item that is eligible to be provided in response to a content item request and is associated with a bid. It is determined that the identified content item includes two or more different interactive elements that each cause different actions to be initiated in response to user interaction with the different interactive elements. An auction score is determined for the content item based on a function of the bid, a bid modifier for each different interaction, and a probability that each interaction will be invoked. The content item is selected to be provided based on the auction score. Data that cause presentation of the selected content item at a user device are output.

US10198764B2

System and method for message-based purchasing

Various embodiments of a system and method for message-based purchasing are described. The system and method for message-based purchasing may include a message-based purchase service configured to determine that a selection has been performed through a network-based interface. Such selection may be indicative of one or more items offered for sale via the network-based interface. The message-based purchase service may be configured to, in response to the selection of one or more items, send to a communication device, a message indicating a code corresponding to the selection. The message-based purchase service may receive from the communication device through a communication channel that does not include the network-based interface, a message including the code. The message-based purchase service may be configured to, in response to determining that the message received from the communication device includes the code, generate a purchase request for the one or more previously selected items.

US10198758B2

Guide robot for shopping guiding system and method

An intelligent shopping guiding system comprising a guide robot and a workstation computer is disclosed. The guide robot is coupled to the workstation computer, preferably over a wireless system and information between the guide robot and the workstation computer is transferred via wireless communication. As the front-end equipment of the shopping guiding system, the guide robot interacts with the customer and provides assistance and guidance to the customer to enhance their shopping experience. As the back-end equipment of the shopping guiding system, the workstation computer builds, stores, and maintains a customized message associated with a customer's unique ID number. The unique ID number is associated with the customer's personal characteristics such as, for example, biometric information, physiological, or other information suitable for identifying the customer.

US10198755B2

System and method for determining and acting upon a user's association to a zone of relevance

A computer-implemented method for determining a zone of relevance for locating a wireless end-user and making a user notification decision including: storing information related to the enterprise in an enterprise database; storing information related to the end-user in an end-user database; accessing said enterprise and user end databases to extract enterprise and end-user related information; accessing a geographical database to extract geographic information, based on information obtained from the enterprise database; extracting relevant dynamic inputs from external sources via a predefined application programming interface; determining a value for the user notification based on weighting of said extracted information and historical use information; determining a zone of relevance for the wireless end-user; and notifying a user, wherein notifying the user meets predetermined criteria for the determined value of notification.

US10198749B1

Providing recommended items

Techniques for providing a number of items may be described. For example, a request for a delivery of an item within a time frame may be received. An additional item may be determined based at least in part on the item and the time frame. Both items may be scheduled for delivery based at least in part on the time frame. Information associated with the items and including an option to accept a delivery of the additional item may be provided. If the option may have been selected, a delivery of the additional item may be caused.

US10198747B1

Consumer advertising control method

The primary consumer objection to digital advertising is solved when content providers grant users control of the quality and relevance of ads for preferred products and services, and when and how often these ads are displayed. The invention grants users control of all advertisements on digital media platforms, as the platforms do not display advertisements. However, they do permanently display a command button icon that is initiated by the user to display advertisements, and in response to only the indicated single action being performed, the user sends a request to display advertisements. In addition, the same command button icon may be initiated by the user to remove advertisements. The method prompts user to engage in advertising for preferred products and services through paradigm shifts in permission-based marketing, e-commerce, and gamification.

US10198746B2

Methods and apparatus for serving relevant advertisements

The relevance of advertisements to a user's interests is improved. In one implementation, the content of a web page is analyzed to determine a list of one or more topics associated with that web page. An advertisement is considered to be relevant to that web page if it is associated with keywords belonging to the list of one or more topics. One or more of these relevant advertisements may be provided for rendering in conjunction with the web page or related web pages.

US10198742B2

Inbox management system

Electronic correspondence that includes one or more promotions may be generated for presenting to a consumer. In order to determine whether to present the electronic correspondence to the consumer, the promotions included in the electronic correspondences may be analyzed in terms of a probability the consumer will accept the promotions, a relevance level between the promotions and attributes of the consumer, a relevance level between the promotions and the consumer, a relevance level between the promotions and a set of goals or rules, among other similar terms. After the analysis, a determination may be made whether to send the electronic correspondence to the consumer. Similarly, the analysis may compare multiple electronic correspondences, and determine, based on the comparison, which of the multiple electronic correspondences to send to the consumer.

US10198741B2

Method and apparatus for content presentation in association with a communication connection

A method and apparatus are provided for presenting content to a caller and/or a called party in association with a telephone call or other communication connection. Content may be presented pre-ring (before the called party's telephone rings), in-call, and/or post-call, and may be related to a party participating in the call or may be related to a third party. Presentation of specified content may include assisted sharing, wherein both parties view the same content and one guides or assists the other. A received call may be split into signal and voice channels, with the signal channel used to notify a call controller of the call and the voice channel being directed to an agent selected by the call controller to handle the call.

US10198733B2

Systems and methods for management of fundraising campaigns

The present invention pertains to systems and methods for managing, creating, and conducting online personal fundraising campaigns. An exemplary embodiment of the present invention sets forth a system, method and computer program product for creating and managing online personal fundraising campaigns. In an exemplary embodiment, the method may include, e.g., but not limited to, receiving a request to establish a personal fundraising campaign from an initiator for benefit of a beneficiary at a central controller; receiving a plurality of donations at the controller; and disbursing at least a portion of the funds to the beneficiary.

US10198731B1

Performing actions based on the location of mobile device during a card swipe

Various embodiments are related to apparatuses and methods for basing actions on a location of a card swipe. A computer system receives information indicative of a location of a mobile device associated with a customer at a time corresponding to a swipe of a payment card at a card reader of a merchant. The location information can indicate, for example, the location of the mobile device as being at a GPS coordinate, or at a merchant's place of business. When the location information indicates that the mobile device and the card swipe are located near to each other, or are both located at the same merchant's place of business, a reduced level of fraud analysis can be used when authorizing the purchase transaction. A targeted ad can be sent to a mobile device associated with the customer based on the location of the card reader used for the card swipe.

US10198730B2

Wireless devices for storing a financial account card and methods for storing card data in a wireless device

A non-transitory computer-readable medium stores instructions causing a processor to authorize a second party to use a financial account card. The instructions comprise instructions to receive, from a first wireless device associated with a first party, a selection of a financial account card from a user input device of the first wireless device; assign, to the selected financial account card, an identity of a second party that is authorized to use the selected financial account card; receive, from a second wireless device, a request to authorize a transaction using the selected financial account card; receive an indicator of an identity of a user of the second wireless device; and authorize the transaction, based on the received indicator, when the identity of the user of the second wireless device is the authorized second party.

US10198728B2

Methods and systems for provisioning payment credentials

A method and system for provisioning payment credentials usable by a mobile device in conducting a payment. The method is conducted at a provisioning system and comprises the steps of: receiving payment credentials from a receiving device, the payment credentials having been obtained from a portable payment device presented by a consumer at the receiving device; receiving, from the receiving device, an identifier entered by the consumer; identifying a mobile device or a secure element corresponding to the identifier; and communicating the payment credentials or a derivation of the payment credentials to the identified mobile device or the secure element to be securely stored in association with the mobile device. The method may include: encrypting the received payment credentials, the encrypted payment credentials having a unique decryption key; and wherein communicating a derivation of the payment credentials communicates the unique decryption key.

US10198709B2

Managing assets using at least one policy and asset locations

Assets are managed using policies. Locations of the assets are also determined. A policy may apply to an asset as determined based on the location of the asset. If a policy applies to the asset, a control function is performed.

US10198708B2

Systems and methods for enabling delivery of commercial products to customers

In some embodiments, systems and methods are provided herein useful to enable delivery of commercial products to customers. In some embodiments, the system comprises an autonomous ground vehicle on a delivery route to deliver commercial products to a person of interest. The AGV comprises control circuits communicatively coupled to sensors. The control circuits, using sensor data, determines whether a person positioned within a threshold distance relative to the AGV is the PoI; allow the PoI to designate an intention of a second person positioned within the threshold distance as being friendly or adverse relative to the PoI; determine the intention of the second person; receive a command from the PoI overriding the determination that the second person's intention is adverse to the PoI; and allow the PoI to take possession of the commercial products when the designated intention is friendly relative to the PoI and the command is received.

US10198706B2

Operator identification and performance tracking

A system for identifying and tracking performance of operators in a warehouse. The system comprises at least one robot configured to interact with the operators in the warehouse. The at least one robot includes a first transceiver, a proximity detector, and a memory. The first transceiver defines a zone surrounding the robot and the proximity detector is coupled to the first transceiver. The proximity detector is configured to detect entry, into the zone, of an operator and to detect exit of the operator from the zone. The memory contains information identifying said operators who have entered and exited the zone.

US10198702B2

End-to end project management

A device may provide a user interface for receiving project information for a software implementation project. The project information may be associated with a set of requirements defining the software implementation project. The project information may be associated with a set of deliverables describing results of the software implementation project. The device may generate an initial project plan based on the project information. The device may receive information regarding the initial project plan during fulfillment of the project plan. The device may selectively provide an alert associated with the initial project plan based on receiving the information regarding the initial project plan. The device may selectively generate a modified project plan based on receiving the information regarding the project plan.

US10198698B2

Machine learning auto completion of fields

Systems and methods for using a mathematical model based on historical natural language inputs to automatically complete form fields are disclosed. An incident report may be defined with a set of required parameter fields such as category, priority, assignment, and classification. Incident report submission forms may also have other free text input fields providing information about a problem in the natural vocabulary of the person reporting the problem. Automatic completion of these so-called parameter fields may be based on analysis of the natural language inputs and use of machine learning techniques to determine appropriate values for the parameter fields. The machine learning techniques may include parsing the natural language input to determine a mathematical representation and application of the mathematical representation to “match” historically similar input. Once matched the parameter values from the historically similar input may be used instead of generic default values.

US10198694B2

Static posture based person identification

A system and method for identifying an unknown person based on a static posture of the unknown person is described. The method includes receiving data of N skeleton joints of the unknown person from a skeleton recording device. The method further includes identifying the static posture of the unknown person. The method includes dividing a skeleton structure of the unknown person in a plurality of body parts based on joint types of the skeleton structure. In addition, the method includes extracting feature vectors for each of the joint type from each of the plurality of body parts. The method further includes identifying the unknown person based on comparison of the feature vectors for the unknown person with one of a constrained feature dataset and an unconstrained feature dataset for a plurality of known persons.

US10198692B2

Scalable neural hardware for the noisy-OR model of Bayesian networks

Embodiments of the invention relate to a scalable neural hardware for the noisy-OR model of Bayesian networks. One embodiment comprises a neural core circuit including a pseudo-random number generator for generating random numbers. The neural core circuit further comprises a plurality of incoming electronic axons, a plurality of neural modules, and a plurality of electronic synapses interconnecting the axons to the neural modules. Each synapse interconnects an axon with a neural module. Each neural module receives incoming spikes from interconnected axons. Each neural module represents a noisy-OR gate. Each neural module spikes probabilistically based on at least one random number generated by the pseudo-random number generator unit.

US10198687B2

Cards and devices with multifunction magnetic emulators and methods for using same

A payment card (e.g., credit and/or debit card) is provided with a magnetic emulator operable of communicating information to a magnetic stripe reader. Information used in validating a financial transaction is encrypted based on time such that a validating server requires receipt of the appropriate encrypted information for a period of time to validate a transaction for that period of time. Such dynamic information may be communicated using such an emulator such that a card may be swiped through a magnetic stripe reader—yet communicate different information based on time. An emulator may receive information as well as communicate information to a variety of receivers (e.g., an RFID receiver).

US10198680B2

Method and circuit for tuning an antenna circuit of an actively transmitting tag

A circuit includes an antenna circuit including a number of capacitors and an inductor. The antenna circuit is configured to transmit an output signal upon receiving an input transmit signal. A first control block is configured to transmit an enabling signal upon detecting a presence of a supply voltage at a feeding terminal of the actively transmitting tag in response to the actively transmitting tag being inserted into a host device. A VCO is configured to generate the input transmit signal with the frequency of the interrogator carrier signal upon receiving the enabling signal from the first control block and upon receiving the control voltage from the memory. A second control block is configured to enable a subset of the plurality of capacitors of the antenna circuit upon receiving the enabling signal from the first control block.

US10198677B2

RFID tag for printed fabric label and method of making

An RFID tag is disclosed that is formed as part of a printed fabric label (PFL). Generally, foil is adhered to a fabric material with a releasable adhesive, the foil is then cut, such as by a laser to define the antenna pattern and a removable portion. The removable portion is then manually stripped away, and a strap is then attached with adhesive to the antenna. A small square of hot melt over-laminate may be placed over the strap and bonded, and then a top layer of fabric is added and secured with an adhesive from a transfer tape.

US10198670B2

Blood vessel extraction in two-dimensional thermography

What is disclosed is a system and method for isolating blood vessels in a thermographic image of a patient's breast or any other muscular region of the body. A thermographic image of a patient is received. A temperature-based analysis is performed on the image to detect vessel pixels. An intensity-based method analysis is performed on the image. A shape-based analysis is also performed to detect pixels of vessel-like structures. Candidate pixels which satisfy one or more of intensity-based or temperature-based or shaped-based criterion are identified. A constraint of local maximallity is thereafter imposed on each candidate pixel that satisfies both criterion to eliminate spurious non-vessel pixels. Candidate pixels which satisfy both criterion are then marked with a different color such that the vessel structures in the breast tissue can be visually differentiated. The vessel structures are provided to a classifier system which classifies the tissue in the thermal image as malignant and non-malignant otherwise, based on a tortuosity of the vessel structures.

US10198658B2

Image processing device, imaging device, image processing method, and program

To accurately determine whether there is a sharp change in a frame.Provided is an image processing device including: a histogram generating unit configured to generate a previous histogram showing a distribution of pixel values in a previous frame that is generated before a predetermined frame and a current histogram showing a distribution of pixel values in the predetermined frame; a normalizing unit configured to perform normalization to match variations of the pixel values of the previous histogram and the current histogram; and a similarity determining unit configured to acquire a degree of similarity of shapes of the previous histogram and the current histogram after the normalization and determine whether the degree of similarity is greater than a predetermined similarity determining threshold value.

US10198654B2

Automated saliency map estimation

In various example embodiments, a system and method are provided for automated estimation of a saliency map for an image based on a graph structure comprising nodes corresponding to respective superpixels on the image, the graph structure including boundary-connecting nodes that connects each non-boundary node to one or more boundary regions. Each non-boundary node is in some embodiments connected to all boundary nodes by respective boundary-connecting edges forming part of the graph. Edge weights are calculated to generate a weighted graph. Saliency map estimation comprises bringing respective nodes for similarity to a background query. The edge weights of at least some of the edges are in some embodiments calculated as a function of a geodesic distance or shortest path between the corresponding nodes.

US10198649B2

Electronic pen device having optical zoom

The electric pen device includes an optical system including a lens and an image sensor configured to convert an image signal of light that has passed through the optical system to an electrical signal. The electric pen device includes a control board configured to interact with an electronic device and a communication module configured to communicate by wire or wirelessly with the electronic device, so that an image or a picture taken by a camera is confirmed and an optical zoom is controlled from the external electronic device.

US10198645B2

Preventing face-based authentication spoofing

System and techniques for preventing face-based authentication spoofing are described herein. A visible light emitter may be controlled to project a pattern into a camera's field of view during an authentication attempt. An image may be obtained from the camera for the authentication attempt. A potential spoofing region on image may be identified by finding the pattern. An authentication attempt based on a face found in the potential spoofing region may be prevented.

US10198643B1

Plane estimation for contextual awareness

Aspects of the disclosure relate to classifying the status of objects. For examples, one or more computing devices detect an object from an image of a vehicle's environment. The object is associated with a location. The one or more computing devices receive data corresponding to the surfaces of objects in the vehicle's environment and identifying data within a region around the location of the object. The one or more computing devices also determine whether the data within the region corresponds to a planar surface extending away from an edge of the object. Based on this determination, the one or more computing devices classify the status of the object.

US10198640B2

Measuring device, measuring system, measuring method, and program

A measuring device includes a data acquisition unit that acquires measurement data, including width direction acceleration of a road surface on which a moving object moves, from an acceleration sensor provided on a structure having the road surface, and a moving object information acquisition unit that acquires information relating to the moving object moving on the road surface, on the basis of the width direction acceleration.

US10198638B2

Systems and methods for generating bookmark video fingerprints

Systems and methods for replacing original media bookmarks of at least a portion of a digital media file with replacement bookmarks is described. A media fingerprint engine detects the location of the original fingerprints associated with the portion of the digital media file and a region analysis algorithm characterizes regions of media file spanning the location of the original bookmarks by data class types. The replacement bookmarks are associated with the data class types and are overwritten or otherwise are substituted for the original bookmarks. The replacement bookmarks then are subjected to a fingerprint matching algorithm that incorporates media timeline and media related metadata.

US10198620B2

Augmented reality based component replacement and maintenance

Augmented reality (AR) based component replacement and maintenance may include receiving a first wireless signal from a pair of AR glasses worn by a user. An image of a component viewed by the user may be analyzed and compared to a plurality of images of components stored in a database that includes information associated with the plurality of images of the components. Based on a match of the image of the component viewed by the user to one of the plurality of images of the components stored in the database, the component viewed by the user may be identified. An inventory of the identified component may be analyzed to determine whether a supplier includes the identified component in stock, and in response to a determination that the supplier includes the identified component in stock, an estimated time of delivery of the identified component to the user may be determined.

US10198610B1

Acoustic pulse coding for imaging of input surfaces

An acoustic imaging system includes multiple acoustic transducers disposed to circumscribe a portion of imaging surface. An acoustic imaging system also includes a controller and an image resolver. The acoustic transducers convert electrical signals into mechanical energy and/or mechanical energy into electrical signals. The controller is adapted to apply an electrical signal to the acoustic transducers which, in response, induce a mechanical wave, such as a surface wave, into the circumscribed portion. The controller is also adapted to receive electrical signals from the acoustic transducers. The image resolver uses the electrical signals received by the controller in order to construct an image of an object in physical contact with the imaging surface.

US10198608B2

Information recording medium and authenticity determination method

An information recording medium according to one embodiment includes a substrate, a first image, and a second image. The first image is provided on the substrate, emits light when irradiated with first excitation light having a first wavelength, and includes phase-modulated first information. The second image is provided on the substrate, emits light when irradiated with second excitation light having a second wavelength different from the first wavelength, and includes phase-modulated second information.

US10198604B2

Detection of unauthorized tags

Systems and methods for detecting unauthorized tags are provided. A tag transmission report is received from a tag reader that receives wireless transmissions from a plurality of tags. A tag ID is determined for each tag of the plurality of tags in the tag transmission report. The determined tag IDs are compared to association information indicating associations between tag IDs. A notification is generated responsive to a comparison indicating that ones of the plurality of tags are not associated with other tags of the plurality of tags.

US10198603B2

Time slot communication system

A system, exhibiting a communication station for communicating with a number of radio tags in a time slot communication process, in which a number of time slots per time slot cycle in a repeating sequence are available for communication, and each time slot is characterized by a distinct time slot symbol, wherein the communication station is designed to send out a synchronization data signal exhibiting the time slot symbol for the currently present time slot, and wherein a radio tag is designed for changing from a sleep state into an active state at a wakeup instant, and for receiving the synchronization data signal in the active state and, if the received time slot symbol indicates a time slot intended for it, for defining a new wakeup instant corresponding to the next appearance of the time slot intended for it in a time slot cycle that follows the currently present time slot cycle.

US10198602B2

Card processing device and a control method of card processing device

A card processing device with which a user operates a card by hand may include a card-inserting section at which the card is inserted; a card-storing section structured to store the card while a rear end portion of the inserted card is exposed from the card-inserting section; a reading section structured to read recorded information on the card stored in the card-storing section; a first detecting section structured to detect that the card is inserted to the card-storing section from the card-inserting section; a second detecting section, arranged on the farther side than the first detecting section in the inserting direction of the card, structured to detect that the card is inserted; and a status-monitoring section structured to detect fraud from the relation of the detections of the card at the first detecting section and the second detecting section.

US10198595B2

Data breach detection system

The present disclosure deals with a system and a method to determine if an unauthorized user is attempting to access securely stored data. A user enters and stores sensitive data on a user device using a first computing system. The first computing system gathers sensitive data from the user device and stores the data on a second computing system. If the first computing system detects a potential data breach when trying to access the securely stored data, the first computing system may request the user to enter a subset of the securely stored data to confirm that the user has access to the securely stored data. The second computing system verifies the subset against the securely stored data and the securely stored data is made accessible to the user. If the second computing system is unable to verify the subset the second computing system triggers an event.

US10198592B2

Method and system for communicating homomorphically encrypted data

A method for managing data by an electronic device is provided. The method includes receiving first data inputted from a user, generating second data by encrypting the first data using a public key, generating a query comprising the second data, transmitting the query to a server, receiving third data corresponding to the query from the server, generating fourth data by decrypting the third data using a secret key corresponding to the public key, and outputting the fourth data.

US10198585B2

Mobile device management broker

Techniques to manage mobile devices are disclosed. In various embodiments, a request to perform a management action with respect to a mobile device is received from a mobile device management (MDM) authority. A scope of authority of the MDM authority with respect to the mobile device is determined. The management action is caused to be performed with respect to the mobile device based at least in part on the determined scope of authority of the MDM authority with respect to the mobile device.

US10198575B2

Auto-sandboxing website or parts of website in browser to protect user privacy and security

Methods and devices for processing web content are disclosed. The method may include receiving a webpage with a browser and parsing the webpage with the browser to obtain subcomponents from the webpage. The browser identifies whether there is an indication that one or more subcomponents of the webpage are potentially malicious, and when there is an indication that the one or more subcomponents of the webpage are malicious, the browser loads the one or more of the subcomponents of the webpage in an auto-sandbox instance for isolated execution by the browser.

US10198572B2

Virtual machine manager facilitated selective code integrity enforcement

A virtual machine manager facilitates selective code integrity enforcement. A virtual machine manager (or other higher privileged entity) can verify the integrity of code in memory pages, and a virtual processor running in kernel mode executes the code on a memory page only if the virtual machine manager (or other higher privileged entity) has verified the code integrity of that code. However, the virtual machine manager need not verify the integrity of code in memory pages when the virtual processor is running in user mode. Rather, an operating system running on the virtual processor can apply any of a variety of policies (e.g., optionally perform any of a variety of different checks or verifications of the code) to determine whether the code can be executed in user mode.

US10198567B2

Apparatus, method and article for security by pairing of devices

A functionality of an accessible device such as a set-top box, computer, mobile device, media device, is unlocked or otherwise made available to a user by a security system dependent on an external paired device, such as a mobile device, a key fob or radio frequency identification (RFID) device paired to the accessible device being in a particular wireless communication range of the accessible device. When an authorized user carries the external paired device, this provides the authorized user of the accessible device the ability to conveniently restrict the use of the accessible device and access to various functionalities of the accessible device, such as access to particular television programming or streaming media at times when the authorized user is not in close proximity or in the same general area of the accessible device.

US10198560B2

Enforcing licensing policies using an application wrapper

Methods, systems, computer-readable media, and apparatuses for enforcing licensing policies using an application wrapper are presented. In one or more embodiments, a computing device may monitor, using a first application wrapper of a first application on the computing device, usage of the first application. The first application wrapper of the first application may provide a policy enforcement layer between the first application and an operating system of the computing device, and the policy enforcement layer may control execution of the first application based on one or more mobile device management policies. Subsequently, the computing device may enforce, using the first application wrapper of the first application, one or more licensing policies on the first application at runtime based on the usage of the first application. In some embodiments, the policy enforcement layer may control execution of the first application by intercepting input to the first application, intercepting output from the first application, and intercepting function calls made by the first application.

US10198558B2

Data source security cluster

Methods, systems, and computer program for implementing data source security cluster are provided. Security tokens may be generated for a plurality of data sources. Clients may request a security token from each data source. The client may send the security tokens and a data query to a federation engine. The federation engine may generate a plurality of sub-queries from the query. The federation engine may match a sub-query and particular security token to a data source. The federation engine may validate each security token and send, to each data source, the matching sub-query for that data source. Each data source may send a result to a sub-query to the federation engine, which may join all of the results into a virtual view.

US10198557B2

System and method for content-based medical macro sorting and search system

When automatically populating medical report templates, insertable macros are indexed and searched not only my name or title but also by contents, such as keywords times, pre-defined terms for key information included in the macro, free texts in the macros, etc. When a unique macro is found, the system inserts the text of the macro into the report being generated. If multiple related macros are found, the system highlights the macros for user review. After the insertion of the macro into the template, the system identifies pre-defined terms and fills in the key information value(s). The system thus facilitates, e.g., radiologists' observation reporting procedure through an intelligent matching algorithm that facilitates finding a unique macro, which in turn aids in filling in report field instance values and optimizes radiology workflow.

US10198556B2

Medicament compilation and dispensation system

The invention relates to a medicament dispensing device and system. In particular, the invention relates to a system having multiple containers capable of dispensing multiple medicaments. A center dispensing mechanism then actuates the containers release tray based on prscribed computer controlled settings.

US10198555B2

Method and apparatus for implementing patient data download for multiple different meter types

A method and apparatus implements patient data downloading for multiple different meter types, such as multiple different blood glucose meters. A plurality of serial ports is provided, each arranged for connection to a respective meter of the multiple different meter types. Information is displayed and user selections are identified. Responsive to user entry identifying a particular meter type, a connection port/cable number for the meter connection is displayed for viewing by the user. Predefined instructions for the particular meter type are displayed. A data collection computer system is provided as an integral unit including a unitary housing containing a processor device, a printer, and a display touch screen. When a meter connection is identified, information is displayed, patient data is downloaded from the meter and is printed in a selected format together with selected reports generated from the downloaded patient data.

US10198551B1

Clock cell library selection

Systems, methods, media, and other such embodiments described herein relate to trimming cell lists prior to generation of a routing tree for a circuit design. One embodiment involves accessing a cell library including cell data and a cell list for a plurality of cells. Specialized delay cells are removed from the cell list, and remaining cells are analyzed to identify a set of cell characteristics. Cells are then trimmed from the cell list based on comparisons between the cell characteristics of the remaining cells. If certain cells are sufficiently similar, secondary characteristics can be used to further trim the cell list. The trimmed cell list can then be used to generate a routing tree for the circuit design according to associated design criteria.

US10198550B2

SRAF insertion with artificial neural network

Embodiments of the disclosure provide a method including: identifying a target feature in an integrated circuit (IC) layout not represented in a library, the library including a plurality of sub-resolution assist feature (SRAF) usefulness maps corresponding to a plurality of features and SRAFs in the IC layout; generating a usefulness map for the target feature with an artificial neural network (ANN), the generating being based on the target feature and the plurality of SRAF usefulness maps in the library; adding the target feature and the generated usefulness map to the library; selecting an SRAF insertion site for the target feature based on the generated usefulness map; and inserting an SRAF for the target feature into the IC layout at the selected SRAF insertion site.

US10198541B2

Circuit modeling system and circuit modeling method based on net list simplification technique

A circuit modeling system includes a store a first net list. The first net list includes a plurality of semiconductor devices, a first power distribution network (PDN) connected to the plurality of semiconductor devices, and a signal network connected to the plurality of semiconductor devices that transmits signals to the plurality of semiconductor devices. A circuit simulation unit is configured to identify first semiconductor devices and second semiconductor devices from among the plurality of semiconductor devices. The first semiconductor devices are activated by receiving a signal through the signal network, and the second semiconductor devices are inactive. The circuit simulation unit is configured to reduce the first PDN to a second PDN based on the identified first semiconductor devices, and to generate a second net list including the signal network, the second PDN, and the first semiconductor devices.

US10198535B2

Methods and systems for machine-learning based simulation of flow

There is provided a method for modeling a hydrocarbon reservoir that includes generating a reservoir model comprising a plurality of sub regions. At least one of the sub regions is simulated using a training simulation to obtain a set of training parameters comprising state variables and boundary conditions of the at least one sub region. A machine learning algorithm is used to approximate, based on the set of training parameters, an inverse operator of a matrix equation that provides a solution to fluid flow through a porous media. The hydrocarbon reservoir can be simulated using the inverse operator approximated for the at least one sub region. The method also includes generating a data representation of a physical hydrocarbon reservoir can be generated in a non-transitory, computer-readable, medium based, at least in part, on the results of the simulation.

US10198533B2

Registration of multiple laser scans

A method of determining a registration between Scanworlds may include determining a first viewpoint of a setting based on first point data of a first Scanworld. The first Scanworld may include information about the setting as taken by a first laser scanner at a first location. The method may further include determining a second viewpoint of the setting based on second point data of a second Scanworld. The second Scanworld may include information about the setting as taken by a second laser scanner at a second location. The method may further include generating a first rectified image based on the first viewpoint and generating a second rectified image based on the second viewpoint. Additionally, the method may include determining a registration between the first Scanworld and the second Scanworld based on the first viewpoint and the second viewpoint.

US10198528B2

Methods and apparatus for accelerating content authored for multiple devices

Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and apparatus for improving the delivery of web content that has been authored for multiple devices. In certain embodiments, an intermediary device such as a proxy server determines the characteristics of a client device requesting multi-device content, obtains and examines the multi-device content, and in view of the particular requesting client device removes portions that are irrelevant for that device. Doing so can accelerate delivery of the content by reducing payload and relieving the client device of the processing burden associated with parsing the content to make that determination itself, among other things.

US10198526B2

Intelligence centers

Disclosed herein, among other things, is a system comprising a content repository, a communication portal developer, a content manager, and an analytic engine. The content repository is adapted to store electronic content in a computer-readable storage medium. The communication portal developer includes at least one wizard to create a plurality of customizable portals without coding software. Each customizable portal is accessible to one or more selected visitors through a web browser. The content manager is adapted to publish selectable electronic content to selectable portals. The content manager includes at least one wizard to populate and manage the electronic content within the content repository. The analytic engine analyzes electronic content use and visitor behavior while logged into their customizable portal. In various embodiments, the analytics are provided in real time or near real time. Other embodiments are disclosed herein.

US10198525B2

Asset intelligence network

A system, a method, and a computer program product for providing an asset intelligence network to maintain information about various assets are provided. At least one server generates a first information based on a first data received from at least one first party using at least one template. The server uses the template to generate a second information based on a second data received from at least one second party. The second data is related to the first data. Based on the template, the server creates a uniform record containing a combination of the first information and the second information, and stores the created uniform record.

US10198515B1

System and method for aggregating data from a plurality of data sources

According to certain aspects, a computer system may be configured to aggregate and analyze data from a plurality of data sources. The system may obtain data from a plurality of data sources, each of which can include various types of data, including email data, system logon data, system logoff data, badge swipe data, employee data, job processing data, etc. associated with a plurality of individuals. The system may also transform data from each of the plurality of data sources into a format that is compatible for combining the data from the plurality of data sources. The system can resolve the data from each of the plurality of data sources to unique individuals of the plurality of individuals. The system can also determine an efficiency indicator based at least in part on a comparison of individuals of the unique individuals that have at least one common characteristic.

US10198505B2

Personalized experience scores based on measurements of affective response

This disclosure describes systems, methods, and computer program products that may be used to provide crowd-based scores for experiences, which are computed based on measurements of affective response of multiple users who had the experiences. The measurements of affective response may be collected using a wide array of sensors that measure physiological signals and/or behavioral cues. Additionally, the scores may be personalized for a certain user based on similarities between a profile of the certain user and profiles of the multiple users.

US10198492B1

Data replication framework

Generally described, the present disclosure is directed to an eventually consistent replicated data store that uses, for its underlying storage, a computer software library that provides a high-performance embedded database for data. The replicated data store employs a plurality of hosts interconnected to one another, allowing for writes to any host and full awareness of membership across all hosts. With the data replication framework disclosed herein, various modes are allowed to be built up on top of the core system.

US10198484B2

Displaying reduced and detailed visual representations of calendar items based on mouse cursor movement

Disclosed are examples of systems, apparatus, methods and computer program products for displaying reduced and detailed visual representations of calendar items based on mouse cursor movement. A database storing data objects identifying calendar items can be maintained. Each calendar item can comprise a subject, a date, and a time range. A reduced visual representation of a first calendar item can be displayed in a first region of a user interface on a display of a device. The reduced visual representation of the first calendar item can comprise an at least partially obscured presentation of the subject, the date, and/or the time range of the first calendar item. Mouse cursor movement in the first region of the user interface can be detected. A detailed visual representation of the first calendar item can be displayed in the first region of the user interface in response to detecting the mouse cursor movement.

US10198482B2

Ranking of address book contacts based on social proximity

In one embodiment, a user of a social networking system requests to look up an address book maintained by the social networking system. The social networking system improves the look up search results by ranking one or more contacts in the address book based on social graph, social relationship and communication history information.

US10198477B2

System for automatic classification and routing

A request classifier service implemented on a server computer receives an input request from a client device. The request classifier service accesses classification data from a knowledge repository. The knowledge repository includes one or more defined input requests mapped to one or more classification types. The request classifier service determines confidence values for the one or more defined input requests. The confidence values represent a relative match score between the input request from the client device and each of the one or more defined input requests. The request classifier service sends classification types to a processing service implemented on the server computer. The processing service determines a process response type for the input request based upon the one or more classification types. The processing logic routes the process response type and the input request to a destination mapped to the process response type.

US10198469B1

Computer data system data source refreshing using an update propagation graph having a merged join listener

Described are methods, systems and computer readable media for data source refreshing using an update propagation graph having a merged join listener.

US10198457B2

System and method of identifying visual objects

A system and method of identifying objects is provided. In one aspect, the system and method includes a hand-held device with a display, camera and processor. As the camera captures images and displays them on the display, the processor compares the information retrieved in connection with one image with information retrieved in connection with subsequent images. The processor uses the result of such comparison to determine the object that is likely to be of greatest interest to the user. The display simultaneously displays the images the images as they are captured, the location of the object in an image, and information retrieved for the object.

US10198456B1

Systems and methods for data accuracy in a positioning system database

Methods for improving data accuracy in a positioning system database are provided. In one aspect, a method includes obtaining an image of a building including a business, and receiving from a user a first identifier in the image of a first edge of the business. The first identifier is associated with a first axis heading in the direction of the first edge of the business. The method also includes receiving from the user a second identifier of a second edge of the business, the second identifier associated with a second axis, receiving from the user a third identifier of an entrance to the business, the third identifier associated with a third axis, and identifying first, second, and third points on the first, second, and third axes, respectively, to identify the first edge, the second edge, and the entrance of the business on the map. Systems and machine-readable media are provided.

US10198450B2

Virtual file system remote search

Methods and devices for connecting a mobile device with different data storage devices located either locally or remotely are provided. The device may apply one or more rules to create a hierarchical virtualization of the several data storage devices. The virtualization may then be provided to the user as a single, hierarchical file system. Further, a monitoring system may monitor the file system to determine if any new applications have been installed or if applications are currently being executed. If a connection is made to a secure network, the system may provide the information derived from the monitoring to the secure network. The secure network can then analyze the information to determine if any of the applications should be uninstalled from the device or should be stopped while the device is connected to the network.

US10198448B2

System and method for displaying social network analytics

A system, device, and method may include a network interface device configured to be communicatively coupled to a user interface. An electronic data storage may be configured to store social network data related to users having accessed a social network content item A processor, coupled to the network interface device and the electronic data storage, may be configured to identify a relationship among at least some of the users, determine a relevance of the relationship to a member of the social network associated with the social network content item based, at least in part, on a social network profile of the member and social network profiles of the users, and cause the network interface device to display, on the user interface, information related to the relationship on the user interface based, at least in part, on the relevance.

US10198445B2

Automated archiving of user generated media files

Aspects of the subject technology relate to archiving user generated content. A data storage device of a computer system is scanned for media files, and directories of the data storage device containing media files found during the scan are added to an upload directory list. For each directory in the upload directory list, respective identifiers for the media files contained in the directory are determined and sent to a server. Confirmation is received from the server of whether the sent identifiers match identifiers for media files already stored by the server. The media files having identifiers confirmed as not matching identifiers for media files already stored by the server are uploaded.

US10198443B2

System and method for suggesting media content contributions for a collaborative playlist

Systems and techniques for suggesting media content contributions for a collaborative playlist are presented. The system can include a playlist component, a social component, and a suggestion component. The playlist component generates a playlist of media content in response to a request from a playlist owner. The social component invites at least one invitee to join a playlist collaboration group comprising the playlist owner and the at least one invitee. The suggestion component displays uploaded media content of the at least one invitee to allow the at least one invitee to add the uploaded media content to the playlist of the media content. The uploaded media content is determined based on a comparison of metadata of the uploaded media content with other metadata of the media content associated with the playlist.

US10198439B2

Presenting translations of text depicted in images

Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for presenting additional information for text depicted by an image. In one aspect, a method includes receiving an image. Text depicted in the image is identified. The identified text can be in one or more text blocks. A prominence presentation context is selected for the image based on the relative prominence of the one or more text blocks. Each prominence presentation context corresponds to a relative prominence of each text block in which text is presented within images. Each prominence presentation context has a corresponding user interface for presenting additional information related to the identified text depicted in the image. A user interface is identified that corresponds to the selected prominence presentation context. Additional information is presented for at least a portion of the text depicted in the image using the identified user interface.

US10198436B1

Highlighting key portions of text within a document

Highlighting key portions of text within a document is described. A document having text is obtained, and key portions of the document are determined using summarization techniques. Key portion data indicative of the key portions is generated and maintained for output to generate a highlighted document in which highlight overlays are displayed over or proximate the determined key portions of the text within the document. In one or more implementations, reader interactions with the highlighted document are monitored to generate reader feedback data. The reader feedback data may then be combined with the output of the summarization techniques in order to adjust the determined key portions. In some cases, the reader feedback data may also be used to improve the summarization techniques.

US10198425B2

Methods and apparatus for reusing report design components and templates

The disclosed embodiments enable a report to be generated using a template. The template may include one or more properties for which for which corresponding values are to be inherited by each copy of the template. A value of a property that is inherited may be overridden by modifying the inherited value. A copy of a template may be incorporated into a report design. Conversely, at least a portion of a report design may be saved as a template.

US10198418B2

Systems and methods for distributed electronic signature documents

Systems and methods for distributed electronic signature documents. A method for distributed electronic signature documents includes creating a signing template that contains information about how a signable document is to be signed. A signable document is created to be distributed to a signer for signing. The signable document is electronically transmitted to the signer. A message is sent using an activatable control in the signing document to a web signing server to invoke the signing process. A browser window is opened on a signer's computer in order to execute the signing process.

US10198408B1

System and method for converting and importing web site content

A system and method for converting and importing web site content are presented. A web page is rendered to create a rendered web page. The web page may be rendered by at least one server communicatively coupled to a network. The rendered web page is inspected to identify a plurality of display elements. Display attributes are captured for each one of the plurality of display elements in the rendered web page, and mark-up code is generated using the display attributes for each one of the plurality of display elements.

US10198403B2

Distributing content via content publishing platforms

Content provider systems publish content via content publishing platforms. An online system is associated with multiple content publishing platforms. Each content publishing platform is associated with policies that determine whether a content item is acceptable for publishing via the content publishing platform. For example, the policy may specify dimensions of a media object of the content item, keywords that are unacceptable for publishing via the content publishing platform, and so on. The online system receives requests from content provider systems to publish content via a particular content publishing platform. The online system determines whether the content item is suitable for publishing via one or more other content publishing platforms. The online system determines whether the content provider system approves publishing content via any of the identified content publishing platforms. The online system may deliver the content item to all content publishing platforms approved by the content provider system.

US10198389B2

Baseboard interconnection device, system and method

An information processing system, device and method wherein a base board is configured to couple to both back and midplane systems as well as optical modules for use in a data center rack system. Specifically, a base board adapter is configured to electrically couple to an integrated backplane/midplane electronic interface of the base board and translate the signals to one or more optical interface module connectors such that one or more optical interface modules are able to be coupled to the base board.

US10198388B2

Data storage system with pre-boot interface

A data storage system and associated method of using may generally have at least a data storage device that has independent first and second interfaces respectively connecting the data storage device to a host controller and an auxiliary controller. The auxiliary controller can be configured to provide system information to the data storage device prior to a synchronized connection being established between the data storage device and the host controller.

US10198382B2

12C bus controller slave address register and command FIFO buffer

Performing transactions on a bus by first generating a sequence of commands by an initiator module and queuing the sequence of commands in a queue module. A first one of the sequence of commands is sent from the queue module via the bus to a target module. The queue module is paused while waiting for a response via the bus from the target module; however, the initiator may continue processing another task. The queue module repeatedly sends a next command via the bus to the target module and waits for a response via the bus from the target module until a last one of the sequence of commands is sent to the target module. The queue module provides only a single acknowledgement to the initiator module after the sequence of commands has been transferred to the target module.

US10198379B2

Early identification in transactional buffered memory

A sequence of read returns are to be sent to a host device over a transactional buffered memory interface, where the sequence includes at least a first read return to a first read request and a second read return to a second read request. A tracker identifier of the second read return is encoded in the first read return and the first read return is sent with the tracker identifier of the second read return to the host device. The second read return is sent to the host device after the first read return is sent.

US10198370B2

Memory distribution across multiple non-uniform memory access nodes

A system, methods, and apparatus for determining memory distribution across multiple non-uniform memory access processing nodes are disclosed. An apparatus includes processing nodes, each including processing units and main memory serving as local memory. A bus connects the processing units of each processing node to different main memory of a different processing node as shared memory. Access to local memory has lower memory access latency than access to shared memory. The processing nodes execute threads distributed across the processing nodes, and detect memory accesses made from each processing node for each thread. The processing nodes determine locality values for the thread that represent the fraction of memory accesses made from the processing nodes, and determine processing time values for the threads for a sampling period. The processing nodes determine weighted locality values for the threads, and determine a memory distribution across the processing nodes based on the weighted locality values.

US10198351B2

Optimizing memory usage across multiple applications based on garbage collection activity

A method, information processing system, and computer readable storage medium, vary a maximum heap memory size for one application of a plurality of applications based on monitoring garbage collection activity levels for the plurality of applications, each application including a heap memory, and unused memory in the heap memory being reclaimed by a garbage collector.

US10198346B1

Test framework for applications using journal-based databases

A test coordinator for an application whose data is to be stored at a journal-based multi-data-store database using an optimistic concurrency control protocol identifies a test descriptor. The test descriptor indicates a particular order of a plurality of events associated with the application's data, such as reads from various data stores and propagations of committed writes from the database journal to the data stores. The test coordinator uses a set of control mechanisms to cause the events to occur in a selected execution environment in the particular order, and stores an indication of a state reached by the application in response to the events.

US10198342B1

Advanced binary instrumentation for debugging and performance enhancement

Systems and methods for integrating, into a first software program binary, segments of a second software program are disclosed. The integration causes the execution of segments of the second software program as the first software program binary is executed. In one embodiment, a second software program, such as an embeddable software application, is received and divided into a plurality of segments, each segment corresponding to a portion of the embeddable software application. Instrumentation points corresponding to the segments of the embeddable software application are inserted into a plurality of locations within a software binary to create a modified software binary. The modified software binary thus includes the selected software binary and the embeddable software program.

US10198325B2

Method and system for desynchronization recovery for permissioned blockchains using bloom filters

A method for recovery of missing or extra data using a bloom filter includes: storing a plurality of transaction messages, each including a transaction value; generating a bloom filter of the transaction messages, the bloom filter being generated using a number of hash rounds and with a size at least double the number of transaction messages; generating a recover message including the number of transaction messages, the number of hash rounds, the size, and the generated bloom filter; transmitting the recover message to a consensus node; receiving a response message from the consensus node, the response message including at least one additional transaction message; and inserting the at least one additional transaction message into the plurality of transaction messages.

US10198324B2

Data protection scheduling, such as providing a flexible backup window in a data protection system

A data protection scheduling system provides a flexible or rolling data protection window that analyzes various criteria to determine an optimal or near optimal time for performing data protection or secondary copy operations. While prior systems may have scheduled backups at an exact time (e.g., 2:00 a.m.), the system described herein dynamically determines when to perform the backups and other data protection storage operations, such as based on network load, CPU load, expected duration of the storage operation, rate of change of user activities, frequency of use of affected computer systems, trends, and so on.

US10198323B2

Method and system for implementing consistency groups with virtual machines

Disclosed is an approach for implementing disaster recovery for virtual machines. Consistency groups are implemented for virtual machines, where the consistency group link together two or more VMs. The consistency group includes any set of VMs which need to be managed on a consistent basis in the event of a disaster recovery scenario.

US10198319B1

Computation refinement storage in a data storage system

A storage manager may be used to perform a coding operation (e.g., an encoding operation or a decoding operation) on a data object using a refined version of a coding matrix in a storage system, such as an object-redundant storage system. The coding operation may include identifying a coding matrix for the data object and retrieving a refined version of the identified coding matrix from a data store of pre-refined coding matrices. The refined version of the coding matrix may identify two or more computations to be performed as part of the coding operation, where the two or more computations have common terms and operations. The coding operation may include determining one or more precomputed results of the two or more identified computations. The precomputed results may be used instead of performing the computations when performing the coding operation.

US10198317B1

Computation refinement in a data storage system

A storage manager may be used to perform a refinement operation on a coding matrix as part of a coding operation (e.g., an encoding operation or a decoding operation) in a storage system, such as an object-redundant storage system. The refinement operation may include identifying a plurality of computations to be performed as part of the coding operation, where the plurality of computations have common terms and operations. The refinement operation may include refining a coding matrix associated with the coding operation based on the identified computations and precomputing the identified computations. The precomputed computations may be used instead of performing the computations when performing the coding operation.

US10198309B2

Unexpected event detection during execution of an application

A computer-implemented method is provided. The method may include generating a state model for an application including a plurality of modeled stack traces generated via execution of a plurality of characterization scenarios of the application. The method may also include comparing each static data point in at least one stack trace generated during execution of the application to one or more modeled stack traces of the plurality of modeled stack traces of the state model. In addition, the method may include detecting, based on the comparison, at least one inconsistent event in the at least one stack trace generated during executing of the application. The method may further include performing at least one remedial action in response to detection of the at least one inconsistent event.

US10198305B2

Managing a storage device using a hybrid controller

Methods, apparatuses, and computer program products for managing a storage device using a hybrid controller are provided where the storage device comprises an internal peripheral component interconnect express (PCIe) interface to control solid state memory within the storage device. In particular embodiments, the storage device includes a first external interface configured to establish an external PCIe link and a second external interface configured to establish at least one of an external serial attached small computer system interface (SAS) link and an external serial advanced technology attachment (SATA) link. Embodiments include receiving from an external source, by the hybrid controller, a first command at the first external interface and a second command at the second external interface; and concurrently implementing, by the hybrid controller, the first command using a PCIe protocol and the second command using one of a SAS protocol and a SATA protocol.

US10198304B2

Targeted crash fixing on a client device

Client devices having deployed an application may experience a crash of the application. For example, a first client device may experience a first crash having a first crash signature of the application. After experiencing the first crash, a first device identification of the first client device may be assigned to a first bucket designating one or more device identifications of client devices having experienced the first crash. Client devices having device identifications in the first bucket are provided with a first crash fix for the first crash, while a second client device is not provide with the first crash fix, where the application is deployed on the second client device and the second client device was not assigned to the first bucket.

US10198294B2

Handling tenant requests in a system that uses hardware acceleration components

A service mapping component (SMC) is described herein for processing requests by instances of tenant functionality that execute on software-driven host components (or some other components) in a data processing system. The SMC is configured to apply at least one rule to determine whether a service requested by an instance of tenant functionality is to be satisfied by at least one of: a local host component, a local hardware acceleration component which is locally coupled to the local host component, and/or at least one remote hardware acceleration component that is indirectly accessible to the local host component via the local hardware acceleration component. In performing its analysis, the SMC can take into account various factors, such as whether or not the service corresponds to a line-rate service, latency-related considerations, security-related considerations, and so on.

US10198292B2

Scheduling database queries based on elapsed time of queries

A system, for example, an online system or a database system schedules requests received for execution. The system maintains consumer groups and receives a measure of amount of resources allocated for each consumer group. The system maintains a measure of accumulated elapsed time of execution of requests received from each consumer group. If the system determines that resources are available for executing a request, the system selects a request for execution from a consumer group based on the measure of accumulated elapsed time for processing queries for the consumer group and the measure of amount of resources allocated for the consumer group. The system maintains relative cumulative elapsed times of queries across consumer groups in the same ratio as the allocated share for the consumer groups. Accordingly, the system schedules requests such that each consumer group approaches its allocation of resources compared to other groups smoothly over time.

US10198279B2

Thread synchronization for platform neutrality

A system performs thread synchronization across layers of code that implement an application, including native code, system code, and code in a virtual machine (“VM”). The system makes a call by the native code to the system code; and sends a message by the system code to the code in the VM. The system then sends a first response by the code in the VM to the system code; and sends a second response by the system code to the native code, where each one of the native code, the system code, and the code in the VM implements wait and notify functionality for communication with other codes that implement the application.

US10198277B2

Facilitating device driver interactions

Techniques are described for facilitating interactions with device driver modules. In at least some situations, the techniques include managing interactions between device driver modules and other programs or hardware devices so as to minimize disruptions related to the device driver modules, including when changes to existing device driver modules are made. Such device driver module changes may have various forms and may occur for various reasons, including to install new versions of device driver modules or otherwise upgrade existing device driver modules. Furthermore, the interactions with device driver modules may be managed in various manners, including to allow changes to occur to a device driver module while that device driver module is in use on a computing system, but without causing other programs on the computing system to be restarted or to lose existing connections to the device driver module being changed.

US10198275B2

Protecting firmware flashing from power operations

In an aspect of the disclosure, a method, a computer-readable medium, and an apparatus are provided. The apparatus may be a management device. The apparatus may be a management device. The management device receives a first command. The management device determines whether the management device is in a protected mode for executing a protected process. The management device, in response to a determination that the management device is in the protected mode, determines whether the first command, when executed, interrupts the execution of the protected process. The management device, in response to a determination that the first command interrupts the execution of the protected process, discards the first command.

US10198267B2

Register renaming using snapshot buffers

An apparatus has register rename circuitry to map architectural register specifiers specified by instructions to physical register specifiers identifying physical registers. A restoration table identifies at least one restoration mapping between an architectural register specifier and a previously mapped physical register specifier. Register reserving circuitry indicates one or more reserved register specifiers. In response to detecting that a speculative instruction corresponding to a restoration mapping has been committed when that instruction or an older instruction still could potentially read a register, the register reserving circuitry indicates the physical register specifier of that restoration mapping as reserved.

US10198263B2

Write nullification

Apparatus and methods are disclosed for nullifying one or more registers identified in a target field of a nullification instruction. In some examples of the disclosed technology, an apparatus can include memory and one or more block-based processor cores configured to fetch and execute a plurality of instruction blocks. One of the cores can include a control unit configured, based at least in part on receiving a nullification instruction, to obtain a register identification of at least one of a plurality of registers, based on a target field of the nullification instruction. A write to the at least one register associated with the register identification is nullified. The nullification instruction is in a first instruction block of the plurality of instruction blocks. Based on the nullified write to the at least one register, a subsequent instruction is executed from a second, different instruction block.

US10198254B2

Surfacing cross platform applications

A utility application store may be configured to present an interface displaying multiple applications that are available from the utility application store. By accessing the interface of the utility application store, a utility supplier may, with a single request, initiate installation or activation of an application on multiple utility meters or other smart sensors in a utility communication network. The utility application store may be configured to provide notification of the availability of applications for utility meters or other smart sensors, consumer computing devices, and/or utility supplier back office computing devices. The utility application store may include one or more distributed applications that include a first portion configured for execution by a utility meter and one or more other portions configured for execution by another computing device (e.g., a personal computer, mobile device, utility supplier back office server, cloud service, or the like).

US10198252B2

Transformation chain application splitting

The splitting of an application in response to detected environmental events (such as user input). Such splitting may be performed for purposes of sharing the application. The application is a transformation chain instance. From the detected environmental event(s), it is determined that a portion transformation chain class is to be created from the larger transformation chain class of the application. In response, the portion transformation chain class is created, instantiated and operated. A sharing mechanism may be used to allow the split portion of the application to be shared with other entities without losing control.

US10198250B1

Partitioning based migration of systems to container and microservice based platforms

According to an example, partitioning based migration of systems to container and micro-service based-platforms may include determining, based on an analysis of source code for an application that is to be partitioned, an entity model corresponding to the application, identifying resources associated with the application, and determining a mapping of the identified resources to entities of the entity model. Further, partitioning based migration of systems to container and micro-service based-platforms may include identifying dependencies for each of the mapped resources, generating dependency and control flow metrics for the application, generating affinity values between the mapped resources, generating a resource affinity graph, determining an affinity score between each of the mapped resources, and generating resource clusters that correspond to partitions of the application.

US10198244B1

Head-mounted device, headphone apparatus and separation control method for head-mounted device

A head-mounted device, a headphone apparatus, and a separation control method for the head-mounted device, the separation control method includes following steps: detecting whether the headphone apparatus of the head-mounted device is separated from the display apparatus of the head-mounted device; if yes, controlling the head-mounted device to enter an audio playing mode; and receiving an input signal generated by an input unit of the head-mounted device in response to an input operation, and controlling to execute a corresponding audio playing control function according to the input signal. The head-mounted device may continue to use the headphone apparatus conveniently when the headphone apparatus is separated from the display apparatus.

US10198242B2

Method and apparatus for a volume of a device

A method and apparatus for controlling a volume of a device is provided herein. During operation, a first device will receive a volume-adjustment message from a second device, along with an identity of an active application being run on the second device. The volume-adjustment message indicates whether or not the second device increased or decreased their volume. The first device will increase or decrease their volume in a similar manner as the second device if the first device is currently running a same active application as the second device; otherwise the first device will adjust its volume in an opposite direction as indicated in the volume-adjustment message.

US10198239B2

Gesture-controlled tabletop speaker system

A speaker system includes a case, an audio input, speakers, an accelerometer, and a computer processor. The audio input is structured to receive a program audio signal from an audio device. The speakers are configured to play an audio output based on the program audio signal, the audio output causing a vibration of the case. The accelerometer is configured to detect the vibration of the case as well as a user tap on the case. The computer processor is configured to identify a user gesture that includes the tap on the case, to identify the tap apart from the case vibration by processing the detected vibration of the case and the detected user tap on the case based on information from the program audio signal to separate the detected user tap from the detected vibration, and to commence a particular function associated with the user gesture.

US10198237B2

Display device and method of driving the same

A display device and a method of driving the same are provided. The display device includes a drive circuit and at least two display units, the drive circuit drives one or at least two display units to display a required image.

US10198231B2

User interface based on system-state information

A portable electronic device with a touch-sensitive display (such as a cellular telephone) provides a wireless remote control for an entertainment device (such as a consumer-electronic device). Based on device-state information that specifies a current state of the entertainment device (which is determined by an audio/video (A/V) hub that communicates with the entertainment device) and one or more related states of the entertainment device, the A/V hub may generate user-interface information that specifies a user interface that includes one or more virtual command icons. Note that the one or more related states are related to the current state in a state diagram by corresponding operations that transition the entertainment device from the current state to the one or more related states. Then, the A/V hub provides the user interface to the portable electronic device. In this way, the A/V hub device dynamically adapts the user interface.

US10198227B2

Electronic apparatus and image forming apparatus

An electronic apparatus includes an operation unit or a terminal device for inputting address information of the terminal device of a user who instructed execution of a job, and notification target information indicating whether the terminal device is a notification target to which an interruption of the job is to be notified, a network interface unit that performs data communication with a plurality of the terminal devices, and a controller that decides, when an interruption of the job is detected, whether the terminal device is the notification target, according to the notification target information, and causes the network interface unit to transmit interruption data indicating that the job has been interrupted to the terminal device, using the address information of the terminal device, when the terminal device is the notification target.

US10198225B1

Printing using available account credits

An interface device receives, from a client, an instruction to print an original print job, and a processor that is in communication with the interface, calculates an initial cost to print the original print job. A communications device transmits, to an accounting device, a printing account inquiry of the client; and, in response, the communications device receives a printing account balance of the client. The processor determines if the initial cost exceeds the printing account balance; and, if so, the processor calculates modifications to transform the original print job into a modified print job that has a modified cost (that is above zero) that is not greater than the printing account balance. In such a situation, the interface displays a message that the initial cost exceeds the account balance, but that the modified print job does not exceed the account balance, with an option to print the modified print job.

US10198215B2

System and method for multi-stream data write

A method of writing multi-stream host data to a storage device comprising a CPU, a multi-stream fast release buffer (FRB), and a non-volatile memory (NVM), includes: receiving a command to write the multi-stream host data to the NVM, the multi-stream host data being associated with a logical block number (LBN) and a new stream ID, recording a status of the active stream ID and retrieving a status of the new stream ID to determine a physical address in the NVM for storing one or more codewords (CWs) corresponding to the multi-stream host data, allocating space in a buffer of the FRB for storage of the multi-stream host data, organizing the multi-stream host data into the one or more CWs, and storing the one or more CWs into the allocated space in the buffer, transferring the one or more CWs from the buffer to the physical address in the NVM.

US10198202B2

Safe userspace device access for network function virtualization using an IOMMU to map supervisor memory to a reserved range of application virtual addresses

A device access system includes a memory having a supervisor memory, a processor, an input output memory management unit (IOMMU), and a supervisor. The supervisor includes a supervisor driver, which executes on the processor to allocate the supervisor memory and reserve a range of application virtual addresses. The supervisor driver programs the IOMMU to map the supervisor memory to the reserved range. A device is granted access to the reserved range, which is protected in host page table entries such that an application cannot modify data within the range. The supervisor driver configures the device to use the supervisor memory and receive a request including a virtual address and length from the application to use the device. The supervisor driver validates the request by verifying that the virtual address and length do not overlap the range reserved by the supervisor, and responsive to validating the request, submits the request to the device.

US10198200B1

Command sequence response in a memory data buffer

A method for responding to a command sequence includes receiving the command sequence associated with a targeted access to a memory system, detecting a non-consecutive clock associated with a start of the command sequence, and generating a control signal in an active state to indicate detection of the non-consecutive clock associated with the start of the command sequence.

US10198197B2

Method and apparatus for flexible RAID in SSD

A solid state drive (SSD) employing a redundant array of independent disks (RAID) scheme includes a flash memory chip, erasable blocks in the flash memory chip, and a flash controller. The erasable blocks are configured to store flash memory pages. The flash controller is operably coupled to the flash memory chip. The flash controller is also configured to organize certain of the flash memory pages into a RAID line group and to write RAID line group membership information to each of the flash memory pages in the RAID line group.

US10198193B2

Computer program product, method, apparatus and data storage system for controlling write operations in the data storage system

The data storage system includes one or more storage apparatuses and a file system server connected to the one or more storage apparatuses and to one or more host computers. Write operations are controlled by providing a free space object which stores a plurality of indicators, each indicator being associated with one of a plurality of storage units for storing data units in the one or more storage apparatuses and each indicator indicating whether the associated storage unit is free or used, executing a read-ahead examination which comprises examining a set of indicators of the free space object for identifying one or more used storage units associated with indicators of the set, in particular for observing a fragmentation status of the storage units associated with the indicators of the set, and executing an allocation examination which comprises examining one or more indicators.

US10198192B2

Systems and methods for improving quality of service within hybrid storage systems

The disclosed computer-implemented method for improving quality of service within hybrid storage systems may include (1) monitoring a performance measurement of a hybrid storage system that includes first and second types of storage devices that handle I/O throughput in connection with an application, (2) determining, based at least in part on the monitored performance measurement, an approximate amount of the I/O throughput handled by the first type of storage device over a period of time, (3) determining, based at least in part on the approximate amount of I/O throughput, a rate at which the application is allowed to deliver subsequent I/O throughput to the hybrid storage system over a subsequent period of time, and then (4) regulating, based at least in part on the rate, the subsequent I/O throughput in connection with the application over the subsequent period of time. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.

US10198190B2

Performance oriented data deduplication and duplication

A system and method for data storage management is disclosed. The method includes determining, by an access tracking component, a quantity of access requests for at least one data block, and determining a quantity of current copies of the data block. The method also includes creating, by a duplication component, at least one additional copy of the data block when the quantity of the access requests exceeds an access request threshold. Additionally, a deduplication component removes at least one current copy of the data block when the quantity of the access requests falls below the access request threshold. The access request threshold can be a threshold number of access requests for the data block, the presence of an input/output bottleneck, or a given length of a read latency when accessing the data block. Further, data coloring techniques can be used to distribute current copies of the data block.

US10198179B2

Program for character input system, character input device, and information processing device

A non-transitory computer readable medium includes a character input system including a first band-shaped key area displayed including the characters of character groups including representative characters lined up one by one. When a touch point is detected in this area, a second band-shaped key area is displayed including the characters of the group including the representative characters lined up at that detection position. When movement of a touch point from the first band-shaped key area to the second band-shaped key area is detected, a band-shaped candidate area is displayed including candidate character strings matching the characters in a line at that movement position. These areas are arranged in the width direction and with their orientations aligned. When the touch point disappears after moving from the second band-shaped key area to the band-shaped candidate area, the candidate character string displayed at that disappearance position is confirmed as the input character string.

US10198175B2

Information processing apparatus for recognizing an inputted character based on coordinate data series

An information processing apparatus comprising a coordinate input unit for inputting coordinate data series, a recognition unit for recognizing a character based on the coordinate data series inputted, and a page/note management unit for managing a data aggregate of the character recognized as a page, receiving a search condition from a user, and managing one or more page aggregates hit by the condition as notes.

US10198170B2

Mobile terminal and control method therefor

The present invention relates to a mobile terminal which can be used as a terminal for which user convenience has been further considered and a control method therefor. According to at least one of the embodiments of the present invention, even if the terminal is provided with a touch screen having a relatively small area, a method for efficiently controlling the terminal can be provided.

US10198168B2

Mobile terminal and operation control method thereof

A mobile terminal provides a guide and feedback for a lock release operation to implement a gesture for a lock release operation at an arbitrary location and in various directions. A method of releasing a user interface lock state in a mobile terminal having a touch sensing display according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include setting the mobile terminal to a user interface lock state; detecting a contact with the touch sensing display at an arbitrary location on the touch sensing display; displaying a lock release region corresponding to the arbitrary location while maintaining a contact with the touch sensing display; displaying the movement of the contact in the lock release region; and switching the mobile terminal into a user interface lock release state when the movement of the contact in the lock release region satisfies a predetermined condition.

US10198155B2

Interface for automated service discovery in I.T. environments

An automatic service monitor in an information technology environment may be equipped to automatically process machine data originating from a running IT environment to identify the entities that perform services in the environment, and to reflect the discovered entities and service associations in the control and configuration data that directs the monitoring operations performed by the system. A related user interface is taught.

US10198143B2

Providing user interfaces and window previews for hosted applications

A local computing device may use a remote computing device to host various resources on behalf of the local computing device. The local computing device may receive data related to a graphical window of the remotely hosted resource and generate a graphical window on the local desktop environment for the remotely hosted resource. The local computing device may also update a taskbar to include the remote hosted resource. Window previews may also be generated by the local computing device and the window previews may include snapshots or dynamic images of the graphical window for the remotely hosted resource. In some instances, the snapshots may be provided to the local computing device from the remote computing device.

US10198140B2

Systems and methods for facilitating communication between users of a content management service

Computer systems and methods, according to various embodiments, allow users with shared access to a shared file or folder to communicate with one another via online chat. In particular embodiments, the system is configured to facilitate a chat session among all users that have shared access to a particular file or folder in response to a particular user selecting a “chat” button (or other suitable chat initiation element) associated with the shared file or folder. After a chat session is complete, the system may archive the chat session for later viewing and use.

US10198139B2

Method of producing touch sensor member, and touch sensor member

A touch sensor member includes a substrate sectioned into a display region and a design region; a conductive pattern formed on the display region and having a line width of 2 to 6 μm; and a conductive pattern formed on the design region and having a line width of 7 to 100 μm, wherein the conductive pattern having a line width of 2 to 6 μm and the conductive pattern having a line width of 7 to 100 μm have the same composition.

US10198130B2

In-cell touch panel and display device

An in-cell touch panel and a display device are disclosed. The in-cell touch panel includes a top substrate and a bottom substrate disposed oppositely to each other, a common electrode layer disposed on a side of the bottom substrate that faces the top substrate and a touch sensing chip. The common electrode layer is partitioned into a plurality of independent self-capacitance electrodes and a plurality of wires for connecting the self-capacitance electrodes to the touch sensing chip. The touch sensing chip is configured to apply common electrode signals to self-capacitance electrodes in a display interval and determine touch positions by detecting capacitance value variation of self-capacitance electrodes in a touch interval. No additional layer is needed for the in-cell touch panel, thereby saving production costs and improving production efficiency.

US10198129B2

Input device, image forming apparatus, and non-transitory computer readable medium

An input device includes multiple operators disposed in a visible state on an operation surface, a protrusion protruding from the operation surface, and a detector that detects an input of an operation performed on each of the operators when a detection position of an input object is included in a detection range set for each operator. The multiple operators include a first operator disposed near the protrusion and a second operator disposed at a position farther away from the protrusion than the first operator. An extension amount by which the detection range for the first operator is extended in a direction away from the protrusion from a visible position of the first operator is set to be larger than an extension amount by which the detection range for the second operator is extended in the direction away from the protrusion.

US10198128B2

Display apparatus including capping layers having different properties

A display apparatus includes a substrate; a plurality of light-emitting diodes (LED) disposed on the substrate, and a capping layer on each LED. Each LED emits one of a first light having a first wavelength, a second light having a second wavelength, and a third light having a third wavelength, where the first wavelength is less than the second wavelength, and the second wavelength is less than the third wavelength. Each capping layer has a different haze value for each of the first, second and third lights, or a different lens shape for each of the first, second and third lights.

US10198123B2

Mitigating noise in capacitive sensor

The disclosed embodiments relate to forming an area on a touchscreen which electrically isolates a portion of the viewable area of the touchscreen from a capacitive sensor associated with the touchscreen.

US10198121B2

Projected capacitive touch switch panel

To provide a projected capacitive touch switch panel having sensor units that are easy to adjust and that minimally reflect visible light, and furthermore having adequate environment-resistance properties. A projected capacitive touch switch panel 1 comprising a glass substrate 2 that has a sensor unit 3 for performing detection along the X direction, and a glass substrate 4 that has a sensor unit 5 for performing detection along the Y direction, in which: the two glass substrates are laminated, and the sensor units are sandwiched between the glass substrates so as to face each other; each of the sensor units has a sensor electrode comprising an Al thin film, and a blackened film including at least one metal selected from Cr, Mo, and W.

US10198115B2

Touch display panel, touch display device and method for driving the same

A touch display panel is provided. The touch display panel includes a first substrate, and a second substrate opposite to the first substrate. The first substrate includes a base substrate, and an anode, an organic light emitting layer and a cathode formed on the base substrate. The cathode includes a plurality of first sub-electrodes, each of the plurality of first sub-electrodes is used as a touch electrode and applied with a touch scanning signal during a touch scanning stage and is used as a common electrode and applied with a common electrode signal during a display stage. The first substrate further includes a driving electrode layer disposed between the anode and the base substrate, the driving electrode layer is applied with the touch scanning signal during the touch scanning stage.

US10198114B2

Touch sensing circuit and control method thereof for high resolution fingerprint recognition

A touch sensing circuit and its control method is disclosed herein. The touch sensing circuit includes a plurality of detecting units. The detecting units are arranged in an array, in which each detecting unit includes a sensing pad, a first switch and a second switch. The first switch is configured to selectively conduct the sensing pad and one of a plurality of signal lines. The second switch is configured to selectively conduct two adjacent sensing pads. When the first switches in a first row in the array are on, the sensing pads in the first row are configured to output detecting signals to the signal lines according to a driving signal, and the second switches in a second row adjacent to the first row are on to conduct the sensing pads in the second row to receive and transmit the driving signal together.

US10198109B2

Supplementing a touch input mechanism with fingerprint detection

A device and related methods, including a display and a display surface, are provided. The device includes logic configured to detect touch events received via the display surface. The display is coupled to a remote computing functionality that is configured to store shared work space information in a data store associated with the remote computing functionality to support collaborative tasks performed by participants in an interaction session. The device further includes logic configured to receive touch events and interpret the touch events as a request to drag an object, select a menu option, or display a web page. The device further includes logic configured to receive requests, not via the display surface of the display, but from user devices different from the display. Such requests can include requests to display an object on the display surface or execute an application.

US10198108B2

Concurrent signal detection for touch and hover sensing

Detecting a signal from a touch and hover sensing device, in which the signal can be indicative of concurrent touch events and/or hover events, is disclosed. A touch event can indicate an object touching the device. A hover event can indicate an object hovering over the device. The touch and hover sensing device can ensure that a desired hover event is not masked by an incidental touch event, e.g., a hand holding the device, by compensating for the touch event in the detected signal that represents both events. Conversely, when both a hover event and a touch event are desired, the touch and hover sensing device can ensure that both events are detected by adjusting the device sensors and/or the detected signal. The touch and hover sensing device can also detect concurrent hover events by identifying multiple peaks in the detected signal, each peak corresponding to a position of a hovering object.

US10198104B2

Advanced super dimension switch array substrate and method for manufacturing the same, display device

The present disclosure provides an ADS array substrate, a method for manufacturing the same and a display device. The common electrodes of the ADS array substrate serves as touch electrodes, and each touch electrode is electrically connected to a corresponding signal line. In a touch time period of a time period for displaying one frame of image, it is detected whether a self-capacitance of the touch electrode is changed via a corresponding signal line and then a touch position is determined. Each signal line corresponds to a unique touch electrode, then a detection signal obtained via each signal line corresponds to a unique touch electrode, so even though a plurality of touch electrodes are touched, the corresponding touches positions may be determined exactly.

US10198103B2

Display device

A display device, including a substrate; a pixel electrode and an opposing electrode on the substrate; an encapsulation portion on the opposing electrode, the encapsulation portion including at least one organic layer and at least one inorganic layer alternately deposited; and a planarization layer on the encapsulation portion, the planarization layer including a portion covering an edge portion of the encapsulation portion, a first angle between an edge side surface of the planarization layer and a surface of the substrate being larger than a second angle between an edge side surface of the encapsulation portion and the surface of the substrate.

US10198102B2

Touch display panel and its controlling method

The present disclosure provides a touch display panel and its controlling method. The touch display panel includes a plurality of first touch electrodes and a plurality of first touch electrode lines arranged on an array substrate, a plurality of second touch electrodes and a plurality of second touch electrode lines arranged on a color filter substrate, and region scanning electrodes. Each first touch electrode line is connected to each first touch electrode, and each second touch electrode line is connected to each second touch electrode. All the first touch electrodes are located at one half of a display region of the touch display panel, and all the second touch electrodes are located at the other half of the display region of the display panel.

US10198100B2

Electrode device, circuit arrangement and method for the approach and touch detection

An electrode device for a capacitive sensor device and a circuit arrangement for a capacitive sensor device for the operation of an electrode device are provided, wherein the electrode device has a first electrode structure with at least one transmitting electrode and at least one receiving electrode, and a second electrode structure with at least one field sensing electrode, wherein the electrode device or the capacitive sensor device can be operated in a first operation mode and in a second operation mode. In addition a method is provided for approach and/or touch detection with a sensor device.

US10198092B2

Electronic device including electronic pen and method for recognizing insertion of the electronic pen therein

According to various exemplary embodiments, there may be provided an electronic device including a housing having a first side and an opposite second side, a display disposed between the first side and the second side, an ElectroMagnetic Resonance (EMR) sensor pad disposed between the display and the second side, a pen placing space disposed between the first side and the second side to accommodate an electronic pen, and a detecting member disposed in vicinity of the electronic pen for detecting the electronic pen when the electronic pen is fully inserted into the pen placing space.

US10198088B2

Non-transitory computer readable recording medium can perform optical movement quality determining method and related optical movement detecting system

A non-transitory computer readable recording medium, for storing at least one program, an optical movement quality determining method is performed if the program is executed, wherein the optical movement quality determining method is applied to an optical movement detecting apparatus configured to generate optical information and to determine a relative location between an object and the optical movement detecting apparatus, wherein the optical movement quality determining method comprises: (a) determining information quality of the optical information; and (b) generating at least one movement quality reminding message according to a relation between the information quality and a quality threshold value.

US10198075B2

Operation apparatus

An imaging apparatus including an imaging unit, an index determining unit, a predetermined image detecting unit, and a notification unit. The imaging unit has a preset imaging range and which images a target within the imaging range. The index determining unit determines whether an image of a particular index image has intruded into the imaging range. The predetermined image detecting unit detects a predetermined image part within the imaging range. The notification unit notifies that the index determining unit determines that the index image overlaps the predetermined image part. The predetermined image detecting unit is configured to determine a change direction of a changed part of image information and a no-change direction, and the notification unit notifies in accordance with the relation between a change direction of the index image and a change direction of image information.

US10198071B2

Methods and apparatuses for determining control information

The application discloses various methods and apparatuses for determining control information. One of the methods for determining control information disclosed comprises: acquiring EEG detection information of a human body in response to a motion of a head of the human body; and determining control information corresponding to the EEG detection information. Embodiments of the application may facilitate achieving a more natural, flexible and convenient human-computer interaction by taking the motion of the head as a locus of control.

US10198063B1

Average power saving modes and power architecture for read channel product

A power regulation system for a read channel of a data storage assembly includes a first voltage regulator for supplying power to the front-end decoder and a second voltage regulator for supplying power to the back-end codec. The second voltage regulator may conserve power reduce supply voltage to the back-end codec when the codec operates at a lower sampling frequency. The second voltage regulator may additionally increase supply voltage to the back-end codec in conjunction with an increase in sampling frequency. The system may additionally include a third voltage regulator for supplying a memory structure of the read channel with only the minimum required operating voltage to prevent leakage power.

US10198062B2

Microprocessor to resume clocking and execution based on external input pattern detection

Various exemplary embodiments relate to an event-driven processing unit (EPU) and a related method. A microprocessor may halt processing instructions when it executes a halting command. Thereafter, an EPU clock may stop its processing cycle and therefore halt microprocessor execution until it receives a start signal by a pattern detector. The pattern detector may use a plurality of bit slices to monitor a plurality of external inputs for the occurrence of events specified by the user. Some embodiments may also allow the user to check functioning by skipping upcoming instructions if a monitored event did not occur. By halting the EPU clock and the execution flow of the microprocessor, the event-driven microprocessor minimizes waste associated with executing a main control loop while waiting for a monitored event to occur. This may save processing capacity, memory, and power associated with continually running the main control loop.

US10198042B2

Front cover assembly and terminal

A front cover assembly includes a frame, a cover glass, and a waterproof glue. The frame has a receiving cavity. The cover glass is partially received in the frame. The cover glass has a light exiting face and a lateral face extending from the light exiting face. The cover glass has a step portion located at the lateral face and extending toward the frame. A gap is defined between the step portion of the cover glass and the frame. A waterproof glue fills the gap and directly contacts the step portion and the frame. This assembly can prevent water or dust from entering a terminal device.

US10198015B1

Digital low drop-out regulator and operation method thereof

A digital LDO regulator includes: a pulse control circuit for generating a proportional control signal based on an error code, generating an integral control signal that toggles during a first section, which includes an initialization section and an integration section, based on the proportional control signal, and generating a state information signal that defines a steady state section, the initialization section, and the integration section; a proportional control circuit for outputting a first drive signal by multiplying the error code by a proportional gain factor based on the proportional control signal; an integral control circuit for outputting a second drive signal by multiplying the error code by an integral gain factor based on the state information signal and the integral control signal; and a driver for adjusting the output voltage in response to the first drive signal and the second drive signal.

US10198013B2

Voltage regulator system and method of use

Embodiments of the disclosure pertain to a voltage regulator system having a voltage regulation controller and a transformer assembly. The transformer assembly includes a coil winding, a multi-contact tap arrangement connected to the coil winding, and a multifurcated tap changer system that includes a first tap changer having a contactor element which makes contact with a first contact of the multi-contact tap arrangement when the controller provides a positioning stimulus based on sensing a voltage deviation from a nominal output voltage of the voltage regulator system. The multifurcated tap changer system further includes a second tap changer that is mechanically ganged to the first tap changer and includes another contactor element arranged to automatically make contact with a second contact of the multi-contact tap arrangement when the contactor element of the first tap changer makes contact with the first contact of the multi-contact tap arrangement.

US10198012B2

System and method for routing chemicals in a chemical plant

A system for automatic routing of chemicals includes a plurality of equipment, including a source and a destination, and one or more possible paths between the source and destination. The system further includes a process control unit to communicate with the equipment, a routing control unit to communicate with the process control unit. The routing control unit is provided with control algorithms for finding an optimum path between the source and the destination based at least partially on feedback from the process control unit.

US10197979B2

Determining occupancy with user provided information

Methods and systems are described for determining occupancy with user provided information. According to at least one embodiment, a method for determining occupancy with user provided information includes using at least one sensor to detect occupancy in a building over time, determining a predictive schedule based on the occupancy detected with the at least one sensor, and requesting information relevant to the predictive schedule from a user.

US10197978B2

Adaptive ejector valve array

A method for providing adaptive control of the flow of a plurality of ejector valves arranged in close proximity to each other in a sorting machine is described. The method comprises measuring a temporal response curve for each ejector valve, comparing the measured temporal response curve for each ejector valve to a library set of previously stored temporal response curves, determining from the comparison a predicted flow for each ejector valve, and adapting a drive signal for each ejector valve in dependence on the predicted flow. Temporal response curves may be measured and compared in a calibration (non-sorting) mode, and real-time feedback of the measured temporal responses in a sorting mode may be used to indicate health of a valve and to further adapt the drive signal to provide conformal performance. The number of neighboring ejector valves may also be taken into account.

US10197976B2

Method and system for managing power demand of a plurality of charging stations sharing the same portion of an electrical network

A method and system are disclosed for managing power demand of a plurality of charging stations sharing the same portion of an electrical network, the method comprising obtaining an indication of a maximum value of power allowed at the portion of the electrical network; obtaining an indication of a current power consumed at the portion of the electrical network; managing a charging configuration of the plurality of charging stations to ensure that the current power consumed at the portion of the electrical network stays lower than the maximum value of power demand allowed.

US10197970B2

Process unit having a seal member that seals a space between a flange and a portion supporting a flange

A process unit includes an image bearing body, a flange provided on an end portion of the image bearing body, and a supporting portion that rotatably supports a rotational axis portion provided on the flange. A seal is provided that to seal at least a part of a space formed between the supporting portion and the flange.

US10197966B2

Image forming apparatus

An image forming apparatus includes image forming stations including respective electrophotographic photosensitive drums; an image transfer belt contactable to the drums; image transfer rollers, contactable to the transfer belt to urge the belt to the drums for transferring the toner images from the drums onto the belt, the rollers being provided with respective rotational shafts about an axis of which the rollers are rotatable; and a slidable member slidable in a direction in which the stations are arranged to retract the rollers away from the corresponding drums, the slidable member being provided with inclined surfaces contactable to the shafts, the inclined surfaces being disposed at such positions that the rollers are retracted from respective drums sequentially with the movement of the slidable member in the direction.

US10197965B2

Image forming apparatus provided with link member capable of moving developing unit in interlocking relation to movement of cover

An image forming apparatus includes: a housing, a cover a process cartridge, an LED array, and a link member. The cover is pivotally movable about an axis extending in a first direction between an open position and a closed position. The process cartridge includes a photosensitive drum and a developing unit, and is attachable to and detachable from the housing in an open state where the cover is at the open position. The link member is movable in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction in interlocking relation to movement of the cover. The link member is configured to: move the developing unit away from the axis in the second direction during movement of the cover from the closed position to the open position; and move the developing unit toward the axis in the second direction during movement of the cover from the open position to the closed position.

US10197959B2

Fixing device and image forming apparatus

A fixing device includes a roller, an endless belt, and a heat generating member disposed in a space inside the endless belt, extending in a width direction of the endless belt, and pressing the endless belt against the roller. A sheet is passed through a nip formed between the roller and a portion of the endless belt pressed by the heat generating member, such that an image on the sheet is fixed thereto. The heat generating member includes a first heat generating portion, and a pair of second heat generating portions, the first generating portion being between the pair of second heat generating portions in the width direction, and the first heat generating portion is independently operable with respect to the pair of second heat generating portions.

US10197958B2

Image heating apparatus and image forming apparatus

The fixing apparatus includes a cylindrical film, a nip member in contact with a film inner surface, wherein the nip member extends in a film longitudinal direction; a heater provided in a film hollow portion, a roller forming a nip portion where the recording material is conveyed and heated to fix the image on the recording material; a support member supporting the nip member, wherein a cross section of the support member perpendicular to the film longitudinal direction has a U-shape, and two end portions forming an opening portion in the U-shape support the nip member, an insulation member provided between the two end portions and the nip plate, and a reflection member surrounding the heater between the nip member and the support member, wherein the reflection member reflects the radiation heat of the heater toward the nip member.

US10197950B2

Generating mixed ink in a printing press

Generating mixed ink composed of at least two basic inks with a mixing ratio in a liquid electrophotography printing press by: determining (30) a volume of one of the basic inks according to the mixing ratio; calculating (31) an interval for opening a leak valve (17) based on an ink flow in a basic ink connection tube; draining (32) the volume to the mixing ink tank (14) from the basic ink connection tube (12) via a leak tube by opening the leak valve for the calculated interval.

US10197943B2

Developer cartridge provided with casing and developer accommodating unit detachably supported thereto

A developer cartridge includes a casing; and a sub-unit. The casing has a first opening and a developer chamber. The sub-unit is detachably attached to the developer chamber through the first opening. The sub-unit includes a cap; a developer container; and an agitation member. The cap seals the first opening. The developer container is disposed in the developer chamber and hermetically accommodating developer therein. The agitation member is disposed in the developer chamber. The agitation member has a first end portion and a second end portion. The agitation member is rotatable relative to the casing about an axis. The axis extends between the first end portion and the second end portion in an axial direction.

US10197923B2

Exposure device and out-of-focus and tilt error compensation method

In an exposure apparatus and a method for defocus and tilt error compensation, each of alignment sensors (500a, 500b, 500c, 500d, 500e, 500f) corresponds to and has the same coordinate in the first direction as a respective one of focusing sensors (600a, 600b, 600c, 600d, 600e, 600f), so that each of the alignment sensors (500a, 500b, 500c, 500d, 500e, 500f) is arranged on the same straight line as a respective one of the focusing sensors (600a, 600b, 600c, 600d, 600e, 600f). As such, alignment marks can be characterized with both focusing information and alignment information. This enables the correction of errors in the alignment information and thus achieves defocus and tilt error compensation, resulting in significant improvements in alignment accuracy and the production yield.

US10197919B2

Adjusting device and adjusting method for exposure device

An adjustment apparatus which is an optical system having an incident face and a light exit face that is parallel to the incident face. The optical system is disposed in an exposure device. The adjustment apparatus includes at least one wedge lens and a plurality of optical lenses configured such that at least one of focal plane adjustment, magnification adjustment and position adjustment for a field of view corresponding to the exposure device is made possible through changing relative positions of at least one pair of neighboring ones of the lenses. An adjustment method corresponding to the adjustment apparatus is also provided for the focal plane adjustment, magnification adjustment and position adjustment for the field of view corresponding to the exposure device.

US10197917B2

Silicon-containing resists underlayer film-forming composition having phenyl group-containing chromophore

The present invention provides a resist underlayer film-forming composition for lithography for forming a resist underlayer film that can be used as a hard mask with use of hydrolysis-condensation product of a hydrolyzable silane which also absorbs KrF laser. A resist underlayer film-forming composition for lithography comprising, as a silane, a hydrolyzable silane, a hydrolysis product thereof, or a hydrolysis-condensation product thereof, wherein the hydrolyzable silane includes a hydrolyzable silane of Formula (1): R1aR2bSi(R3)4−(a+b) Formula (1) [where R1 is an organic group of Formula (2): and is bonded to a silicon atom through a Si−C bond; R3 is an alkoxy group, an acyloxy group, or a halogen group; a is an integer of 1; b is an integer of 0 to 2; and a+b is an integer of 1 to 3], and a ratio of sulfur atoms to silicon atoms is 7% by mole or more in the whole of the silane. A resist underlayer film obtained by applying the resist underlayer film-forming composition onto a semiconductor substrate and baking it.

US10197902B2

High contrast discrete input prism for image projectors

Prism assemblies for projector display systems disclosed receive inputs from discrete color channels (e.g., red, green and blue channels. In one embodiment, “off state” light from the red, green, and blue DLP modulation may be reflected away from on-state light paths within the prism, tending to avoid uncontrolled scatter. In other embodiments, by keeping the colors separate for much of the prism path length, power levels may be significantly reduced at typical failure points. Light efficiency may be increased significantly when using discrete light sources like LEDs and lasers by removal of the additional red, green, and blue separation and re-combination losses.

US10197898B2

Lighting device, projector, display system, and light source adjustment method

A lighting device includes: a first light source that supplies yellow fluorescent light; a second light source that supplies blue light; a light sensor that detects the light quantity of a blue component of combined light, in which the yellow fluorescent light and blue light have been combined, and the light quantity of a first color component that is contained in the yellow fluorescent light and that differs from the blue component; and a control unit that adjusts the luminance of the first and second light sources. The control unit acquires each of a first light quantity that is the light quantity of the first color component and a second light quantity that is the light quantity of the blue component in a first state in which the first light source is ON and the second light source is OFF, and acquires a third light quantity.

US10197897B2

Light source system employing two light emitting devices and related projection system employing two spatial light modulators

A light source system comprises: a light-emitting device for emitting a first light and a second light in sequence; a beam splitting system with which the first light is divided into one beam in a first range of wavelength and the other beam in a second range of wavelength, respectively emitted along a first optical path and a second optical path, and also with which at least a part of the second light is emitted along the first optical path; a first spatial light modulator for modulating the beam emitted from the beam splitting system along the first optical path; a second spatial light modulator for modulating the beam emitted from the beam splitting system along the second optical path. The light source system has the advantages of high light-emitting efficiency and low cost. A projection system comprising the aforementioned light source system is also provided.

US10197892B2

Image pickup apparatus resistant to environments, and image monitoring system

An image pickup apparatus which is able to obtain an image with high sharpness within a short period of time using a simple structure when operated in a low-temperature environment. A lens unit and a heater are provided in an internal space of a main case, and the internal space is divided into a first closed space and a second closed space via an opening, which is opened and closed by a valve member. A detecting unit detects a temperature in the internal space. An opening and closing unit opens and closes the valve member. A control unit controls opening and closing actions of the valve member.

US10197881B2

Complimentary polymer electrochromic device

A complimentary polymer or “dual-polymer” electrochromic device and methods of preparing the same are provided.

US10197879B2

Liquid crystal display device, manufacturing method of the same and electronic equipment

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

US10197878B2

Display device

A display device of an embodiment includes scanning lines, signal lines, sub-pixels, a switching element in each of the sub-pixels, a pixel electrode in each of the sub-pixels. The switching element includes a relay electrode in contact with the pixel electrode, and a semiconductor layer in contact with the signal line in a first position, in contact with the relay electrode in a second position, and bending between the first position and the second position and crossing the scanning line. In at least one of the sub-pixels, a part of the scanning line extends between the relay electrode and the signal line which are connected to each other via the semiconductor layer.

US10197876B2

Display substrate, method for manufacturing the same and display device

A display substrate, a method for manufacturing the same and a display device are provided. The display substrate includes a base substrate, wherein a plurality of first touch electrodes is separated from each other and arranged on a first surface of the base substrate, first conductive lines and second conductive lines intersect each other and are arranged on a second surface of the base substrate, and each of the first touch electrodes is electrically connected to the first conductive line through the respective first via hole penetrating the base substrate.

US10197874B2

Liquid crystal display device

A first substrate (10) of a liquid crystal display device (100) includes a TFT (2) that includes an oxide semiconductor layer (2a). A second substrate (20) includes a color filter layer (22) and a light-shielding layer (21). The light-shielding layer has a first TFT light-shielding portion (21t1) for each row in at least a blue pixel column, and a second TFT light-shielding portion (21t2) every n rows (n represents an integer of 2 or more) in a pixel column in which at least one type of color filter other than blue color filters is provided, the second TFT light-shielding portion having a larger area than the first TFT light-shielding portion. A columnar spacer (40) is arranged so as not to overlap the first TFT light-shielding portion but to overlap the second TFT light-shielding portion.

US10197873B2

Display device

A display device including a first substrate having a display area and a peripheral area surrounding the display area, a second substrate facing the first substrate, a common voltage line disposed on the peripheral area of the first substrate, a color filter disposed on the common voltage line overlapping the common voltage line, a common electrode disposed below the second substrate and having an opening overlapping the common voltage line and the color filter, and a sealant disposed between the color filter and the common electrode overlapping the common voltage line, the color filter, and the opening.

US10197868B2

Display device and method of manufacturing the same

A display device includes a first substrate having a first lower column spacer disposed in a peripheral area, extending in a direction, and including first and second opposing slanted sides, a second substrate opposing the first substrate, the second substrate including a first upper column spacer disposed in the first peripheral area, extending in the same direction, including a slanted side, and disposed adjacent to the first side of the first lower column spacer, and a second upper column spacer having substantially a same shape as the first upper column spacer and disposed adjacent to the second side of the first lower column spacer, where the first peripheral area is disposed outside a display area of the display device.

US10197866B2

Array substrate and manufacturing method thereof, display panel and manufacturing method thereof, and display device

The present disclosure provides an array substrate, a display panel, manufacturing methods thereof and a display device. The array substrate includes a display region and a non-display region. The non-display region includes a sealant region arranged at a periphery of the display region and a peripheral region arranged at a periphery of the sealant region. The array substrate further includes a plurality of signal connection lines for connecting driving lines. The signal connection lines include a first connection line, a portion of which is arranged at the peripheral region and another portion of which is arranged at the sealant region.

US10197858B2

Display device

According to one embodiment, a display device includes a first substrate, a second substrate, a sealant, a liquid crystal layer, an organic insulating film, an alignment film and an inorganic insulating film. The second substrate is opposed to the first substrate. The sealant attaches the first substrate and the second substrate to each other. The liquid crystal layer is arranged between the first substrate and the second substrate. The organic insulating film, the alignment film and the inorganic insulating film are provided on the first substrate. The alignment film contacts the liquid crystal layer. The inorganic insulating film is located between the alignment film and the organic insulating film. At least part of the alignment film contacts the organic insulating film.

US10197850B2

Virtual curved surface display panel and display device

A virtual curved surface display panel and a display device are provided. By using the light splitting principle of the grating structure, the imaging heights of the grating structures are designed to be symmetrically distributed with respect to a vertical symmetry axis of a display surface of the flat display panel. In the grating structures on the same side of the symmetry axis, the imaging heights of the respective grating structures having the same distance from the vertical symmetry axis are the same, and the imaging heights of the respective grating structures having different distances from the vertical symmetry axis are different from each other. By setting the imaging heights of the grating structures, the image distances of the pixels in the flat display panel are different so that the images of the plurality of pixels constitute a curved surface.

US10197844B2

Color substrate including retroreflective layer and display device including the color substrate

A color substrate and a display device including the same. The color substrate includes: a substrate including first and second pixel regions spaced apart from each other, and a light shielding region between the first and second pixel regions; a first color conversion layer over the first pixel region and configured to convert incident light into first color light; a second color conversion layer over the second pixel region and configured to convert the incident light into second color light; and a retroreflective layer over the light shielding region and configured to retroreflect incident light through the first and second color conversion layer.

US10197836B2

Spliced display and display system

The present disclosure relates to the technical field of display, particularly to a spliced display and a display system. The spliced display includes clips and a number of display modules. The display modules can be spliced into an image display area, and adjacent two display modules can be connected by clips. By connecting adjacent two display modules by clips into the spliced display, the assembling time can be reduced, the assembling process can be simplified, and this is advantageous to mass production of products.

US10197834B2

Curved-surface backlight source and display device

The present disclosure provides a curved-surface backlight source and a display device comprising the curved-surface backlight source. The curved-surface backlight source comprises: a frame, an optical film and a plurality of light source assemblies; the light source assemblies are disposed on the frame, the optical film is disposed on light emergent sides of the light source assemblies, and the light source assemblies and the optical film are in a curved shape.

US10197828B2

Display device and control method thereof

A display device and a control method thereof are provided. The display device includes a light emitter, configured to emit light; and a light reflector, configured to reflect the light from the light emitter onto one or more side viewing regions of a viewing region of a display panel. The viewing region further includes a front viewing region in front of the display panel. The one or more side viewing regions are adjacent to the front viewing region.

US10197822B2

Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing same

To reduce a production cost of a semiconductor device and provide a semiconductor device having improved characteristics. A grating coupler has a plurality of projections separated from each other in an optical waveguide direction and a slab portion formed between any two of the projections adjacent to each other and formed integrally with them; a MOS optical modulator has a projection extending in the optical waveguide direction and slab portions formed on both sides of the projection, respectively, and formed integrally therewith. The projection of the grating coupler and the MOS optical modulator is formed of a first semiconductor layer, a second insulating layer, and a second semiconductor layer stacked successively on a first insulating layer, while the grating coupler and the MOS optical modulator each have a slab portion formed of the first semiconductor layer.

US10197816B2

Laser safety glasses with an improved imaging system

Laser safety glasses for use in laser medical and cosmetic procedures on a patient include a pair of safety glasses wherein the safety glasses include a pair of lenses, one or more of the lenses being structured to absorb one or more predetermined wavelengths of laser energy light; a screen is mounted on at least one lens of the pair of lenses, the screen being operatively associated with a system one of internal or external to the glasses configured to generate and provide information regarding the medical or cosmetic procedure to a wearer of the laser safety glasses through the screen.

US10197815B2

Multi-ring lens, systems and methods for extended depth of focus

Systems and methods for providing enhanced image quality across a wide and extended range of foci encompass vision treatment techniques and ophthalmic lenses such as contact lenses and intraocular lenses (IOLs). Exemplary IOL optics can include an aspheric refractive profile imposed on a first or second lens surface, and a diffractive profile imposed on a first or second lens surface. The aspheric refractive profile can focus light toward a far focus. The diffractive profile can include a central zone that distributes a first percentage of light toward a far focus and a second percentage of light toward an intermediate focus. The diffractive profile can also include a peripheral zone, surrounding the central zone, which distributes a third percentage of light toward the far focus and a fourth percentage of light toward the intermediate focus.

US10197811B2

Three-dimensional display panel and method for making same

An electronic device including a display panel having an optical plate attached thereon is disclosed. The optical plate includes a parallax separation sheet to allow a user to see a 3D image displayed on the display panel, and a touch-sensing layer to allow a user to select stored items such as pictures in the electronic device or to enter information into the electronic device. A method for assembly the electronic device is also disclosed. The method uses three cameras and three monitors to check the alignment between the optical plate and display panel. In order to achieve a correct alignment, rotating device and shifting device can be used to adjust the position of the display panel relative to the optical plate.

US10197805B2

Systems, devices, and methods for eyeboxes with heterogeneous exit pupils

Systems, devices, and methods for engineering the eyebox of a display using multiple heterogeneous exit pupils are described. The eyebox of a display includes at least two heterogeneous exit pupils that are different from one another in terms of size and/or shape. Heterogeneous exit pupils may overlap, one may encompass another, or they may be completely spatially-separated from one another. Such configurations enable specific eyebox and/or visual display configurations that can be advantageous in certain applications. An example in which a scanning laser-based wearable heads-up virtual retina display implements a holographic combiner that is engineered to provide multiple heterogeneous exit pupils is described.

US10197799B2

Method for designing oblique camera lens

A method for designing a oblique camera lens comprising: step (S1), establishing an initial system, the initial system comprises a primary mirror initial structure, a secondary mirror initial structure, and a tertiary mirror initial structure; step (S2), building a new image relationship; step (S3), keeping the primary mirror initial structure and the secondary mirror initial structure unchanged; selecting a plurality of first feature rays; step (S4), keeping the secondary mirror initial structure and the tertiary mirror unchanged; selecting a plurality of fields and a plurality of second feature rays.

US10197786B1

Methods and apparatuses for fabricating electrowetting displays

An apparatus for fabricating one or more electrowetting display devices, wherein the apparatus comprises a fluid dispenser to dispense fluids onto a substrate. The fluid dispenser comprises a first nozzle to dispense a first fluid of the fluids onto the substrate. The fluid dispenser further comprises two or more additional nozzles. Each additional nozzle dispenses a fluid in communication with the first fluid. The fluids dispensed by the additional nozzles combine to form a single second fluid that is substantially immiscible with the first fluid.

US10197773B2

Optical image capturing system

An optical image capturing system includes, in order from an object side to an image side, a first lens element, a second lens element, a third lens element, a fourth lens element, a fifth lens element, a sixth lens element and a seventh lens element. The first, the second and the third lens elements all have refractive power. The fourth lens element with refractive power has both surfaces being aspheric. The fifth lens element with refractive power has both surfaces being aspheric. The sixth lens element with refractive power has an image-side surface having at least one convex shape at a peripheral region thereof and both surfaces being aspheric. The seventh lens element with refractive power has an image-side surface having at least one convex shape at a peripheral region thereof, wherein both surfaces being aspheric, and at least one surface has at least one inflection point thereon.

US10197771B2

Optical image capturing system

A six-piece optical lens for capturing image and a six-piece optical module for capturing image are provided. In the order from an object side to an image side, the optical lens along the optical axis includes a first lens element with refractive power, a second lens element with refractive power, a third lens element with refractive power, a fourth lens element with refractive power, a fifth lens element with refractive power and a sixth element lens with refractive power. At least one of the image-side surface and object-side surface of each of the six lens elements is aspheric. The optical lens can increase aperture value and improve the imagining quality for use in compact cameras.

US10197769B2

Single-focus optical system and optical apparatus using the same

A single-focus optical system includes a first lens unit having a positive refractive power, a second lens unit having a negative refractive power, and a third lens unit having a positive refractive power. The first lens unit includes at least a first sub-unit, a second sub-unit, and a third sub-unit. The first sub-unit includes one of, a one negative lens component and a plurality of negative lens components that are continuous, the second sub-unit includes two meniscus lens components having respective concave surfaces thereof facing mutually, and the third sub-unit includes a plurality of positive lens components disposed closest to the reduction side in the third sub unit. The second lens unit includes one negative lens component. The third lens unit includes negative lens, and also includes a positive lens component closest to the enlargement side. All air spaces in the first lens unit are constant.

US10197768B2

Single focus optical system and optical apparatus using the same

A single-focus optical system includes a first lens unit having a negative refractive power, a second lens unit having a positive refractive power, and a third lens unit having a positive refractive power. The first lens unit includes a reduction-side lens component closest to the reduction side, and a shape of the reduction-side lens component is a meniscus shape having a convex surface directed toward the enlargement side. The second lens unit includes a cemented lens of a meniscus shape having a convex surface directed toward the reduction side, and a plurality of positive lens components. The cemented lens in the second lens unit includes a negative lens and a positive lens. The third lens unit includes a negative lens component closest to the enlargement side. All air spaces in the first lens unit and in the second lens unit are constant at the time of focusing.

US10197753B2

Leaktight and dismountable connector for optical fibres

A connector joins the core of at least one optical fiber to the core of another fiber in a manner that is functional and leaktight against the external media, including: a cylindrical body, whose inner portion includes an insert provided with longitudinal through-holes or through-conduits; at least one optical linkage device including a cylindrical ferrule, generally made of ceramic, pierced for the passage of the core of the fiber, and a ferrule holder joined to the end of the associated fiber and providing the mechanical linkage between the ferrule and the insert; and an O-ring seal provided between the ferrule holder and the receiving conduit of the insert. The body of the connector and the insert form a monobloc assembly, either realized as a single piece or realized with the aid of two complementary pieces, fixed to each other in a totally leaktight or hermetic fashion.

US10197745B2

Optical fiber connection system including optical fiber alignment device

A self-centering structure (300) for aligning optical fibers (308) desired to be optically coupled together is disclosed. The self-centering structure (300) including a body (310) having a first end (312) and a second end (314). The first end (312) defines a first opening (303) and the second end (314) defines a second opening (304). The self-centering structure (300) includes a plurality of groove structures (306) integrally formed in the body (310) of the self-centering structure for receiving the optical fibers (308) and a fiber alignment region (305) positioned at an intermediate location between the first and second ends (312, 314) to facilitate centering and alignment of the optical fibers (308). The plurality of cantilever members (322) is flexible and configured for urging the optical fibers (308) into their respective groove structures (306).

US10197743B2

Multi-fiber ferrule with improved eye safety

A multi-fiber ferrule has lenses that have different prescriptions to disperse the light emitted from the multi-fiber ferrule. Alternatively, the lens for each individual optical fiber can be moved relative to the optical fiber or the optical fiber opening in the multi-fiber ferrule to cause the laser beam exiting the multi-fiber ferrule to be redirected into a structure that absorbs or blocks the laser.

US10197740B2

Reduced-profile data transmission element connectors, adapters, and connection assemblies thereof

Reduced-profile connection components are described. The reduced-profile connection components are configured to connect various data transmission elements, including cables, network devices, and computing devices. A non-limiting example of a connection component includes a fiber optic connection component, including connectors, adapters, and assemblies formed therefrom. In some embodiments, the connection components may include mechanical transfer (MT) and multi-fiber push-on/pull-off (MPO) connection components, such as MT ferrules and MPO adapters. The reduced-profile connection components configured according to some embodiments have a smaller profile and/or require less parts to achieve a connection compared to conventional connection components. In some embodiments, the reduced-profile connection components may be used with conventional connection components. For example a reduced-profile connector may use a conventional MT ferrule to establish a connection within a conventional MPO adapter.

US10197737B2

Low back reflection echelle grating

Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed toward an optical apparatus that includes a semiconductor layer to propagate light from at least one light source. The optical apparatus may further include a curved echelle grating with a plurality of grating teeth, the echelle grating at an outer side of the semiconductor layer. The curved echelle grating may include a plurality of grating teeth, and a grating tooth of the plurality of grating teeth may have a grating facet and a shadow facet. A shadow facet may have an angle of grating greater than 0 degrees with respect to a normal of a curve of the curved echelle grating. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed.

US10197735B2

Optical fiber tapping device

An apparatus for coupling an optical fiber embedded within a member to a waveguide is disclosed. The embedded optical fiber has a core and a cladding surrounding the core. A block includes an engagement surface for positioning adjacent the member to facilitate removal of a portion of the cladding surrounding the core of the embedded optical fiber, a monitoring region adjacent which a portion of a waveguide is positioned, and a waveguide having a first section positioned at the monitoring region and a second section configured to be connected to an optical measuring element for measuring a transmission through passing through the waveguide.

US10197732B2

Methods for forming ion-exchanged waveguides in glass substrates

Methods of forming ion-exchanged waveguides in glass substrates are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method of forming a waveguide in an ion-exchanged glass substrate having an ion-exchanged layer extending from a surface to a depth of layer of the ion-exchanged glass substrate includes locally heating at least one band at the surface of the ion-exchanged glass substrate to diffuse ions in the ion-exchanged layer within the at least one band. A concentration of ions within the at least one band is less than a concentration of ions outside of the at least one band, and at least one waveguide is defined within the ion-exchanged layer adjacent the at least one band. In some embodiments, the at least one waveguide is embedded within the ion-exchanged glass substrate such that an upper surface of the at least one waveguide is below the surface of the glass substrate by a depth d.

US10197725B2

Multimode optical fiber for power-over-fiber applications with specific refraction index profile

A multimode optical fiber for continuous transmission of electromagnetic radiation at high power, wherein the fiber defines a fiber axis and includes a core and a cladding surrounding the core, and wherein the multimode optical fiber is a multimode graded-index fiber, the refraction index profile in the fiber essentially following formula (1): n ⁡ ( r ) = { n 1 ⁡ [ 1 - 2 ⁢ ( r a ) g ⁢ Δ ] 1 ⁢ / ⁢ 2 , r < a n 2 , r > a ( 1 ) Δ = n 1 2 - n 2 2 2 ⁢ n 1 2 ( A ) NA = n 1 2 - n 2 2 ( B ) where Δ is formula (A), r is the distance from the fiber axis, n(r) is the nominal refractive index as a function of distance from the fiber axis, n1 is the nominal refractive index on the axis of the fiber, n2 is the refractive index of the cladding, a is the core radius, and g is a parameter that defines the shape of the profile, where the core diameter 2a is between 90 UM and 190 μM, the parameter g is between 1.2 and 1.8, and the numerical aperture (NA) of the fiber, formula (B), is between 0.2 and 0.3.

US10197719B2

Display device

A display device includes a display panel curved with respect to a plane defined by a first direction and a second direction crossing the first direction and about a first reference axis substantially parallel to the first direction, a light guide plate disposed under the display panel and including a first surface facing the display panel and a second surface facing the display panel such that the first surface is disposed between the second surface and the display panel, a light source which provides a light to the light guide plate, and a bottom chassis which accommodates the light guide plate and the light source. The first surface is curved with respect to the plane about a second reference axis substantially parallel to the first direction, and the second surface is substantially parallel to the plane.

US10197718B2

Adhesive film for polarizing plate, adhesive composition for polarizing plate for the same, polarizing plate comprising the same and optical display comprising the same

An adhesive film for polarizing plates, an adhesive composition for polarizing plates, a polarizing plate including the same, and an optical display including the same are provided. An adhesive film for polarizing plates is formed of an adhesive composition including: a (meth)acrylic copolymer including a hydroxyl group and a carboxylic acid group; a bifunctional aziridine curing agent; and an isocyanate curing agent, and has an adhesive strength of about 2,500 gf/25 mm or more.

US10197706B1

System and method for sub-seasonal forecasts of extreme weather events in winter

A system and method employing a hybrid method for predicting sub-seasonal forecasts of winter storms and cold air outbreaks (CAOs). In various embodiments, the method includes, deriving a lead-time series of forecasted indices describing a state of stratospheric mass circulation from a plurality of forecasts generated by an operational numerical model for seasonal weather forecasts, detecting one or more PULSE events in the lead-time series of forecasted indices describing a state of stratospheric mass circulation to determine a state of the stratospheric mass circulation during the detected PULSE events and generating a sub-seasonal forecast of winter snowstorms and cold air outbreaks (CAOs) by linking the state of stratospheric mass circulation during the detected PULSE events to one or more maps of surface temperature and wintery precipitation based on historical observation data.

US10197701B2

Logging tool for determination of formation density and methods of use

Apparatus for wellbore logging and method of use are provided for measurement of the annular materials interposed between the logging tool and formation and the apparent formation bulk density in open-hole, cased-hole or other conduit. The logging tool can be centralized in the borehole. Non-collimated gamma radiation is emitted into the surrounding media and the amount of radiation which returns to the tool is measured by multiple omni-directional detectors spaced a pre-set distances from the source to provide multiple radial depths of investigation. The annular thickness and density of materials interposed between the logging tool and the formation may be determined from the detector responses and be used to derive the apparent formation bulk density.

US10197698B2

Downhole nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) tool with transversal-dipole antenna configuration

In some aspects, a downhole nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) tool includes a magnet assembly and an antenna assembly. The NMR tool can operate in a wellbore in a subterranean region to obtain NMR data from the subterranean region. The magnet assembly produces a magnetic field in a volume about the wellbore. The magnet assembly includes a central magnet, a first end piece magnet spaced apart from a first axial end of the central magnet, and a second end piece magnet spaced apart from a second axial end of the central magnet. The antenna assembly includes a transversal-dipole antenna. In some cases, orthogonal transversal-dipole antennas produce circular-polarized excitation in the volume about the wellbore, and acquire a response from the volume by quadrature coil detection.

US10197696B2

NMR logging interpretation of solid invasion

A method for estimating an effect on nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) measurements of an invasion of solid particles into pores of an earth formation penetrated by a borehole includes conveying a carrier through the borehole and performing an NMR measurement on a volume of interest in the formation to provide a relaxation time constant using an NMR tool disposed at the carrier. The method further includes receiving information describing the solid particles in the pores and quantifying, using a processor, an effect on the measured relaxation time constant due to the invasion of solid particles using the received information.

US10197690B2

Method for acquiring geophysical data by dynamically manipulating survey spread

Embodiments relate generally to marine geophysical surveying and, more particularly, embodiments relate to methods for acquiring geophysical data by dynamically manipulating survey spread in response a change in location of a target. A method may comprise actuating an energy source in a body of water, wherein a target for a marine geophysical survey system is located beneath a bottom of the body of water. The method may further comprise detecting energy generated by the energy source. The method may further comprise manipulating a position of a survey spread in response to a change in distribution of the target beneath the bottom of the body of water.

US10197688B2

Phantom and method for verifying the calibration of pet scanners

Phantom for verifying the calibration of PET scanners, comprising a substantially cylindrical body having a cross section with a convex curvilinear profile, and a plurality of spheres placed within said body, comprising a solid matrix of germanium-68, the phantom being characterized in that it further comprises a reference sphere filled with a solid matrix of germanium-68, said reference sphere being connected to the phantom in such a way that it can be removed and replaced in the same position.

US10197686B1

Systems and methods for high voltage conversion and multiplication for ionizing radiation detectors

Systems and methods for high voltage conversion and multiplication for ionizing radiation detection are disclosed. According to an aspect, an electronic device comprises at least one detector configured for detecting ionizing radiation. Further, the electronic device comprises a translator assembly coupled to the at least one detector and configured to convert a voltage from a first voltage level to a second voltage level, wherein the at least one detector operates at the first voltage level. Further, the translator assembly is configured to voltage isolate the at least one detector operating at the first voltage level from a coupled electronic circuit operating at the second voltage level.

US10197679B2

GNSS base station antenna system with reduced sensitivity to reflections from nearby objects

An antenna system includes an electromagnetic radiator assembled on a ground plane. The ground plane containing a nontransparent area in a center of the ground plane and a semitransparent area surrounding the nontransparent area. The nontransparent area is circular in shape. The semitransparent area is generally circular in shape and contains at least one slot. A plurality of vertical conducting elements are in proximity of a boundary between the nontransparent area and the semitransparent area on a bottom side of the ground plane. The vertical conducting elements are arranged in a circle around a center of the electromagnetic radiator.

US10197676B2

Solid-state electronic light detection and ranging (LIDAR)

Solid-state electronic light detection and ranging (LIDAR) is disclosed. In one aspect, an electronic device for use in a LIDAR system is provided. The electronic device includes a plurality of electrically controllable light-direction-changing elements. The electronic device is configured to receive, from a laser, a beam of light. The electronic device also receives, from a controller, a series of signals that control the electrically controllable light-direction-changing elements to generate a successive series of different diffraction grating patterns configured to move at least one intensity maxima to a corresponding successive series of locations across a field of view (FOV).

US10197661B1

Infrastructure enabled smart dual-mode tags

In one embodiment, a device in a network receives a radio frequency (RF) beacon. The device determines a received signal strength indication (RSSI) of the received RF beacon. The device compares the determined RSSI to an RSSI threshold. The device sends a burst of ultrasound or infrared beacons when the determined RSSI of the RF beacon exceeds the RSSI threshold. The burst of ultrasound or infrared beacons is then used by a location service in the network to determine a physical location of the device.

US10197658B2

Methods, systems and apparatuses for using flexible triggered segmentation to optimize magnetic resonance imaging

A method for using flexible triggered segmentation to optimize magnetic resonance imaging includes partitioning a k-space table into a plurality of k-space segments, each respective k-space segment comprising one or more phase-encoding steps from a plurality of slice-encoding lines. A cardiac cycle is monitored using an electrical signal tracking system and used to trigger acquisition of the plurality of k-space segments over a plurality of acquisition windows.

US10197657B2

Methods and systems for generating a conductivity map of an in vivo tissue

The present disclosure provides methods of generating a conductivity map of an in vivo tissue. The present disclosure provides systems for generating a conductivity map of an in vivo tissue.

US10197648B2

Gradient coil checking device and magnetic resonance imaging system

The present utility model provides a gradient coil detection device and an MRI system. The gradient coil checking device for an MRI system comprises: a voltage sampling circuit, comprising: a sample voltage input end, connected between a gradient power amplifier of the MRI system and the gradient coil and obtaining a gradient coil sample voltage, and a sample voltage output end; a current sampling circuit, a sample current input end, connected to the gradient power amplifier of the MRI system and obtaining a gradient coil sample current, and a sample current output end; a calculation unit, connected to the sample voltage output end and the sample current output end, and used for calculating a gradient coil calculated resistance according to the gradient coil sample voltage and the gradient coil sample current; a comparison unit, connected to the calculation unit, and used for comparing the gradient coil calculated resistance with a reference value to obtain a result signal. The gradient coil checking device for an MRI system according to a particular embodiment of the present utility model can check the operating state of the gradient coil in real time while the MRI system is scanning.

US10197647B2

Passive adaptive quench propagation circuit

An adaptive passive quench propagation circuit in combination with a superconducting magnet having multiple superconducting coils electrically connected in series between a power supply terminal and a ground reference voltage terminal, has a superconducting switch arranged to electrically connect the power supply terminal and the ground reference voltage terminal to provide a closed-loop persistent superconducting circuit, multiple resistive heaters, each in thermal contact with one of the coils, a tapping point situated between two electrically adjacent coils, and a quench propagation circuit connected between the tapping point and a reference voltage.

US10197640B2

Carrier-resolved multiple dipole line magnet photo-hall system

The present invention provides a high-sensitivity, carrier-resolved photo-Hall and photoelectromagnet (PEM) system utilizing multiple parallel dipole line (PDL) magnet systems. In one aspect of the invention, a Hall measurement apparatus is provided. The Hall measurement apparatus includes: a measurement chamber (e.g., a cryostat); a Hall module having at least one freely-rotating cylindrical magnet within the measurement chamber; a motor-driven cylindrical magnet adjacent to the at least one freely-rotating cylindrical magnet; an optical module for photo-Hall measurement, a set of electronics instruments and a data and signal analysis program for n-th harmonics lock-in detection of magnetoresistance signal and a control program. The system yields majority carrier type, density and mobility and, with illumination, minority carrier mobility and density.

US10197636B1

Extended fault indication and reporting in voltage regulator systems

A voltage regulator controller includes a first pin for receiving aggregate temperature information from a plurality of power stages, a plurality of second pins each for receiving phase current information from one of the power stages, control circuitry for controlling the power stages, detection circuitry for detecting signal levels at the first and second pins, and fault analysis circuitry for identifying the type of reported fault and the power stage that reported the fault based on the detected signal levels at the first and second pins and state information accessible by the controller. Aggregate temperature information is reported at the first pin in a first nominal range, and phase current information is reported at each of the second pins in a second nominal range. Each reported fault type has a unique fault signature at the first and second pins, which is outside at least one of the nominal ranges.

US10197634B2

Identification code allocating device for battery management categories, sequencing device for battery management categories, and battery management method using same

The preset invention relates to an identification code allocating device for battery management categories, a sequencing device for the battery management categories, and a battery management method using the same and the identification code allocating device includes: a unique identification code allocating unit allocating a unique identification code for a plurality of battery management categories each; a cycle identification code allocating unit allocating a cycle identification code for each of the plurality of battery management categories to correspond to a cycle of each of the plurality of battery management categories; and a dependency identification code allocating unit allocating a dependency identification code for each of the plurality of battery management categories to correspond to dependency relationships among the plurality of battery management categories.

US10197633B2

Detecting the operational management of a battery store

A method for detecting the use of a battery of an energy store system may include continuously generating a use profile by transforming data into a dynamically updated visual representation of the use of the battery storage device using a frequency distribution.

US10197628B2

TDI, TCK, TMS, TDO, first, second, third, gating routing circuit

A falling edge controller includes a controller having an inverted TCK (Test Clock) input, a TMS (Test Mode Select) input, a shift register control output, an update register control output, and a shift output; a shift register having a TDI (Test Data In) input, a shift register control input coupled to the shift register control output, address inputs, a select input, address and select outputs, and a TDO (Test Data Out) output; an update register having address and select inputs coupled to the address and select outputs, an update register control input coupled to the update register control output, address outputs coupled to the address inputs, and a select output coupled to the select input; and address circuitry having address inputs coupled to the address outputs, and having an enable output.

US10197627B2

Semiconductor device

Provided is a semiconductor device which can generate a new test pattern even after design and have a reduced footprint of a circuit not used in normal operation. The semiconductor device includes a first integrated circuit and a second integrated circuit. The first integrated circuit includes a memory circuit that stores data and a plurality of circuits that make a signal for an operation test of the second integrated circuit. The signal is made when the continuity between the plurality of circuits is controlled by the memory circuit according to the data. In the second integrated circuit, the memory circuit is used as a buffer memory device after the operation test is conducted according to the signal.

US10197623B2

Heatable interposer for temperature-controlled testing of semiconductor devices

A contactor having the top ends of its pogo pins contacting the leads of a semiconductor device package positioned in a handler at controlled temperature, and the bottom ends of the pogo pins contacting the pads of electrically conducting vias extending vertically through a heatable interposer. The heatable interposer has a first and a second surface and includes alternating horizontal layers of thermally conductive material and thermally insulating material, and further one or more heating layers operable to control a temperature profile from the first to the second surface, including a temperature control at the first surface. The via pads at the second interposer surface are in contact with the printed circuit board of a tester.

US10197620B2

Electric contact device

A contact device for an electric contact for electrically testing an electric test object, comprising a contact head and at least one printed circuit board. The contact head has a plurality of guide bores in which elongated contact elements that buckle elastically in a lateral direction upon contacting the test object are mounted in a longitudinally movable manner. One end of the contact element is used to contact the test object and the other end is in contact with first contact surfaces which are arranged in a specified pattern and which are located on a face of the printed circuit board in a first, central region of the printed circuit board face. Second contact surfaces are arranged in a further specified pattern, are electrically connected to the first contact surfaces through the printed circuit board, and lie on the other face of the printed circuit board in a second, central region of the printed circuit board face. Third contact surfaces lie on the other face of the printed circuit board in at least one first peripheral portion of the printed circuit board face. At least some of the second contact surfaces are electrically connected to at least some of the third contact surfaces by bonded bonding wires. At least some of the first contact surfaces and/or at least some of the second contact surfaces are each electrically connected to one another by severable conductors, and at least one of which is severed.

US10197614B2

Fault location during pole-open condition

The present disclosure illustrates the errors that are encountered when using both single-ended and double-ended normal-mode fault location calculations when a fault occurs in a pole-open condition. The disclosure provides systems and methods for accurately calculating the location of faults that occur during pole-open conditions, including single-ended approaches and double-ended approaches.

US10197613B2

Transformer connection phase determination device, method, and program

A transformer connection phase determination device includes a processor that executes a procedure. The procedure includes: computing respective correlation values representing a correlation between current corresponding to power consumed by at least one consumer connected to a transformer connected to one phase corresponding to a combination of two of a plurality of power distribution lines, and line current flowing in each of the plurality of power distribution lines; and determining the phase the transformer is connected to based on the respective correlation values.

US10197605B2

System and method for ripple-free AC power determination

A power metering circuit includes a current input path for receiving an analog current input at a first analog to digital converter; a voltage input path for receiving an analog voltage input at a second analog to digital converter; a multiplier configured to multiply an output of the current input path and the voltage input path; a notch filter configured to receive an output of the multiplier, the notch filter having a stop band based on a line frequency; and a control circuit for setting a sampling frequency of the first analog to digital converter and the second analog to digital converter to a multiple of the line frequency.

US10197604B2

Current detecting apparatus

A current detecting apparatus measures an input current or an output current of an electronic apparatus. The current detecting apparatus includes a current detecting module, a direct-current measurement module and a current detecting module. The current detecting module includes a coil configured to electromagnetically couple to a path of an input or a path of an output of the electronic apparatus to obtain a first voltage signal. The direct-current measurement module measures the path of the input or the path of the output to obtain a second voltage signal. The current detecting module converts the first voltage signal into a first current command, and converts the second voltage signal into a second current command. The first current command is an alternating-current component of the input current or the output current. The second current command is a direct-current component of the input current or the output current.

US10197584B2

Analysis system for analyzing biological samples

An analysis system for analyzing biological samples is disclosed, and which may comprise two or more analysis system components for performing an analysis. A sample workflow manager and an instrument manager coupled to the sample workflow manager may be coupled to the system components for receiving a process status from the system components, wherein the sample workflow manager provides at least one preconfigured processing route to the instrument manager in accordance with the process status. The instrument manager may comprise a memory for storing the preconfigured processing route, wherein the instrument manager is adapted for receiving a test order for analyzing the biological sample using the system components, and wherein the instrument manager is adapted for generating commands for controlling a transport device for transporting the biological sample in accordance with the test order and the at least one preconfigured processing route.

US10197578B2

Predictive method of characterizing the radiosensitivity and tissular reaction of a patient to therapeutic ionizing radiation

A method for predicting cellular, tissular, and clinical radiosensitivity, based on the determination and correlation of several cellular and enzymatic parameters.

US10197568B2

Base material comprising hydrophilic layer

This invention provides a base material comprising a plastic-containing support and, on its surface, a hydrophilic layer comprising an ethylene glycol chain (an EG chain) composed of one or more ethylene glycol units, as well as a method for producing such base material. A polysiloxane-containing primer layer is provided on the support comprising a plastic material on its surface, and the EG chain is covalently bound to a polysiloxane side chain of the primer layer. Thus, a hydrophilic layer comprising the EG chain can be provided on the surface of the plastic-containing support.

US10197560B2

Methods and systems for determining M. tuberculosis infection

Embodiments of the invention relate to methods and systems for the detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Mycobacterium tuberculosis kills more than one million people each year. To better understand why M. tuberculosis is virulent and to discover chemical markers of this pathogen, we compared its lipid profile to that of the attenuated but related mycobacterium, Mycobacterium bovis Bacille Calmette Guerin (BCG). This strategy identified previously unknown compounds that are specific to M. tuberculosis, e.g. 1-tuberculosinyladenosine, N6-tuberculosinyladenosine, and various tuberculosinyladenosines having mycolic acids, produced by the Rv3378c enzyme.

US10197553B2

Method for assessing the condition of a tissue sample with polarized electromagnetic radiation

A method for assessing the condition of a tissue sample includes the steps of: 1. illuminating the sample with incident electromagnetic radiation exhibiting P polarization types, 2. for each of the P polarization types, inspecting the scattered incident radiation for at least one and possibly all of Q polarization types; 3. establishing a transfer function M relating the intensity of the P polarization types of the incident radiation to the intensity of the polarization types for which the scattered radiation was inspected; 4. comparing the established transfer function to one or more reference transfer functions; and 5. reaching a conclusion about the condition of the tissue sample based on the comparison.

US10197547B2

Methods of analyzing crude oil

The invention generally relates to methods of analyzing crude oil. In certain embodiments, methods of the invention involve obtaining a crude oil sample, and subjecting the crude oil sample to mass spectrometry analysis. In certain embodiments, the method is performed without any sample pre-purification steps.

US10197544B2

Portable test-device for selective flocculation

This disclosure relates generally to selective flocculation, and more particularly to portable test-device for performing selective flocculation experiments in continuous mode. The test-device includes a slurry inflow system, a flocculant tank, a static mixer, a control pumping system, and a thickener system. The static mixer is connected to the slurry inflow system and the flocculant tank, to receive and mix flocculant solution and slurry and cause formation of floc. The control pumping system connects the flocculant tank and the slurry inflow system to the static mixer to control the control parameters responsible for pumping the slurry and flocculant solution in the continuous mode in the static mixer. The thickener system comprises a thickener tank to receive treated slurry and the floc from the static mixer, separately collect tailings and the floc from the thickening tank. The components of the portable test-device are removably connected to each other.

US10197538B2

Systems and apparatus for inspection of electric generator rotor slot wedges in-situ and methods of using the same

System, methods, and devices for inspecting generator rotor slot wedges in-situ are provided. The system includes a controller operably connected to a remote-control carriage for transmitting control signals and receiving data. The carriage includes a drive module for moving the carriage into an inspection area, e.g., through an air gap between the rotor and stator, and an inspection module operable to inspect a rotor wedge surface. The inspection module includes a jack assembly and a transducer assembly. The jack assembly is operably connected to the transducer assembly, and configured to elevate the transducer assembly to the rotor wedge surface for inspection.

US10197530B2

Method and device for testing test objects for the presence of damage

A method and a device for testing for the presence of micro-holes or microcracks in a bottom surface of test objects includes an upper electrode arranged above a transport level and a lower electrode arranged below the transport level. The magnitude of a test voltage generated by two voltage sources connected in series is controlled at the electrodes so that the test voltage is greater than or equal to the breakdown voltage between the electrodes in air, and smaller than the breakdown voltage through a test object without holes or cracks. The test voltage is controlled temporally and synchronously with the movement of the test objects, so that the test voltage is only applied when one of the test objects is located between the electrodes. A hole or crack is recognized by a breakdown to the discharge path between the electrodes.

US10197526B2

FET and fiber based sensor

A gas sensor includes a field effect transistor supported on an oxide layer of a substrate, the field effect transistor having a doped source (p+ doped for T-FET and n+ doped for FET) and an n+ doped drain separated by an channel region (intrinsic for T-FET or slightly p-doped for FET), and a floating gate separated from the channel region by a gate oxide, a passivation layer covering the floating gate, and a sensing layer supported by the passivation layer, the sensing layer comprising nanofibers.

US10197524B2

Methods of scaling data used to construct biosensor algorithms as well as devices, apparatuses and systems incorporating the same

Methods are disclosed for scaling body fluid analysis data to correct and/or compensate for confounding variables such as hematocrit (Hct), temperature, variations in electrode conductivity or combinations thereof before providing an analyte concentration. The scaling methods utilize current response data obtained from an AC block applied prior to a DC block to minimize the impact of such confounding variables upon the observed DC current response before creating descriptors or algorithms. The scaling methods therefore compensate the measured DC current by using data from the AC block made on the same sample. Also disclosed are devices, apparatuses and systems incorporating the various scaling methods.

US10197520B2

Integrated circuit with sensor and method of manufacturing such an integrated circuit

Disclosed is an integrated circuit comprising a substrate (10) carrying a plurality of circuit elements; a metallization stack (12, 14, 16) interconnecting said circuit elements, said metallization stack comprising a patterned upper metallization layer comprising a first metal portion (20) and a second metal portion (21); a passivation stack (24, 26, 28) covering the metallization stack; a gas sensor including a sensing material portion (32, 74) on the passivation stack; a first conductive portion (38) extending through the passivation stack connecting a first region of the sensing material portion to the first metal portion; and a second conductive portion (40) extending through the passivation stack connecting a second region of the sensing material portion to the second metal portion. A method of manufacturing such an IC is also disclosed.

US10197517B2

Probe heater remaining useful life determination

A probe system is configured to receive thermal images of the probe system from a thermal imager and includes a heater and a control circuit. The heater includes a resistive heating element routed through the probe. An operational voltage is provided to the resistive heating element to provide heating for the probe. The control circuit is configured to provide the operational voltage and receive the thermal images from the thermal imager. The control circuit is further configured to monitor the thermal images over time and determine a remaining useful life of the probe system based upon the thermal images over time.

US10197511B2

X-ray CT apparatus and X-ray detector with variable layer

An X-ray computer tomography (CT) apparatus according to an embodiment includes an X-ray source, an X-ray detector, and generating circuitry. The X-ray source radiates X-rays. The X-ray detector includes a scintillator including a first region close to the X-ray source and a second region distant from the X-ray source, an optical sensor that detects scintillator light obtained by converting the X-rays radiated from the X-ray source with the scintillator, and a variable layer that is provided in the scintillator and switchable between a first state in which the variable layer transmits the scintillator light between the first region and the second region and a second state in which the variable layer does not transmit the scintillator light between the first region and the second region. The generating circuitry generates a CT image based on a signal output from the X-ray detector.

US10197502B2

Information processing device, information processing method and medium

For detecting a crack formed on a structure surface without erroneously, an information processing device that detects a crack on a structure, includes a change detection unit that detects a change in positions of at least two measurement points on the structure; and a crack detection unit that detects a crack based on the change in the positions of the measurement points detected by the change detection unit.

US10197501B2

Electron-bombarded charge-coupled device and inspection systems using EBCCD detectors

A focusing EBCCD includes a control device positioned between a photocathode and a CCD. The control device has a plurality of holes therein, wherein the plurality of holes are formed perpendicular to a surface of the photocathode, and wherein a pattern of the plurality of holes is aligned with a pattern of pixels in the CCD. Each hole is surrounded by at least one first electrode, which is formed on a surface of the control device facing the photocathode. The control device may include a plurality of ridges between the holes. The control device may be separated from the photocathode by approximately half a shorter dimension of a CCD pixel or less. A plurality of first electrodes may be provided, wherein each first electrode surrounds a given hole and is separated from the given hole by a gap.

US10197480B2

Methods and devices for processing samples and counting cells

A method and device performing the method for estimation of cell count, such as sperm cell count, is disclosed. The device may be a kit including a cartridge configured to hold fluid, such as seminal fluid, and an instrument configured to centrifuge the cartridge. The cartridge and instrument are configured such that, during operation or centrifugation, they are securely attached to each other. The cartridge has a component with a defined cross-sectional volume. The defined cross-sectional volume is used to mark the component with markings, allowing a user of the device to read the markings and estimate cell volume and, thus, concentration. Various embodiments of the device are disclosed.

US10197477B2

Analysis cartridge and method for using same

An analysis cartridge the includes a main body portion and a filter assembly. The main body portion includes an upper portion that defines an upper chamber and a lower portion that defines a fluid chamber. The filter assembly is movable along a filter assembly path between a first position and a second position. The filter assembly has an opening defined therethrough. In the first position, the opening partially defines the upper chamber and in the second position the opening partially defines the fluid chamber.

US10197476B2

Automatic slicing and collecting device and method for slicing and collecting using the device

An automatic slicing and collecting device, the device including: a first tank, a vibrating microtome, a first pipeline, and a second pipeline. The first tank is filled with a buffer solution. The vibrating microtome is disposed in the first tank. One end of the first pipeline is connected to the vibrating microtome to collect sections, and the other end of the first pipeline is connected to a pump. The pump includes a reversible motor. The first pipeline is provided with a first valve, and a filter is disposed between the pump and the first pipeline. One end of the second pipeline is disposed between the first valve of the first pipeline and the pump, and the second pipeline is provided with a second valve.

US10197469B2

Device and method for differentiating a gas in a sample

A device is provided for testing a sample via a gas stream, including: an opening; structure for generating a device gas stream along at least one flow path passing through the opening; at least one pressure sensor, each pressure sensor being arranged to measure a pressure of the gas stream along at least one flow path; and a mass flowmeter arranged to measure a parameter representative of the mass flow of the gas stream along the flow path. The device is arranged to quantify the presence of a gas of interest within a gas being analyzed and/or to determine the size of a leak hole from a measurement of the parameter representative of the mass flow. A method is also provided that is implemented by such a device. The method can be used to test the integrity of food packaging, and for detecting leaks or problems related to sealing containers.

US10197457B2

Heating control method and electronic device thereof

A method and apparatus for determining a control temperature to control a function of an electronic device by using an atmospheric temperature when controlling a temperature of the electronic device, and for controlling the function of the electronic device according to a control step of the determined control temperature are provided. A method of operating an electronic device includes measuring an atmospheric temperature, determining at least one control temperature corresponding to the measured atmospheric temperature, measuring an internal temperature of the electronic device, and controlling a function in accordance with the measured internal temperature of the electronic device and the determined at least one control temperature.

US10197455B2

Thermal oscillator

A temperature dependent oscillator charges a capacitance from a voltage source through a switch. The switch is opened and the capacitance discharges through a transistor having a temperature dependent resistance. The voltage across the capacitance is compared to a predetermined threshold voltage. The comparator asserts a compare signal when the capacitance discharges to a predetermined voltage level. The switch is then closed for a long enough time to recharge the capacitor and then the switch is opened to allow the capacitance to discharge through the transistor. The charging and discharging repeats with a frequency that is exponentially related to temperature. A counter counts the oscillations over a predetermined time period. The count value is processed using a natural log function resulting in a thermal value corresponding to temperature. The thermal value may be corrected for supply voltage errors.

US10197448B2

Low cost and high performance bolometer circuitry and methods

A bolometer circuit may include an active bolometer configured to receive external infrared (IR) radiation and a resistive load, which are configured to be connected in series in a bolometer conduction path from a supply voltage node to a common voltage node. A node in the bolometer conduction path between the resistive load and the active bolometer is coupled to a first input of an op-amp. A variable voltage source is coupled to a second input of the op-amp to provide a reference voltage level. The op-amp maintains the reference voltage level at the first input to generate a current flow in response to a resistance change of the active bolometer due to the external IR radiation. The amplifier circuit may be configured as a feedback amplifier or an integrating amplifier. The bolometer circuit may be configured to enable a low-power mode of operation.

US10197445B2

Detector assembly for analysis of elemental composition of a sample using optical emission spectroscopy

According to an example embodiment, a detector assembly for use in analysis of elemental composition of a sample by using optical emission spectroscopy is provided, the detector assembly including a rotatable element that is rotatable about an axis and that has attached thereto a laser source for generating laser pulses for invoking optical emission on a surface of the sample, the laser source arranged to generate laser pulses focused at a predefined distance from said axis at a predefined distance from a front end of the detector assembly, and a detector element for capturing optical emission invoked by said laser pulses.

US10197444B1

Combined temporal/hyperspectral imager

The present disclosure provides an optical imaging system that defines an optical path. In an aspect, the optical imaging system includes a first optical sub-system configured to substantially image, at a focus plane, electromagnetic radiation emanating from an object plane, a slit element at the focus plane to extract a line image from the electromagnetic radiation, a second optical sub-system configured to collimate, at a center plane, the electromagnetic radiation from the slit element, a dispersive element at the center plane with variable dispersive properties, a third optical sub-system configured to image the collimated electromagnetic radiation from the center plane to an image plane, and a detecting element at the image plane. In one example, the slit element is mechanically movable into and out of the optical path.

US10197432B2

Liquid level sensor that adapts to pressure changes

Provided is a liquid level sensor for a fuel tank including: a case having a filled liquid filled therein and closed; a resistor substrate provided in the case and a wiper contacting the resistor substrate; and a damper provided in the case and absorbing a pressure change of an inner portion of the case. The liquid level sensor for a fuel tank is configured to absorb a pressure change of the inner portion of the case, thereby making it possible to prevent leakage of the filled liquid that may occur due to the pressure change of the inner portion of the case.

US10197426B2

Metering device and metering method for metering carbon dioxide flow

A metering device and metering method for metering carbon dioxide flow belong to the technical field of preparation of polyurethane foam materials. The metering device of the present invention has a simple structure and a small size, can accurately control the amount of the delivered liquefied carbon dioxide; meanwhile, one end of the metering pump is connected with the sliding block, and the sliding block can move on the transverse plate, thus changing the vertical movement stroke of the piston rod and changing the flow volume of the carbon dioxide. The cylinder of the metering pump of the present invention is internally provided with the water passages, and a coolant can be filled into the water passages to keep the temperature of the carbon dioxide constant.

US10197424B2

Ultrasonic flowmeter having transceivers driving and radially pressing the flow tube to increase amplitude of the ultrasonic wave

An ultrasonic flowmeter capable of increasing the amplitude of, and the receiving sensitivity for, an excited signal is provided. The ultrasonic flowmeter according to the present invention includes two or more ultrasonic transducers on a transmission side and two or more ultrasonic transducers on a receiving side, located as being away from each other on an outer surface of a tube having a fluid flowing therein. The two or more ultrasonic transducers located on the transmission side are driven so as to press the tube at substantially the same pressure to increase an amplitude of an ultrasonic wave. The ultrasonic flowmeter according to the present invention includes adjustment members converting an ultrasonic signal into an ultrasonic signal suitable to measurement between the tube and the ultrasonic transducers. The adjustment members each have a curved surface or a groove at a surface thereof contacting the tube.

US10197411B2

Continuously updatable computer-generated routes with continuously configurable virtual bus stops for passenger ride-sharing of a fleet of ride-sharing vehicles and computer transportation systems and computer-implemented methods for use thereof

In some embodiments, the present invention provides a computer-implemented transportation system which can include at least the following components: a specialized computer machine, including: a non-transient memory, electronically storing particular computer executable program code; a specifically programmed computer processor of the specialized computer machine of the computer-implemented transportation system that is configured to perform at least the following operations: electronically receiving, in real-time, via a computer network, a plurality of electronic riding requests from a plurality of electronic computing devices operated by a plurality of ride-sharing requesting passengers; where each electronic riding request from each ride-sharing requesting passenger includes: a passenger-requested origin point, and a passenger-requested destination point; for a particular electronic riding request, dynamically determining, in real-time, from a plurality of candidate vehicles an assigned vehicle for picking up the particular ride-shaming requesting passenger and a pair of assigned virtual pickup and dropoff bus stop tasks.

US10197392B2

Automated resin ridge reduction system

An apparatus comprises an automated guided vehicle that moves on a surface of a composite structure during operation of the apparatus to inspect the composite structure, a surface inspection sensor system associated with the automated guided vehicle, and an automated guided vehicle and surface inspection sensor system controller in communication with the automated guided vehicle and the surface inspection sensor system.

US10197388B2

Position-measuring device able to monitor deviations from a setpoint behavior and method for operating the position-measuring device

A position-measuring device includes a measuring standard, a scanning unit, and a rotary bearing by which the measuring standard or the scanning unit is rotationally mounted. The measuring standard and the scanning unit are rotatable in relation to each other. The scanning unit generates output signals, on the basis of which a rotary angle associated with the relative motion of the measuring standard and the scanning unit is able to be determined. A monitoring device monitors the rotary bearing for the occurrence of bearing faults and is adapted to detect and analyze at least one measured variable for a plurality of different relative positions of the measuring standard in relation to the scanning unit, in order to determine deviations from a setpoint behavior of the measured variables on the basis of the measured variable detected for a plurality of relative positions.

US10197372B2

Ignition generator for insensitive and tailorable effects, as a warhead initiator

An explosive device composed of: a flux compression generator operative to produce a high intensity electric current when activated; and an electrical payload connected to the generator and constructed to receive the high intensity electric current and cause energy in the current to generate a plate or shaped projectile in the payload and to launch the projectiles into an explosive or insensitive reactive material target for the purpose of initiating the reactive material at single or multiple points.

US10197366B2

Polymer-based cartridge casing for blank and subsonic ammunition

A polymer-based cartridge for subsonic ammunition with a first end having a projectile disposed in a mouth, a shoulder forming a bottleneck cartridge; and at least a polymer wall between the first end and a second end opposite the first. An insert is joined to the second end, having an extraction rim and groove, a primer pocket communicating with a flash hole, and the flash hole communicating with a propellant chamber. A sleeve section has a metal or a metal alloy, extending from the insert toward the first end, and at least partially covered by the wall. The sleeve section and the wall form the propellant chamber having a thickness at least 1.25 times greater than a standard thickness of a wall of a standard cartridge. The propellant chamber between the mouth and the insert is unobstructed, and comprises a powder load having a load density greater than 40%.

US10197363B1

Porous refractory armor substrate

Composite armor and armor systems according to the invention incorporate substrates that delay and reduce compressive waves associated with impacts from reflecting off of the back surface of ceramic front face armor as tensile waves, which may damage or destroy the front face armor material. The composite armor and armor systems incorporating syntactic substrates and backed by a high strength fiber backing exhibit increased mass efficiency and reduced blunt force trauma resulting from ballistic impacts.

US10197359B1

Grip-mounted laser sight for a handgun

A laser sighting device for a handgun may include a power supply module and a backstrap having a laser emitter, the power supply module and the backstrap each comprising a portion of an electrical conduction path. When the backstrap is mounted to an external portion of a handgrip and the power supply module is inserted into an existing cavity of the handgrip, the electrical conduction path is automatically completed and the laser emitter is powered by the power supply module.

US10197355B2

Cocking and loading apparatus for repeater air rifle

A cocking and loading system for an air rifle utilizes a movable compression cylinder linked to the cocking arm to urge a piston into a cocked position, wherein the compression cylinder returns to a rest position urging a pellet feed tube through a magazine to load a pellet into the barrel.

US10197349B2

Cartridge-in-chamber detection system for weapons

The present invention relates to a cartridge-in-chamber detection system for weapons wherein the state of the cartridge in the chamber is independent in order to provide a reliable indication of the presence or absence of the cartridge in the chamber of the weapon, wherein the system comprises means to, through a supply voltage, determine the variation of the electrical capacity between the two possible states of the system, when there is no cartridge in the chamber and when there is a cartridge in the chamber, making use of at least one electrode, without the cartridge intervening in the system.

US10197347B2

Buffer retaining pin

In one aspect of the invention a buffer retaining pin is provided that comprises an elongate body. The elongate body comprises a cylindrical body portion. The elongate body has a longitudinal axis, a proximal end, and an opposite open distal end. The cylindrical body has an inner chamber in communication with the open distal end. A tooth is located at the proximal end of the elongate body. The tooth is integral with and extends from the cylindrical body such that the cylindrical body portion extends between the tooth and the open distal end. The tooth defines a top side, a left side, a right side, a front face, and a rear face. The front face of the tooth extends in a plane such that the plane of the front face intersects the longitudinal axis.

US10197344B2

Detecting and correcting enthalpy wheel failure modes

A heating ventilation and cooling system includes an energy recovery ventilator (ERV). The ERV is configured to produce an inlet airstream and an exhaust airstream. An enthalpy wheel within the energy recovery ventilator is operable to transport heat between the inlet and exhaust airstreams. A pressure transducer is configured to determine a backpressure across the enthalpy wheel. A controller is configured to determine, in response to the backpressure, an operational characteristic of the enthalpy wheel.

US10197343B2

Turbulence generator

A turbulence generator includes a flat plate member (1) having a plurality of through holes (10a), (10b), and pairs of projecting pieces (11, 12) and (13, 14) projecting respectively from upstream-side edges and downstream-side edges of the through holes (10a), (10b), wherein the pairs of projecting pieces (11, 12) and (13, 14) project alternately to front and back surface sides of the flat plate member (1).

US10197339B2

Method and apparatus for maintaining a minimum temperature in a fluid

Apparatus and method for maintaining temperature in a sub-sea device, in particular in relation to fluid in the device. A material having a high latent heat on phase change is used to release latent heat to the fluid when the fluid temperature decreases towards a threshold value.

US10197336B2

Heat exchanger

A first projection plate and a second projection plate of each segment of first plurality of segments cause gas flowing into each segment to flow out from each segment while causing rotation in the gas in different directions with respect to a rotational axis in a gas flow direction and then flow into each of two segments of second plurality of segments adjacent in a perpendicular direction to the gas flow direction.

US10197335B2

Inline melt control via RF power

Various embodiments provide apparatus and methods for melting materials and for containing the molten materials within melt zone during melting. Exemplary apparatus may include a vessel configured to receive a material for melting therein; a load induction coil positioned adjacent to the vessel to melt the material therein; and a containment induction coil positioned in line with the load induction coil. The material in the vessel can be heated by operating the load induction coil at a first RF frequency to form a molten material. The containment induction coil can be operated at a second RF frequency to contain the molten material within the load induction coil. Once the desired temperature is achieved and maintained for the molten material, operation of the containment induction coil can be stopped and the molten material can be ejected from the vessel into a mold through an ejection path.

US10197330B2

Textile dryer

An apparatus for drying a garment is provided, including a main member, at least one light source, and at least one air source. The main member includes an outer surface configured for receiving the garment, and a plurality of apertures disposed along the outer surface. The light source emits a UV-C light, and the air source blows air. The UV-C light from the light source and air from the air source can at least partially pass through the outer surface. The apertures are in communication with at least the air source.

US10197325B2

Air conditioner with two injection circuits and method of controlling the air conditioner

An air conditioner and a method for controlling an air conditioner are provided that inject a refrigerant into a compressor to perform a defrosting operation. The air conditioner may include a compressor; an outdoor heat exchanger; an indoor heat exchanger; a first injection module that injects a refrigerant flowing from the indoor heat exchanger to the outdoor heat exchanger into the compressor during a heating operation and that does not inject a refrigerant flowing from the outdoor heat exchanger to the indoor heat exchanger into the compressor during a defrosting operation; and a second injection module that injects a refrigerant flowing from the indoor heat exchanger to the outdoor heat exchanger into the compressor during the heating operation and that injects a refrigerant flowing from the outdoor heat exchanger to the indoor heat exchanger into the compressor during the defrosting operation.

US10197321B2

Refrigeration apparatus

An air conditioning apparatus uses R32 as a refrigerant, and includes a compressor, a condenser, an expansion mechanism, an evaporator, an intermediate injection channel, a suction injection channel, a switching mechanism, a branch flow channel, first and second injection opening adjustable valves, an injection heat exchanger, a refrigerant storage tank, a bypass channel, and a control part. The switching mechanism switches between an intermediate injection condition in which refrigerant flows in the intermediate injection channel, and a suction injection condition in which refrigerant flows in the suction injection channel. The branch flow channel branches from a main refrigerant channel which joins the condenser and the evaporator, and guides the refrigerant to the intermediate injection channel and the suction injection channel. The bypass channel guides a gas component of the refrigerant accumulated inside the refrigerant storage tank to the intermediate injection channel and the suction injection channel.

US10197318B2

Chilling machine

A chilling machine includes a refrigerant circuit; a compressor, a condenser and an evaporator that are provided on the refrigerant circuit; a coolant circuit including first and second supply paths to which coolant is supplied at different temperatures; and a chiller that cools the coolant. The coolant circuit includes a first supply path for supplying low temperature coolant to the first supply destination, and a second supply path for supplying high temperature coolant to the second supply destination. The refrigerant circuit includes a first reheater that increases temperature of the coolant flowing through the second supply path by heats of the refrigerant, a first selective path that supplies the refrigerant to the condenser by bypassing the first reheater, a second selective path that supplies the refrigerant to the condenser through the first reheater, and a controller that adjusts quantity of the refrigerant passing through the first and second selective paths.

US10197311B2

Reciprocating refrigeration compressor wrist pin retention

A compressor (20) has a case (22) and a crankshaft (38). The case has a number of cylinders (30 32). For each of the cylinders, the compressor includes a piston (34) mounted for reciprocal movement at least partially within the cylinder. A connecting rod (36) couples each piston to the crankshaft. A pin (44) couples each connecting rod to the associated piston. Each pin has first (52) and second (53) end portions mounted to first (56) and second (57) receiving portions of the associated piston and a central portion (48) engaging the associated connecting rod. For each of the pistons a pair of first and second at least partially non metallic plugs have respective stems received in the pin first and second end portions and respective heads facing a wall surface of the associated cylinder.

US10197307B2

Air conditioner with oil level control for both gas and electric heat pump cycles

Provided is an air conditioner including at least one indoor unit; an EHP outdoor unit connected with the at least one indoor unit, and configured to control an applied current and drive an EHP compressor; a GHP outdoor unit connected with the at least one indoor unit and including a GHP compressor configured to operate using power from an engine driven through a combustion gas and an oil separator provided at an outlet side of the GHP compressor; an oil level sensor provided at the EHP outdoor unit or the GHP outdoor unit and configured to detect an amount of oil; and a control part configured to control an RPM of the EHP compressor or the GHP compressor based on information detected by the oil level sensor.

US10197303B2

Air register drain

An air register drain, for draining liquid from a duct register opening, and having; a collector portion having a bottom wall, side walls, and a top wall and an end wall at one end; a duct connection (opening); an air register opening in the top; fastenings for fastening drain, the air register opening in position beneath a register opening in a floor, a liquid collection well wherein liquid can collect, and, a liquid drain in the well connectable to a liquid drain pipe.

US10197293B2

Scale trapping unit and water heater

A scale trapping unit includes a casing having a water inlet and a water outlet at respective ends, and a scale adsorbing element loaded in the casing, the scale adsorbing element having opening ports, each of the opening ports having a representative length greater than a length of a scale particle. The casing has a void region at least at the end where the water inlet is located. A scale trapping unit inlet pipe is perpendicularly connected to a central portion of a bottom surface at the end of the casing where the water inlet is located. The scale trapping unit inlet pipe, the void region, and the scale adsorbing element are linearly aligned so that water flows therethrough in a constant direction.

US10197288B2

Combination type cooker

A combination type cooker may include a top plate with a surface, a case that is configured to define a space shielded by the top plate, a gas burner that is provided inside the case, and in which a heat plate is heated by combustion of a fuel gas, an induction burner that is provided inside the case, and that is configured to heat a cooking container by induction, and a barrier that is provided between the gas burner and the induction burner, and that is configured to partition an inside of the case into a first space where the gas burner housed, and a second space where the induction burner is housed.

US10197287B1

Foam form for wood fired oven

A masonry oven constructed with the aid of molds. An exemplary foam mold set for the on-site for the construction of a pizza oven. The mold set allows do-it-yourself homeowners, construction companies and the like to construct a custom pizza oven by simply applying fire bricks and high temperature mortar to the outer surface of the mold.

US10197276B2

System and method for detecting flame within a burner

A burner with a flame detector is provided. An atomizing chamber has an aperture. A flame tube is in front of the atomizing chamber, adapted to direct combusting fuel introduced by the atomizing chamber along an interior of the flame tube. A photodiode circuit is located behind the atomizing chamber. A filter is adapted to filter out signals from the photodiode outside of a predetermined bandwidth. Light from combusting fuel in the flame tube reaches the photodiode through the aperture. The output of the filter indicates the presence or absence of the flame in the flame tube based on at least whether enough light received and converted by the photodiode has a flicker rate within the predetermined bandwidth.

US10197273B2

Smoke processing device

The present disclosure relates to a smoke processing device for processing smoke, which is generated by an indoor industrial site, a restaurant, or a heating means that applies heat and generates smoke, the device including at least: a smoke purification means comprising a smoke collector equipped with a smoke movement duct, the smoke movement duct comprising a smoke purifier for purifying smoke, which has been collected by the smoke collector, and discharging the purified smoke, the smoke purification means comprising a hot air movement duct for moving the smoke purified and discharged by the smoke purifier; and a heat exchange means installed on the smoke movement duct to promote heat exchange of smoke collected by the smoke collector such that the smoke is converted to high-temperature smoke and is moved to the smoke purifier.

US10197265B2

Light device for flying disc target

A light device for use on a flying disc entrapment device is described including a substantially ring-shaped structure and a first array including a plurality of light sources attached to the substantially ring-shaped structure. The light sources are directed toward a first side of the ring-shaped structure. The light device also includes a battery power source configured to provide power to the first array and a switch configured to control the illumination provided by the first array. In one embodiment, the light device includes a pump circuit electrically connected to the battery power source and the first array, wherein the pump circuit is configured to supply a pulsed current to the first array.

US10197264B2

Color changing cover for an electronic device

A color changing cover device for an electronic device includes a translucent cover component appearing white when not illuminated and having a shape adapted to cover a select portion of the electronic device, a direct transmission of less than 10%, and a diffuse transmission of less than 1%. A backlight component is arranged to illuminate the translucent cover component from a back surface of the translucent cover component. The backlight component is configured to provide at least two individually addressable colored lights with different spectral output.

US10197263B2

Omnidirectional light emission LED lamp

An omnidirectional light emission LED lamp, comprising an electrical connector, a connecting piece, at least two translucent cover and LED light-emitting elements fixed on the translucent covers. The plurality of translucent covers interconnects and encloses into an overall lampshade shape, and a channel is enclosed between the translucent covers. Openings at the two ends of the channel are in communication with the outside, the connecting piece is fixed on the translucent covers at least one end of the channel, a cavity is formed within the connecting piece, the cavity is in communication with the channel, and ventilation holes in communication with the outside are provided on the connecting piece. The LED lamp implements 360 degree omnidirectional illumination, and has high light-emitting efficiency, good heat dissipation performance and a long service life. In addition, lampshades having various lengths and shapes may be assembled according to requirements, processing is facilitated, and the range of applications is wide.

US10197258B2

Lighting system and control thereof

The invention relates to a lighting system, the system comprising: a lighting device; and a controller for controlling the lighting device to produce user customisable realistic lighting effects, the controller comprising: a calculating device adapted to calculate a time varying lighting value based on at least one simulation parameter; and adapted to output said time varying lighting value to said lighting device so as to simulate a user customizable realistic lighting effect; wherein said lighting device and said controller are integrated in a combined unit.

US10197255B2

Rail-type OLED lamp assembly

A rail-type organic light emitting diode lamp assembly is provided. The lamp assembly includes a lamp module, an annular member, a connector, a conductive member, and a rail module. The annular member includes a protrusion portion having a pair of indentations. The connector is connected to the annular member, and includes a through hole, a first end provided with a pair of ears and a second end provided with a pair of hooks. The conductive member is provided in the through hole and has a first end in contact with the annular conductive coil. The rail module is connected with the connector and includes a conductor in contact with a second end of the conductive member. The connector can be slidably hooked to the rail module through the hooks, and after the ears are inserted into the indentations, the annular member can be rotatable with respect to the connector.

US10197254B2

Strut light system with integrated light source

A ceiling grid system formed of struts has a plurality of elongate insert light units. The grid system suspended from the ceiling and comprising a multiplicity of steel elongate channels (struts) arranged in the grid. The channels having a downwardly directed U-shape and defining an opening and an open channel interior, the channel having opposing J-shaped wall portions, each wall portion with an inwardly directed curved lip portion defining a gap width therebetween the two wall portions. The elongate insert light units seated within one of the steel elongate channels, each insert light unit having an elongate body with a light emitting side, each insert light unit comprising a housing, and a strip of light emitting diodes, and a transmission portion at the light emitting side, the body retained in the interior of the channel, each light unit removable and replaceable with the respective channel.

US10197249B2

Post cap assembly

A lighted post cap assembly includes a base member with a generally square shape, a floor, and a plurality of perimeter side walls. The base member is configured to receive an upper end of a post and the floor defines at least four alignment guides and at least four rectangular shaped through holes. Each alignment guide and each rectangular shaped through hole is disposed proximate a respective perimeter side wall. A plurality of light sources are contained within a housing, and each light source is configured to be received by a respective alignment guide at a respective rectangular shaped through hole and oriented downward to illuminate a perimeter of the post. A cover has perimeter side walls and a roof and is secured to the base member such that the plurality of light sources contained between the base member and the cover.

US10197248B2

Accent lighting system for decks, patios and indoor/outdoor spaces

A lighting apparatus includes a housing with a front surface member that has a rectangular opening. A light refracting member is installed within the rectangular opening, and the light refracting member includes a flat front face that is mounted substantially flush with the front surface member of the housing. A lighting source is installed within the housing and is configured to emit light towards the light refracting member. The lighting source includes a support body with an aperture within which one or more light emitters are installed. The light refracting member also includes a rear face that is defined by a convex lens structure that rearwardly extends into the aperture of the support body and extends longitudinally parallel to a longer dimension of the rectangular opening.

US10197243B2

Optical signaling system for a smart-home device

Various arrangements for light distribution incorporated as part of a device are presented. A circular light guide may be used that receives light from a plurality of light emitters that can be arranged in a circular pattern. A conical reflector may be used and may be positioned to reflect light emitted from the circular light guide onto an exterior of a case of the device. The conical reflector may reflect light such that light is reflected by the exterior of the case in the shape of a halo into an ambient environment of the device.

US10197238B2

Lighting apparatus

The present invention relates to a lighting apparatus using linear light having a three dimensional effect, the lighting apparatus comprising: a light guide unit which has a first side and a second side opposite to the first side, and has a predetermined thickness between the first side and the second side; a three dimensional effect formation unit which is disposed inside or on the surface of the light guide unit and has a pattern; a first light source, disposed in a first area of the pattern, for irradiating an incident light of a first color to the pattern; and a second light source, disposed in a second area of the pattern, for irradiating, to the pattern, an incident light of a second color different from the first color, wherein the pattern is sequentially arranged on a pattern arrangement surface parallel to the second side, has an inclined surface forming an inclination angle with respect to the pattern arrangement surface, and guides an incident light in a first side direction that the first side faces or in a second side direction that the second side faces by refraction or reflection on the inclined surface, to thereby generate a linear light of a first path.

US10197235B2

Multiple light source artificial moving flame

An artificial flame device that produces a visual effect similar to areal candle flame includes a flame structure made of partially opaque material. The flame structure defines an exterior surface and has a hollow region extending therein. An LED and an optical barrier are provided within the hollow region with the optical barrier located between the LED and a closed end of the flame structure. A second LED is preferably provided between the optical barrier and the flame structure closed end. The first LED is maintained at a constant intensity while the intensity of the second LED is varied between low and high intensities. Alternatively, the intensity of the second LED is inversely varied relative to said intensity of the first LED.

US10197234B2

Landscape light

A landscape light including a housing including a first compartment and a second compartment, the first compartment being substantially weather-proofed and the second compartment being in fluid communication with an exterior of the housing, a light source producing a light disposed in the first compartment, and a heatsink for dissipating heat generated by the light source disposed in the second compartment.

US10197232B2

Flexible illuminating flat cable structure

The present disclosure provides a flexible illuminating flat cable structure including a connector, a circuit board, a plurality of external signal lines, a first illuminating unit, a shell, signal lines, a fiber cable, and a transparent coat. The connector connects to an electronic device. The circuit board includes contact welds, signal line welds, a first illuminating unit weld, controller welds, and an external signal line welds. The external signal lines conduct a power signal or a control signal. The controller generates a power control signal according to the power signal or the control signal sent from the external signal lines. The first illuminating unit generates lights according the power control signal. The shell includes an illuminating mark corresponding to the first illuminating unit. The signal lines transmit data signals. The fiber cable transmits lights.

US10197230B2

LED lamp with internal mirror

The present disclosure provides a lamp assembly (200), comprising a base (202), an outer jacket (204) mounted to the base (202), a first reflective substrate (206, 208) positioned within the outer jacket (204), and a first solid-state light source (220) disposed proximate the first reflective substrate (206, 208). The outer jacket (204) may be glass. The outer jacket (204) may hermetically seal the first solid-state light source (220).

US10197229B2

Light emitting apparatus

A light emitting apparatus is provided. The light emitting apparatus includes a light source which emits laser light. A first light guide, which is flexible, extends from the light source for guiding the laser light emitted by the light source. A second light guide, which has a fixed shape, is connected to the first light guide for guiding the laser light emitted by the light source. A body holds the second light guide and sends out, to an outside of the body, light based on the laser light guided by the first light guide and the second light guide.

US10197228B2

Illuminating device comprising a pump radiation source

An illuminating device includes a pump radiation source for emitting pump radiation as a beam bundle, a phosphor element for converting the pump radiation into conversion light, and a lens system between the pump radiation source and the phosphor element, which is penetrated by the pump beam bundle, wherein the lens system has a focus and the phosphor element is arranged at the focus, and wherein furthermore a lens of the lens system has a scattering means which scattering means the pump beam bundle penetrates and is widened at the same time, so that the pump beam bundle is incident on the phosphor element in a manner widened around a focus point.

US10197225B2

LED tube lamp

A light-emitting diode (LED) tube lamp adapted to install on a lamp socket and configured to receive an external driving signal without the external driving signal passing through a ballast includes a lamp tube, two end caps, each having at least one external connection terminal, a rectifying circuit, for rectifying the external driving signal to produce a rectified signal; a filtering circuit, for filtering the rectified signal to produce a filtered signal; an LED module, disposed on a power loop of the LED tube lamp, coupled to the filtering circuit, and configured for emitting light; a driving circuit coupled between the rectifying circuit and the LED module, and configured to drive the LED module; a mode determination circuit coupled to the rectifying circuit and the driving circuit and configured to detect the voltage level of the rectified signal; a switch circuit; and an installation detection circuit coupled to the mode determination circuit, the switch circuit, and the rectifying circuit; and configured to detect an installation state between the LED tube lamp and a lamp socket based on the voltage level of the rectified signal detected by the mode determination circuit.

US10197223B2

Semiconductor lamp

A semiconductor lamp (1) has at least one semiconductor light source (8) arranged on a front face (7) of a substrate (6) and a driver circuit (11) for activating the at least one semiconductor light source (8), at least part of the driver circuit (11) being secured on a rear face (10) of the substrate (6), facing away from the at least one semiconductor light source (8). The invention can be used, in particular, for retrofit lamps, in particular incandescent- or halogen retrofit lamps.

US10197220B2

Integrated storage/offloading facility for an LNG production plant

An LNG production plant positioned at a production location adjacent to a body of water is described. The LNG production plant includes a plurality of spaced-apart facilities including a first facility and a second facility, each facility provided with plant equipment related to a pre-determined function associated with the production of LNG, where the first facility is an onshore facility and the second facility is an integrated storage/offloading facility arranged on a gravity-based structure having a base that rests on the seabed at a selected location within the body of water.

US10197216B2

Modular kit for construction of apparatus including positioning mechanisms

In one aspect, kits for constructing an apparatus are described herein which, in some embodiments, can demonstrate desirable modularity, adjustability, and reconfigurability. A kit for constructing an apparatus described herein comprises a plurality of modular blocks and fastening sleeves, sleeve pins and coupling pins for connecting the modular blocks to one another. A modular block comprises a series of first apertures for receiving one or more of the fastening sleeves and series of second apertures for receiving the sleeve pins to secure the fastening sleeves in the first apertures, wherein the second apertures intersect the first apertures.

US10197212B2

Smart subsea pipeline

Pipeline segments can contain cables, such as communication cables (e.g., fiber optic cables) within insulation material surrounding the pipeline segments. Cables can be embedded within the insulation material, run through conduits embedded within the insulation material, placed in channels formed in the insulation material, or otherwise. Channels containing one or more cables can be filled with supplemental insulation material, thus securing the cables within the channels. Pipelines created as disclosed herein can enable data transfer between distant points without the need to lay fiber optic cable in addition to the pipeline. Further, fiber optic cable embedded thusly can be used to sense conditions in the pipeline, such as leaks, seismic activity, strain, and temperature information.

US10197187B2

Fluid control valve

A fluid control valve includes a valve-side housing and an actuator-side housing. The valve-side housing includes a first facing plane portion that faces a second facing plane portion of the actuator-side housing and a first connection portion arranged at an outer side region of the first facing plane portion. The actuator-side housing includes the second facing plane portion and a second connection portion arranged at an outer side region of the second facing plane portion. The valve-side housing and the actuator-side housing are connected to each other via the first connection portion and the second connection portion such that a space is provided between the first facing plane portion and the second facing plane portion. The first facing plane portion of the valve-side housing includes a depression portion that is recessed in a direction away from the second facing plane portion of the actuator-side housing.

US10197182B2

Cable actuator guide for liquid dispenser

A cable guide for improving performance and longevity of a dispenser actuator for remotely operating a dispensing unit with a flexible cable connected between a valve of the dispensing unit and the actuator. The cable opens or closes the valve by manipulating the actuator adjacent the discharge end of the tube. The guide is positioned within the actuator in physical contact with the cable. The guide may comprise a thin arched body extending upward from a leading edge to a peak and downward to a trailing edge. The cable can slide over the guide as the actuator operates the valve. The guide prevents the cable from bending with a small bend radius, e.g., smaller than five or ten or even twenty times a diameter of the cable as the actuator operates the valve.

US10197170B2

Rotary valve and systems

A rotary valve 1 comprising a stator 3 and a rotor 5, wherein the stator comprises a plurality of connection ports (17a-17l) and orifices (19a-19l) and the rotor comprises a plurality of pairs of rotor valve orifices (23a-23h) joined by transfer channels (25a-25d). The rotor is able to be placed in different working positions whereby fluids can be fed to, for example, chromatography columns and/or can be bypassed through or around the valve. The invention also relates to a system comprising two components such as chromatography columns and a rotary valve.

US10197168B1

Energized spring seal for a floating valve seat

The technology of the present application provides a floating ball valve. The ball valve includes a valve body having a recess or chamber and a ball contained in the recess. A valve seat forms a sealing relationship between the ball and the fluid conduit. The valve seat has a resilient seat or member formed on the valve seat that confronts a surface of the ball. An energized spring seal on the opposite side forms a seal between the valve body and the valve seat and pushes the resilient seat towards the ball.

US10197129B2

Suspension system with horizontal elastic members

An exemplary suspension member for a reciprocating conveyor has a horizontally oriented resilient spring member, two bases, and a support. The spring member has a main body, two ends, and a center with a mounting portion. Each base has a retention portion for retaining an end of the spring member. The support supports a tray disposed on top of the mounting portion and has at least one support member extending downward to engage the mounting portion.

US10197121B2

Wear resistant braking systems

In some implementations of the current subject matter, a brake rotor can include a supporting layer applied to a friction surface of a brake rotor substrate, which can optionally include cast iron, and a coating applied over the supporting layer. The supporting layer can include a preparatory metal, and the coating can impart wear and corrosion resistant properties to the friction surface. Related systems, methods, articles of manufacture, and the like are disclosed.

US10197119B2

Sliding caliper disc brake having evacuation of air between pins and bores

A motor vehicle disc brake including a cover (12) including two bores, a sliding caliper, two pins (16) for guiding the caliper, each whereof includes a guiding section (24) which is slidably mounted in a section (28) of a bore wherein each pin (16), engaging with the wall of the bore (29), defines an axial channel (65), and each pin (16) receives a tubular sealing cap wherein an inner wall includes at least one radial groove or a radial channel communicating with the axial channel (65) defined by the associated pin.

US10197115B2

Method for parameterizing a software damper for damping chatter vibrations

A method for parameterizing a software damper is disclosed. A target clutch torque affected in specified operating states by chatter vibrations is corrected by a software damper, wherein a transfer behavior of a clutch torque transferred via a friction clutch based on the target clutch torque is ascertained during a modulation of the target clutch torque. The software damper is parameterized with the help of the ascertained transfer behavior. To parameterize the software damper quickly and comprehensively, the target clutch torque is modulated by a broadband excitation in a frequency range of the chatter vibrations, and the transfer behavior is ascertained depending on operating parameters of the drivetrain.

US10197112B2

One-way wedge clutch having radially outer ramps

A one-way wedge clutch, including: an axis of rotation; an inner race having a first radially outwardly facing surface; an outer race located radially outward of the inner race and including a first radially inwardly facing surface with a plurality of radially inwardly extending ramps; at least one wedge plate radially disposed between the inner and outer races and including: at least one second radially inwardly facing surface; and, at least one second radially outwardly facing surface including a plurality of radially outwardly extending ramps engaged with the plurality of radially inwardly extending ramps; and, at least one resilient element: engaged with the at least one wedge plate; and, urging at least a portion of the at least one second radially inwardly facing surface toward at least a portion of the first radially outwardly facing surface.

US10197108B2

Spring element for a friction device

The invention relates to a spring element (4) for a friction device comprising a spring element body (10) having a first spring element body part (11) and a second spring element body part (12) arranged behind it in the axial direction, which rest on each other in some areas, and each spring element body part (11, 12) has receiving areas (15) arranged beside one another in a circumferential direction (13) for friction linings (2, 3) that can be fixed to both sides, and the first spring element body part (11) and the second spring element body part (12) are formed in a ring shape and a first and second receiving tab (19, 20) are formed for each receiving area (15) for the friction linings (2, 3), and the first receiving tab (19) is arranged underneath the second receiving tab (20) in the radial direction, and the first receiving tab (19) and the second receiving tab (20) of each receiving area (15) for the friction linings (2, 3) of the first spring element body part (11) are formed by the latter and the first receiving tab (19) and the second receiving tab (20) of each receiving area (15) for the friction linings (2, 3) of the second spring element body part (12) are formed by the latter.

US10197099B2

Bearing device

A bearing device includes a bearing portion that includes an inner ring, an outer ring, a plurality of rolling elements that are interposed between the inner ring and the outer ring, and a cage that holds the plurality of rolling elements, one of the inner ring and the outer ring being a rotational ring, and another of the inner ring and the outer ring being a fixed ring; and an oil supply unit that is provided adjacent to the bearing portion in an axial direction. The cage includes a guide portion that is configured to be in sliding contact with a part of the fixed ring via lubricating oil. The oil supply unit includes a vibration sensor configured to detect a vibration of the fixed ring, and a pump configured to supply the lubricating oil to the bearing portion.

US10197096B2

Ball bearing cage, ball bearing, and method for producing same

A ball bearing cage includes a plurality of ball pockets, wherein each ball pocket serves for receiving a ball, wherein each ball pocket (12, 22) has a width (B) in axial direction of the ball bearing cage (10, 20) and a length in circumferential direction of the ball bearing cage (10, 20), with the width (B) being slightly greater than a diameter of the ball (30), wherein the length is greater than the width (B) of the ball pocket (12,22) at least at an outer circumference (UA) of the ball bearing cage (10), and the length (LA) of the ball pocket (12,22) at the outer circumference (UA) of the ball bearing cage (10) is greater than the length (LI) of the ball pocket (12,22) at the inner circumference (UI) of the ball bearing cage (10,20).

US10197091B1

Connecting-rod with one or more recess in the stem to reduce mass, optimize the balancing between rotating and reciprocating masses, and optimize the connecting-rod bearings minimum oil film thickness

A connecting rod for connecting between a crankshaft and a piston, includes a small end with a cylindrical hole adapted to for receiving a piston pin, a big end having a crank pin bore adapted for receiving a crank pin of a crankshaft and a stem portion extends between the small end and big end. The stem portion can have an I-beam cross-section with a pair of legs and a web extending between the pair of legs. The web includes oppositely facing surfaces defining a thickness that is less than a thickness of the pair of legs. The web includes at least one grooved/recessed portion that is recessed relative to the oppositely facing surfaces of the web.

US10197079B2

Sheet metal element having a hole, sheet metal part and component assembly as well as manufacturing method

A finished component assembly includes a sheet metal part, a sheet metal element and a rivet element. The rivet element is provided with a head part of larger diameter, which serves as a thread carrier and which forms a sheet metal contact surface, as well as with a hollow cylindrical rivet section of smaller diameter. The rivet section projects from the head part at the side of the sheet metal contact surface and extends through an aperture and a collar of the sheet metal part as well as through a hole of the sheet metal element and is shaped into an at least L-shaped, preferably U-shaped, rivet bead at the side of the sheet metal element remote from the sheet metal part, with the sheet metal contact surface contacting the side of the sheet metal part remote from the sheet metal element.

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